The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Who did the daddy thing?|When her father wasn't there|Who did the daddy thing?|Now usually, it was a cross seat up in the back seat|A tiny shoe swingin' from the rear view|A ring on her hand I could never be her man|But we got so close|Blew all my dough on the Baby Gap school clothes|Pretty little angel in barrettes and bows|And a button nose|After a while started calling me daddy|I should have known that it couldn't last|Should have know that you'd take him right back|I should have took off running when I first saw her comin'|Would have never gotten so attached||[Chorus]|When her father wasn't there to participate he got hit wit a bit up state|When she needed diapers, wipes food and baby food|Won't you tell me who|Who did the daddy thing?|I gave her everything|Who did the daddy thing?|Nobody, nobody but me||Now normally, I would just hit and run|But Cant u see|I'm about you and your little one|I took the jokes form all my folks|How I got caught up playing step daddy|I got my income tax n said fuck it|And traded in your bucket|cus that coop wasn't big enough|I wasn't trying to replace him|Now that he's back around,|Guess that you don't need me now|You don't need me anymore||I should have known that it couldn't last|Should have known that you'd take him right back|I should have took off runnin' when I first saw her comin|Would have never gotten so attached||[Chorus]|When her father wasn't there to participate|He got hit wit a bit upstate|When she needed diapers wipes food and baby shoes|Won't u tell me who (who did it)|Who did the daddy thing?|(I did, I gave her every thing)|Who did the daddy thing?|(Nobody but me)|On the first day of school, holidays|From the very first step she made|When she needed love trust patience and truth|I want you to tell me who|Who did the daddy thing?|(I gave her everything)|Who did the daddy thing?|(Nobody but me)||Long walks with piggy backs and baby cribs and light blue Timbs|I gave it all out of love|(All in the name of love)|Every Christmas, X-Boxes, little dresses, tennis placements|I did it all, all just because|When there was no one, no one|When nobody else was there||[Chorus]|When her father wasn't there to participate he got his wit a bit upstate|When she needed diapers wipes food and baby shoes wont you tell me who|Who did the daddy thing?|(And you know I was the man)|Who did the daddy thing?|(A shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to)|On the first day of school holidays from the very first step she made|When she needed love trust patience and truth I want you to tell me who|Who did the daddy thing?|(Nobody)|When her father wasn't there|Who did the daddy thing?|
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Daddy Thang (Daddy Thing) Lyrics as written by
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Great version of a great song,
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One song that will never grow old to me.#RealTalk