Just in time for Father’s Day.

Today, Cole Swindell released a beautiful new song called “Girl Dad,” which is a continuation of sorts of his 2015 hit song “You Should Be Here,” that was a tribute to his lather, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013, while the then-newcomer was out on tour after signing his record deal.

Swindell and his wife, Courtney, welcome their daughter Rainey Gail Swindell, on August 7th, 2025, and her name is a family name, as her first name is his late mother’s maiden name (and is also Cole’s middle name), while Gail is Courtney’s middle name.

Cole explained on Instagram that becoming a father has changed him and his values, and he wanted to write this song as a way to express just how much his life has changed for the better:

“I’ve spent a lot of my life chasing dreams, milestones, and moments I thought would define me. Then I became a father. Getting to share these real life moments with you through my music truly means the world to me and my family. I appreciate so many of you already sharing what this song means to you from the clips you’ve heard.

Thank you Michael Ben for writing this one with me and to Sam for producing it. Really proud to have this one together! I have plenty more to say but for now I hope you’ll give it a listen.”

The song cover is a photo of Courtney and Cole’s pregnancy announcement, along with a phot of the sonogram:

Written by Cole with Michael Tyler, and Ben Stennis, it finds Cole reflecting on what he would say to his dad on Father’s Day if he could be here in person to see this phase of his life. Clearly, Swindell’s dad meant a lot to him, and the piano-ballad is a heartfelt window into the complex feelings of having a child without your own dad being there to see it.

He opens by saying how hard it’s been without him, telling his dad he met a girl, got married and and now they’re welcoming a child of their own:

“Yeah, I met a girl, Dad, I told her I loved her
We got married out in California
Sunset on her white dress, God, it was beautiful
We saved a cold one and a chair for you
And I know you’re looking down from up there, I believe it
I just wish that I could see you see this
Little black and white picture
Yeah, I wanted so bad to tell you in person
We’re having a girl, Dad”

He just wishes his dad could be here to teach his daughter everything he taught Cole growing up too:

“Yeah, I wanted you to be the one that teaches her about fishin’
Not her growin’ up not knowing what she’s missin’, but
I know you’re looking down from up there, I believe it
I just wish that I could see you see this
Little black and white picture
Yeah, I wanted so bad to tell you in person
We’re having a girl, Dad”

Father’s Day can be an emotional time for so many reasons, but even more so for the people who don’t get to see their dad on Father’s Day and have a huge hole in their life. It’s a song I think so many people will relate to, and the video features Courtney and little Rainey too, who is just precious.

Check it out… but you might want to grab the tissues first:

“Girl Dad”