"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. It became his first number one single in December 1999, holding the top spot for one week.

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."

The song is written from the perspective of a son of a single mother; the single mother begins dating a new man who almost immediately includes the child in things like going to the movies. In the final verse, the son is now about ready to become a father himself, standing in the hospital next to his stepfather and hoping that he can be "at least half the dad" that his stepfather "didn't have to be." The song is in the key of A major in cut time, with a vocal range from A3 to D5.

The music video was directed by Deaton Flanigen and premiered on August 17, 1999 on CMT.

"He Didn't Have to Be" debuted at number 72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs for the week of September 4, 1999. "He Didn't Have to Be" spent 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, peaking at number one in December 1999 and holding that position for one week.

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