I Know What's Best

I remember when you were little

Climbing up into my chair

Telling me about your day

Like I was meant to fix it all

You were Daddy's little girl

And I suppose you always will be

No matter how old you get

I'll still see that little girl in you

(my girl...)

Now you're standing there shouting

Telling me to leave you alone

Saying you can make your own decisions

Saying I should let you go

But I know that boy

And I know what I've seen

You can tell me I'm wrong

But that won't make it untrue

And then there's him...

Quiet, patient, standing back

Never pushing, never taking

Just making sure you're alright

(I see it...)

You think I'm trying to run your life

You think I don't understand

But I'm your father, Lexi

And I know a good man when I see one

I know what's best

And I know what I see

I know which man would stand beside you

And which one you should leave

You can slam the door

You can shout at me

But I'll say it anyway

I'm trying to protect you

That's what your father's for

(I'm not giving up...)

Your mother tells me to calm down

Says I'm making things worse

But how am I supposed to stand back

When I know you're getting hurt?

You say I'm overprotective

Maybe that's always been true

But I'd rather have you angry with me

Than pretend I don't see what's happening

One makes you smaller

One lets you be

One wants to control you

One wants you happy

(it's plain to me...)

Maybe you'll understand one day

Why I keep fighting this fight

It's not because I don't trust you

It's because I know what isn't right

I know what's best

And I know what I see

I know which man would stand beside you

And which one you should leave

You can tell me I'm wrong

You can tell me to stay out

But I'm not going to stand here

And watch you throw yourself away

If protecting you makes you angry

Then be angry with me

(go on...)

I don't want to fight with you

I don't want you crying

I don't want you thinking

Your father doesn't understand

But I'm not going to apologise

For wanting you safe

Maybe one day you'll thank me

Maybe you never will

That's alright

I'll still be your father

I'll still stand at that door

Even when you tell me

You don't need me anymore

(you always will...)

I know what's best

And I know I'm right

I've watched the way he treats you

I've seen the difference in their eyes

One will try to own you

One will let you be

One loves the girl you are

And that's the man I want to see

So shout if you need to

Tell me I'm wrong

You can be angry with me

But I won't stop loving you

I know what's best

And maybe that's the problem

You don't want your father

Telling you what to do

But I'd rather have you hate me

Than watch someone hurt you

(I'm sorry, sweetheart...)

One day you'll understand

Why I couldn't stand aside

Until then...

I'll be here.

Even when you're angry with me.