Green began his musical career when he was 18 and in college at Texas Tech in Lubbock. "I started playing guitar to pick up the chicks," Green laughs. "Before that, I only sang in the shower. I could mimic other people's voices. It took me a long time to find my own voice, but once I did, I became very comfortable with it. It's not real pretty but it's believable."
During those college years, Green started playing clubs and opening shows for other artists. In 1995, he put out his first independent record.
"I don't know exactly where it began, if it was Willie Nelson's picnic or one of Jerry Jeff's shows, but I got asked to play and there was a huge crowd there," Green says. "After that show, we started getting some radio support. All of a sudden, everything started happening at once. We were selling a ton of records. We were able sell out Billy Bob's. In Dallas-Fort Worth, we were selling 4, 5, 6000 seats. In Houston and everywhere else, it started being 1000, 2000 seats. It just started steamrolling. I think it was a combination of the popularity of Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson leading the forefront for us little guys. We just all fell in line behind them."
The result of that faith was Green's 2001 major-label debut, Three Days, on Republic/Universal. The album Wave On Wave followed in 2003, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard country albums chart, and the title track cracked the Top 5 on the singles chart. He released Lucky Ones in 2004. In 2006, after a move to the RCA imprint BNA, he issued Cannonball.
Family Man
Pat Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'd pull me up on his knee
And I remember every story that he ever told
He and my grandma well they would always be
Two southern lovers just kissing on each other so tenderly
[Chorus]
And he'd say, all I ever wanted to be was your family man
I just want to be your family man
Tell the children that I'll always lend a helping hand
I just want to be your family man
Just want to be your family man
Mom and Dad worked real hard to raise us kids
They were always there for me
And it didn't matter what it was I did
They've seen the hard times, the sickness and the hell
It didn't really take too long
Before they found that money it don't mean wealth
[Chorus]
Last night I had a dream from heaven up above
He taught me how to win her heart and win her love
He said it I was going to love you then listen to what he said and do it His way
[Chorus]
He said you just got to be her family man
Work real hard boy, but live your life according to my plan
You just got to be her family man
Tell the children, tell them exactly who I am
You just got to be her family man
Just got to be her family man
The lyrics to Pat Green's "Family Man" tell a story about the importance of family and the sacrifices that are made to be a good family man. The singer reflects on his childhood memories with his grandpa and the loving relationship between his grandma and grandpa. This serves as a model for the singer's ideal of what a family man should be. He wants to work hard and provide for his family, but also wants to be there for his kids and lend a helping hand whenever needed.
The second verse shifts to the singer's parents and their experience of working hard to raise their children. The singer acknowledges the struggles they faced and the lessons they taught him about the importance of family over money or material wealth. The final verse is a dream sequence where the singer's grandfather appears to him from heaven to offer advice on how to win the heart and love of his partner. The message is clear - to be a good family man, one must work hard and live their life in accordance with a plan bigger than themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I can remember my grandpa when I was five years old
I have vivid memories of my grandpa from when I was a young child
He'd pull me up on his knee
He would lift me onto his lap as a way of showing love and affection
And I remember every story that he ever told
I can recall every single fascinating story he shared with me
He and my grandma well they would always be
My grandparents were inseparable and devoted to each other
Two southern lovers just kissing on each other so tenderly
The two had a deep passion and affection for each other that was evident in their physical displays of love
And he'd say, all I ever wanted to be was your family man
My grandpa's ultimate goal was to be a devoted family man
To work real hard girl and give you everything I can
He strived to provide for his family to the best of his ability through hard work and dedication
I just want to be your family man
Being a family man was his top priority
Tell the children that I'll always lend a helping hand
He wanted to be a supportive figure to not only his partner, but also his future children
Mom and Dad worked real hard to raise us kids
My parents worked tirelessly to raise me and my siblings
They were always there for me
My parents were consistently supportive whenever I needed them
And it didn't matter what it was I did
Regardless of the situation, my parents were always ready to assist me
They've seen the hard times, the sickness and the hell
My parents witnessed the difficult and trying moments that life presents
It didn't really take too long
They realized early on that material wealth is not the key to true happiness
Before they found that money it don't mean wealth
Money does not necessarily equate to a fulfilling and satisfying life
Last night I had a dream from heaven up above
Recently, I had a comforting and enlightening dream
He taught me how to win her heart and win her love
My dream taught me the best approach to win over and love a romantic partner
He said it I was going to love you then listen to what he said and do it His way
The dream suggests that I must follow a set of principles in order to gain my partner's affection, as told by God
Just want to be your family man
I strive to be a family man for my future partner and children
He said you just got to be her family man
The dream reinforced the importance of being a devoted family man
Work real hard boy, but live your life according to my plan
I must work diligently, but ensure that my life aligns with God's plan
Tell the children, tell them exactly who I am
I must pass on the message of God's teachings to my future children
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAT GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind