The song "Father" by Ugly Kid Joe tells a story of a person searching for their parents while dealing with feelings of pain, confusion, and betrayal. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for love and connection from the titular father figure. The first verse expresses the narrator's frustration and confusion, stating that their father and mother have been elusive and not truthful. They express their desire to find their mother, who they believe will provide them with honesty and love. The repeated phrase "farther, farther" could imply both the physical distance the father has created and the emotional distance between them. In the chorus, the narrator accuses their father of lying and mentions swimming in the water, which could symbolize the depth of their pain and their struggle to stay afloat emotionally. The line "Imagination cross my mind" suggests that they've had thoughts and fears about their father's absence and their search for him. The bridge section continues the search for the father figure, using the phrase "beat the bush" as a metaphor for actively looking for him. This could imply that they are willing to exhaust all efforts to find answers and closure. The second chorus reiterates the frustration towards the father, questioning if he can locate the narrator and if he even cares about their existence. The repeated lines "Father, old man" emphasize the yearning for a connection with the father. Overall, "Father" depicts the emotions and struggles of someone longing for their father's presence and love while dealing with the pain of his absence and perceived deception. It captures the complex dynamics and impact that a missing parent can have on an individual's life.
