Combined Parent Dance Songs – Father-Daughter & Mother-Son

What is a parent dance at a wedding?

A parent dance is when the bride dances with her father and the groom dances with his mother.  If either parent is not able to attend, a sibling, friend, or another parent can fill in as a replacement.   These are commonly known as the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance.

What is a combined parent dance?

A combined parent dance happens during a wedding reception.  The father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance are combined into one song playing while the dance occurs.  This is a great way to save time by combining two formal dances into one.

What is a good song for a combined parent dance?

The best song to play for a combined parent dance song is one that does not tell a love story between lovers and does not tell a specific story about a son or a daughter.  The combined parent dance song should showcase a love of caring, compassion, or a beautiful moment.

Combined Parent Dance Songs

My Wish – Rascal Flatts
2006, Me and My Gang
Country

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
1967, What a Wonderful World
Jazz

And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole
1990, Facing Future
International

Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
Clouds high over the rainbow, makes all your dreams come true

I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
2000, I Hope You Dance
Country

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

Smile – Nat King Cole
1954
Jazz

Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worth while
If you just smile

You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
2003, Closer
Operetic Pop

I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw
2016, Damn Country Music
Country

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

On Me – Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ava Max
2020, SCOOB! Soundtrack
Dance

And if you want to, tell me what you gon’ do
You could put it all, put it all on me
You can count on me, one, two, three

Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
1970, Déjà Vu
Rock

So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you

Lovely Day – Bill Withers
1977, Menagerie
R&B

Just one look at you
And I know it’s gonna be
A lovely day

I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
1970, Third Album
Soul

I’ll reach out my hand to you
I’ll have faith in all you do

True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
1986, True Colors
Pop

I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid to let them show

You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
1999, Tarzan Soundtrack
Pop Rock

No matter what they say
You’ll be here in my heart
Always

Days Like This – Van Morrison
1995, Days Like This
Rock

When you ring out the changes of how everything is
Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this

Hero – Mariah Carey
1993, Music Box
Pop

Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

You’re Gonna Miss This – Trace Adkins
2008, American Man: Greatest Hits Volume II
Country

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

I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
1994, Last of the Independents
Rock

I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you,
I’ll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour

Forever Young – Rod Stewart
1988, Out of Order
Soft Rock

But whatever road you choose, I’m right behind you win or lose,
Forever young

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Sheryl Crow
1999, Big Daddy soundtrack
Rock

Oh, ooh oh, sweet child ‘o mine
Oh, oh oh oh sweet love of mine

The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
2010, Revolution
Country

Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
2018, What Makes You Country
Country

I believe this world ain’t half as bad as it looks
I believe most people are good

Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
1980, Exodus
Reggae

Singin’ don’t worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh
Every little thing gonna be alright, don’t worry

Forever Young – Andrea von Kampen
2019, Forever Young
Folk

Forever young
I want to be forever young

Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
2007, Meet the Robinsons Soundtrack
Pop Rock

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders

Shower the People – James Taylor
1976, In the Pocket
Soft Rock

I say (show them the way that you feel)
They say in every life (shower the people you love with love)

Blessed – Elton John
1995, Made in England
Soft Rock

And you, you’ll be blessed
You’ll have the best
I promise you that

In My Life – The Beatles
1965, Rubber Soul
Pop Rock

For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more

Unforgettable – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
1991, Unforgettable… with Love
R&B

It’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
1972, Talking Book
R&B

You are the sunshine of my life
That’s why I’ll always stay around

Stand By Me – Ben E. King
1961, Don’t Play That Song!
R&B

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

Sunrise, Sunset – Cast from Fiddler on the Roof
1964, from the musical Fiddler on the Roof
Broadway

They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be

Never Alone – Jim Brickman feat. Lady A
2007, Escape
Pop

So when hard times have found you and your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you, you’re never alone

Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
2005, The Line Between The Two
Christian

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things

Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
1986, Whitney Houston
R&B

I believe the children are our are future
Teach them well and let them lead the way

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

Other related song lists to read:

• In-Law Dance Songs
• Father-Daughter Dance Songs
• Mother-Son Dance Songs

Wedding Song Ideas Delivered Monthly!