Father Daughter Dance Songs For Love Dedication

 
The most special moment in a father’s life is his daughter’s wedding, second only to the day she was born. Father daughter dance songs celebrate this beautiful bond between the bride and her dad. We hand-picked the best 101 songs for the Father Daughter Dance to inspire you.

What is the Father Daughter Dance?

The Father Daughter Dance or the Daddy-Daughter Dance is formally the dance between the father of the bride and the bride herself. The bride should choose one of her favorite melodies to act as the father daughter dance songs. There are many father daughter wedding songs to choose from.

Table of Contents:

• Father Daughter Dance Songs
• Father Daughter Dance Spotify Playlist
• Father Daughter Dance Song Lyrics
• Questions about the Father Daughter Dance
• Father Holidays

Father Daughter Dance Songs For A Special Moment

The songs we’ve chosen tell a story about the love between a dad and daughter. The songs can be dedicated to dad from daughter or for daughter from dad. Wedding vendors commonly call the dance between a dad and his daughter the father daughter dance which is formal.

In a less formal title, it can be called the dad-daughter dance. When you think about it, how many daughters call their male parent father over dad? We should change the name to dad-daughter dance!

Father Daughter dance song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: May 30, 2021

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Song	Amazon Link
10,000 Maniacs How You've Grown 1992, Pop Rock
Abby Anderson Daddy 2014, Country
Alan Jackson You'll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters' Weddings) 2021, Country
Amos Lee Sweet Pea 2006, Folk
Andrea von Kampen Forever Young 2019, Folk
Ashley Marina You'll Always Be My Hero 2018, Pop
Ben E. King Stand By Me 1961, Soul
Ben Folds Gracie 2005, Rock
Bette Midler Wind Beneath My Wings 1988, Pop
Beyonce Daddy 2003, R&B
Billy Joel Just The Way You Are 1977, Rock
Billy Joel Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) 1994, Rock
Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus Ready, Set, Don’t Go 2007, Country
Bob Carlisle Butterfly Kisses 1997, Pop
Bob Marley Three Little Birds 1977, Reggae
Bon Jovi Story Of Love 2020, Rock
Brad Paisley He Didn’t Have To Be 1999, Country
Brandon Davis Step by Step 2021, Country
Camila Cabello First Man 2019, Pop
Celine Dion Because You Loved Me 1996, Pop
Charlie Puth One Call Away 2015, Pop
Chrisette Michele Your Joy 2007, R&B
Chuck Wicks Stealing Cinderella 2007, Country
Conway Twitty That’s My Job 1987, Country
Craig Cardiff Father Daughter Dance 2018, Folk
Crystal Shawanda You Can Let Go 2008, Country
Darius Rucker It Won’t Be Like This For Long 2008, Country
Dave Barnes We're Gonna Miss These Days 2020, Pop
David "Ace" Cannon Maggie May Dreams 2019, Country
Drew Baldridge She's Somebody's Daughter (The Wedding Version) 2021, Country
Edwin McCain Walk With You 2010, Rock
Ellie Goulding Your Song 2010, Pop Rock
Elton John Tiny Dancer 1971, Pop
Elvie Shane My Boy (My Girl Version) 2020, Country
Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight 1977, Rock
Faith Hill There You’ll Be 2001, Country
Fleetwood Mac Landslide 1975, Rock
Frank Sinatra The Way You Look Tonight 1964, Jazz
Gary Allan Tough Little Boys 2003, Country
Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine 1988, Rock
Heartland I Loved Her First 2006, Country
Holly Dunn Daddy’s Hands 1986, Country
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Over The Rainbow 1990, World
Jackson 5 I'll Be There 1969, R&B
James Taylor How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) 1975, Rock
James Taylor You’ve Got A Friend 1971, Rock
Jason Blaine Dance With My Daughter 2016, Country
Jennifer Smestad Half the Man 2020, Country
Jim Brickman Feat. Lady Antebellum Never Alone 2010, Pop
John Legend Right by You (For Luna) 2016, R&B
John Mayer Daughters 2004, Rock
Josh Groban You Raise Me Up 2002, Inspirational
Kaitlin Huwe The Old Man & His Daughter 2018, Folk
Kane Brown For My Daughter 2019, Country
Kenny Chesney There Goes My Life 2003, Country
Kenny Rogers Through The Years 1982, Country
Krystal Keith Daddy Dance With Me 2013, Country
Lee Ann Womack I Hope You Dance 2000, Country
Lenasia Tyson Like My Daddy 2018, R&B
Logan Mize Prettiest Girl in the World 2020, Country
Loudon Wainwright III Daughter 2007, Folk
Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful World 1967, Pop
Luther Vandross Dance With My Father 2003, R&B
Mark Harris Find Your Wings 2005, Christian
MaRynn Taylor Dads and Daughters 2020, Country
Michael Bolton Fathers & Daughters 2015, Pop
Michael Bolton Soul Of My Soul 1993, Pop
Michael Bublé Forever Now 2018, Pop
Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole Unforgettable 1991, R&B
Natalie Grant Always Be Your Baby 2003, Christian
Owl City Not All Heroes Wear Capes 2017, Pop
Paul Simon Father And Daughter 2002, Folk
Phil Collins You’ll Be In My Heart 1999, Pop
Quando Rondo Letter To My Daughter 2020, Hip Hop
Quixotic Sound Time to Let Me Go 2020, Pop
Rascal Flatts My Wish 2006, Country
Ray Allaire A Song For My Daughter 2000, Pop
Rod Stewart Forever Young 1988, Rock
Sade Babyfather 2010, Soul
Scott Keo Beautiful Memory 2018, Pop
Scott Thomas Laughridge This Dance 2018, Pop
Sheryl Crow Sweet Child O' Mine 1998, Rock
Shires Daddy's Little Girl 2016, Country
Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella 2007, Christian
Stevie Wonder Isn’t She Lovely 1976, R&B
Stevie Wonder You Are The Sunshine Of My Life 1972, Soul
Temptations My Girl 1964, Soul
Tim McGraw Humble And Kind 2015, Country
Tim McGraw My Little Girl 2006, Country
Tom Petty Wildflowers 1994, Rock
Trace Adkins Just Fishin’ 2011, Country
Trace Adkins Then They Do 2003, Country
Trace Adkins You’re Gonna Miss This 2008, Country
Tyler Wood Dad 2018, Country
Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl 1967, Rock
Van Morrison Tupelo Honey 1971, Rock
Wedding Music Central You’re My Hero 2012, Pop
Zac Brown Band I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter) 2015, Country
Zac Brown Band The Man Who Loves You the Most 2020, Country

Do you have a favorite father-daughter dance song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add your song!

Father Daughter Dance Song Lyrics

10,000 Maniacs – How You’ve Grown

Every time we say goodbye you’re frozen in my mind as the child
that you never will be, you never will be again

Abby Anderson – Daddy

He’s my shoulder to cry on, he’s my best friend
Oh, and daddy, he loves me just like you

Adele – Make You Feel My Love

No, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love

Alan Jackson – You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)

No matter where you are
You’ll always be my baby
Forever in my heart

Amos Lee – Sweet Pea

Hey, sweet pea
Apple of my eye
Don’t know when, and I don’t know why
But you’re the only reason I keep on coming home

Andrea von Kampen – Forever Young

Oh let it come true
Forever young
I want to be forever young

Ashley Marina – You’ll Always Be My Hero

Keep us safe, safe and secure
You’ll always be my hero, forever I’ll be yours

Ben E. King – Stand By Me

I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

Ben Folds – Gracie

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

Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings

I want you to know I know the truth, of course, I know it
I would be nothing without you

Beyonce – Daddy

I want my husband to be like my daddy
There is no one else like my daddy
And I thank you

Big & Rich – Lost In This Moment

Waited my whole life for this
Watching all my dreams come true
Lost in this moment with you

Billy Joel – Just The Way You Are

I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times
I’ll take you just the way you are

Billy Joel – Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me

Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus – Ready, Set, Don’t Go

She’s waitin’ on my blessings
Before she hits that open road
But baby get ready, get set, don’t go

Bob Carlisle – Butterfly Kisses

She’ll change her name today
She’ll make a promise and I’ll give her away

Bob Marley – Three Little Birds

Three little birds
Pitched by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true

Bon Jovi – Story Of Love

From the day you arrive, ’til you walk, ’til you run
There is nothing but pride, there is nothing but love

Brad Paisley – He Didn’t Have To Be

Looking back, all I can say about all the things he did for me
Is I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be

Brandon Davis – Step by Step

Call it stepping up
Or stepping in
But step by step my world went spinning around that little heart and angel face

Camila Cabello – First Man

You held me so tight
Now someone else can
But you were the first man that really loved me

Celine Dion – Because You Loved Me

You gave me faith ’cause you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me

Charlie Puth – One Call Away

Superman got nothing on me
I’m only one call away
When you’re weak I’ll be strong
I’m gonna keep holding on

Chrisette Michele – Your Joy

No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours
You’ll always be my father, oh
And I’ll always be your joy

Chuck Wicks – Stealing Cinderella

Dancing with her dad and looking up at him
If he gives me a hard time
I can’t blame the fella
I’m the one who’s stealing Cinderella

Conway Twitty – That’s My Job

Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me
That’s my job you see

Craig Cardiff – Father Daughter Dance

Oh daughter, know we’re always here
I love you more
Then all the way
Past Florida, China,
The United States

Crystal Shawanda – You Can Let Go

It’s still a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I’ll be ok now, daddy
You can let go

Darius Rucker – It Won’t Be Like This For Long

One day soon we’ll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It won’t be like this for long

Dave Barnes – We’re Gonna Miss These Days

Forgive me for forgetting
The season we’re in
It’s just sometimes I miss us
Like we were before this

Edwin McCain – Walk With You

I’ll take this slow sweet walk with you
You’ll let go of my hand to say I do
He will discover just how blessed a life can be
I know ’cause all those years ago
Your mom handed you to me

Ellie Goulding – Your Song

I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is
Now you’re in the world

Elton John – Tiny Dancer

You must’ve seen her
Dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me
Always with me
Tiny dancer in my hand

Elvie Shane – My Boy (My Girl Version)

I could never walk away
Yeah, she’s my baby my whole world
She ain’t my blood but she’s my, she’s my girl

Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight

And then she asks me, “Do I look alright?”
And I say, “Yes, you look wonderful tonight”

Faith Hill – There You’ll Be

For all my life
I’ll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you’ll be

Fleetwood Mac – Landslide

‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too

Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight

There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight

Gary Allan – Tough Little Boys

My wife would just laugh
She’d say “I know all about men
How when tough little boys grow up to be dads
They turn into big babies again”

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine

She takes me away to that special place
And if I stare too long, I’d probably break down and cry
Whoa, oh, oh
Sweet child o’ mine

Heartland – I Loved Her First

And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But it’s still hard to give her away
I loved her first

Holly Dunn – Daddy’s Hands

Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true

Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There

With an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name
And I’ll be there

James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

I want to stop and thank you, baby
I wanna stop and thank you, baby, yes I do
How sweet it is to be loved by you

James Taylor – You’ve Got A Friend

All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

Jason Blaine – Dance With My Daughter

Gonna dance with my daughter
Spin her around under the lights
‘Cause I’m just a father
Making the most of this moment in time

Jennifer Smestad – Half the Man

Daddy set the bar real high
Showed me what a real man looks like
It’s gonna take one to fill those shoes
In his eyes, nothing less will do

Jim Brickman feat. Lady Antebellum – Never Alone

Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You’re never alone

Joe Cocker – You Are So Beautiful

You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so wonderful
To me

John Legend – Right by You (For Luna)

And know that I will be there, yeah, I will be there
No, I swear that I will, yeah, I promise I will
Little girl

John Mayer – Daughters

So fathers be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do

Josh Groban – You Raise Me Up

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders

Kaitlin Huwe – The Old Man & His Daughter

The Old Man told his Daughter, “ You must grow to be smarter
than all the ones before you so that you can set them free.”
The Daughter said, “Yes, Father, I’ll rise up and work harder.
I will meet the day and find the way I’d like to lead.”

Kane Brown – For My Daughter

Well, I guess that’s up to me
Yeah, I grew up without a dad
I’m gonna be the best one I can be

Kenny Chesney – There Goes My Life

Draggin’ that teddy bear, sleep tight
Blue eyes and bouncin’ curls
He smiles
There goes my life

Kenny Rogers – Through The Years

And I’m so glad I’ve stayed
Right here with you
Through the years

Krystal Keith – Daddy Dance With Me

Daddy dance with me
I want you to see the woman I’ve become
Daddy don’t let go
I want you to know I’ll always need your love

Lee Ann Womack – I Hope You Dance

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

Lenasia Tyson – Like My Daddy

I just want to be just like my daddy

Logan Mize – Prettiest Girl in the World

In my wildest dreams I’d never’ve guessed
I’d be the one holdin’ the prettiest girl in the world

Loudon Wainwright III – Daughter

That’s my daughter in the water
I lost every time I fought her
Yeah, I lost every time

Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more
Than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father

Another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never ever end
How I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

Mark Harris – Find Your Wings

May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

MaRynn Taylor – Dads and Daughters

Like boats and water, they’re meant for each other
Through wind and the waves, they’ll sail away from the storm
And make it to shore
There’s nothing stronger than a lov? between dads and daughters

Michael Bolton – Soul Of My Soul

Into this world
Come with a heart that’s open wide
And the best of this life
Is all I ever want for you

Michael Bublé – Forever Now

No matter what you do
I’m forever proud of you
I love you forever now

Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole – Unforgettable

That’s why darling it’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

Natalie Grant – Always Be Your Baby

I’m a woman now
Not a little girl
Wherever this life takes me
I’ll always be your baby

Owl City – Not All Heroes Wear Capes

He’s my Superman
Some folks don’t believe in heroes
‘Cause they haven’t met my dad

Paul Simon – Father And Daughter

As long as one and one is two
Ooh ooh
There could never be a father
Love his daughter more than I love you

Phil Collins – You’ll Be In My Heart

‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

Quando Rondo – Letter To My Daughter

When I walk inside the door, she gon’ know it’s me
I’ma tell her ’bout the days they ain’t notice me
I can feel you and you know I’m you’re Jodeci

Rascal Flatts – My Wish

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget
All the ones who love you, in the place you left
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

Ray Allaire – A Song For My Daughter

So I wish you every happiness
And the blessings of this day
And I hope the love I’ve given you
Will forever be your guide

Rod Stewart – Forever Young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to Heaven
With a prince or a vagabond

Sade – Babyfather

For you child
For you he’s the best he can be
Oh child don’t you know
Your daddy love come with a lifetime guarantee

Scott Keo – Beautiful Memory

I never thought that this dance would come
You brighten(ed) my life, brighter than the sun
You’re beautiful, in every single way
And now it’s so bittersweet, giving you away

Scott Thomas Laughridge – This Dance

And This Dance is more than just a dance, It gives me one more chance
to show the world how proud I am of you, and as we dance
Dance around this room, like we did when you were two
My little girl, This Dance is just for You

Sheryl Crow – Sweet Child O’ Mine

Oh, oh oh oh sweet child o’ mine
Ohh, sweet love of mine

Shires – Daddy’s Little Girl

He said, “You can be anything you want to in this great big world”
But I’m always gonna be daddy’s little girl

Steven Curtis Chapman – Cinderella

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella

Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely

I can’t believe what God has done
Through us, He’s given life to one
But isn’t she lovely made from love?

Stevie Wonder – You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

You are the apple of my eye (love has joined us)
Forever you’ll stay in my heart

Temptations – My Girl

I’ve got a sweeter song
Than the birds in the trees
Well, I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way
My girl

Tim McGraw – Humble And Kind

When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind

Tim McGraw – My Little Girl

Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you’ll always be
My little girl

Tom Petty – Wildflowers

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free

Trace Adkins – Just Fishin’

She ain’t even thinkin’ ’bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

Trace Adkins – Then They Do

Can’t believe how much you miss
All they do
And all they did
You want all the dreams they’ve dreamed of to come true
Then they do

Trace Adkins – You’re Gonna Miss This

These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

Tyler Wood – Dad

You carried the weight so we’d have a good life
Raised us with love
So we could fly
Anyone else would call you Superman
But I just call you Dad

Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl

Hiding ‘hind a rainbow’s wall
Slipping and sliding
All along the waterfall with you
My brown-eyed girl

Van Morrison – Tupelo Honey

She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree (she’s an angel)

Wedding Music Central – You’re My Hero

You’re my hero
And ’cause you’re my Dad…
I’m twice as blessed and lucky to be me

Zac Brown Band – I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter)

There was a time when I thought I knew love
Until you came into this world
Time keeps on flying
But your always gonna be my baby girl

Zac Brown Band – The Man Who Loves You the Most

On your wedding night, I’ll raise a toast
Hope he understands
I’ll always be the man who loves you the most

What if I have a Stepdad?

Remember, this is your wedding and you can honor the people that matter to you most in the way that makes sense to you. Brides, if you have more than one father in your life, one can tap the other on the shoulder in the middle of the dance so you can dance with both of them. We’ve even seen this happen with one biological dad and two step-fathers.

Or, choose two father daughter wedding songs and reserve a special dance for each of your fathers. That way you can choose a song for each man, that will fit his personality and be representative of your relationship. Talk to your professional wedding coordinator and DJ so they can take it into account.

What if Our Wedding Falls on Father’s Day?

Many weddings occur in the summer which makes sense — especially for outdoor weddings. Even in social distancing because of COVID, most of the immediate family are available and masked. If your wedding reception falls during one of the father-centered holidays, make an extra effort to honor your dad with the father daughter dance.

Interesting fact: The only song performed by a father daughter combo to chart as a Top 10 song on Billboard is Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra’s Somethin’ Stupid (Album Version).

Similar song lists for further reading:

• Songs with Dad in the Song Title
• Songs with Daddy in the Song Title
• Songs with Father in the Song Title

What If I Don’t Have a Father?

It could feel awkward if your new spouse dances with their mom and you don’t have a dad. It’s okay, If you do not have a father, a common substitute is a father figure or even your brother would make a very nice gesture. Then, you can have a special brother bride song.

This also goes for same-sex couples. You can honor the parent of your choosing with each dance. Your wedding is for you — as a new couple. Don’t let anyone else bully you.

I Don’t Want Too Many Formal Dances

Hey if the step-parent situation is complicated or slightly adversarial, you can always skip it. Or, keep it to a minimum. Some bridal couples combine the father daughter dance with the mother-groom dance into just one song to dance.

In this case, a bride and groom should agree on a song that is memorable to everyone involved. There are plenty of songs that are ambiguous enough to allow for both the bride and the groom to dance with their parental figures. Whatever helps you celebrate your special day the best is what you should do.

The songs aren’t required to be about a daddy giving away his little girl (especially if you’re down with the patriarchy, right?). They don’t even have to be about a father or a daughter! They can simply be songs about love, dedication, or even something silly.

Does the Father Daughter Dance Have to Be Serious?

Absolutely not! The point of the father daughter dance is to honor your relationship. If you have a history of goofing off, then make your dance a fun one!

A lot of people choose funny songs instead of serious father daughter songs. This gives the dance a light-hearted feel. Many fathers and daughters would rather do something fun than something serious.

And if you can’t decide on what song to use, you can always choose an instrumental number such as a jazz tune, classical waltz, or contemporary dance music. The most important thing is to not rush your decision. You can even discuss it with your father or the man you will dance with if you like. It can be super fun to make the song a surprise and see his reaction (be sure to tell the photographer and videographer to look for it). We cannot name all the great father daughter songs; that would be impossible.

Father Daughter Song Dedications

Dad and daughter songs can also be commonly used as dedication songs to honor that special bond. A dad can dedicate a song to his daughter for events like her birth, special birthday (sweet sixteen), teaching her how to dance as a little girl, and also as a dad’s dedication to his daughter at her wedding.

Daughters can also dedicate songs to her dad in special moments such as at her wedding, his retirement party, and special dances at school events. Daughters can dedicate some of the above songs for not only dads but also those who have filled the role like the song “He Didn’t Have To Be” by Brad Paisley.

Daddy-Daughter Dance Songs

Another need for dad and daughter songs is for the special Daddy-Daughter dances that schools host. The night usually includes dinner, too. It is time for your dad to take his best suit to the dry cleaners. He can also take you shopping (yay!) for a new dress to wear for the Daddy-Daughter date night.

Final thoughts. If you have a father who passed away before your wedding day, check out this song. “Would Have Loved Her” by Chris Bandi.

Popular Father Holidays

• June (Third Sunday) – Father’s Day
• July 7 – Father Daughter Take a Walk Day
• July 30 – Father-In-Law Day

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