

Prompt / Lyrics
[Verse 1] You weren’t there the day I was born But you showed up when the storms rolled in Tool belt hanging from that old Dodge door Said, “Kid, mind if I come in?” You taught me how to drive that busted Ford How to hold my tongue, how to stand my ground Never called yourself my old man But that’s what I call you now [Chorus] I’m missin’ the man who stepped up The one who chose me, not the one who left You filled the cracks in our crooked little house With your rough hands and your quiet care You didn’t give me your last name But you gave me all you had Now January cuts like a rusted blade Took my father, not my stepdad [Verse 2] Birthday cake was barely gone Still laughin’ at the candles and the wax on the floor Two days later, that phone rang And I slid right down the kitchen door Sixteen’s circled on the calendar But the date I feel’s the one in black January sixteenth, it stole your breath And it never gave you back [Chorus] I’m missin’ the man who stepped up The one who chose me, not the one who left You filled the cracks in our crooked little house With your rough hands and your quiet care You didn’t give me your last name But you gave me all you had Now January cuts like a rusted blade Took my father, not my stepdad [Bridge] Some folks say “blood’s blood” But they never watched you stay when times got bad You were there in every scar I earned Every win I had, every tear I hid (yeah) So when they ask me what you were I just smile through the hurt I feel Say, “He was the man who showed me how to love” And that’s what makes a father real [Chorus] I’m missin’ the man who stepped up The one who chose me, not the one who left You filled the cracks in our crooked little house With your rough hands and your quiet care You didn’t give me your last name But you gave me all you had Now January sixteen’s on my heart like ink Took my father, not my stepdad
Tags
country, Soft country blues ballad with male vocals; brushed kit, upright bass, and a warm fingerpicked acoustic guitar up front. Subtle slide guitar lines answering the vocal. Verses stay intimate and near-whispered; chorus opens slightly with gentle harmonies and organ pad swelling under the hook. Final chorus drops to almost a hush, then ends on a lingering acoustic chord., country blues, soft
3:29
No
2/10/2026