He Didn't Have to Be

"He Didn't Have to Be" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It was released in August 1999 as the second single from his debut album, Who Needs Pictures. In December 1999, it became his first number one single, holding the top spot for one week.

"He Didn't Have to Be"
Single by Brad Paisley
from the album Who Needs Pictures
B-side"I've Been Better"[1]
ReleasedAugust 30, 1999
GenreCountry
Length4:42
LabelArista Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Frank Rogers
Brad Paisley singles chronology
"Who Needs Pictures"
(1999)		 "He Didn't Have to Be"
(1999)		 "Me Neither"
(2000)

Background

The song was based on Paisley's frequent co-writer and best friend, Kelley Lovelace's stepson McCain Merren, who attended the 2000 ACM Awards as Paisley's guest.[2] According to Lovelace, Paisley said to him, "Let's make a song about you two that will make your wife cry."[3]

Content

This song is written from the perspective of a son of a single mother. The single mother begins dating a new man who almost immediately includes the child in things like going to the movies. In the final verse, the son now is about ready to become a father himself, standing in the hospital next to his stepfather and hoping that he can be "at least half the dad" that his stepfather "didn't have to be." This song is set in the key of A major in common time, and has a vocal range from A3 to D5.[4]

Music video

The music video was directed by Deaton Flanigen and premiered on August 17, 1999 on CMT.

Chart performance

"He Didn't Have to Be" debuted at number 72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs for the week of September 4, 1999. "He Didn't Have to Be" spent 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, peaking at number one in December 1999 and holding that position for one week.[1]

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 30
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1999) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8] 51
Chart (2000) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 33
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References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 313. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. Anon (2001). ""Biography: Part II"". Archived from the original on June 10, 2001. Retrieved 2001-06-10. aristanashville.com. Retrieved September 17, 2009
  3. USA WEEKEND Magazine |
  4. Contemporary Country (1st ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. 1999. pp. 67–73. ISBN 0-634-01594-X.
  5. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 9713." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 31, 2000. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  6. "Brad Paisley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  7. "Brad Paisley Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1999". RPM. December 13, 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  9. "Best of 2000: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2000. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
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