<Table> <Tr> <Td> "Who Needs Pictures" (1999) </Td> <Td> "He Didn't Have to Be" (1999) </Td> <Td> "Me Neither" (2000) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "Who Needs Pictures" (1999) </Td> <Td> "He Didn't Have to Be" (1999) </Td> <Td> "Me Neither" (2000) </Td> </Tr> <P> "He Didn't Have to Be" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Brad Paisley . It was released in August 1999 as the second single from his debut album, Who Needs Pictures . In December 1999, it became his first number one single, holding the top spot for one week . </P> <P> The song was based on Paisley's frequent co-writer and best friend, Kelley Lovelace's stepson McCain Merren, who attended the 2000 ACM Awards as Paisley's guest . According to Lovelace, Paisley said to him, "Let's make a song about you two that will make your wife cry ." </P>

Who sings half the dad he didn't have to be