Authenticity and sincerity have been the cornerstones of Hancock's writing and music since the start of his career. His refusal to compromise his vision and sell
out his music has earned him a fiercely loyal underground following.
Hancock's vision, as he puts it, is "to bring people together and make them feel good about music. It's a spiritual thing and without spirituality, you've got nothin'. There ain't much on the radio that strikes me as being original or from the heart, most of it's from the pocketbook and it shows."
Wayne is proud of his rural roots and culture and has thoroughly absorbed the spirit of country music's forefathers such as Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Never a mere imitator, the cutting-edge style that emerges is every bit his own. He breathes youth and driving energy into traditional country forms and adds a dash of big band horns, boogie woogie piano, scorching rockabilly beats, heavenly Hawaiian steel licks and some wigged-out hillbilly jazz guitar.
Hancock figures he started writing songs around the age of twelve, and he did a lot of traveling around Texas, playing juke joints and belting out his originals for anyone who'd listen. At 18, he won the "Wrangler Country Showdown" but couldn't claim the prize because he'd already enrolled in the Marines. After a six-year hitch with Uncle Sam, he moved to Austin, where he reacquainted himself with music and won a role in the 1994 theatrical production of Chippy. He performed alongside Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen and Rolling Stone proclaimed, "The nasal honky-tonk of newcomer Wayne Hancock practically steals the show."
In 1995 Wayne debuted with "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", a remarkable CD produced by steel guitar legend Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Wilco and Richard Buckner). The release was met with critical acclaim. Newsweek called it "the most promising debut of the season." Two-hundred-fifty dates throughout the country, including brilliant performances on Austin City Limits and NPR's Prairie Home Companion, led to well over 22,000 copies sold of his debut release on a tiny independent Texas label. In 1997, Wayne signed with ARK 21, an eclectic and well-anchored label owned by former Police manager Miles Copeland. Miles and his staff were impressed with Wayne's genuine ability for writing and performing and have dubbed him "arguably the hardest-working man in show business" for his willingness to tour solidly and his insistence on efficiency and
untainted live energy in the studio. "That's What Daddy Wants", Hancock's sophomore release, was recorded in a startling three days. A brilliant example of his Texas swing and juke joint rockabilly, the album was even a staple on the space shuttle Columbia, the bugle call of its title track used to wake the astronauts. After "That's What Daddy Wants" generated even more critical success than the first release, ARK 21 decided to reissue "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" on their label.
The past several years have been a time of personal evolution and growth in Wayne's life. He was self-managed since the beginning of 1998 and later that year he lost his father to cancer. He has still been gigging solidly throughout the country and has been doing his own driving, tour managing and taking care of business in exactly his own way.
While various musicians drop in on Wayne's shows from time to time, his core band for touring is comprised of the phenomenal Eddie Biebel on lead guitar and the rhythm slappin' Jake Erwin on Standup Bass. Do yourself a favor - whenever this great trio is in or near your town, go to the show!
That's What Daddy Wants
Wayne Hancock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what daddy wants
My low-down blues are long gone
That's what daddy wants
[Chorus]
Well that's what daddy wants
Well that's what daddy wants
That's what daddy wants
Go honky-tonkin' every night
That's what daddy wants
Everyday she passes by
That's what daddy wants
She's sure a sight for my soar eyes
That's what daddy wants
If she was mine my love would fly
That's what daddy wants
[Chorus]
Goes juke joint jumpin' every night
That's what daddy wants
[Chorus]
Goes juke joint jumpin' every night
In “That's What Daddy Wants,” Wayne Hancock sings about his ideal woman, a gal in a blue dress. He explains that his low-down blues have vanished and the woman in the blue dress is what he desires. Hancock emphasizes that he wants a woman who will treat him right and make his life worthwhile. The woman in question seems to be haunting him as she passes by every day and catches his gaze. The ideal woman he's searching for always accompanies him to honky-tonks, bars, and juke joints; she loves to dance and get lost in the rhythm.
The song is about desire and longing for something that would make life happy and content. It's also about the importance of finding the right partner who matches your specific desires and interests. Hancock’s yearning for a specific type of woman who enjoys the lifestyle he enjoys is a reflection of the importance of compatibility in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you see that gal with the blue dress on
Wayne Hancock sees a woman in a blue dress and points her out as desirable.
That's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock is expressing what he desires and considers desirable - this woman in the blue dress.
My low-down blues are long gone
Wayne Hancock is happy and content, as his sadness and woes have disappeared.
That's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock emphasizes that he is pleased and satisfied with his current situation and desires, referring to the woman in the blue dress in this case.
Well that's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock confidently declares that he knows what he wants, which is a woman who will treat him right.
I want a gal to treat me right
Wayne Hancock asserts that he seeks a woman who will treat him well and make him happy.
That's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock repeats his desire to have a woman who can treat him well in a manner that he desires, while labelling himself as a 'daddy'.
Go honky-tonkin' every night
Wayne Hancock loves going to honky-tonks every night to have fun and connect with people.
Everyday she passes by
Wayne Hancock sees the woman in the blue dress every day and can't help but feel drawn to her.
She's sure a sight for my soar eyes
Wayne Hancock finds the woman in the blue dress to be stunningly attractive and it relieves his previously 'sore' eyes.
If she was mine my love would fly
Wayne Hancock believes that if he could have a relationship with this woman, his love and affection for her would be high and he would be happy.
Goes juke joint jumpin' every night
Wayne Hancock loves to go out each night and enjoy the lively, fun music scene.
That's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock restates that indulging in entertainment with lively music atmosphere is in his name !
Well that's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock reemphasizes in a confident tone that his preferences do not change, singing about his preferences for the second time.
I want a gal to treat me right
Wayne Hancock asserts that he needs someone who can treat him right and comfort him with the love that he is seeking.
That's what daddy wants
Wayne Hancock repeats his strong desire to find someone who could treat him right and provide the love he is seeking.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRIS MILLER, WAYNE HANCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind