He Didn't Have to Be
{{Infobox song
| name = He Didn't Have to Be
| cover = He Didn't Have to Be.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Brad Paisley
| album = Who Needs Pictures
| B-side = "I've Been Better"{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc.|year=2008|page=313|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}
| released = August 30, 1999
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Country
| length = 4:42 {{small|(album version)}}
3:52 {{small|(radio edit)}}
| label = Arista Nashville
| writer = {{hlist|Brad Paisley|Kelley Lovelace}}
| producer = Frank Rogers
| prev_title = Who Needs Pictures
| prev_year = 1999
| next_title = Me Neither
| next_year = 2000
}}
"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.
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.Anon (2001). {{cite web |url=http://rcalabelgroup.com/artists_main/bd_index.htm |title="Biography: Part II" |accessdate=2001-06-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010610212231/http://rcalabelgroup.com/artists_main/bd_index.htm |archivedate=June 10, 2001 }} aristanashville.com. Retrieved September 17, 2009 According to Lovelace, Paisley said to him, "Let's make a song about you two that will make your wife cry."[http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070610/070610nashville_dads.html USA WEEKEND Magazine |]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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.{{cite book|title=Contemporary Country|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=1999|edition=1st|pages=67–73|isbn=0-634-01594-X}}
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.
| class="wikitable sortable"
!align="left"|Chart (1999) !align="center"|Peak |
| {{singlechart|Canadacountry|5|chartid=9713|publishdate=January 31, 2000|accessdate=July 7, 2013}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardhot100|30|artist=Brad Paisley|artistid=339390|accessdate=July 7, 2013}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcountrysongs|1|artist=Brad Paisley|artistid=339390|accessdate=February 6, 2011}} |
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col"|Chart (1999)
!scope="col"|Position |
|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.9956&type=1&interval=24|title=RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1999|work=RPM|date=December 13, 1999|accessdate=July 7, 2013}}
| align="center" | 51 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Brad Paisley singles}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:He Didn't Have To Be}}
Category:Arista Nashville singles
Category:Music videos directed by Deaton-Flanigen Productions
Category:Song recordings produced by Frank Rogers (record producer)