Daddy’s Medicine – Brinn Black – Episode 200

Brinn Black is a singer and songwriter from Nashville. She wrote a song, Daddy's Medicine, about her experience growing up with an alcoholic father. Our conversation with Brinn was guided by these questions:

Brinn, I have to say that the first few lines just grabbed my heart:

When you're five you don't know
there's a stranger in your home
it's quiet but it's dangerous.
But a child's heart can tell
the meaning of a yell

Although I did not grow up in a home with alcoholism, my children did. I saw their life from the outside, but not the inside.

What inspired you to write this song?

Can you tell us more about your experience as a child with an alcoholic father?

You have said “it tore your family apart” — did he, or the rest of you, leave because of the drinking?

I used to think that my love could conquer alcoholism. So I find the lyrics of the chorus particularly poignant:

How different my life would have been
if my love were stronger than
my Daddy's medicine.

I believe that these lines express the wish and hope of every one of us who has experienced the pain of living with active alcoholism. How did you mean these lines when you wrote them?

How has this song helped you and your family to heal?

How has this song been received when you perform it?

Where do you find yourself in your journey to recovery from your childhood experience?

What has helped you in this struggle?

Many of my listeners are still living with the effects of alcoholism. What would you say to someone who grew up affected by alcoholism, and is still working to “get over it”?

Our topic for next week is “in all our affairs”. How do you use your recovery tools and principles in your daily life? Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

Brinn Black: Daddy's Medicine

Jason Shaw: Serenity

Brinn talked about her experience watching this video of a dance set to Sara Bareilles's song Gravity.

 

 

3 comments on “Daddy’s Medicine – Brinn Black – Episode 200

  1. Lori says:

    I’m interested in seeing a link to the dance she refers to at the beginning of the show. Can you post a link? Thank you!

    1. The Recovery Show says:

      Hi, Lori. The dance is linked in Episode 197 (titled Sara Bareilles: Gravity).

    2. The Recovery Show says:

      I have also added the video to this episode’s notes.

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