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.
We have created a list of our favorite best songs for weddings. But first, what is the father-daughter dance?
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.
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.
Popular Father Holidays
- June (Third Sunday) – Father’s Day
- July 7 – Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day
- July 30 – Father-In-Law Day
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).
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 a 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.
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
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!
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.
Father-Daughter dance song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: January 4, 2021
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| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 Maniacs How You've Grown 1992, Pop Rock |  | |
| Abby Anderson Daddy 2014, Country | | |
| Adele Make You Feel My Love 2008, Soul | | |
| Amos Lee Sweet Pea 2006, Folk | | |
| Andrea von Kampen Forever Young 2019, Folk | | |
| Beatles In My Life 1965, Rock | | |
| 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 | | |
| Big & Rich Lost In This Moment 2007, Country | | |
| 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 | | |
| Brad Paisley He Didn’t Have To Be 1999, Country | | |
| Camila Cabello First Man 2019, Pop | | |
| Celine Dion Because You Loved Me 1996, Pop | | |
| Charlie Puth One Call Away 2015, Pop | | |
| Charlie Rich The Most Beautiful Girl 1973, Country | | |
| 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 | | |
| Edwin McCain Walk With You 2010, Rock | | |
| Ellie Goulding Your Song 1970, 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 | | |
| Joe Cocker You Are So Beautiful 1974, Rock | | |
| 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 | | |
| Martina McBride In My Daughter’s Eyes 2003, Country | | |
| MaRynn Taylor Dads and Daughters 2020, Country | | |
| 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 | | |
| Queen You’re My Best Friend 1976, Rock | | |
| 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!
Hot New Songs Delivered Monthly!
Great list! Another favorite father daughter dance song Watch video
Thank you for sharing Jennifer. I like the video!