Don't Cry Daddy

Album: From Elvis In Memphis (1969)
Charted: 8 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Don't Cry Daddy" was written by Mac Davis. Elvis sings it from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is making his kids sad also. But the song leaves a question: Was it death or divorce? The lyrics don't say. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Dennis - Ambridge, PA
  • Mac Davis had written "A Little Less Conversation" for Elvis, so when Presley set out to record his From Elvis In Memphis album at American Sound Studio in Memphis, he solicited more songs from Davis, who submitted a tape with 19 tracks. The first song on the tape was "In The Ghetto," the second was "Don't Cry Daddy." Elvis recorded both of them.

    As for Davis, he launched a solo career soon after, landing a #1 hit in 1972 with "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me."

Comments: 6

  • Diane from KyI think this is left up to the listner as to what the lyrics mean
  • Laina from PennsylvaniaYou still have me and little Tommy please laugh again Daddy please dont cry ....me is Lisa Marie but who is little Tommy?
  • Howard from Ohioin response to the comment of Andrew from Canada, while it may or may not have been death, it appears that Tommy had a sibling.... as the words state "You've still got ME AND LITTLE TOMMY" indicating there were TWO children, and that Tommy was NOT the one talking to his dad. Not trying to criticize, just trying to set things straight.
  • Andrewj from CanadaIn response to the comment above, I'd say that it was death. Tommy says, "Together we'll find a brand new mommy." If his mother hadn't died, he obviously wouldn't be saying this.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 10th 1969, Elvis Presley's last feature film, "Change of Habit", had its world premiere in New York City...
    It would more than two months later on January 21st, 1970 before it was released to theaters across the U.S.A.
    The song "Rubberneckin'" was featured in the movie...
    Thirteen days after the movie had its premiere, on November 23rd, 1969, "Don't Cry Daddy" b/w "Rubberneckin'" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #73; and nine weeks later on January 25th, 1970 it peaked at #6 {for 1 week} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #3 on both Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and the Canadian Adult chart.
  • Dave from Broadmoor, CaHey Dennis:

    Well seeing that Elvis and precilla didn't get divorced until 1973 I kinda doubt your perspective. I think more than that actual story, Presley like Country music and this is, basically, a country song. Elvis was also a "Sucker" for a really god ballad and this really IS a good one :-)

    Dave Crimmen
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?