Janet Devlin is no stranger to shaking things up, and with her latest single, ‘Daddy’, she’s turning the tables on gender roles and societal expectations in her own unmistakably witty way. Recorded at the iconic Blackbird Studios in Nashville, ‘Daddy’ is a sassy, toe-tapping anthem that blends the heart of country-rock with Devlin’s uniquely expressive vocals. It’s the musical equivalent of a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile, capturing the zeitgeist with a playful nudge and wink.
‘Daddy’ is a celebration of all those men who are over the grind of being the traditional breadwinner, who are ready to trade in their power suits for bathrobes and a life of leisure. And why shouldn’t they? In a world where everyone is constantly pushing against the grain, Janet Devlin offers a cheeky reminder that happiness is found in doing what feels right, not what society deems appropriate.
Speaking on the single, Janet shares,
“As a woman on the internet, not a day goes by without some rando in my DMs offering to be my “Sugar Daddy”. Which is fun, in and of itself. But it did get me thinking one day about how few “Sugar Baby” roles there are out there for men. How ‘Daddies’ are a dime a dozen but there’s a real shortage of trophy husbands. From playing this song on the road, I’ve come to find there are A LOT of men who would happily sign up for it. Men that are tired of being told to be the breadwinner. Tired of the societal expectations of being a “man”. Men that would happily be a house husband in exchange for play money and a man cave. As someone who lives a life outside of the social norms I love taking these things and flipping them on their head. I’m a firm believer in doing what makes you happy, not what the world tells you will make you happy.”
“I think that’s why the line “Not emasculate or dominate you” is important. I don’t think it takes away from one’s masculinity to be the one who isn’t the breadwinner. I don’t want to bring the vibe down since this is a playful song but I think men are tired. The expectation that a man should be the rock at all times is unattainable. That they must take on the financials of the family and be able to on their own. To be only an emotionless provider. It’s dangerous. We only have to look at the statistics to prove it.”
Janet Devlin’s journey, from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, to Nashville’s legendary studios is nothing short of a fairy tale for the modern age. Since capturing hearts on The X Factor in 2011, she’s carved out a niche that is as distinctive as her voice—delicate, yet filled with a quiet power. Her debut album, ‘Running With Scissors’, reached #1 on the Indie Breakers Chart, while her rendition of The Cure’s ‘Friday I’m In Love’ has racked up 20 million Spotify plays. From the Billboard charts to headline tours, Devlin’s career has been a testament to her versatility and boundless talent.
Now, she’s ready to take the music world by storm once again with her upcoming album, Emotional Rodeo, dropping on October 25th. With each new release, Janet Devlin proves that she’s not just another voice in the crowd. She’s a storyteller, a provocateur, and above all, an artist who’s not afraid to speak her truth—even if it comes with a cheeky grin and a wink.
Listen to ‘Daddy’ here:
