Father-Daughter Dance Songs: Tailored to Your Relationship

Updated October 26, 2023 | Author: Matthew Campbell

The father and daughter dance is commonly between a dad and the bride on her wedding day.

If you are just getting started trying to figure out what song you want played, discover the songs below by the type of relationship you have had in your life.

Bride and dad dance at reception
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

When picking out the song to dance the father-daughter wedding dance, you must consider the following 3 factors:

  1. Does the song have a special meaning to both of you?
  2. Does the song’s meaning describe your relationship?
  3. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the style of dance that fits best?

Read on to learn more about each one.

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for the father-daughter dance. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s brides. Besides the relationship type between the father and bride, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.

New Father and Daughter Songs

  1. “For The Both of Us” by Dan + Shay (Country – 2023)
  2. “Perfect Day” by Al Green (R&B – 2023)
  3. “Anything Like You” by Sam Derosa (Indie – 2023)
  4. “Can She Have This Dance” by Drew Baldridge (Country – 2023)
  5. “if father time had a daughter” by Walker Hayes (Country – 2023)
  6. “Hey Dad” by Casi Joy (Country – 2023)
  7. “Dad Does” by Johnathan Len (Country – 2023)
  8. “When God Made You My Father” by Riley Roth (Country – 2022)
  9. “Good Hands” by Kylie Morgan (Country – 2022)
  10. “Good Hands” by Johnny and Heidi (Country – 2022)

Below is a list of popular and unique alternative father-daughter dance songs. The songs on the left are popular father-daughter dance hits. The songs on the right are similar alternative tracks in the same music style, tempo, and mood – but not played at every wedding.

Popular SongsUnique Alternatives
1. I Loved Her First – Heartland
2. My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
3. This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
4. My Girl – The Temptations
5. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
6. My Wish – Rascal Flatts
7. Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
8. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
9. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
10. You’ll Always Be My Baby – Alan Jackson
11. Daughters – John Mayer
12. Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
13. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
14. You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
15. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
16. Landslide – The Chicks
17. The Man Who Loves You The Most – Zac Brown
18. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
19. Wildflowers – Tom Petty
20. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
21. Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw
22. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
23. It Won’t Be This Way For Long – Darius Ricker
24. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
25. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
26. Forever Young – Rod Stewart
27. Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
1. Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron
2. Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie
3. Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff
4. Shining Star – The Manhattans
5. Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
6. Anyway – Martina McBride
7. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
8. Perfect Day – Al Green
9. Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo
10. Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey
11. Daughter – Ben Rector
12. Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor
13. Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
14. Good Hands – Kylie Morgan
15. Glitter In the Air – P!nk
16. I Can Change – Lake Street Dive
17. Like My Father – Jax
18. The Climb – Miley Cyrus
19. Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi
20. When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth
21. Tell Me Twice – Chayce Beckham
22. One Call Away – Charlie Puth
23. Never Grow Up – Taylor Swift
24. Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
25. Walk With You – Edwin McCain
26. Story Of Love – Bon Jovi
27. First Man – Camila Cabello
 

Dad-Daughter Dance Songs by Special Bond

Songs Written for a Dad-Daughter Wedding Dance

  • This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
  • Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
  • Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff
  • Never Give You Away – Greg Stielstra Productions
  • Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo

Dad’s Love For His Daughter

  • You’ll Always Be My Baby – Alan Jackson
  • My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
  • I Loved Her First – Heartland
  • Walk With You – Edwin McCain
  • The Man Who Loves You the Most – Zac Brown Band
  • Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey
  • Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
  • Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron
  • Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie
  • Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman

Girl’s Love For Her Dad

  • When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth
  • Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi
  • Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor
  • Daddy’s Little Girl – The Shires
  • Daddy Dance With Me – Krystal Keith

Putting Dad in High Regard

  • Like My Father – Jax
  • Half the Man – Jennifer Smestad
  • First Man – Camila Cabello
  • Like My Daddy – LeNasia Tyson
  • You’ll Always Be My Hero – Ashley Marina
  • Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City

Dads and Daughters Being There For Each Other

  • Good Hands – Kylie Morgan
  • She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge
  • Call My Name – Lukas Graham
  • Never Alone – Jim Brickman Feat. Lady Antebellum
  • Your Joy – Chrisette Michele
  • You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
  • There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
  • One Call Away – Charlie Puth
  • I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
  • Stand By Me – Ben E. King
 

