Back in 2018, Canadian country artist Tenille Townes released her single “Somebody’s Daughter” to the world, and it has been a big success. Since its release, it has spent 12 weeks on the Billboard Country Airplay charts.
In fact, this single hit number 1 in Canada, and is still sitting on the Billboard charts for the United States! It makes us wonder, why has this song resonated so well with audiences? It’s a different kind of single, and one that industry veterans may have advised her to avoid (behind the scenes). All this makes us wonder, why has this song seen such success?
“Somebody’s Daughter” draws on a situation that we’ve all experienced. We’ve all been sitting at an intersection in our cars and seen somebody standing on the median with a sign asking for donations. Unfortunately, we’ve also all (at times) ignored that person asking for money – at least on occasion.
This song by Tenille Townes makes you think twice about this interaction. It really humanizes that person, and puts the listener in their shoes and gets you to think about how that person is feeling, while standing on the side of the road. It really teaches a lesson in empathy.
This song was inspired by a drive I took with my mom when we were going furniture shopping, and we saw this girl holding onto a cardboard sign, and it kind of made us think about what her story might have been, and how everyone’s got one.
Tenille’s amazing vocals and songwriting aside, this empathy is what sets this single apart from any other that has been released in a long time. The lyric “Wondering how she fell and no one caught her” really stands out in this song, and really makes you think about the backstory of the woman in the song.
Watch the Music Video for “Somebody’s Daughter” by Tenille Townes
It’s really exciting to think about what will be coming next from Tenille Townes. What do you think, do you love this song as much as us?
Lyrics to Tenille Townes’ Single “Somebody’s Daughter”
I drive home the same way
Two left turns off the interstate
And she’s always standing
At the stoplight on 18th Street
She could be a Sarah
She could be an Emily
An Olivia, maybe Cassidy
With the shaky hands
On the cardboard sign
And she’s lookin’ at me
Bet she was somebody’s best friend laughing
Back when she was somebody’s sister
Countin’ change at the lemonade stand
Probably somebody’s high school first kiss
Dancin’ in a gym where the kids all talk about someday plans
Now this light’ll turn green and I’ll hand her a couple dollars
And I’ll wonder if she got lost or they forgot her
She’s somebody’s daughter
Somebody’s daughter
Somebody’s daughter
Did she give up wondering where the cars all go?
And can she even tell that I don’t know what to say?
So I just nod my head and wave
Well, no one’s gonna ask what she wants to be
Or why we’re both stuck here at the mercy of geography
And whether it shines or rains
Bet she was somebody’s best friend laughing
Back when she was somebody’s sister
Countin’ change at the lemonade stand
Probably somebody’s high school first kiss
Dancin’ in a gym where the kids all talk about someday plans
Now this light’ll turn green and I’ll hand her a couple dollars
Oh, and I’ll wonder how she felt when no one caught her
She’s somebody’s daughter
Somebody’s daughter
Somebody’s daughter
Somebody’s daughter
Oh, I don’t know the reasons why
I’m the one who’s driving by
And she’s the one on the corner of 18th Street
Bet she was somebody’s best friend
Back when she was somebody’s sister
Bet she was somebody’s first kiss
Oh, Dancing in a gym where the kids all talk about someday, someday
Now this light’ll turn green and I’ll hand her a couple dollars
Oh, and I’ll wonder if she got lost or they forgot her
She’s somebody’s daughter
She’s somebody’s daughter
Listen to “Somebody’s Daughter” by Tenille Townes
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
