Daddy You Been on My Mind
Joan Baez Lyrics
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And covering the crossroads I'm standing at
Or maybe it's the weather or something like that
But daddy, you been on my mind
I don't mean trouble, please don't put me down, don't get upset
I am not pleading or saying, "I can't forget you"
I do not walk the floor bowed down and bent but yet
Even though my mind is hazy and my thoughts ,they might be narrow
Where you been don't bother me nor bring me down in sorrow
It don't even matter who you're waking with tomorrow
Daddy, you're just on my mind
I am not asking you to say words like yes or no
Please understand me, I'm not calling for you to go
I'm just breathing to myself, pretending not that I don't know
That daddy, you been on my mind
When you wake up in the morning, baby, look inside your mirror
Oh, you know I won't be next to you, you know I won't be near
I'd just be curious to know if you can see yourself as clear
As someone who has had you on her mind
As someone who has had you on her mind
The song "Daddy" by Joan Baez is a heartfelt reflection on an unknown man who has captured her thoughts and emotions. The song opens with Baez describing the landscape of her surroundings, questioning whether it is the sun or the weather that has caused her to think of this person. She then directly addresses the person, assuring them that she means no harm and is simply expressing how they have been on her mind. She goes on to explain that even though the details of their location or who they are with do not matter to her, they still hold a prominent place in her thoughts.
Baez then acknowledges the complexity of her feelings, describing her mind as "hazy" and her thoughts as "narrow." She assures this person that their whereabouts and who they are physically with do not affect her thoughts or feelings towards them. Baez then concludes by making it clear that she does not require a response or any further communication from this person, but simply wants to acknowledge and express the fact that she has been thinking of them.
Overall, "Daddy" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the universal experience of being preoccupied with someone who may not reciprocate our feelings. It is a gentle reminder of the power that memories and emotions have over us, and the ability of music to put those emotions into words.
Line by Line Meaning
Perhaps it's the color of the sun cut flat
Maybe it's the brightness of the day that makes me remember you
And covering the crossroads I'm standing at
I feel stuck and don't know which path to choose
Or maybe it's the weather or something like that
I can't explain why you keep popping up in my head
But daddy, you been on my mind
I can't help but think about you lately, even though I don't want to
I don't mean trouble, please don't put me down, don't get upset
I'm not trying to cause problems or make you angry
I am not pleading or saying, "I can't forget you"
I'm not asking you to take me back or begging for your attention
I do not walk the floor bowed down and bent but yet
I'm not consumed with sadness or regret, but I still can't stop thinking about you
Daddy, you been on my mind
You're still on my mind and I can't shake it
Even though my mind is hazy and my thoughts ,they might be narrow
My thoughts are mixed up and confusing, but they all come back to you
Where you been don't bother me nor bring me down in sorrow
I don't care where you've been or who you're with, it doesn't make me sad
It don't even matter who you're waking with tomorrow
I'm not jealous of anyone else you might be with, I just can't stop thinking of you
Daddy, you're just on my mind
No matter how much I try to distract myself, I can't stop thinking about you
I am not asking you to say words like yes or no
I don't need any confirmation or response from you
Please understand me, I'm not calling for you to go
I'm not trying to push you away or break things off
I'm just breathing to myself, pretending not that I don't know
I'm trying to play it cool, but deep down I know I still have feelings for you
That daddy, you been on my mind
I can't escape my thoughts of you no matter what I do
When you wake up in the morning, baby, look inside your mirror
I wonder if you ever think of me when you wake up
Oh, you know I won't be next to you, you know I won't be near
I've accepted that we're not together anymore and you're not in my life
I'd just be curious to know if you can see yourself as clear
I wonder if you can see yourself for who you truly are without any distractions
As someone who has had you on her mind
I may not be with you, but my thoughts of you are still with me
As someone who has had you on her mind
My memories of you still linger in my thoughts
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jo Line
She has such a clear voice - stunning ! Love this song đź’•
JACKJOHN HAMELD
This takes me back to a perfect summer's night fifty years ago and a girl who loved Dylan and Joan Baez.
Danny Rodriguez
She was always the best interpreter of Bob's material. The beauty of her voice is a given. They have a personal history and at times it came out in the music, way back when. Love them both.
Citysue
Never met my dad - a bandleader, a brilliant musician and a singer. Hey Dad! See you soon!!
Robert Chasnow
Perfect. Glad I found it. Been a while.
Tom Nicholas
The guitar player on this gets a really unique sound. Was it Bruce Langhorne?
Musicola
Yes it was Bruce playing an old Martin acoustic guitar with a pickup wedged in the sound hole connected to a borrowed (from Sandy Bull) Fender Twin Reverb amp. He uses it on a few tunes on this album and also on Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home album. The sound is unique as is the counter-melody part he is playing. I've enjoyed listening to his playing on these songs since the original albums were first issued.