Dads—they’re the quiet heroes of our lives. They might not always say “I love you” outright, but they show it in the way they fix things that aren’t broken, teach you how to change a tire, or stand a little taller when they see you succeed. Things Dads Do is a song that perfectly captures these unsung acts of love—the small, everyday moments that mean everything in hindsight.
This song isn’t just about fathers; it’s about the little lessons they leave behind. The way they grip the steering wheel when driving through a storm, the way they shake hands like they mean it, or the way they teach patience just by sitting still and listening. Every verse feels like a snapshot from a family album, bringing to life the unspoken ways a dad says, I’m proud of you.
Whether you had a father who was always there or one you wished had been, Things Dads Do taps into something universal: the understanding that fatherhood isn’t about big speeches or grand gestures—it’s about showing up, time and time again. And sometimes, it takes growing up to truly see it.
If you’ve ever caught yourself mimicking your dad—whether it’s the way you roll up your sleeves or the way you handle tough moments—you’ll feel this song in your bones. It’s a reminder that even when they’re gone, the things dads do stay with us forever
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Lyrics
He’ll make you mow the grass and do it for free
When you think you’re done, he’ll say, “Rake the leaves”
He’ll say it builds character, but it’s 90 degrees
You’ll cuss him under your breath
He won’t let you quit your football team
Or hang with the kid who lives down the street
‘Cause he heard he smokes dope and got holes in his jeans
Lookin’ back, he was right, I guess
Things dads do
He’ll act like he does when he don’t have a clue
And I know it seems
Like he’s flyin’ by the seat of his out of style jeans
You’ll get embarrassed when he ruins your cool
When he pulls out his camera on your first day of school
And that’s just a few things dads do
He’ll hand you the keys to a hand-me-down truck
And take ’em right back when you tear it up
On your first broken heart, he’ll say, “Son, tell you what
Let’s talk it out over a beer”
And when you get married, he’ll be your best man
And pay for the booze and a bad cover band
And he’ll give a long speech and say this was God’s plan
And try not to cry, but he will
Things dads do
Give you his old recliner for your new living room
And he’ll call too much
And out of the blue without asking to show up
He’ll give you advice about your career
Complain and ask why your fridge is full of weird beer
That’s just a few things dads do
He’ll sit in the waitin’ room, chewin’ Red Man
‘Til the doctor comes out and says, “Y’all, come on in”
He’ll say she looks perfect, then shake your hand
And say, “Now you’ll understand”
Things dads do (dads do)
You’ll think it’s crazy until you’re one too
And you’ll lose your mind (your mind)
In a couple years slipin’ just three months time
But next thing you know, one’s five and one’s three
And one’s almost one and she’s cuttin’ her teeth
And you’re in his shoes
And you’re startin’ to
Do more than a few things dads do
Yeah, things dads do
Things dads do