Daddy Was Too Cool for Elvis
My dad used to tell this true story about his days in dental school. My husband, Dave, loved getting him to tell it, and Daddy was always happy to oblige. In his later years, we often introduced it by saying, “Daddy was too cool for Elvis,” and then we’d prompt him to tell the story.
One evening, it occurred to me that his story would make a fun country song. I immediately started writing the lyrics and paired them with a piano piece I’d composed a week or so earlier. Dave helped me brainstorm the production and even makes a little cameo in the recording. He also suggested I shift it from my usual Appalachian style country to Rockabilly of the 1950’s.
We’ve laughed so much putting this project together and absolutely love how the song and video turned out. I hope you enjoy this little tribute to Daddy and that it brings a smile to your face.
Watch “Too Cool for Elvis”
The Story Behind the Song
My dad didn’t really go around telling this story on his own. In fact, I don’t remember hearing it until after Dave and I were married. My older sister does remember hearing it growing up, but somehow I missed it.
Once Dave discovered the story, though, he made sure just about everyone else heard it too. He’d ask Daddy to tell it whenever family or friends were around, and Daddy would happily oblige every time.
One detail in the song has its own story. Daddy had never once suggested that he could have been Elvis’s dentist. That idea came entirely from Dave, who jokingly said, “You know, you could have been Elvis’ dentist!” As I was writing the lyrics, that line became “Could’ve been the dentist to the King.” It fit so perfectly that it became one of my favorite parts of the song.
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Images created with ChatGPT. I gave it some pictures of my dad and myself to work with.
