Celebrating Dads & Grads

Written for Song Lyric Sunday –
“Brad’s, Chad’s and Vlad’s
Doodads, Fads and Pads”

This week at Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday, the theme is “Brad’s, Chad’s and Vlad’s Doodads, Fads and Pads” and our challenge is to write about a song that relates to Dads and/or Grads. Today for many of us around the world it’s Father’s Day, one of the biggest holidays in the month of June here in the US. I’d like to wish a very Happy Father’s Day to all my guy friends who are celebrating today! June also marks the official end of the school year so let’s not forget the many students who are graduating and moving on to exciting times and experiences in their lives.

Let’s get the music going with a couple of tunes especially written with you guys in mind; I’m willing to bet these will be new and unexpected for most of you but I give you my word …. you’re safe with me! Just relax, stick with it, and enjoy!

First up today is a group I have never associated with Father’s Day or father’s in any way. And since this will be the first time for many of you, I promise to be gentle. Manowar is an American heavy metal band formed in Auburn, New York, in 1980 by bassist Joey DeMaio and guitarist Ross “The Boss” Friedman. Known for their epic, mythology-driven lyrics and massive sound, they are famous for their aggressive battle anthems and their rallying cry: “Death to false metal!” The band was forged after DeMaio, who was working as a bass technician for Black Sabbath, met Friedman on Sabbath’s Heaven & Hell tour. They recruited singer Eric Adams (born Louis Marullo) and drummer Donnie Hamzik to complete their original lineup. Their early releases, including Battle Hymns (1982) and Hail to England (1984), defined their signature blend of power and traditional heavy metal. Manowar’s music is highly influenced by classical composers like Richard Wagner, utilizing heavy choral arrangements alongside crushing, amplified guitars. Their lyrics draw heavily from Norse and Greco-Roman mythology, fantasy, and heroic warfare. The band has frequently collaborated with notable figures, such as actor Orson Welles who provided dramatic narration on several of their albums. Renowned for their deafening live performances, Manowar earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1984 for being the loudest band in the world …. a title they subsequently broke on multiple occasions. They also hold the record for the longest heavy metal concert in history, clocking in at 5 hours and 1 minute in Bulgaria in 2008. With an estimated 30 million records sold worldwide, Manowar has established one of the most loyal fanbases in heavy metal, referred to as “Manowarriors”. Over the decades, they have continually pushed the boundaries of live heavy metal, even performing historically sold-out shows in extreme locations, such as the Arctic Circle in Svalbard, Norway.

Are you still with me? Good because I promised I would be gentle and I meant it. “Father” by Manowar is a deeply emotional, symphonic ballad that serves as a heroic tribute from a son mounring a father’s death. The song was originally released on the 2009 double EP, Thunder in the Sky. It was intended as part of The Asgard Saga, an ambitious multimedia fantasy collaboration between Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio and best-selling German fantasy author Wolfgang Hohlbein. The lyrics are tied directly to the tale of Thor, exploring themes of legacy, sacrifice, and an enduring bond passed down through generations. It is most famous for being recorded in as many as 18 languages to honor the band’s global fanbase. Vocalist Eric Adams delivers a gentle yet powerful performance that captures the sorrow and honor of a warrior saying goodbye. The song focuses heavily on a father’s desire for his son to understand the sacrifices made for something greater than themselves, creating an anthem of legacy that resonates deeply with listeners who have lost loved ones.

This is “Father” by Manowar

^{Songwriter: Joseph DeMaio}

Up next today is Black Stone Cherry, an American hard rock band formed in 2001 when the members were just teenagers in Edmonton, Kentucky. Known for their blend of Southern rock, modern heavy metal and a deep bluesy style, the four-piece group consists of Chris Robertson (vocals/guitar), Ben Wells (guitar), Steve Jewell (bass), and John Fred Young (drums). In 2006, Black Stone Cherry released their self titled debut album, which featured their first major hit, “Lonely Train”, after which they were signed to their first record label. Their sound blends the heaviness of bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC with the Southern roots of Lynyrd Skynyrd; the group is praised for their rich storytelling, covering everything from real-life personal hardships to local, rural folklore. Despite their small-town roots, Black Stone Cherry has achieved massive success internationally, primarily in the UK, where they have topped record charts. In 2026, they were inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, cementing their legacy alongside other prominent state legends such as Jackie DeShannon, Billy Ray Cyrus, Skeeter Davis, Patty Loveless, Crystal Gayle, Dwight Yoakum, The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, Lionel Hampton, The Everly Brothers, and more.

“Things My Father Said” by Black Stone Cherry was released in 2009 as a third single from their second studio album, Folklore and Superstition. The song is a deeply emotional, autobiographical tribute written collectively by the band members to honor and remember their fathers. It highlights the importance of passing down valuable life lessons, hard work, and maintaining strong relationships. Frontman Chris Robertson has noted how losing older generations of their family while growing up inspired a lot of their music’s introspective and darker, yet hopeful, undertones. The band poured these reflections into a deeply moving track which resonates with many listeners who have experienced the loss of a parent. The song blends heartbreak with fond nostalgia, touching on the desire to have one last goodbye while finding comfort in the belief that their fathers are watching over them. Over the years, “Things My Father Said” has become somewhat of an unofficial anthem for Father’s Day and a widely recognized comfort song for those grieving a lost father.

This is “Things My Father Said” by Black Stone Cherry

^{Writer(s): Jonathan Michael Lawton/John Frederick Young/Bob Marlette/Christopher Robertson/Benjamin Daniel Wells/Richard Oren Young}

Last on the lineup, something for our June Grads. This is a real golden oldie, boys and girls, dating back to the very early days of R&R, a time before even I was born! The year was 1948 and The Four Freshmen …. an influential pioneering jazz-pop-R&R and harmony quartet …. was formed at Butler University in Indiana. Famous for their innovative five-note jazz chords, they bridged the gap between 1940s barbershop harmony and the Rock & Roll vocal stylings of the 1960s. The group was originally formed by brothers Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and friend Hal Kratzsch. After touring local lounges in the Midwest, they were discovered by 1950s legendary jazz bandleader Stan Kenton who arranged their audition with Capitol Records, launching their national career. Unlike traditional vocal groups, all members were instrumentalists, playing guitar, bass, trumpet, and drums, which allowed them to shift roles while performing. The group profoundly influenced 1960s harmony-based rock. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys frequently cited them as his “harmonic education” and the primary inspiration for his high-lead vocal arrangements. Although the original members have all since retired or passed away, the quartet’s legacy remains alive. The group has seen more than 20 different members cycle through over the decades. Today, The Four Freshmen continue to tour internationally, performing over 80 dates each year and honoring the Great American Songbook alongside their classic hits.

Released in 1956, “Graduation Day” is one of the most famous hits by The Four Freshmen and was a standout track on the Capitol Records album, Freshmen Favorites. Written by the team of Joe and Noel Sherman, the song peaked at #27 on the US charts and remains famous for its legendary lush harmonies. The lyrics explore the bittersweet emotions of leaving school, promising to “remember always graduation day”, despite moving on to the future.

This is “Graduation Day” by The Four Freshmen

LYRICS

There’s a time a for joy
A time for tears
A time we’ll treasure through the years
We’ll remember always
Graduation day
At the senior prom
We danced ’til three
And there you gave your heart to me
We’ll remember always
Graduation day
Though we leave in sorrow
All the joys we’ve known
We can face tomorrow
Knowing we’ll never walk alone
When the ivy walls
Are far behind
No matter where our paths may wind
We’ll remember always
Graduation day
We’ll remember always
Graduation day

^{Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Joe & Noel Sherman
Graduation Day lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group}

Brad’s, Chad’s and Vlad’s Doodads, Fads and Pads

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week. Be sure to follow his link and check out his site.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to some great music. I hope you enjoyed the theme for this week as well as the information and songs I featured.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2026

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thank you for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}