Doug Supernaw – I Don’t Call Him Daddy, is a song written by American songwriter Reed Nielsen. It was initially recorded by Kenny Rogers on his 1987 album I Prefer the Moonlight, and was released in October 1993 by Doug Supernaw as the third single from his debut album Red and Rio Grande. Supernaw’s version was his only number-one single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, peaking there in December 1993.
Takes the point of view of a divorced father whose ex-wife now has a live-in boyfriend. In the first verse, the divorced father phones his son, and the son in the chorus mentions that he could only call his biological father «daddy» and nobody else.
In his book Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary, author Richard Carlin describes Supernaw’s version of the song as «raising the ire of stepfathers everywhere» because the son does not accept his stepfather. Michael McCall, reviewing Red and Rio Grande for Allmusic, called it an «anthem for divorced fathers.»
Doug Supernaw – I Don’t Call Him Daddy
From the album Red and Rio Grande
B-side «I Would Have Loved You All Night Long»
Released October 2, 1993
Recorded 1992-1993
Genre Country
Length 3:47
Label BNA
Songwriter(s) Reed Nielsen
Producer(s) Richard Landis
COUNTRYPEDIA
Doug Supernaw – I Don’t Call Him Daddy Lyrics
[Verse 1]
It was six in the morning when I made the county line
There’s someone I’ve got to talk to, can’t get it off my mind
He is just a kid and he’s in a pretty rough spot
Two dimes to make a phone call, that’s about all I got
How’s my boy today? I know it’s been three weeks
But you know how far I’ve got to go these days to make ends meet
How’s your mama now, with her new live-in friend?
Oh, how I hate the wounds that never seem to mend
[Chorus]
You said, I don’t call him daddy, but he takes care of things
When you pick me up on Friday, are you gonna bring me anything?
Oh, don’t worry Dad, you know, it don’t matter what we do
Cause I don’t call him daddy, he can never be like you
[Verse 2]
God bless the little hearts, they’re the ones who really pay
When Mom and Dad can’t get along and they go their separate ways
In a way I’m glad there’s someone there to fill the empty space
Tears of understanding stream down a dirty face
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
He is quite a little man growin’ up as fast as he can
And I don’t get to see him half as much as I had planned
There’s so much I need to tell him, so precious little time
A little rain on the window, and a little wave goodbye
[Chorus]
[Outro]
He said, I don’t call him daddy, but he takes care of things
When you pick me up on Friday, are you gonna bring me anything?
Oh, don’t worry Dad, you know, it don’t matter what we do
Cause I don’t call him daddy, he can never be like you
GENIUS