Unexpected & Fun About Dads and Daughters

  • Your Mama Don’t Dance – Loggins & Messina
  • My Girl – Temptations
  • Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
  • Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
  • Shining Star – The Manhattans
  • You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder

Father and Daughter Are Friends

  • You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
  • You’re My Best Friend – Queen
  • In My Life – Beatles

Daddy’s Dedication To Daughter For The Future

  • Forever Young – Rod Stewart
  • Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
  • Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  • My Wish – Rascal Flatts
  • Wildflowers – Tom Petty

A Daughter’s Dedication To Her Dad She’s Grown Up

  • You Can Let Go – Crystal Shawanda
  • Ready, Set, Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus
  • There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
  • Time to Let Me Go – Quixotic Sound
  • You’re A Big Girl Now – The Stylistics

Songs for Every Father & Daughter

  • Lovely Day – Bill Withers
  • Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
  • What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
  • Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  • I’m Happy Just To Dance With You – Beatles
  • Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
 

Songs For A Single Dad and Daughter Dance

  • For My Daughter – Kane Brown
  • Babyfather – Sade
  • Rich Man – Little Big Town

Songs For A Stepdad and Stepdaughter Dance

  • Step by Step – Brandon Davis
  • My Boy (My Girl Version) – Elvie Shane

(See more stepdad and stepdaughter songs)

Bride and Father-In-Law Dance

  • I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
  • Family Affair – Mary J. Blige
  • Family Is Family – Kacey Musgraves

(See more songs for a bride to dance with her father-in-law)

Bride and Grandpa Dance

  • Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) – The Judds
  • Grandpas Baby Girl – Terry Wagenschutz
  • Grandpa Told Me So – Kenny Chesney

Bride and Brother Dance

  • Brothers & Sisters – Coldplay
  • Come Dancing – Kinks
  • Sister to a Brother – Rob Finlay

(See more songs about sisters and brothers growing up)

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Rock Father-Daughter Dance Tracks

  1. Story Of Love – Bon Jovi
  2. Walk With You – Edwin McCain
  3. Gracie – Ben Folds
  4. Daughters – John Mayer
  5. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Sheryl Crow
  6. Wildflowers – Tom Petty
  7. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
  8. Forever Young – Rod Stewart
  9. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
 

Tip

Do you have a stepdad and looking for a stepdad and stepdaughter song? Check out our list of stepdad and stepdaughter songs for a dance at your wedding.

Folk Father-Daughter Dance Hits

  1. Forever Young – Andrea von Kampen
  2. Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff
  3. The Old Man & His Daughter – Kaitlin Huwe
  4. Promise You’ll Stay – Joshua Creek
  5. Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
  6. Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
  7. Father And Daughter – Paul Simon
 

Tip

If you have selected a father-daughter dance, don’t forget about the groom! Plan a mother-son dance with a special song.

Country Father-Daughter Dance Tunes

What is a good father-daughter country song?

The best modern country father-daughter dance song is “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw from the movie Flicka. If your dad is more into classic country, a popular selection is “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn.

  1. Good Hands – Kylie Morgan
  2. Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey
  3. When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth
  4. Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi
  5. Tell Me Twice – Chayce Beckham
  6. You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings) – Alan Jackson
  7. She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge
  8. Half the Man – Jennifer Smestad
  9. Prettiest Girl in the World – Logan Mize
  10. Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor
  11. The Man Who Loves You the Most – Zac Brown Band
  12. For My Daughter – Kane Brown
  13. Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
  14. Daddy’s Little Girl – The Shires
  15. Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  16. I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter) – Zac Brown Band
  17. Daddy – Abby Anderson
  18. You Can Let Go – Crystal Shawanda
  19. It Won’t Be Like This For Long – Darius Rucker
  20. Ready, Set, Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus
  21. Stealing Cinderella – Chuck Wicks
  22. I Loved Her First – Heartland
  23. My Wish – Rascal Flatts
  24. My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
  25. There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
  26. Then They Do – Trace Adkins
  27. There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
  28. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
 

Tip

If your father will not be at your wedding, you can always choose to have your father-in-law step in for a dance. If you have a brother, you can also choose to have a brother-sister dance in place of the father-daughter dance.

Pop Father and Daughter Dance Favorites

  1. Daughter – Ben Rector
  2. Grow As We Go – Mat and Savanna Shaw, The Piano Guys
  3. Call My Name – Lukas Graham
  4. Like My Father – Jax
  5. We’re Gonna Miss These Days – Dave Barnes
  6. Time to Let Me Go – Quixotic Sound
  7. First Man – Camila Cabello
  8. You’ll Always Be My Hero – Ashley Marina
  9. Forever Now – Michael Bublé
  10. Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo
  11. This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
  12. Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City
  13. One Call Away – Charlie Puth
  14. Fathers & Daughters – Michael Bolton
  15. You’re My Hero – Wedding Music Central
  16. Never Alone – Jim Brickman Feat. Lady Antebellum
  17. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
  18. A Song For My Daughter – Ray Allaire
  19. You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
  20. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
  21. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
  22. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
  23. Tiny Dancer – Elton John
  24. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
  25. Beautiful Dreamer – Roy Orbison
 

Tip

Dancing with your parents at your wedding may be important to you as the wedding couple. Another important dance is your first dance. This is the first dance as a married couple. See a list of songs by genre for a wedding couple’s first dance.

father and daughter dance at wedding reception
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

R&B Father Daughter Dance Hits

  1. Like My Daddy – Lenasia Tyson
  2. Right by You (For Luna) – John Legend
  3. Babyfather – Sade
  4. Your Joy – Chrisette Michele
  5. Footprints in the Sand – Leona Lewis
  6. Daddy – Beyonce
  7. Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
  8. Wind Beneath My Wings – Eddie & Gerald LeVert
  9. Hero – Mariah Carey
  10. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
  11. Ballerina Girl – Lionel Richie
  12. Shining Star – The Manhattans
  13. Lovely Day – Bill Withers
  14. Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
  15. Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron
  16. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
  17. You’re A Big Girl Now – The Stylistics
  18. I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
  19. My Girl – The Temptations
  20. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
 

Christian Father and Daughter Dance Tracks

  1. Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie
  2. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
  3. You’re My Little Girl – Go Fish
  4. Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
 

Tip

Sons also have close bonds with their dads. See a list of dad and son songs by genre.

Misc Father Daughter Songs

  1. My Father’s Daughter – Olivia Vedder, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard
  2. Letter To My Daughter – Quando Rondo
  3. Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
  4. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
  5. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
 

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

Enjoy our podcast about the Father-Daughter Dance songs!

FAQs

The bride selects the song to dance to with her father on her wedding day. However, the song should reflect their relationship such as a song highlighting a moment in their life or lyrics that describe their relationship.

Remember, this is your wedding and you can honor the people that matter to you most in the way that makes sense to you.

In couples, 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.

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

Brides can also have a family member fill in such as their mother, brother, uncle, or aunt. You can get more dad dedication suggestions on our wedding memorial songs list.

If you do not want to dance with your father on your wedding day, then a popular alternative is to have a mother-daughter dance. (See mother-daughter dance instead of father-daughter)

Other options include a honeymoon dance (similar to the money dance) and a selfie dance (guests can get selfies with the wedding couple).

Historically, the bride danced with her father as a final farewell before her new life with her husband. In the 1990s through the 2000s brides typically danced with their fathers immediately following the first dance.

However, in recent years, more and more brides are choosing to only have one formal dance, the first dance, and get to the dance party as quickly as possible.

So, it is up to you if you wish to have the father-daughter dance or not.

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.

And if you can’t decide on what song to use, you can always choose an instrumental number such as a jazz tune, classical or modern 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).

When planning the father daughter dance, select a song around 2 minutes in length to prevent any awkward moments of trying to get off the dance floor (unless you have a choreographed dance).

The DJ can also create a shortened version of any song you think is a bit too long.

Hey if the step-parent situation is complicated or slightly adversarial, you can always skip it. Or, keep it to a minimum.

Some couples combine the father daughter dance with the mother-son dance into just one song to dance. (See a combined parent wedding dance playlist)

In this case, a wedding couple 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.

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“.

Why trust Matthew Campbell?

DJ, Author, Music Lover

matt

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.

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