
Elvis Presley's Don't Cry Daddy is a 1969 song written by Mac Davis. The song was recorded by Presley on January 15 and 21, 1969, and released as a single, peaking at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song is about a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is affecting his children. In 1997, Lisa Marie Presley recorded a duet of Don't Cry Daddy with her father's original vocal, adding new instrumentation and her own vocals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Don't Cry Daddy |
| Artist | Elvis Presley |
| Songwriters | Scott Davis (also known as Mac Davis) |
| Recording Date | January 15 and 21, 1969 |
| Release Date | November 23, 1969 |
| Peak Position in U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #6 |
| Peak Position in UK Singles Chart | #8 |
| Studio | American Sound Studio in Memphis |
| Producer | Chips Moman |
| Album | From Elvis In Memphis |
| Pairing | "Rubberneckin'" |
| Genre | Country |
| Lyrics | "Don't cry, daddy, daddy, please don't cry Daddy, you've still got me and little Tommy Together we'll find a brand new mommy Daddy, daddy, please laugh again Daddy, ride us on your back again Oh, daddy, please don't cry" |
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What You'll Learn

'Don't Cry Daddy' was written by Scott Davis (Mac Davis)
"Don't Cry Daddy" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Scott Davis, also known as Mac Davis. The song was recorded on January 15 and 21, 1969, and released as a single. It was paired with "Rubberneckin'" and peaked at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1970. The song is a country ballad, with Elvis singing from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is making his children sad.
The lyrics of the song leave the reason for the wife and mother's absence ambiguous, with some interpreting it as death, and others as divorce. In the song, Elvis sings about how his children are comforting him and trying to cheer him up, with lines like "Together we'll find a brand new mommy" and "Daddy, please laugh again". The song reflects on the impact of a parent's emotions on their children, with the chorus pleading, "Don't cry, daddy".
Mac Davis had previously written "A Little Less Conversation" for Elvis, and when Presley began recording his "From Elvis In Memphis" album at American Sound Studio in Memphis, he solicited more songs from Davis. "Don't Cry Daddy" was one of the songs that came out of those studio sessions, which also produced other beloved songs like "Suspicious Minds", "Kentucky Rain", and "In the Ghetto".
"Don't Cry Daddy" was a successful single for Elvis, reaching number 6 in the U.S. and number 8 in the UK. It was also recorded as a duet by Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1997, as a tribute to her father, with her vocals added to Elvis' original recording.
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Recorded by Elvis Presley in January 1969
"Don't Cry Daddy" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Mac Davis (also known as Scott Davis). The song was recorded on January 15 and 21, 1969, and released as a single. The rhythm track was laid down on January 15, and Elvis' vocal overdub was added on January 21.
The song takes on the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is causing his children to be sad as well. The lyrics do not specify whether the wife's absence is due to death or divorce, leaving it open to interpretation.
"Don't Cry Daddy" was paired with another song, "Rubberneckin'", and both peaked at number six on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1970. The song also reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart and was Presley's first entry into the top 40 of Billboard's Country chart in nine years.
In addition to "Don't Cry Daddy," Presley recorded other beloved songs during the January 1969 sessions at American Sound Studio in Memphis, including "Suspicious Minds," "Kentucky Rain," and "In the Ghetto." These recordings and his live performances in 1969 have cemented Presley's legacy in the music industry.
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Released as a single, peaking at No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100
"Don't Cry Daddy" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Mac Davis (also known as Scott Davis). It was recorded by Presley on January 15 and 21, 1969, at the American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. The rhythm track was laid down on January 15, and Presley's vocal overdub was added on January 21.
The song was released as a single, peaking at No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1970. It was paired with "Rubberneckin'", and the two songs peaked together. "Don't Cry Daddy" was also Presley's first entry in the top 40 of Billboard's Country chart in nine years. The song spent 13 weeks on the Top 100.
In the song, Presley sings from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is affecting his children. The lyrics do not specify whether the wife's absence is due to death or divorce, leaving it open to interpretation.
In 1997, Lisa Marie Presley recorded a duet of "Don't Cry Daddy" with her father's original vocal track. The new version featured additional instrumentation and vocals by Lisa Marie. The video for this duet was presented at a tribute concert marking the 20th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.
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Sung from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife
"Don't Cry Daddy" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969, written by Mac Davis. The song was recorded at the American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and released as a single, peaking at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song is sung from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is affecting his children. The lyrics depict the man's struggle with grief, as he tries to hide his tears and sadness from his children. The chorus, "Don't cry daddy, daddy, please don't cry", is a plea from the children, who are hurting and trying to comfort their father. They promise to find a "brand new mommy", indicating that the mother is not coming back, but it is left ambiguous whether she has died or left the family.
The song's emotional narrative captures the man's internal conflict, as he tries to stay strong for his children while navigating his own grief. The lyrics paint a picture of a family in pain, with the children trying to bring joy back into their father's life. The man's sadness is so profound that he considers giving up, but the thought of his children keeps him going.
The song "Don't Cry Daddy" has touched many listeners with its raw and heartfelt portrayal of loss and family bonds. It showcases the impact of a mother's absence on both the father and the children, highlighting the importance of familial love and support during difficult times. The ambiguity surrounding the mother's departure adds a layer of intrigue to the song, leaving listeners to interpret the story through their own lens.
The release of "Don't Cry Daddy" in 1969 marked a significant moment in Elvis Presley's career, showcasing his versatility and ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level. The song's success and enduring popularity are a testament to its powerful message and emotional impact, solidifying Presley's legacy as a legendary performer and interpreter of songs.
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The song's ambiguity—was it death or divorce?
"Don't Cry Daddy" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Mac Davis (also known as Scott Davis). It was recorded on the 15th and 21st of January 1969 and released as a single, peaking at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song is sung from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is affecting his children. However, the song's lyrics do not explicitly state whether the wife's absence is due to death or divorce, creating an ambiguity that has sparked discussions among listeners.
Some listeners, like Andrewj from Canada, interpret the song as being about the death of the man's wife. They point to the line "Together we'll find a brand new mommy" as evidence that the mother is deceased, as the children would not need to find a new mommy if she were still alive. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the song was released in 1969, four years before Elvis and Priscilla Presley's divorce in 1973, making death a more likely interpretation at the time.
On the other hand, some listeners argue that the song is about divorce. They may interpret the line "Together we'll find a brand new mommy" as the children comforting their father and assuring him that they will move on and find happiness again. The fact that Elvis and Priscilla's divorce had not yet occurred when the song was released could support this interpretation, as it reflects the emotional turmoil and uncertainty that comes with a marital separation.
The ambiguity of "Don't Cry Daddy" adds to its emotional impact and allows listeners to interpret the song through their own lenses of experience. Whether it is about death or divorce, the song effectively conveys the pain and sadness of loss, as well as the resilience and hope that can emerge in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, the ambiguity of "Don't Cry Daddy" regarding the wife's absence due to death or divorce has sparked interesting discussions among listeners. Interpretations vary, with some hearing it as a song about death and others as a song about divorce. Ultimately, the song's emotional resonance lies in its ability to capture the universal emotions associated with loss, regardless of the specific circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
The song was written by Scott Davis, also known as Mac Davis.
Elvis Presley recorded the song in 1969.
The song is about a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is making his children sad. The lyrics do not specify whether the wife/mother has died or left.















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