The collaboration started in 1970 when Jackson began writing songs with a then 20 year old Gil Scott- Heron.
Jackson remembers his first encounter with Gil, "He had this way with words and I thought to myself, 'People have to hear this stuff.' What I had to offer was the music and I figured if we can take his words and make this tribal knowledge rhythmic and musical, we can draw people to hear it."
Their partnership produced some of the most fiercely poignant, politically charged, and significantly soulful albums of the seventies. Pieces of a Man, Free Will, Winter in America, First Minute of a New Day, From South Africa to South Carolina, Bridges, Secrets and 1980 are coveted by collectors and conscious-minded music fans alike. Tracks like The Bottle, Johannesburg, It's Your World, Angel Dust, Willing, and 95 South (All the Places We've Been), while highly relevant back-in-the-day, have taken on heightened new relevance today by serving as an inspirational and musical Rosetta stone for the neo-soul movement.
Your Daddy Loves You
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For all the little ladies
For all the daddies
Now sweet little old brown eyed girl
Now that you're sleeping
I've got a confession to make
Of secrets that I've been keeping
A, a whole lot of things on our minds, yeah
But lately when we look at you
We know that we've been wasting time
Nearly all the time, and
Your daddy loves you
Say your daddy loves his girl, hey now
Your daddy loves you, loves you
Say your daddy loves his girl
Now sweet little old chocolate girl
Well now that you're sleeping I feel braver
I've got a confession to make
Let me sneak it in
While you're dreaming, dreaming, dream on
Me and your mama had some troubles
A, a whole lotta things on our minds, yeah
But every time we look at you
We know that we've been wasting time
Nearly all the time and
Your daddy loves you
Say your daddy loves his girl, hey now
Say your daddy loves you, loves you
Loves you say your daddy loves his girl
Loves his girl, loves his girl
Love you little chocolate girl
Do you love your little chocolate girl?
I love my little chocolate girl
I love her, I love my girl
'Cause she keeps me thinking
She thinks about tomorrow
She keeps me, keep me, keep
Me, keep me, keep me, keep me
Holding on sweet things tomorrow
Remember that I love you
Please remember that I love you
Say your daddy loves you, loves you
Yes, remember that I love you
The song "Your Daddy Loves You" by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson is a heartfelt love song dedicated to the little girls and their fathers. It starts with the acknowledgement that the girl is sleeping, creating an intimate and tender setting for the confession that follows. The song is written from the perspective of the father, who admits to having some problems with the girl's mother and having a lot on their minds. However, when they look at their daughter, they realize that they have been wasting time and prioritize their love and commitment to her.
The chorus emphasizes the father's love for his daughter, reassuring her that he loves her and will always be there for her. The mention of her being a "chocolate girl" reflects both her physical appearance and the affectionate nickname her father has for her. The father recognizes that the little girl brings him hope and inspiration, as she constantly thinks about the future and keeps him grounded. The repetition of "remember that I love you" towards the end further solidifies the father's unwavering love and desire for his daughter to always remember and feel his love.
Overall, "Your Daddy Loves You" captures the deep love and connection between a father and his daughter, acknowledging the challenges they may face but emphasizing the enduring love and support they share.
Line by Line Meaning
Like to do a love song
Enjoy writing and performing songs about love
For all the little ladies
Dedicated to all the young girls out there
For all the daddies
Also dedicated to the fathers
Now sweet little old brown eyed girl
Referring to a young girl with brown eyes
Now that you're sleeping
While you are peacefully asleep
I've got a confession to make
There is something I need to admit
Of secrets that I've been keeping
Regarding the undisclosed information I've been hiding
Me and your mama had some problems
Your mother and I faced difficulties
A, a whole lot of things on our minds, yeah
We had many thoughts occupying us
But lately when we look at you
Recently, when we observe you
We know that we've been wasting time
We realize that we have been squandering precious moments
Nearly all the time, and
Almost constantly
Your daddy loves you
Your father deeply loves you
Say your daddy loves his girl, hey now
Acknowledge that your father loves his daughter
Now sweet little old chocolate girl
Referring to a young girl with a chocolate complexion
Well now that you're sleeping I feel braver
In your slumber, I find the courage to express myself
Let me sneak it in
Allow me to reveal something secretly
While you're dreaming, dreaming, dream on
While you continue to dream and fantasize
Me and your mama had some troubles
Your mother and I encountered difficulties
A, a whole lotta things on our minds, yeah
We had numerous thoughts occupying us
But every time we look at you
However, whenever we gaze upon you
We know that we've been wasting time
We recognize that we have been squandering precious moments
Nearly all the time and
Almost constantly
Your daddy loves you
Your father deeply loves you
Say your daddy loves his girl, hey now
Acknowledge that your father loves his daughter
Loves his girl, loves his girl
Affectionate feelings towards his daughter
Love you little chocolate girl
Expressing love towards the daughter with a chocolate complexion
Do you love your little chocolate girl?
Asking if the daughter loves herself with her chocolate complexion
I love my little chocolate girl
The father loves his daughter with the chocolate complexion
I love her, I love my girl
Deep affection and love for his daughter
'Cause she keeps me thinking
Because she inspires him to think and reflect
She thinks about tomorrow
His daughter considers the future
She keeps me, keep me, keep
She holds onto him, continuously
Me, keep me, keep me, keep me
Holding onto him affectionately
Holding on sweet things tomorrow
Holding onto the hopeful things that tomorrow brings
Remember that I love you
Never forget that I love you
Please remember that I love you
Kindly keep in mind that I love you
Say your daddy loves you, loves you
Express and acknowledge that your father deeply loves you
Yes, remember that I love you
Indeed, remember that I love you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dennis Jones
I still Love this song it for my children and grandchildren
Debbie Williams
singing for my grand daughter
Troy Lewis
Top Ten album of all time :)
gailt1956
God! Memories...such wonderful memories. Summer, 1974. First year at Howard U. Gil at DC Teachers College.
Catherine Minnis
Brothers were droppin pure science in the seventies. Where is the wisdom in today's music.
CathyM
Dennis Jones
This bomb from Gil I here this over 30yrs ago I still love it because your Daddy loves you to my kids and grandkids
donald pope
I first heard it on a summer vacation. My sister went to San Jose state
Gerald Harris
Immaculate...
Dimond Soles
Yasmeen Ti-Chi White.... Your daddy loves you!!!