Conway Twitty’s That’s My Job is an emotionally powerful yet comforting and reassuring song. The song, which begins with a boy waking up from a nightmare of his dad passing away and ends on his father’s tragic passing, is an inevitable heartache that still strikes as if it was unexpected. But the song also reveals a secret that resonated with many fathers that no matter what happens, they will always be there for their kids because that’s their job.
The song was written by Gary Burr, who shared that the heart-wrenching ballad mirrored his life and his experiences with his father. Every word was a reflection of his relationship with his father except for the title which was named by his muse according to an interview with Chicken Soup for the Soul: Country Music.
Before the song was released in November 1987 as Conway Twitty’s third single from his album Borderline, he handed a demo recording of it to his son Micheal Twitty. Micheal revealed in an interview with Savvy Dad in 2013 that although the song was good, he admittedly didn’t like it. He said that it was the first time in his life that he imagined a life without his dad.
Conway simply told him that whatever he did or wherever he was, just one listen to this song and he would know that he was with him.
The song was warmly recognized by fans earning it a spot on the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart among many of Conway Twitty’s songs that became hits. But it wasn’t just about the lyrics that resonated with many. It was also the emotional performance of Conway that pulled them back to feel and reminisce about their own fathers and their undying love for them.
Conway Twitty’s That’s My Job is definitely a song that unfolds a beautiful feeling through words and music. Watch his live performance of the song that will definitely make you feel all the feels.