Dad Composes Heartfelt Song for His Daughters, and You Won't Want to Miss It

By: Emily Carter
Updated: Aug. 26, 2021
Originally Published: Aug. 26, 2021

A new band, The Lightning Tigers, released their latest single on August 9th. Lead vocalist Jake Thompson mentioned that parents might find it particularly touching, so we decided to give it a listen. And yes, we teared up.

It’s rare for punk rock to evoke such heartfelt emotions, but Jake wrote “Little Birds” for his two daughters, Emma Skye (age 8) and Mia Rose (age 6). He shared with us that he envisioned the music video as a “cheesy graduation slideshow” filled with a photo montage. “It’s meant to look silly,” he says. “A friend said it has ‘Trapper Keeper vibes.’”

In the video, Jake, sporting a “Girl Dad” shirt, plays his guitar, dances around, and sings alongside adorable pictures of Emma and Mia. He revealed that “Little Birds” has been in the works since 2015, when Mia was born, but it only fully came together this past February. “I just let my emotions flow,” he explains. “I stopped overthinking it.”

The song strays from traditional punk rock themes, but Jake believes the personal nature of the subject matter will resonate with listeners. Reflecting on his musical influences from the pop-punk era of Jimmy Eat World, MxPx, and Blink-182, he admits, “I know I’m not the coolest. I don’t need to be cool… I just want to be authentic.” And “Little Birds” truly showcases his sentiments: Jake cherishes his daughters above all else.

So What’s the Inspiration Behind the Song?

Jake explains that the title “Little Birds” references his daughters’ middle names — Emma Skye and Mia Rose. One of the lyrics goes, “I said she’s beautiful.” If you’re looking to have your heart melted, that line is a nod to Andrew W.K.’s “She is Beautiful,” a song he sings to Emma and Mia every night. “I never knew girls like you existed, but now I do. I’d love to get to know you… She is beautiful.”

In the first verse of “Little Birds,” Jake expresses his profound love for his girls. He then shares his hopes for their futures: “Take everything in your stride… Know that I’ll be there if you stumble/ Trust me, you’ve got this.” He wants them to feel secure as they “explore countless adventures.”

Are you tearing up yet?

Jake’s Love for His Daughters

We often hear mothers share their feelings about their children, but when we asked Jake about Emma and Mia, he chuckled, “Do you want me to talk forever?” He describes Emma as thoughtful and imaginative, creating fantastical worlds, and he beams with pride over her love for Calvin and Hobbes.

Mia, on the other hand, is “a mini version of my wife.” He shares that she’s incredibly creative, explaining, “She’s been crafting with paper lately.” Recently, she made a taco with all the trimmings. “She’s truly a songbird,” he adds. “In a zombie apocalypse, she’d lead a group of survivors to triumph.”

Jake is careful not to impose his music on them. “I don’t want to be that dad,” he says. However, he and his wife, Sarah (who he insisted we include in the conversation — total heartwarming moment!), enjoy a diverse range of music, including Queen, Bring Me the Horizon, and IDLES. “They love The Darkness’s ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love,’” he shares. They also make a point to expose their daughters to plenty of female artists, with Sarah noting, “They think it’s cool that girls can play different instruments.”

Co-Parenting Matters to Him

While “Little Birds” is a love letter to Emma and Mia, Jake emphasized the importance of discussing parenting with Sarah. His admiration for her is evident as he explains, “I think this song captures who I am as an artist and a partner.” One incident that frustrates him happened while they were shopping with their daughters. A man complimented Jake on being a “great dad” but ignored Sarah. Both parents were understandably upset, highlighting Jake’s commitment to being an equal partner in parenting — a sentiment Sarah shares.

Jake’s band, The Lightning Tigers, has released two singles, “Little Birds” and “Exhausted,” with plans to debut a five-song EP this fall. As an old-school punk fan, I can assure you that not only is “Little Birds” a tearjerker, but it’s also genuinely good. He’s quite the busy guy, but he and Sarah make sure to carve out time for their individual interests outside of parenting.

“I took a birthing class,” Sarah recalls, in which participants were encouraged to list their hobbies and support systems. She adds, “It really made me think about how one person can’t fulfill every need. You have to remember who you were before becoming a parent. We’re fortunate to have that balance.” While Jake focuses on music, Sarah enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, traveling, and writing.

The Essence of Jake’s Song

“We really try to honor our kids’ individuality,” Sarah explains, “and that really shines through.” They advocate for positive parenting and unconditional love. “I want to leave them something meaningful… to show them my feelings and life lessons. No matter what, I’ve got your back.”

With “Little Birds,” Jake has certainly achieved that. Emma and Mia are lucky to have such a loving dad. And if you’re not crying yet, you definitely need to watch the video.

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In summary, Jake Thompson’s heartfelt song “Little Birds” serves as a touching tribute to his daughters, Emma and Mia. Through its emotional lyrics and personal video, he expresses his unwavering love and support for them as they navigate life. This song resonates deeply with parents and showcases the importance of co-parenting and honoring each child’s individuality.