Matt Venvell“Put your shirt back on Dad…”
It might be cheesy, it might be awkward, but it also might be one of the most special moments of your day. Thankfully, we’re here to help you find the perfect song to dance to with your dad.
On the day that marks a new beginning, many brides choose to take a moment and pay tribute to their childhood life with a good old boogie with their dad. But how on earth do you pick only one song? Where do I start?
There are so many different styles of song, and those old Spotify playlists you made years ago are always a total mess. And don’t forget, you never know what Aunty Bertha is going to blacklist.
So to help you make this moment on your wedding day truly special, we have compiled a list of the Top 95 Father and Daughter songs. We’ve categorised them by style and vibe, with additional information on how to choose that perfect song.
And what’s more, we’ll show you how to make your musical dreams come true… You could always play it through some speakers… but you want it to be memorable, right?
At Encore, you can browse thousands of musicians who can make this special moment one to remember forever! So read on, and you’ll have that blank space on your wedmin list ticked off in no time…
- But How Do I Choose?
- Most Popular Father and Daughter Songs
- Modern Father and Daughter Songs
- Unique Father and Daughter Songs
- Upbeat Father and Daughter Songs
- Sentimental Father and Daughter Songs
- Rock Father and Daughter Songs
- R&B Father and Daughter Songs
But How Do I Choose?
The first thing you’ll want to work out is what kind of vibe you’re after. Do you want an energetic party anthem, a sentimental ballad, or your dad’s embarrassing favourite song?
After that, it’s a case of browsing and listening to our suggestions. Our Spotify Playlist should give you some help! We’d definitely encourage you to consider songs you wouldn’t normally. There’s so much brilliant music out there, so keep your options broad! It’s much more exciting!
Come up with a few options, then make sure to check them with your expert dancing partner: DAD! I’m sure he’ll want to have a say in things. This will help you narrow it down, and hopefully, you’ll agree on a classic that you both love.
Then, comes the fun part: dreaming about how to make it even more memorable. Live musicians always leave a crowd blown away.
Here are some suggestions of how to fit your music choice to a live music setting:
- Pop songs work great with a function band. They’ve got lots of wow-factor to get the crowd pumping AND can double up as your entertainment for the rest of the evening.
- If you don’t want a full band, a solo singer can bring your favourite song to life, and might even be able to customise the lyrics for you… (Make your dad fall over laughing mid-dance routine with a sneakily inserted funny childhood anecdote!)
- A sentimental ballad played by a string quartet would transport you to a fairytale wedding. Anyone’s childhood dream come true! String quartets can also play during your ceremony to maximise bang for buck.
- An 80s dance anthem? A soul/Motown band or a Live DJ would get everyone up and cheering for sure!
Most Popular Father and Daughter Songs
Look at that list of names! These crowd favourites will get everyone in the room crying, laughing, cheering, and eager to join in the dancing as soon as allowed…
- Come Fly With Me – Frank Sinatra
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Daddy’s Little Girl – Michael Bolton
- You’re My Best Friend – Queen
- Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
- Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Daughters – John Mayer
- Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
- You Are My Sunshine – Johnny Cash
- My Girl – The Temptations
- God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight? – Elton John
- Unforgettable – Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
- To Make You Feel My Love – Bob Dylan
- She’s Leaving Home – The Beatles
Modern Father and Daughter Songs
Looking for that modern edge? Hoping to look current? Or are you just looking for something new you haven’t heard of before? Well, this list is for you.
- Dad – Tyler Wood
- Letter to My Daughter – Quando Rondo
- Dance Like Yo Daddy – Meghan Trainor
- Maggie May Dreams – David “Ace” Cannon
- For My Daughter – Kane Brown
- First Man – Camila Cabello
- One Call Away – Charlie Puth
- Forever Young – Andrea von Kampen
- Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
- Like My Daddy – Lenasia Tyson
- Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo
Unique Father and Daughter Songs
This selection will give you that extra unexpected edge. Whether it’s Billy Joel or Guns N’ Roses, these songs will dash any ‘cheesy’ or ‘predictable’ expectations.
- I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
- You Send Me – Sam Cooke
- Ain’t That Love – Ray Charles
- Thank You – Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Child o’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
- Lullaby – Billy Joel
- Gracie – Ben Folds
- She’s a Rainbow – The Rolling Stones
- Sunrise, Sunset – Fiddler on the Roof
- Kind and Generous – Natalie Merchant
- How You’ve Grown – 10,000 Maniacs
- Walk With You – Edwin McCain
- It’s For My Dad – Nancy Sinatra
- My Darling – Wilco
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
- When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen
- Wildflowers – Tom Pett
Upbeat Father and Daughter Songs
Everyone loves a boogie! Get everyone tapping their toes with these floor-filling anthems.
- Brown-Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- I Turn to You – Christina Aguilera
- Dream – Priscilla Ahn
- Always Be Your Baby – Natalie Grant
- Daddy Dance With Me – Krystal Keith
- It’s All in the Game – Tommy Edwards
- My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
- Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
- They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Ella Fitzgerald
- Forever – The Beach Boys
- I Wish You Love – Frank Sinatra
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
- It Won’t Be Like This for Long – Darius Rucker
- Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
Sentimental Father and Daughter Songs
Going for more of an emotional dancefloor number? Or maybe you’re just trying to crack your tough-dad-that-never-cries for once! Read on…
- Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- Daddy’s Hands – Holly Dunn
- Waltz for Debby – Bill Evans
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
- To Sir With Love – Lulu
- There’ll You’ll Be – Faith Hill
- Stealing Cinderella – Chuck Wicks
- Daddy – Beyoncé
- My Wish – Rascal Flatts
- Daughter – Loudon Wainwright
- One in a Million – Larry Graham
Rock Father and Daughter Songs
‘I’m assuming you’re okay with me wearing my leather jacket for the dance, dear?’ These rock anthems will get your dad dancing and singing like never before. Preferably keep the shirt on…
- Sweet Child O’Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- Teach Your Children – Crosby Stills Nash & Young
- Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
- You’re My Best Friend – Queen
- She’s a Rainbow – The Rolling Stones
- When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen
- Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
- Here for You – Neil Young
- When I See You Smile – Bad English
- Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf
- Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison
- My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton
R&B Father and Daughter Songs
These disco tunes will get the night off to a roaring start. Bangers galore, this list is last but certainly not least!
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- Like My Daddy – Lenasia Tyson
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Eddie & Gerald LeVert
- Shining Star – The Manhattans
- Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- Ain’t That Love – Ray Charles
- You’re A Big Girl Now – The Stylistics
- Ballerina Girl – Lionel Richie
- If It Wasn’t For Your Love – Heather Headley
- Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron