Sweet Dad Songs for Father’s Day
1. Paul Simon, “Father and Daughter”
Paul Simon wrote this heartwarming song for his daughter, Lulu, and it’s become a father-daughter dance staple.
2. John Lennon, “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)”
“Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” was one of John Lennon’s final works, written for his and wife Yoko Ono’s son, Sean. Paul McCartneyhas said it’s one of his favorite tracks Lennon ever wrote.
4. Loretta Lynn, “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy Anymore”
Famous for her pride in being a coal miner’s daughter, Loretta Lynn penned this ode to her hardworking father—and to her disdain for men who came generations after him that couldn’t compare.
5. Stevie Wonder, “Isn’t She Lovely”
Stevie Wonder wrote this sweet song about his daughter, Aisha. You can hear her baby coos on the tune.
6. Guns n’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’Mine”
While not explicitly a song about dads, the lyrics can easily be applied to a father-child relationship—and let’s be real, that opening guitar riff is iconic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4
7. Darius Rucker, “It Won’t Be Like This for Long”
Darius Rucker croons about how fast kids grow right before their parents’ eyes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zCaRaJ-kE
8. Keith Urban, “Song for Dad”
In this moving song, Keith Urban reflects on how much his father is reflected in himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQScv6JEur0
9. Queen, “Father to Son”
Brian May penned this song, which Queen retired from its live sets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hytYgRmzTs
10. Jay-Z Feat. Blue Ivy, “Glory”
Blue Ivy made her first appearance on Jay-Z’s sweet song celebrating her birth—and broke a Billboard chart record in the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyoNdZxy5VE
11. 2Pac, “Letter 2 My Unborn”
2Pac wrote a moving song for an unborn child he’d never get to meet before his murder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPmNQmmMZ84
12. The Marvelettes, “My Daddy Knows Best”
This Motown hit, penned by Berry Gordy, was basically the first “No Scrubs.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ1OLGcDzrY
13. Gladys Knight and the Pips, “Daddy Could Swear, I Declare”
Gladys Knight and the Pips knew that even papas with pottymouths could still be great dads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHAN-dXh9C8
14. Conway Twitty, “That’s My Job”
The best fathers are humble about their contributions, a sentiment Conway Twitty nails in this classic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlRZxy6bLAw
15. George Strait, “The Best Day”
George Strait paints a vivid and sweet picture of the simple pleasures a father and child can share in just 24 hours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtEZDaVe7G0
16. Tim McGraw, “My Little Girl”
“My Little Girl” is the first song Tim McGraw, who shares two daughters with wife Faith Hill, co-wrote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1XYn-al8lE
17. Billy Joel, “Lullabye (Good Night My Angel)”
Billy Joel wrote this sweet song for his daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcnd55tLCv8
18. Will Smith, “Just the Two of Us”
Will Smith penned this sweet song, which samples the Bill Withers classic of the same name, for son Trey. Jada Pinkett Smith appears in the video pregnant with their son Jaden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WamkRSDeD8
19. Trace Adkins, “Just Fishin’”
Trace Adkins makes it clear that a day of “just fishin’” with his daughter was much more than that to him in this heartwarming tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IheODRwalEw
20. Dolly Parton, “Daddy, Come and Get Me”
Dolly Parton penned this heartbreaking song about a woman whose man had her institutionalized after breaking her heart—and begging her father to come and rescue her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz_Zfan9o_Q
21. James Brown, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”
For the dad who can dance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnDEr9R0snU
22. Michael Bublé, “Daddy’s Little Girl”
Michael Bublé isn’t the first to record this tune, originally performed by Steve Conway, but he’s probably one of the best, if only because you can almost see him making it tongue-in-cheek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZcRH2V_Cfs
23. Davy Jones, “My Dad”
“He’ll never make history / No, he isn’t much in the eyes of the world / But he is the world to me.” Cut your dad more slack: He already made history when he made you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5feaTv6e0Y
24. Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable”
One of the best father-daughter duets ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCX1xUdMsNs
25. Heartland, “I Loved Her First”
This tearjerker is a wedding staple for father-daughter dances. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg8Z69B6RFQ
26. Tori Amos, “Winter”
Tori Amos wrote “Winter” about her relationship with her father, a minister, and it was one of her earliest songs to break the Top 25 on the charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PDlGUdDF8Y
27. Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam, “Father and Son”
Yusuf Islam, then known as Cat Stevens, sang in different registers for the father and son parts of this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8W5U2tIFQI
28. Bread, “Everything I Own”
Bread frontman David Gates wrote this song after his father’s passing, though many listeners associate it with romantic breakups. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_21cZe2eO_I
29. Beyoncé, “Daddy”
Queen Bey reminisces on happy moments with her father, Mathew Knowles, in “Daddy” from Dangerously In Love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VyY_sXW6zk
30. Brad Paisley, “Anything Like Me”
A dad-to-be daydreams about his unborn son in this heartwarming Brad Paisley tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZazrQYirYLs
31. George Strait, “Love Without End, Amen”
George Strait knows that a father’s love has no duration, deadline or end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkscNqCCDl0
32. Lonestar, “Mr. Mom”
This is as much an ode to working moms as it is to stay-at-home dads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLSsIXPzVO0
33. Holly Dunn, “Daddy’s Hands”
A father’s hands are a metaphor for his entire being in this sweet song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_E6pUwySg
34. The Shires, “Daddy’s Little Girl”
This song is incredibly personal to The Shires singer Crissie Rhodes, even though its themes are almost universal. “This is a very personal song. My dad passed away from cancer when I was 8 years old, but I still think of myself as Daddy’s Little Girl,” she said. “The music video features real footage and photos of us together, and also the glasses and flat cap he wore every day. It was wonderful to go through all this in the process, as it brought back so many great memories. I have also received many messages from fathers, saying how much this song means to them, as it reminds them of their daughters.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMNS9oNCL3s
35. Jon Barker, “Thank You for Being My Dad”
Think of it as the dad equivalent of Bon Jovi classic “Thank You For Loving Me.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWY1vFMdma0
36. Rodney Atkins, “Watching You”
For the dads who may have accidentally taught their kids a cuss word or two. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uzK3VwzraM
37. Bob Carlisle, “Butterfly Kisses”
Bob Carlislewrote “Butterfly Kisses” for his daughter Brooke’s 16th birthday. It would go on to win a Grammy and be his biggest hit ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmC3rJR7E98
38. Kenny Chesney, “There Goes My Life”
In this Kenny Chesney tune, an unprepared teen father realizes that the baby he thought was a mistake was his biggest blessing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP-Sxfntdb4
39. Owl City, “Not All Heroes Wear Capes”
This adorable song honors all of the unsung heroes who may not rock Spandex or tights, but who keep us safe, happy and laughing everyday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuevizTZ3JU
40. Yellowcard, “Life of a Salesman”
This sweet pop punk song pays homage to a great father and a “better man.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpYFZt977nw
41. Lukas Graham, “Stick Around”
Lukas Graham sings a bittersweet song about embracing the moments with his kids because he knows they won’t last forever—and that the happy moments they share now may turn into tearful memories later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmHLkr6yK_4
42. Rodney Atkins, “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)”
For every dad who’s gone out of his way to scare the daylights out of a date. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM42nG7Tjgs
43. Paul Overstreet, “Seein’ My Father In Me”
Fun fact: Paul Overstreet isn’t just a Grammy winner, but also a dad to two other stars: Glee alum Chord Overstreet and Hot Chelle Rae guitarist Nash Overstreet. We bet they see their father in them, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVShyI57Dyk
44. The Game Feat. Busta Rhymes, “Like Father, Like Son”
The Game details the birth of his son, right down to dilation, in this moving song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u3zTHAPEdA
45. Lee Brice, “Boy”
Lee Brice honors a stubborn son, joking that he gets the trait from his mother. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUqJftD86-o
46. Blink-182, “Home Is Such a Lonely Place”
Blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus penned this song about his son going away to college. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czAKwUT-s_Q
47. The Chi-Lites, “Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was”
This adorable song honors a great man that a son aspires to emulate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRYoBzf8fIE
48. Billy Ray Cyrus Feat. Miley Cyrus, “Ready, Set, Don’t Go”
Though Miley Cyrus had a very atypical upbringing, she and dad Billy Ray Cyrus did a lovely job with this tune about a daughter going out on her own to chase her dreams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eqpHvzkc_0
49. Alan Jackson, “Drive (For Daddy Gene)”
Alan Jackson penned a tune for a dad who knew his way around a garage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQe3DKDQRRs
50. John Mayer, “Daughters”
John Mayer had one of the biggest hits of his career with this warning song imploring men to be good dads so their daughters will love and be loved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZLbUIa7exE
Dad Songs to Honor a Father or Loved One Who’s Passed On
51. Eric Clapton, “Tears in Heaven”
Eric Clapton penned this tearjerker about the death of his young son. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxPj3GAYYZ0
52. Luther Vandross, “Dance With My Father”
Luther Vandross released “Dance With My Father” about the death of his father when Vandross was just eight years old. It was one of Vandross’ final recordings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDxJrggie8
53. Cole Swindell, “You Should Be Here”
In this sad song, Cole Swindell sings of a dad who takes a ton of cellphone pictures, “They say now you’re in a better place / And I would be too if I could see your face.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8WlCqZPTeg
54. Lonestar, “I’m Already There (Message From Home)”
This tearjerker is a must for anyone whose dad is far away, be it on deployment or just from safely social distancing.
55. Dolly Parton, “Daddy Won’t Be Home Anymore”
This heartbreaking Dolly Parton tune tells the story of a mother mustering up the courage to tell her kids that their father was killed in battle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqTOpefU_P4
56. Sarah McLachlan, “Song for My Father”
Sarah McLachlan’s moving “Song for My Father” is from her album Shine On, much of which was inspired by his passing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgp5e2TxiQA
57. Chris Stapleton, “Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore”
A family lays a father to rest in this heartwrenching song from Chris Stapleton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nTch_IbOHE
58. Randy Travis, “He Walked on Water”
For the late grandfathers in your life.
59. Madonna, “Oh Father”
Madonna wrote this song for her father, from whom she’d become estranged after her mother’s death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvVvN0QvzTk
60. Zac Brown Band, “My Old Man”
This Zac Brown Band song is a wistful look back at the lessons we can learn from our fathers, even if we learn them after they’re gone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NzdCmppzjQ
61. Sawyer Brown, “With You Daddy”
A son reflects on his father’s tragic battle with lung cancer in this heartbreaking song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXrFb027ns
Father’s Day Songs for Complicated Dad Relationships
62. Bruce Springsteen, “My Father’s House”
Bruce Springsteenwrote “My Father’s House” about his habit of driving past his father’s home in Freehold, New Jersey. The Boss recalled his therapist’s thoughts on the trips. “He said, ‘What you’re doing is that something bad happened, and you’re going back, thinking that you can make it right again. Something went wrong, and you keep going back to see if you can fix it or somehow make it right.’ And I sat there and I said, ‘That is what I’m doing.’ And he said, ‘Well, you can’t.’” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYDW1bIwIV4
63. Kelly Clarkson, “Piece By Piece”
Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece By Piece” was written for two major men in her life: The first for her estranged father expressing her hurt at his leaving when she was a child, and the second for her now-estranged husbandBrandon Blackstock about what a great father he’d be to their daughter, River Rose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqCqYP7hDWI
64. Beyoncé, “Daddy Lessons”
Beyoncé’s “Daddy Lessons” is a searing country-tinged tune about her family’s history of infidelity (which included Mathew Knowles allegedly cheating on her beloved mom, Tina Knowles). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mm9ae_qg9I
65. Kesha, “Father Daughter Dance”
Kesha has made it no secret that she doesn’t even know who her father is, but she still wonders what her life would have been like if she did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7h5Xfwk3VI
66. Everclear, “Father of Mine”
Everclear’s Art Alexakis penned the quintessential soundtrack for every child whose father left, but still breadcrumbed them through the years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkcbxjWG9Mc
67. Doug Supernaw, “I Don’t Call Him Daddy”
Mom’s boyfriend can’t compare to Daddy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot6F-HAX3VY
68. Wayne Newton, “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast”
Wayne Newton wasn’t the first to record this song about a dad speed-walking out, but his rendition is one of the most famous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh8hviz6iaU
69. The Temptations, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”
Not every man who sires children is cut out to care for them, which The Temptations chronicled in this classic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJV2pWFyfn4
70. Brad Paisley, “He Didn’t Have to Be”
Brad Paisley wrote the ultimate song for stepfathers who step up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjO1F6oCab8
71. James Brown, “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”
Intentional or not, James Brown had a hit with about a father who, by his own account, was abusive, hit his kids, had a wandering eye, gambled and drank…but didn’t take any guff from anyone else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ziBH-67sew
72. Mike + The Mechanics, “The Living Years”
Unresolved conflict only grows more complicated after a loved one dies, as is heartwrenchingly detailed in this song about a sour father-son relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hr64MxYpgk
73. Good Charlotte, “Story of My Old Man”
Joel and Benji Madden were estranged from their father for most of their lives, and that lack of a relationship colored much of their early music with Good Charlotte. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0LgRjv6fGU
74. Reba McEntire, “Greatest Man I Never Knew”
Reba McEntire’s emotive ballad tells the story of a father who wasn’t affectionate, leading his daughter to never realize how much he loved her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pdSzY5QbxU
75. Eric Clapton, “My Father’s Eyes”
Eric Clapton never knew his father, who he channels in this sunny yet deceptively heartwrenching song, which also references the death of his own son. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IigRv6B763k
76. Happy Chapin, “Cat’s in the Cradle”
“Cat’s in the Cradle” is a bittersweet tune about a father being so busy that his son’s life passes him by—and then the tables turn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmhoOp2fUzg
77. The Winstons, “Color Him Father”
A sweet ode to a stepfather who completely embraces the role of a father. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPrJKUvom1s Looking for a song to play for your mom? Try one of these songs about mothers.
