"The greatest man I never knew" is one of the most poignant songs about fathers and daughters ever written. Partially inspired by songwriter Richard Leigh's own relationship with his father, the song tells the tale of a daughter reflecting on her relationship with her busy dad.
The song is a tearjerker, but there's also hope. The narrator reflects on the fact that her father was so busy that he never had time to truly show his love for her. She echoes back to him about how much she cared for him and how wonderful he was, but he never really showed it. He was the greatest man she never knew because of his busy schedule, and she wishes that she had more time with him before he passed away.
In the late '90s, singer Luther Vandross took to the studio to record this heartbreaking track. It was his first song to touch on this issue, and it became a chart-topping hit just before he died of cancer in 2005. The track is an adult contemporary slow-burn circling around the idea of asking for more time with your dad, and it's a heartfelt plea to spend more quality time together before it's too late. It's a classic in the eyes of fans, and a poignant tribute to a great artist.
