[Verse 1]
From training wheels
to driving home past curfew
You were up late
waiting in that old armchair
I slammed my door
thought I knew the world already
You just laughed low
said, "Baby, I’ll be right here"
[Pre-Chorus]
When my heart cracked in two at seventeen
You held me till I fell asleep
Said, "It hurts now
but it won’t always sting"
You made me believe
[Chorus]
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
In every crowd, I hear your name
Thirty-nine years of steady
You never once walked away
My first best friend, my forever fan
You’ve seen it all and you still hold my hand
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
I’m only brave ‘cause you stayed
[Verse 2]
Every report card
every crooked school-play halo
You whistled proud
like I’d won the whole damn game (hey)
From busted shoes
to box seats at my first show
You said, "Dream big
I’ll shout out your name"
[Pre-Chorus]
When the good news came on a Monday call
You cried before you heard it all
Said, "I knew, girl
I knew you’d find your thing"
You made me believe
[Chorus]
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
In every crowd, I hear your name
Thirty-nine years of steady
You never once walked away
My first best friend, my forever fan
You’ve seen it all and you still hold my hand
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
I’m only brave ‘cause you stayed
[Bridge]
One day I might have a baby of my own
Tell ‘em stories ‘bout your jokes on the phone
How you danced in the kitchen
just to make me smile (oh)
If I give half the love that you gave me
They’ll be alright, yeah, they’ll be free
‘Cause I learned how to love
watching you all the while
[Chorus]
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
In every crowd, I hear your name
Thirty-nine years of steady
You never once walked away
My first best friend, my forever fan
You’ve seen it all and you still hold my hand
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
I’m only brave ‘cause you stayed
[Outro]
From training wheels
to these grown-up dreams I’m chasing
You look at me
like I’m your greatest win
Daddy, you still clap the loudest
and I’d choose you all over again