The song origin and meaning can be found on Wikipedia. But like any art, it can have multiple layers and interpretations. I would like to say one that I thought it could have been, and one I preferred not to be accurate (or relatable for anyone).
It could be a song written for a lover.
He may feel and act authoritarian in ways, and constantly makes subtle commentary that lets her know she's somehow wrong, weak, not as good, which makes her cry often enough to immediately mention that in the first verse. She ask him a logical question: how can he love her since she's so inadequate and not good enough for him.
Why I immediately thought it's not an actual father/daughter relationship is because a child doesn't need to prove themselves or deserve love: it's unconditional. A child doesn't wonder how a parent can love them, or beg them for it (though in some cases, particularly with cluster B personality disorders, it is possible).The love of this "daddy" in the song is very conditional. The second reason I didn't think it was a parental relationship is calling him "baby", and her being unable to leave. Children almost by definition grow up, become independent and leave. If these parts of the song were literal, it could suggest an incestuous love with a narcissistic father. Which is another possible interpretation, but I personally feel it's not that one.
And at the same time, she wonders within herself how is it that despite that constant feeling and suggestions of her inadequacy by this Mr. Right and Mr. Generous and Forgiving, even just his smile soothes her so, she feels like he's the best thing in her life, and she can't walk away even when she tries.
She concludes enigmatically, repeatedly that if one of them is a fool, it's she. It may mean that he's not a fool for being with a "lesser" being like herself (he keeps putting her down, but then pretending he's this great, parental figure who's right, and so forgiving to keep staying with her), but she is the fool for staying with someone who constantly makes her feel like that. She conceals it by saying it in a way that to him, a potentially covert narcissistic lover, may seem like she's putting her head down, and begging him for forgiveness, because she's such a fool to resist or doubt such a great guy, ever, even for a moment. It's got to be her. He's just so perfect, it can't possibly be him.
[Edit: I wanted to clarify that I do know the known version of actual events. ]
The song origin and meaning can be found on Wikipedia. But like any art, it can have multiple layers and interpretations. I would like to say one that I thought it could have been, and one I preferred not to be accurate (or relatable for anyone).
It could be a song written for a lover.
He may feel and act authoritarian in ways, and constantly makes subtle commentary that lets her know she's somehow wrong, weak, not as good, which makes her cry often enough to immediately mention that in the first verse. She ask him a logical question: how can he love her since she's so inadequate and not good enough for him.
Why I immediately thought it's not an actual father/daughter relationship is because a child doesn't need to prove themselves or deserve love: it's unconditional. A child doesn't wonder how a parent can love them, or beg them for it (though in some cases, particularly with cluster B personality disorders, it is possible).The love of this "daddy" in the song is very conditional. The second reason I didn't think it was a parental relationship is calling him "baby", and her being unable to leave. Children almost by definition grow up, become independent and leave. If these parts of the song were literal, it could suggest an incestuous love with a narcissistic father. Which is another possible interpretation, but I personally feel it's not that one.
And at the same time, she wonders within herself how is it that despite that constant feeling and suggestions of her inadequacy by this Mr. Right and Mr. Generous and Forgiving, even just his smile soothes her so, she feels like he's the best thing in her life, and she can't walk away even when she tries.
She concludes enigmatically, repeatedly that if one of them is a fool, it's she. It may mean that he's not a fool for being with a "lesser" being like herself (he keeps putting her down, but then pretending he's this great, parental figure who's right, and so forgiving to keep staying with her), but she is the fool for staying with someone who constantly makes her feel like that. She conceals it by saying it in a way that to him, a potentially covert narcissistic lover, may seem like she's putting her head down, and begging him for forgiveness, because she's such a fool to resist or doubt such a great guy, ever, even for a moment. It's got to be her. He's just so perfect, it can't possibly be him.
[Edit: I wanted to clarify that I do know the known version of actual events. ]