Who Shot Daddy? [Dennis DeYoung]

Who Shot Daddy?
Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

Sophistication really got up this time
Your hipness quota's up to 9.9
You never felt stronger, felt so alive
Ain't no problem you just need one more line

Pay no attention to your family, your friends
Burn up that candle, baby, at both ends
Don't need no lecture from no man on T.V.
No cocaine hotline
You say they can't mean me

Who shot Daddy, who is to blame
Got him hooked on somethin'
Made him act so damned insane
Who killed momma, left her this way
Who'll tell the children, come the judgement day

Just a recreation, nonaddictive and fun
Just about as harmless as a loaded gun
You're so together and it's under control
Who are ya foolin', there's a crack in your soul

Who shot Daddy, who is to blame
Got him hooked on somethin'
Made him act so damned insane
Who killed momma, left her this way
Who'll tell the children, come the judgement day

Blow all your money, blow on your face
You sure look glamorous child
What a waste
No one can do it for you, Lord only knows
It's up to you now
Please say no

Who shot Daddy, who is to blame
Got him hooked on somethin'
Made him act so damned insane 

Who killed momma, left her this way
Who'll tell the children, come the judgement day

Interpretation

Cocaine may seem sophisticated and hip. It makes a person feel strong, confident, and alive. When that euphoria fades, you want to snort another line.

Of course. you're not addicted, right? You just ignore you're family and friends. working late then partying all night.

It's just for fun, right? Harmless? No, it's dangerous, like playing with a loaded gun.

You will blow all your money on your addiction ("blow" is a slang reference to cocaine). It will ruin your life.  The "crack in your soul" might also be a reference, to crack coacaine. which is smoked rather than snorted.

Just like leaving a loaded gun for the kids to find could leave you dead and them emotionally scarred, so can experimenting with coacaine leave the kids wondering what happened to daddy. destroyed mommy. and left the family in shambles.