Introduction
Alan Jackson’s “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a tender, autobiographical tribute released on January 28, 2002, as the second single from his tenth studio album, Drive . The song honors his late father, Eugene “Gene” Jackson, who passed away in January 2000. Alan, known for his honest storytelling, intentionally steered clear of a mournful “dying song” and instead penned a heartfelt, warm celebration of childhood memories—centered on moments when dad let him take the wheel—reflecting Gene’s quiet influence and love for cars .
Musically, the narrative unfolds across vivid vignettes: from helming a boat on an Alabama lake to learning to drive an old hand-me-down Ford truck on dusty roads. The lyrics brim with nostalgic detail: “three speed on the column and a dent in the door” and “I’d sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedals” evoke the universal thrill of a first drive and the bond formed behind the wheel . Later, the story comes full circle as Alan imagines guiding his own daughters—symbolizing his father’s legacy passed to a new generation.
Upon release, the song resonated deeply. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, remaining atop for four weeks, and peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 . Critics praised its heartfelt simplicity; Billboard called it “a heartfelt lyric that allows listeners to share a stroll down memory lane” delivered with “honesty, integrity, and emotional warmth” . Rolling Stone later ranked it No. 52 in their list of the “200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time” .
The official music video—directed by Steven Goldmann and brought to life through animation—visualizes the song as illustrated storybooks, showing young and adult Alan driving various vehicles with his dad and daughters, including a Ford Bronco in lieu of the “Jeep” mentioned in the lyrics . It earned acclaim in its own right, winning Video of the Year at both the CMA and CMT awards in 2002 .
In sum, “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” stands as one of Alan Jackson’s most moving songs—a universal celebration of parental love, generational ties, and the simple magic of being handed the keys for the very first time.
Video
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)”
It was painted red the stripe was white
It was 18 feet from the bow to stern light
Secondhand from a dealer in Atlanta
I rode up with daddy when he went there to get her
We put on a shine, put on a motor
Built out of love, and made for the water
Ran her for years, til’ the transom got rotten
A piece of my childhood will never be forgoten
It was just an old plywood boat
With a 75 Johnson with electric choke
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can’t replace the way it made me feel
And I would turn her sharp
And I would make it whine
He’d say, “You can’t beat the way a old wood boat rides”
Just a little lake cross the Alabama line
But I was king of the ocean
When Daddy let me drive
Just an old half ton short bed ford
My Uncle bought new in 64
Daddy got it right cause the engine was smoking
A couple of burnt valves and he had it going
He’d let me drive her when we haul off a load
Down a dirt strip where we’d dump trash off of Thigpen Road
I’d sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedels
Smiling like a hero who just received his medal
It was just an old hand me down ford
With 3 speed on the column and a dent in the door
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can’t replace the way it made me feel and
I would press that clutch
And I would keep it right
He would say a little slower son
Your doing just fine
Just a dirt road with trash on each side
But I was Mario Andretti
When Daddy let me drive
I’m grown up now
3 daughters of my own
I let them drive my old jeep
Across the pasture at our home
Maybe one day they’ll reach back in their file
And pull out that old memory
And think of me and smile
And say
It was just an old worn out jeep
Rusty old floor boards
Hot on my feet
A young girl two hands on the wheel
I can’t replace the way it made me feel
And he’d say
Turn it left, and steer it right
Straighten up girl now, you’re doing just fine
Just a little valley by the river where we’d ride
But I was high on a mountain
When Daddy let me drive
Daddy let me drive
Oh he let me drive
It’s just an old plywood boat
With a 75 johnson
And electric choke