Father-Figure & Child Dance Songs (Dad & Daughter)
To be more inclusive, I renamed the father-daughter dance at weddings the father-figure and child dance.
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.
Quick Tips
When picking out the song to dance the father-figure 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?
As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for the father-figure dance. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s brides. Besides the relationship type between the father figure and child, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.
Check out this custom song!
“Little Girl – The Remix” by E. Walter Smith
Favorite Lyrics: “Little princess you / Were only born yesterday / You were everything I hoped for / When I kneeled down to pray”
The song is a duet conversation between a dad and daughter describing their relationship.
Dance Songs by Relationship
To help you select a song for you to dance with your father figure, I broke down the list of songs by the type of relationship you have with each other. Some may be best friends, while others see them as heroes. There’s a little bit for everyone.
Songs Specifically Written for Dance
Enjoy a list of hand-selected songs written and performed for a father-and-daughter dance. Maybe these tell your story too.
- 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
Celebrating Love for Child
Here is a list of songs from the perspective of a parent to a child and having love for them. It’s their special day too! The parent could also be the one getting married.
- 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
Celebrating Love for Father-Figure
A list of songs from the perspective of the one getting married and having a love for their parent. The songs describe parents loving their children and taking care of them.
- 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 Father-Figure in High Regard
Some children have father figures that went above and beyond caring for and loving their child. The parents are seen as heroes of sorts and these songs describe that kind of relationship.
- 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
Celebrating Being There For Each Other
A relationship is a two-way street. These songs describe and celebrate taking care of each other and 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 Songs
We all know the most popular hits. However, these songs add a bit of levity to the moment with an upbeat tempo but stay on theme.
- 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
Celebrating Friendship
Some parents and children’s relationships are considered each other’s best friends. These songs share these types of connections.
- You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
- You’re My Best Friend – Queen
- In My Life – Beatles
Dedication To Child For The Future
Want to wish your child a wonderful future as their new journey begins into married life? These songs say just that.
- Forever Young – Rod Stewart
- Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
- Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
- My Wish – Rascal Flatts
- Wildflowers – Tom Petty
Celebrating Being Grown Up
Some children are happy that they are grown up now that they are married and are moving out of the house. Parents need to let their little children be their own person. Pick on of these.
- 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 Relationship
Not every parent and child relationship is an ideal scenario. Thus, these tracks are perfect for a lack of reference to a parent and child.
- 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
Dad Has 3 Daughters
- You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings) – Alan Jackson
- Son You Never Had – Bailey Taylor
Songs For A Single Dad
Hey single dads who raise your child all by yourself. These are for you!
- For My Daughter – Kane Brown
- Babyfather – Sade
- Rich Man – Little Big Town
Dance with Stepdad
Stepdads need to be represented too. Here are the most popular.
- Step by Step – Brandon Davis
- My Boy (My Girl Version) – Elvie Shane
- (See more stepdad and stepdaughter songs)
Dance with Father-In-Law
Sometimes in-laws are included in the formal dances. These are perfect selections.
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
- Family Affair – Mary J. Blige
- Family Is Family – Kacey Musgraves
- (See more songs for dancing with father-in-law)
Dance with Grandpa
Want to include your grandpa in the father-figure dance? Whether he has his own dance or cuts in, these songs can be mixed in nicely.
- Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) – The Judds
- Grandpas Baby Girl – Terry Wagenschutz
- Grandpa Told Me So – Kenny Chesney
Dance with Brother
Did your brother play the role of parent in your life? Did he care for you when growing up? Here’s a few wonderful hits to play.
- Brothers & Sisters – Coldplay
- Come Dancing – Kinks
- Sister to a Brother – Rob Finlay
- (See more songs for dancing with a brother or brothers)
New Tracks DJs Need to Know
Song Ideas by Genre
Rock
- Story Of Love – Bon Jovi
- Walk With You – Edwin McCain
- Gracie – Ben Folds
- Daughters – John Mayer
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Sheryl Crow
- Wildflowers – Tom Petty
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- Forever Young – Rod Stewart
- Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Folk
- Forever Young – Andrea von Kampen
- Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff
- The Old Man & His Daughter – Kaitlin Huwe
- Promise You’ll Stay – Joshua Creek
- Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
- Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
- Father And Daughter – Paul Simon
Country
- Good Hands – Kylie Morgan
- Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey
- When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth
- Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi
- Tell Me Twice – Chayce Beckham
- You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings) – Alan Jackson
- She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge
- Half the Man – Jennifer Smestad
- Prettiest Girl in the World – Logan Mize
- Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor
- The Man Who Loves You the Most – Zac Brown Band
- For My Daughter – Kane Brown
- Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
- Daddy’s Little Girl – The Shires
- Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
- I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter) – Zac Brown Band
- Daddy – Abby Anderson
- You Can Let Go – Crystal Shawanda
- It Won’t Be Like This For Long – Darius Rucker
- Ready, Set, Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus
- Stealing Cinderella – Chuck Wicks
- I Loved Her First – Heartland
- My Wish – Rascal Flatts
- My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
- There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
- Then They Do – Trace Adkins
- There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
Pop
- Daughter – Ben Rector
- Grow As We Go – Mat and Savanna Shaw, The Piano Guys
- Call My Name – Lukas Graham
- Like My Father – Jax
- We’re Gonna Miss These Days – Dave Barnes
- Time to Let Me Go – Quixotic Sound
- First Man – Camila Cabello
- You’ll Always Be My Hero – Ashley Marina
- Forever Now – Michael Bublé
- Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo
- This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
- Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City
- One Call Away – Charlie Puth
- Fathers & Daughters – Michael Bolton
- You’re My Hero – Wedding Music Central
- Never Alone – Jim Brickman Feat. Lady Antebellum
- You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
- A Song For My Daughter – Ray Allaire
- You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
- Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
- Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
- Tiny Dancer – Elton John
- What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Beautiful Dreamer – Roy Orbison
R&B
- Like My Daddy – Lenasia Tyson
- Right by You (For Luna) – John Legend
- Babyfather – Sade
- Your Joy – Chrisette Michele
- Footprints in the Sand – Leona Lewis
- Daddy – Beyonce
- Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Eddie & Gerald LeVert
- Hero – Mariah Carey
- Unforgettable – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
- Ballerina Girl – Lionel Richie
- Shining Star – The Manhattans
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron
- You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
- You’re A Big Girl Now – The Stylistics
- I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
- My Girl – The Temptations
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Christian
- Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie
- Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
- You’re My Little Girl – Go Fish
- Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
Do you have a favorite father-figure dance song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add your song!
Fun Facts
Other Playlists To Check Out:
