Loggins was born in Everett, Washington and is the youngest of three brothers. His mother was Lina (née Massie), a homemaker, and his father, Robert George Loggins, was a salesman. They lived in Detroit and Seattle before settling in Alhambra, California. Loggins attended San Gabriel Mission High School, graduating in 1966. He formed a band called the Second Helping that released three singles during 1968 and 1969 on Viva Records. Greg Shaw described the efforts as "excellent punky folk-pop records" that were written by Loggins who was likely to be the bandleader and singer as well; Shaw included "Let Me In" on both Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 2 and the Pebbles, Volume 9 CD.
Loggins had a short gig playing guitar for the New Improved Electric Prunes in 1969 before writing four songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which were included in their Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy album. During his early twenties, he was part of the band Gator Creek with Mike Deasy. An early version of "Danny's Song" (later recorded by Loggins and Messina and a No. 7 Hot 100 hit for Anne Murray in 1973) was included in a record on Mercury Records.
Loggins appears in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V playing himself as the host of an in-game radio station called Los Santos Rock Radio. He also lends the songs "Danger Zone" and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)", and sings station jingles.
In 2014, Loggins appeared as himself in the episode "Baby Shower" of the fifth season of the animated comedy series Archer. His song "Danger Zone" had been a recurring joke in the show. At the end of the episode and during the credits, Loggins also performs a country version of "Danger Zone" as a duet with the character of Cherlene. Loggins stated in a later interview that his in-show nickname 'K-Log' is a complete creation of the show, stating, "It was always a joke. That's why it works, because it's so absurd.
My Father's House
Kenny Loggins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the eyes of my eldest child,
You appear every year in my life.
In a dream, I have now,
Standing still in my father's house,
And I try another time to walk away.
From the child that you hid in your eyes,
And it's his song that I sing,
Now who will sing for me?
All my life, no voice inside,
Has whispered, "set me free",
All this time, has it been, you or me.
I wait for someone to save me,
Just like you did all your life,
And will I find my home,
But I alone, like you.
"My Father's House" by Kenny Loggins is a poignant tribute to the singer's father. The song talks about the various ways in which his father’s legacy continues to live on in his life. In the first stanza, Loggins talks about the way his father lives on through his eldest child's eyes, smile, and voice. He acknowledges that his father's influence is with him every year of his life.
The second stanza, however, is where the song really takes on a melancholic tone. The singer speaks about being in a dream where he's standing still in his father's house, but he tries to walk away. This signifies his struggle to let go of the past and move on from his father's influence. He talks about trying to break free, but the memories and his father's presence just won't let him go.
In the last two stanzas, Loggins speaks about the things he's learned from his father, especially music and laughter. His father's legacy lives on in him, and he sings his child's song, wondering who will sing for him now that his father is gone. He speaks about waiting for someone to save him and wondering if he will ever find his way home. The song ends on a poignant note, with Loggins coming to the realization that he is alone like his father was.
Line by Line Meaning
In my voice, in my smile,
You are a part of me and my existence, reflected in my voice and smile.
In the eyes of my eldest child,
I can see you in my child's eyes, passing on your traits and characteristics to future generations.
You appear every year in my life.
You continue to have a presence in my life, even though you are physically gone.
In a dream, I have now,
I am currently experiencing a dream or vision.
Standing still in my father's house,
I am stationary within the physical and emotional space of my father's house.
And I try another time to walk away.
I attempt to remove myself from my past and the influence of my father.
I learned that music and laughter,
You taught me the importance of music and joy in life.
From the child that you hid in your eyes,
You had a childlike spirit and sense of wonder that you kept hidden within yourself.
And it's his song that I sing,
I am continuing your legacy by singing the song that embodies your childlike spirit and joy for life.
Now who will sing for me?
I wonder who will carry on my legacy and sing my songs after I am gone.
All my life, no voice inside,
I have struggled to find my own voice and sense of self throughout my life.
Has whispered, "set me free",
I have yearned to break free from the expectations and influences of my father.
All this time, has it been, you or me.
I question whether my thoughts and actions have been my own, or simply a reflection of my father.
I wait for someone to save me,
I feel helpless and hope that someone will rescue me from the influence of my father and the past.
Just like you did all your life,
You spent your whole life trying to find someone to save you from your own pain and past.
And will I find my home,
I ponder whether I will ever find a place where I belong and am truly myself.
But I alone, like you.
I am isolated and alone, much like my father was before me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind