Cook's West Virginia-born mother played guitar and mandolin and sang on local radio shows. Her father, a Georgia native, also performed country music and served jail time for running moonshine. Upon his release, he and Elizabeth's mother played in local bands together, eventually marrying. Elizabeth, born in 1972, moved to Nashville in her twenties and quickly got a publishing deal. Demos recorded between 1997 and 2000 comprised her independently released debut album, "The Blue Album", which showcased her formidable songwriting ability and featured such well-known Music City musicians as Tim Carroll, Kenny Vaughan, and Rick Schell.
She made her major label debut in 2002 with "Hey Y'All". But following a corporate re-structuring that left the album virtually abandoned and stagnant on sales, Elizabeth fought back with her 2005 independent release "This Side Of The Moon", which received positive reviews.
Her album "Balls" was released May 2007. It was been her most successful album to date, thanks to glowing press reviews and significant video play for the song "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman."
Her 2010 album Welder features appearances by an all-star roster of guests including Dwight Yoakam, Crowell and Buddy Miller, and continued her increasing popularity becoming her highest charting album in the U.S.
Her album "Gospel Plow" was released June 2012.
Cook hosts the morning radio show "Elizabeth Cook's Apron Strings" on the Sirius XM radio station Outlaw Country on Channel 60. The show airs weekdays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). The show format is a mix of Americana, Outlaw, and Alt Country.
In 2016, Cook released her sixth studio album Exodus of Venus.
Official Site
Daddy I Got Love for You
Elizabeth Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A chew of tobacco and all the answers
He said girl if you don't learn to breathe
You ain't ever gonna make it as far as me
Daddy I try to do like ya tell me, I hold my own, I love the lonely
I feed the fire, fuel the flame, I live to play another day
I know, ain't no way to go
But I got love for you
I got love for you
I got love for you
Don't ya want my love
Everybody's got shit to give
Everybody's got pain to live
This ain't all about feelin'
And you got time that aint worth killin'
Making my living as a lone freelancer
Just to hear my baby sing Tiny Dancer
In the kitchen before breakfast at noon
Then we smoke our way through Harvest Moon
Daddy I try to do like ya tell me and not let people overwhelm me
I feed the fire, fuel the flame, I live to play another day
I know, ain't no way to go
I know, ain't no way to go
But I got love for you
I got love for you
I got love for you
Don't ya want my love
In the mirrors a fadin' romantic
Still drying flowers in her attic
On a staircase dusted with pain
But feeling better everyday
I know, ain't no way to go
I know, ain't no way to go
But I got love for you
I got love for you
I got love for you
Don't ya want my love
Everybody's got shit to give
Everybody's got pain to live
This ain't all about feelin
And you got time that ain't worth killin'
The lyrics to Elizabeth Cook's song "Daddy I Got Love for You" tell a story of a daughter's relationship with her father, who is battling stage 4 cancer. The song begins with the image of the father sitting up in bed, coping with his illness by chewing tobacco and appearing to have all the answers. He advises his daughter that she must learn to breathe, implying that she needs to persevere and stay strong in order to achieve success in life. The daughter acknowledges her efforts to follow her father's guidance, asserting that she holds her own, embraces solitude, and continues to fan the flames of her passion. She lives each day with the intention of playing her music.
The chorus reveals the daughter's unwavering love for her father, expressing that she has love for him despite all the difficulties they face. It suggests that her love is not only directed at him but also an offering; she wonders if he wants her love. The song then transitions to a broader perspective, noting that everyone has their own struggles and pain to endure. It emphasizes the importance of valuing time and not wasting it.
The second verse adds another layer to the daughter's life, mentioning her occupation as a lone freelancer and her joy in hearing her baby sing "Tiny Dancer" before breakfast. It portrays a scene of simple happiness and love shared with her family. The lyrics again echo her attempt to follow her father's advice and not let others overwhelm her. She reiterates her commitment to her passion and her determination to keep going.
The bridge introduces a fading romantic figure who still keeps dried flowers in her attic. It suggests a parallel between this character and the father, both dealing with pain and challenges. However, the fading romantic also represents hope and resilience as she continues to improve every day.
In summary, "Daddy I Got Love for You" captures the daughter's love and respect for her father as they both face their own battles and navigate life's challenges. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance, self-reliance, and finding joy in the simplest of moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' up in bed with stage 4 cancer
Despite being bedridden with terminal cancer, he remains resilient and unwavering
A chew of tobacco and all the answers
With a simple act of chewing tobacco, he seems to possess profound wisdom
He said girl if you don't learn to breathe
He advises his daughter to find inner peace and serenity in order to flourish
You ain't ever gonna make it as far as me
In order to achieve success, she must surpass his accomplishments
Daddy I try to do like ya tell me, I hold my own, I love the lonely
She acknowledges her efforts to heed his advice, assert her independence, and embrace solitude
I feed the fire, fuel the flame, I live to play another day
She nurtures her passion, ignites her creativity, and embraces life's uncertainties
I know, ain't no way to go
She is aware that there is no ultimate destination or path to follow
But I got love for you
Regardless of the challenges, she holds immense love and affection for her father
Don't ya want my love
She questions if her love is valuable and desired
Everybody's got shit to give
Every individual possesses something to offer, despite their personal struggles
Everybody's got pain to live
Everyone experiences hardship and emotional suffering
This ain't all about feelin'
Life is not solely defined by emotions and sentiments
And you got time that ain't worth killin'
She acknowledges that wasting time on unimportant matters is not worthwhile
Making my living as a lone freelancer
She earns her livelihood as an independent worker, free from traditional employment
Just to hear my baby sing Tiny Dancer
She works hard to provide for her child's dreams and aspirations, symbolized by their singing
In the kitchen before breakfast at noon
They create fond memories and spend quality time together, even with unconventional routines
Then we smoke our way through Harvest Moon
They find solace and enjoyment in smoking, especially during the autumn season
Daddy I try to do like ya tell me and not let people overwhelm me
She endeavors to heed his guidance by not allowing others to overpower or distress her
In the mirrors a fadin' romantic
She perceives herself as a love-struck individual who may be losing her romantic nature over time
Still drying flowers in her attic
She holds onto remnants of romantic gestures and sentiments, symbolized by drying flowers
On a staircase dusted with pain
She navigates through life's hardships and struggles, visualized by a staircase covered in pain
But feeling better everyday
Despite the challenges, she discovers personal growth and improvement with each passing day
This ain't all about feelin
She emphasizes that life is not solely defined by emotions and sentiments
And you got time that ain't worth killin'
She reiterates that wasting time on unimportant matters is not worthwhile
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Elizabeth Cook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind