Kane Brown’s “For My Daughter” Is Calculating, But High Quality
One of the worst things about modern “country” music and the way it is covered by the media is how it’s basically become nothing more than a real life soap opera, where fans rabidly follow the personal lives of their favorite music celebrities and buy 100% into their cult of personalities. Music is simply the excuse to sheepishly ingest their celebrity lifestyle, and the quality of the music (or lack thereof) is inconsequential.
Baby news, baby gender reveals, engagements and weddings, and the deaths of relatives or even pets are arguably more important moments for the popularity of many mainstream country performers than the release of a new record or single. Publicists push this information out to the media, the public laps it up, and labels plan important things like tour announcements and video releases around these personal moments shared with the public.
So when you heard Kane Brown had written and recorded a song to directly coincide with the birth of his first child, you couldn’t help but roll your eyes a little bit unless you’re a dues paying member of his fan club. Hey, good for him. He’s now the father of a happy and healthy baby girl and gets to look forward to getting screwed out of a good night’s sleep for the next 18 months like the rest of us schmucks. Oh but who are we kidding. Kane’s got enough cash for an army of nannys and wet nurses if need be.
Another annoying, if not alarming thing about Kane releasing his new song “For My Daughter” is that once again his team and label have added the track to his last album Experiment as opposed to releasing it as either a standalone track, or perhaps a track to include on an upcoming record, or on a bonus or deluxe edition of his current release.
Just like they did in July, the Kane Brown team has figured out how to change the official release date for the entire Experiment record on Spotify to November 1st, 2019—the day “For My Daughter” was released. This is opposed to the actual release date of Experiment, which is November 9th, 2018—nearly a year ago. Kane Brown & Co. previously changed the release date of the record to July 12th when they added another new song called “Like A Rodeo.” Why is this such a big deal? Because changing the release date sends the entire Kane Brown record through Spotify’s “New Release” promotion cycle as opposed to just the new track, giving the record an unfair boost in the streaming market by gaming the loose regulations of the system.
The release of “For My Daughter” is just all part of the smarmy way much of mainstream music does its business, which is gaming streaming markets and the gossip-thirsty media apparatus for attention and revenue. But when it comes to the song itself, Kane Brown deserves credit.
“For My Daughter” very well might be the most country, and the most quality track Kane Brown has ever written and recorded. Of course to many, Kane Brown is the biggest persona non grata in all of country music, right up there with Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, and a select few others directly held responsible for ruining modern country, and for fair reasons. Simply mentioning Kane Brown in a favorable tone will be seen as nothing short of treasonous by many a country music online purist. And setting this song off against the rest of the Kane Brown catalog as the “best” isn’t exactly saying much.
But if country music is ever going to improve in the mainstream, credit must be given whenever it’s due, and especially if it’s for someone like Kane Brown. Tons of fiddle, and even the presence of some steel guitar make “For My Daughter” an inviting and compelling composition. But it’s the personal nature of the writing that makes this song something remarkable. Kane Brown’s father was incarcerated when he was growing up, and he never knew him. So when he delivers lines like, “They say history repeats itself, well, I guess that’s up to me. I grew up without a dad, I’m gonna be the best one I can be…,” you can’t help but feel it.
Sure, it’s sort of low hanging fruit to write a song like this and get tugging on everyone’s heartstrings. The approach to “For My Daughter” is less poetic, and more direct in a way that touches you, especially if you’re a father or a daughter, or grew up in a fatherless home, but it’s too overt to touch especially deeply. And the calculated feel of this whole thing is hard to ignore. But give Kane Brown credit for doing something bold with this song, being personal and revealing, and setting a career best mark.
One of the frustrating things about Kane Brown is the fact that he was strongly influenced by guys like George Strait and Randy Travis. It just doesn’t always translate into his songs. He should be collaborating more with folks who have fiddles tucked under their chins, not Marshmallows on top of their heads. Because as he proves here, he’s got the knack, talent, and voice for it.
Perhaps the birth of his daughter will reset Kane Brown’s priorities in life, make him reflect more on his upbringing and the country music that was playing in the kitchens and back porches of his formative years, bring him back to his roots, and compel him to record more songs like “For My Daughter.” Because if it did, it would be a massive improvement and turnaround in his career, and lend a helping hand to country music in the process.
Di Harris
November 5, 2019 @ 10:55 am
Way to show some balls Trigger.
I mean that sincerely.
Good for you
Travis
November 6, 2019 @ 8:54 am
There is nothing unusual with this article. Trig has had several targets like Kane, that when they release something more traditional and well written, he gives credit and praise (i.e FGL).
Di Harris
November 6, 2019 @ 10:59 am
Comment to Trigger was a compliment.
I appreciate what he does
Michael Roy
November 5, 2019 @ 11:18 am
I am surprised.
Dave
November 5, 2019 @ 11:19 am
Spotify needs to change its rules so that once you mark an album as released, you can’t change its release date.
Trigger
November 5, 2019 @ 11:29 am
Seems like a very, very simple rule to enact. And also make sure that you don’t treat a record released quite literally a year ago like it was released last week.
Di Harris
November 5, 2019 @ 12:27 pm
Agreed.
Bri
November 5, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
And they also need to prevent adding new tracks into albums after their release. I just can’t see the point of doing that. Why not just release new tracks as a new single/EP?
karl
November 5, 2019 @ 11:22 am
Nice song and nice review. I have never had a problem with Kane Brown, but that sure seems like a sleazy record company to get a reset on the release date. I noticed his last album was back in front on my spotify, now I know why.
Cool Lester Smooth
November 5, 2019 @ 11:32 am
Kane Brown is pretty clearly a talented singer (and I wouldn’t at all lump him in with the likes of FGL, other than criticizing his team’s shifty marketing tactics).
The last album seemed like an attempt to write decent pop country, but with already outdated metro-bro production. I’m gonna wait until I see his second effort, especially in the “Luke Combs Era,” before I write him off forever.
kross
November 5, 2019 @ 11:32 am
F**k this guy. I just had a kid 3 weeks ago. My dad drank himself to death when I was 15 years old. Don’t write a song to your daughter about being a better dad, just be a better a dad. this isn’t the time to take something so special and commercialize it for your own financial gain. this guy is a bigger piece of shit than I gave him credit for. The world will be a better place when he finally takes his place as a footnote in the lexicon of pop culture that he is in no doubt bound to be.
Hey Arnold
November 5, 2019 @ 11:55 am
Woah… Father of the Year over here…
Cat and the Cradle and the Silver spoon, Mr.Kross, your comments are pretty gross. I think you need to calm down…
Anthoeremptybottle
November 5, 2019 @ 12:28 pm
Damn dude, chill. Take the revolver out of your mouth. Go hug your kiddo. Hope you arent teaching them this hatred.
Kross
November 5, 2019 @ 1:38 pm
since he’s only 3 weeks old, I haven’t had a chance to teach him much of anything except how to sleep, fart and shit. But when the time comes, I’ll teach him that children are a gift and should never be exploited. And my guns are safely locked away in my gun safe where they belong.
Kross
November 5, 2019 @ 1:33 pm
people who use their children for financial gain are gross.
Kevin Davis
November 5, 2019 @ 3:19 pm
I’m the furthest thing from a Kane Brown fan, but how on earth do you know this is merely “for financial gain”? Damn, I can’t even imagine being that cynical.
Cool Lester Smooth
November 5, 2019 @ 3:51 pm
So, to be clear:
Any and every musician who writes, records, and releases a song about their child is “gross”?
charlotte
November 9, 2019 @ 6:27 am
Go to therapy. You need it.
Kane fan
November 5, 2019 @ 4:10 pm
Whoa are you always this hateful and bitter?? People like you are the reason that society is jacked up. Try being a little bit more compassionate for other people or sit around and hate on people and wait for the karma bus.
tucker33585
November 5, 2019 @ 5:50 pm
Gotta Say Hoss, I respect your balls. And you are right. Imagine how much he’ll make off this song. I guarantee this was more about that than actually being a dad
Monica Cunningham
November 5, 2019 @ 7:01 pm
I think you need to get a grip… Kane Brown had a rough upbringing when he was growing up.. beautiful man, wife child and song ❤️.. so no.
Jeff
November 6, 2019 @ 2:24 am
Dude stfu you sound stupid. the man just had baby let him do what he wants its his glory. its not like your opinion matters to him any way.
Tomme
November 6, 2019 @ 3:46 pm
Ur a dick just for writing this post.. he wrote that to his daughter for her to always have something to look back on and to know how proud her dad was the day she came into this world. I’m sure if you loved your kids and where proud the day they where born and had talent you would of did the same thing he did…
Black Boots
November 7, 2019 @ 9:48 am
Lmao you are insane. I hope the mother of your child is stable enough for the both of ya’ll
Hey Arnold
November 5, 2019 @ 11:38 am
Got to give him credit. Some of his songs are decent like Heaven, Good as You, Short Skirt weather, Homesick. I definitely think he belongs in the country music mainstream scene. There’s many other artists way worse than him. Kane has a great voice and I hope he continues with this neotraditional production . He has accomplished things that Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, Dan and Shay haven’t even touched yet. This is a Big moment for country mainstream!!! Even Florida Georgia Line is headed a bit more traditional (with current song Blessings). I believe FGL and Kane will have more success in the future than Thomas Rhett and the rest of the pure pop country folks of today
Hey Arnold
November 5, 2019 @ 11:43 am
Just saying ….. Jon Pardi x Kane Brown collaboration with ton of fiddle and steel.. … Might just officially end the pop country genre in its tracks!!!
63Guild
November 5, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
I’m just here for the comments
ScottG
November 5, 2019 @ 12:48 pm
Sounds ok.
But, one great thing about music is that, unlike cars, and other physical products, really good music costs the same as ok music. I can understand the reason for driving an ok car.
the pistolero
November 5, 2019 @ 1:01 pm
I’ve been saying the dude has a good voice and that he just wastes it on crappy songs.
Sounds like he might want to change direction. Let’s hope so.
wayne
November 5, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
Just because I cannot stand Kane does not mean I have to automatically hate all his output. This is a good song.
And that is how a song should be reviewed. Regardless of everything else, is the song good and is it country. More importantly, is it good country?
And that is what Trigger has done. Stand-alone, this is a good review because this is a good song. A note to self. Self, let every song stand on its own with no preconceived prejudices. Oh well, I have bit of work to do!
Corncaster
November 5, 2019 @ 1:23 pm
It’s a good sign. More interesting is if he shows up at a Kanye Sunday Service.
Bri
November 5, 2019 @ 3:07 pm
If Kane Brown and Kanye did a collab, I wonder what they’d call it. Kane + Kanye? Kanye Brown? Kane West? lol
elemeno p in the hizzle, boyz
November 5, 2019 @ 3:51 pm
The Goo Goo Dolls and Lady Gaga teaming up = GooGooGaga
Something Always Told Me They Were Reading Tommy Wrong
November 6, 2019 @ 3:27 am
Growing up we always used to laugh at the idea of a Dire Straits/Chris Rea team up, that would have given us Dire Rea. 🙂
Di Harris
November 6, 2019 @ 5:54 pm
Why do you say that?
Very curious.
As in, i am & that was
Benny Lee
November 5, 2019 @ 1:27 pm
All he has to do is actually SING a REAL song. That’s all we want from you, kid. You have the talent; just don’t leave it at home when you go to the recording studio.
Easily the best KB song I’ve ever heard, and probably the only one I’ve listened to all the way through on purpose.
And if I’m being honest, this song only barely grazes the surface of what he’s capable of if he really wanted to deliver a performance. That, to me, is the most frustrating thing about him as a vocal artist.
JB-Chicago
November 5, 2019 @ 1:44 pm
I’m embarrassed to say I was probably one of the only ones on here that had the Chapter 1 and Closer EP’s before I knew what was what etc…. and was navigating in my own mind what was “real”, “authentic”, “bro”, and “Pop” as well as before I found the promised land (this website) to teach me. Enjoyed his voice and the EP’s back then until he came here on a Sunday night (Nov 2016) at Joe’s Live to about 100 of us a month prior to the first albums release. He played almost none of the songs on the EP’s and played most of the unheard yet to be released debut album. Didn’t care for the show and walked out and never looked back. This is a good song no doubt and it does remind me of what I heard in him 3 years ago. A good song is a good song and even more important it’s Country. Screwing the system and changing the release date is bullshit though. It’s cheating all the incredible latest releases out of space. Like everything else, somebody is probably paying somebody to make it happen. Ahhhhh the music business.
Garrett Roe
November 5, 2019 @ 1:51 pm
Hearing Kane sing Believe with Brooks & Dunn proved to me he can actually sing. I hope this track does too
you talka like-a da mickey mouse
November 5, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
Is this song being released as a single to radio?
Trigger
November 5, 2019 @ 4:06 pm
At the moment I’m not seeing any mention of it as a single. His current single is still “Homesick.”
Jamie
November 5, 2019 @ 4:08 pm
Kane Brown is the biggest p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶a̶ ̶n̶o̶n̶ ̶g̶r̶a̶t̶a̶ person in all of country music, right up there with Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, and a select few others directly held responsible for r̶u̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ revolutionizing modern country, and for fair reasons.
Cool Lester Smooth
November 5, 2019 @ 4:28 pm
lol.
Sam Cody
November 5, 2019 @ 4:48 pm
Looks like a list of people who will be hitting on Kane’s daughter in about 2 years…
ScottG
November 5, 2019 @ 5:11 pm
This almost puts your previous comment in perspective. Way to stay elusive.
Country Fan
November 5, 2019 @ 4:20 pm
Bunch of jealous haters. Kane Brown is very talented and it’s just simple if you don’t like his music. Don’t listen.
Many people relate to his music and he truly is an artist who can sing with many musicians. Gives back to his fans and society and certainly is where he should be today. On Top of the Charts!!
Buzz Meeks
November 5, 2019 @ 5:09 pm
Holy shit. Kane Brown’s daughter could write write more coherent sentences.
ScottG
November 5, 2019 @ 5:12 pm
Did you…say….read the review?
Chris
November 6, 2019 @ 3:23 pm
Never fails. Trigger writes a review that’s mostly positive regarding the music and critical mainly of the marketing strategy, and the stan psychos still bite. My guess is “Country Fan” (and how much do you wanna bet her definition of “country” is Thomas Rhett and Sam Hunt) saw the word “calculating”, immediately assumed this was a rant, and decided to pounce.
sbach66
November 7, 2019 @ 11:55 am
I love the Stans.
Mike Honcho
November 5, 2019 @ 5:27 pm
Ribbet.
Karla
November 5, 2019 @ 5:40 pm
For the haters who aren’t artistic in nature, I’m sorry you don’t understand that songwriters/poets take whatever emotion they’re feeling at the moment and write it down. Thank you Kane Brown for taking the emotions you felt as a first time parent and crafting a great country song.
albert
November 5, 2019 @ 6:40 pm
VERY country-sounding , VERY real , obviously from the heart and autobiographical . musically terrific .
vocally it lacks …it doesn’t suck …but it lacks range , emotion and dynamics . he’s just not a country singer .
lyrically it milks the hook ( grew up without a dad ) to the point of ‘ all right already’ …we got it . the line worked the first time …then lost its punch with each repeat in the song . and that IS the lyric ….good verses , good chorus …not great .
but again ….kudos to the guy for writing something real and giving it the right treatment musically . its not a great song , IMO …..but it may be HIS best .
OlaR
November 5, 2019 @ 7:11 pm
Well…wait…let’s say Sam Hunt is releasing a ballad with a fiddle or two about his newborn 3rd grade step-cousin’s uncle’s grandmom (whatever) we will declare our endless love for Sam Hunt now?!
Time for a drink.
Trigger
November 5, 2019 @ 8:15 pm
It is my job as a reviewer to press the reset button every time I hear a new song or album, and give my honest, objective opinion, regardless of my personal feelings about the artist or their previous work. Furthermore, if either Kane Brown or Sam Hunt when full blown traditional country, I would celebrate it. That is what we want. If we complain that Kane Brown isn’t country enough, and then he releases a country song and we trash it, we’re hypocrites.
OlaR
November 6, 2019 @ 4:43 am
It’s one song. Not an ep. Not an album.
The Kane-Brown-can-sing-&-is-a-good-guy-now comes a little bit too early.
Kris Hitchcock
November 6, 2019 @ 10:43 am
I don’t think Trigger said he’s a good guy now because of one song, I think he said he released a good song.
Cool Lester Smooth
November 6, 2019 @ 12:37 pm
Not to mention the fact that it’s entirely possible for a pop country singer to be a good dude, just as much it’s possible for a trad guy to be a dickhead.
(And, of course, I don’t think anyone ever questioned Brown’s raw vocal talent)
Di Harris
November 6, 2019 @ 5:51 pm
Not too early, at all
Greg Green
November 8, 2019 @ 5:40 am
That’s why Trigger reviewed the song. Not the ep. Not the album. Just this song.
GrantH
November 5, 2019 @ 7:40 pm
Pretty good song. Nice to hear the fiddle in there. But I really do think that streaming platforms need to clean up this mess they have on their hands. This thing artists do where they edit their album tracklists is basically a sales hack. Maybe your last album flopped, but your standalone follow-up single is gaining traction. What can you do? Simply add it to the tracklist of the streaming version of your album release and BAM, you’ve got a gold-certified record now thanks to the success of that one single. It’s pretty scummy and is yet another reason why future historians will probably be so confused by the early streaming era.
Anthony
November 5, 2019 @ 8:27 pm
The song was co-written with the great Tom Douglas, who also wrote or co-wrote Miranda Lambert’s The House That Built Me, Tim McGraw’s Grown Men Don’t Cry, and Collin Raye’s Little Rock. That may be a contributing factor as to why it sounds more like a country song than much of Kane’s previous output.
But as we all seem to agree, adding it onto and re-releasing his awful 2018 album shouldn’t have been allowed. An album release should be an album release, not an “album release … so far.”
I’m just not a fan of this guy, nor his marketing team.
kapam
November 5, 2019 @ 10:40 pm
I think it is very commendable to review something without harping on someone’s dodgy image or sub-par past works. Well done.
Nice song. Perhaps there will be more if the songwriting planets line up properly for this guy.
SavingFairness
November 5, 2019 @ 11:49 pm
It’s not an unfair marketing tactic because:
1. It isn’t explicitly against the rules.
2. Everyone else can do it if they choose.
3. Other artists have done it, and will continue to do so.
Ultimately, fairness is about equality of opportunity. Not everyone has to release (or re-release) their album in the same way; they just need to have the option of doing so.
Susie
November 6, 2019 @ 1:14 am
Well, I listened…I didn’t hate it. The fiddle had just enough cry in the sound. His voice was ok, I just think it’s a a fairly forgettable song. When I think of a decent song about having a daughter, I always turn to There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney. It’s more polished, not much country. But dang, Kenny sells that song. I’ll hear that for years as a lot of Brides and their Dads use it for their dance. It makes people teary.
Blockman
November 6, 2019 @ 2:11 am
Cheesy song but ain’t nothing wrong with the singing or music really.
Charlie
November 6, 2019 @ 5:06 am
I think we all have lines that can/can’t be crossed. Jason Aldean’s body of work doesn’t keep me from appreciating the 3 or 4 songs of his I do like. At least he owns his douchebaginess. Luke Bryan’s exceedingly lame catalog doesn’t stop me from letting the 2 songs of his I think are OK play when they come on the radio. On the other hand FGL, Sam Hunt, Kane Brown–I don’t expect I will be crossing the line for the likes of them any time soon. They’ve been throwing out shitsie rolls from their parade floats and now they say ‘This one’s chocolate!’???? I ain’t trying it.
Dobe Daddy
November 6, 2019 @ 8:16 am
I don’t hate it. For a Kane Brown song that’s easily the best thing I’ve ever been able to say.
North Woods Country
November 6, 2019 @ 9:10 am
I honestly think Kane Brown is more good than bad. None of his songs have ever been one of the worst on radio, but this is the first that might be the best if it charts. Good for him hopefully it’s the stylistic shift that “Dirt” wasn’t for Dipshit and Shit for Brains.
jeannie
November 6, 2019 @ 9:33 am
What a great gift for his Baby Girl!
Big Pete
November 7, 2019 @ 12:41 am
What sorcery is this? We now live in a reality where the latest Kane Brown single is more country than the latest Zac Brown single. I’m flabbergasted as f–k here.
This actually sounds pretty good and got a subtle red dirt vibe to it. If this is the path Kane wishes to walk in the future, color me interested. Kane always had a good voice that sadly had to play second fiddle to his good looks and trends in the music biz.
Dawg Fan
November 7, 2019 @ 6:56 am
Wow! Not a bad song or delivery. Not a fan of Kane but good on him.
sbach66
November 7, 2019 @ 11:58 am
I still ain’t buying any of his stuff or going to see him, but I will give him credit for a decent song.
charlotte
November 7, 2019 @ 3:23 pm
Would love to hear very traditional country albums from Kane Brown and Eric Church. Come on, guys. I know you can do it.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 8, 2019 @ 10:17 am
Huh… wow. that… actually sounds like Country Music.
How long before I wake up?
charlotte
November 8, 2019 @ 6:50 pm
WOW. You actually liked it? I have liked Kane Brown from the beginning. I understand why others do not. Does Kane Brown have potential in your eyes? Do you think he could be “Real Country”? I ask because your posts are very definitive about what you like.
Di Harris
November 8, 2019 @ 8:10 pm
Be sweet.
Fuzzy, i know you don’t need me to take up for you, but, um, i’m taking up for you.
ToroToro
April 10, 2022 @ 6:15 am
It’s still dog s#it, he don’t even look country with that stupid haircut