12 Songs Perfect for Dads & Daughters

Songs Made for Dads & Daughters

My heart! There is something so magical about a daddy and daughter together, and these two melt my heart on a regular basis. I have loved watching their relationship grow. The giggles, the inside jokes, the way only a dad can make her feel loved, safe and protected. Whether you’re looking for a song to dedicate to your daughter, picking out a song for your Father / Daughter dance at your wedding, or maybe missing a loved one, these are some of our favorite songs perfect for dads and daughters.

 

1. Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti

This song is Blaine’s song with the 3 girls, and it is seriously the sweetest to see them sing and dance to it together. I still remember the twins as tiny 6 year olds, singing this at top of their lungs (they’re 14 now). 🙂 We started dating around the time it came out, and we definitely have a few lines in this song that sum up our relationship so well! The “I love you” section is so sweet to sing together. We’ve seen Franti in concert several times, and he is amazing!

My favorite lyrics from Say Hey:

2. Father & Daughter – Paul Simon

Quintessential perfection for dads and daughters everywhere! This song makes me tear up because Paul Simon sings about exactly how a dad should feel about his daughter. Plus it’s a fun one to dance to.

My favorite lyrics from Father & Daughter:

I’m gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you always know
As long as one and one is two
Ooh ooh
There could never be a father
Love his daughter more than I love you

Full song / video:

3. Stealing Cinderella – Chuck Wicks:

The song is written from the husband’s point of view, as the dad reminiscing about his daughter as a kid growing up. Now having my own daughter (and listening from a parent’s perspective), I can’t help but tear up! It’s perfect for a Father / Daughter dance at a wedding!

My favorite lyrics from Stealing Cinderella:

Full song / video:

 

4. Wildflowers – Tom Petty:

This song is my song to Harper, but it’s perfect for fathers and daughters too! Every parent wants their children to be happy and feel free, and that’s exactly what this song is about. A classic!

My favorite lyrics from Wildflowers:

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worry
You belong somewhere you feel free

Full song / video here:

 5. Sweet Pea – Amos Lee

I love this song, and I love Amos Lee! Blaine and I saw him at Red Rocks … AND Harper was born to an Amos Lee channel on Pandora, so he’s extra special to us. This song is a sweet tribute and easy listening.

My favorite lyrics from Sweet Pea:

Sweet pea
Apple of my eye
Don’t know when and I don’t know why
You’re the only reason I keep on coming home

Full video / song:

 

6. Lady – Brett Young

Oh my gosh! When I first heard this song on the radio, I balled my eyes out! ha! It’s such a sweet tribute from a father to his daughter but also paying tribute to the mother. So so sweet!! And the music video is adorable!

My favorite lyrics from Lady:

I hope you look just like your mama
And love her like I do (love her like I do)
You’ll see close to perfect patience
If you watch her every move (every move)
You can always run to daddy
You’ll always be my baby, but
Look at her, baby girl
And you’ll learn
How to be a lady
Just how to be a lady

Full song / video:

7. Daddy Dance With Me – Krystal Keith

Another perfect song for a Father / Daughter dance at a wedding, Daddy Dance With Me is so beautiful. From the daughter’s perspective, she’s recounting her life, her relationship with her dad, but also excited for the woman she’s becoming.

My favorite lyrics from Daddy Dance With Me:

Don’t know what to do when I look at you
Words can’t say enough
What you’ve done for me
You gave me what I need
You were tender, you were tough
‘Cause the world you built around me is the strength that will surround me
And protect me now that I am on my own

Full video / song:

 

8. I Loved Her First – Heartland

Y’all know I have a deep love for country music, and this is such a good country song from the dad’s perspective to his daughter. This would be a great Father / Daughter wedding song because it’s written from father to son in law, and the way he talks about his daughter melts my heart!

My favorite lyrics from I Loved Her First:

How could that beautiful woman with you
Be that same freckled face kid that I knew?
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

Full song / video:

 

9. Lullaby – Billy Joel

Inspired by his own daughter, Lullaby by Billy Joel is a classic dedication song from father to daughter. It’s a sweet song to sing your babe to sleep or even to dance together to. Such a sweet tribute!

My favorite lyrics from Lullaby:

Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me
Someday we’ll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die
That’s how you and I will be

Full video / song:

 

10. My Little Girl – Jack Johnson

In true Jack Johnson fashion, this song feels like he’s singing directly to you right in your living room. This song, written for his daughter, is the sweetest with true and honest words for the love of his life.

My favorite lyrics from My Little Girl:

You don’t ever have to feel lonely
You will never lose any tears
You don’t have to feel any sadness
When you look back on the years
How can I look you in the eyes
And tell you such big lies
The best I can do is try to show you
How to love with no fear

My little girl
You’ve gone and stole my heart and made it your own
You’ve stole my heart and made it your own

Full video / song:

 

11. Gracie – Ben Folds

I love the raw and honesty in Gracie by Ben Folds. It’s such a sweet capture in time, with him talking about his daughter, Gracie, and all he hopes for her.

My favorite lyrics from Gracie: 
And there will always be a part of me
Nobody else is ever gonna see but you and me
My little girl
My Gracie girl

Full song / video:

 

12. Cecilia and the Satellite – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

I had no idea this was a song Andrew McMahon wrote about his daughter Cecilia until I listened a little closer! It’s such a sweet song about how he wants to protect her and keep her safe, just as a daddy should!

My favorite lyrics from Cecilia and the Satellite:

Full song / video:

 

 

Aren’t those just the perfect songs for dads and daughters?!

 

I thought I’d share some photos from a photoshoot with Sterling Pickett Photography. She did such a great job capturing Harper and Blaine’s love for each other. Wishing we could pause time right here for a little while and watch just one more dance with these two. 🙂

 

 

Did you have a Father / Daughter dance at your wedding? What is a song that makes you thing of your own father? I’d love to hear in the comments!