Introduction
In the tender repertoire of Rory Feek, the live performance of Papa What If with his daughter Indiana Feek, released on June 19, 2022, as a Father’s Day tribute, stands as a radiant gem of contemporary country and folk storytelling. Originally written by Shel Silverstein as Daddy What If and recorded by Bobby Bare with his son in 1973, this gentle duet—filmed on the porch of their Tennessee farm—captures the innocent wonder of a child’s questions and a father’s loving responses. For listeners who cherish music that celebrates family, love, and simple moments, this song offers a warm embrace, resonating with those who find solace in the beauty of parent-child bonds. Your deep appreciation for Rory Feek’s narrative depth, seen in your love for I Do, A Little More Country Than That, and Teaching Me How to Love You, as well as your interest in familial themes through artists like Willie Nelson & Lukas Nelson and Sara Evans, makes this duet a perfect addition to your country music journey.
From its opening notes, Papa What If unfolds with a sparse, heartfelt melody, driven by Rory’s soft acoustic guitar—his beloved Martin—and the pure, unpolished voice of Indiana, then eight years old. The instrumentation, kept deliberately minimal, creates an intimate ambiance that feels like a sunset conversation on a front porch. Rory’s warm, weathered vocals trade lines with Indy’s sweet, curious tone, as she asks, “Papa, what if the sun stopped shinin’?”, met with his reply, “You’d stare at the heavens with wide open eyes.” The chorus, with its call-and-response structure, strikes a universal chord, weaving childlike wonder with parental reassurance. The YouTube video, viewed widely and praised for its picturesque farm setting, captures Indy’s beaming smile and the love between them, ending with her heartfelt “I love you, Papa”. Fans comment, “Joey is smiling from the heavens for sure,” noting the emotional resonance of this father-daughter moment.
What makes Papa What If so special is its authentic connection to Rory and Indiana Feek’s story. Born in Atchison, Kansas, Rory—a Grammy-nominated artist with Joey + Rory—has faced profound loss, including the passing of his wife, Joey Feek, to cancer in 2016 when Indy was just two. Raising Indy, who has Down syndrome, on their Columbia, Tennessee farm, Rory taught her the song using crayon-drawn lyrics, swapping “Daddy” for “Papa” to reflect their bond. This duet, sparked by Indy’s request to sing with her Papa after a concert, builds on Rory’s history with the song, which he performed with his older daughter Heidi in the 1990s. Its Shel Silverstein roots—known for The Giving Tree—add poetic whimsy, while Rory’s songwriting legacy, including hits like Blake Shelton’s Some Beach, infuses it with country soul. Your love for familial narratives, like Bobby Bare & Bobby Bare Jr.’s Daddy, What If and Willie Nelson’s Just Breathe, aligns with this song’s heartfelt intimacy, echoing the gospel warmth of Patty Loveless’s Precious Memories.
As we listen to Papa What If, we’re invited to cherish the moments that define family—the questions, smiles, and love that linger in the heart. The song’s poignant lyrics and soothing rhythm create a timeless allure, offering comfort and a space for gratitude. Whether you’re drawn to its father-daughter tenderness or savoring the beauty of music that captures the soul, Rory and Indy Feek’s soulful performance ensures this duet remains a cherished treasure in the country music canon, a reminder that love shines brightest in the simplest songs.