“Every time I start the engine, I hear his voice…” — Alan Jackson whispers in the opening verse of his moving tribute, “Drive.” In this poignant ballad, he invites us into the CARBIN of an old pickup truck, where memories of his “late dad” remain in the passenger seat. Each lyric is a snapshot of love, legacy, and lessons passed from father to son on long country roads. More than music, it’s a poetic farewell — a melody steeped in memory, grief, and gratitude.

Alan Jackson Honors His Late Father Through Music and Memory

Alan Jackson has always held a deep reverence for his roots—and at the heart of those roots was his father, known lovingly as “Daddy Gene.” Growing up in a modest home in Georgia, built around his grandfather’s old toolshed, Jackson learned early on that while money was scarce, love and family ran deep. At one point, he even slept in the hallway for lack of space. But what the Jacksons lacked in luxury, they made up for in heart.

Alan remained close to both of his parents throughout their lives, staying grounded by the values they instilled in him. His father passed away in 2000, and his mother followed in early 2017. Alan never forgot the example his father set—one of hard work, quiet strength, and love of family—which he carried into his own life and career.

“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” — A Tribute Set to Song

Two years after his father’s passing, Alan released the deeply personal “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” as part of his 2002 Drive album. The song became a heartfelt tribute to his dad, celebrating the memories they shared together.

The lyrics trace a touching timeline—from childhood drives in a beat-up truck they’d fixed together, to afternoons out on the lake in a homemade boat, to Jackson passing on those same memories to his own daughters by taking them driving in his Jeep.

“It was just an old, worn-out Jeep, rusty old floorboards… But when Daddy would come home and pick me up, he’d say: ‘Come on, son, let’s go for a ride.’”

The song’s accompanying music video, which went on to win ACM Music Video of the Year, brings those stories to life through illustrations and home-video-style footage. It ends with a heartwarming moment—Jackson driving with his daughters, then flashing back to a real childhood photo of him and Daddy Gene in a small boat, frozen in time.

Legacy Through Lyrics

The Drive album, which also featured hits like “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” “Work in Progress,” and “That’d Be Alright,” went on to win Album of the Year—a fitting recognition for a body of work that balanced personal storytelling with national sentiment.

Through “Drive,” Alan Jackson not only paid tribute to his father but gave fans a piece of his heart. It’s a song about love, legacy, and the simple moments that stay with us forever.

Watch the video for “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” below—and prepare to be moved.