"The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line" is actually not a song by Elvis Costello but originally performed by Waylon Jennings. It is a country song that discusses a troubled relationship between a man and a woman. The lyrics express frustration and dissatisfaction with the woman's behavior. She is constantly stepping on the man's toes, causing him to become tired and annoyed. The man warns her that if she had any sense, she would stop crossing boundaries and playing with his emotions. The song suggests that their relationship goes back to when they were young, and the man has always been the only man in her life. He urges her to think about their situation, emphasizing that she has the only "daddy" who is willing to tolerate her actions and still stay committed. Despite the man's hard work and dedication, the woman seems more interested in playing and having fun. She is described as becoming unhinged and moody, which the man finds unacceptable. He believes that she should be more responsible and considerate in their relationship. The chorus repeats the idea that everyone is aware of the woman's disrespectful behavior towards the man. Whenever he tries to leave, she pleads for him to come back home, indicating a certain destructiveness in their dynamic. Overall, "The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line" showcases a strained relationship in which the man is tired of the woman's actions but feels trapped, as he believes he is the only one who will tolerate her behavior.
