44 Best Songs That Celebrate Dad on Father's Day
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Father's Day isn't just about finding the perfect presents for your dad or any of the other fathers in your life, planning a nonstop day of fun activities and preparing the perfect dinner (or brunch if that's the way you celebrate). At the end of the day, it's about the experience of it all, and what better to enhance the day dedicated to celebrating Dad than with a playlist filled with the best Father's Day songs?
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We got emotional ballads filled with lyrics about growing up and celebrating major milestones with Dad, as well as upbeat tunes that'll have you and him rocking out together. Some of them straight-out celebrate what it means to be a good father, while others touch on the, sometimes, complicated relationship between him and his kids.
Some of these hits will even inspire touching Instagram captions to go with all of your selfies with your pops, or can serve as a message in your Father's Day card. Even if he has two left feet, after he hears this lineup, your old man will be up and moving and ready to declare his own Father’s Day anthem.
Don't forget to check out our top gift guides for dad:
The Best Gift Ideas for Men | Meaningful Gifts for Dad | Clever Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts
"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler
Easily one of the more emotional songs on the list, this Bette Midler hit from her movie Beaches touches on the deep admiration a child can have for a father, and the foundation that a father provides to help said child go after their dreams and soar.
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"Daddy Come and Get Me" by Dolly Parton
This 1981 ballad, which tells the story of a woman pleading for her dad after her husband commits infidelity and checks her into a mental institution, shows that no matter how old you get, you're never too old to need your #1 guy.
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"Mr. Mom" by Lonestar
Lonestar gives a shoutout to a stay-at-home father raising his kids while his wife is away at work in this country number, while also reminding listeners of the hard work any stay-at-home parent does on a day-to-day basis — all without a paycheck.
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"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor
How sweet is it to be loved by a great dad and love him back just as fiercely? James Taylor gets it completely right with this feel-good favorite.
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"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole And Natalie Cole
Nothing quite says "the perfect Father's Day song" like this father-daughter collab. The original version, recorded by Nat King Cole, doesn't quite have the emotional pull that the duet he recorded later with his daughter Natalie Cole forty years later.
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"They Don't Make 'Em Like My Daddy" by Loretta Lynn
The late country artist praises her father as "one hell of man who worked for what he got," in this track. She sings out, how many of us feel, that they just don't make 'em like our dads, anymore.
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"Color Him Father" by The Winstons
During the height of the Vietnam War, The Winstons released their Metromedia album with this debut single that shares the story of a boy expressing love for his stepfather, a strong man who became the father to him and his six siblings after their father "died in the war."
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"Butterfly Fly Away" by Miley Cyrus
Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus have never shied away from writing about their relationship, especially since Billy led the way for Miley's music career. In Hannah Montana: The Movie, Miley strums the guitar and sings this delicate song, which talks about all the things her dad did for her when she was younger, like tucking her into bed and turning off her lights.
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"Like Father, Like Son" by The Game feat Busta Rhymes
Rapper "The Game" gives the full (and very relatable) rundown of the emotional night he got the call finding out his partner was in labor, through her giving birth to his son 50 minutes later in this early 2000s song.
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"Daddy" by Beyoncé
It's no secret that Beyoncé's father, Matthew Knowles, was instrumental in her career early on, and even served as her manager. And in tribute to her father, Beyoncé included this emotional ballad detailing their relationship on her 2003 debut album as a solo act.
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"First Man" by Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello brought tears to everyone's eyes at the 2020 Grammy's when she sang "First Man" to her dad, who was sitting in the front row. The song has since become a modern favorite for fathers and daughters everywhere.
RELATED: Fun Things to Do On Father's Day
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"Carried Me With You" by Brandi Carlile
This song details all the supportive things that fathers do, through beautiful lyrics like "Like a lighthouse in a storm, you were always guiding me." If the tune sounds familiar, it's from the Pixar movie Onward, which is also about dads, and therefore a perfect Father's Day movie.
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"Your Joy" by Chrisette Michele
A song fit for a father-daughter dance, Chrisette Michele details the relationship between a dad and his daughter, especially as she grows up and finds love of her own. "You'll always be my father and I'll always be your joy," she sings. Cue the tears.
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"Independence Day" by Bruce Springsteen
If Springsteen isn't Dad Music, we don't know what is. Then again this song, about the inevitable moment when kids leave their dads, is kind of a bummer, so we won't blame you if you just put on "Born to Run"again.
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"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman
All these years later, he's still your Prince Charming — and this emotional ballad by Steven Curtis Chapman will take him right back to the days of fairytales and princesses.
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"Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash
In this song, the Man in Black admits that, even when times where hard when he was a kid, everything felt better when his family of four gathered around to harmonize. Warm up your pipes and do the same!
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"My Old Man" by Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown, lead singer of Zac Brown Band, keeps things simple and sweet while describing the two men who raised him: his dad, Jim Brown and mentor Rodney Shelton, who he called "Old Man." He shifts gears toward the end of the song, writing the final few lines from his kid's perspectives.
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"My Daddy Knows Best" by The Marvelettes
Sure he does! This Berry Gordy-penned Motown song just confirms to Daddy what he already knows to be true.
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"I Learned From You" by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
From Miley back in the Hannah Montana days, this song is about all of the things she learned from her father, even though at the time she said she didn't want to listen to him. No word on whether the steps to the "Achy Breaky Heart" are included.
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"Daddy's Home" by St. Vincent
The title track to St. Vincent's most recent album may not have a premise your family can relate to — it's about her dad being released from prison to find that she's a rock star — but if your dad is into it, the song definitely is a vibe.
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"Daddy’s Hands" by Holly Dunn
The Texan singer memorialized her father with her Grammy-nominated hit, making us all shed a few tears. So, be warned: It may result in a good cry session on Father's Day.
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"Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds
In this song, singer/songwriter Ben Folds starts off by saying, "Good morning, son," before delivering insights about the world to his baby boy, including the most wisest words ever bestowed upon a child from a dad: It sucks to grow up.
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"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw
Proud #GirlDad Tim McGraw perfectly articulates the special bond between fathers and daughters with his lyrics: "Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again. Go on, take on this old world but to me... you'll always be my little girl."
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"Just The Two of Us" by Will Smith
In 1997, the actor/rapper put his own spin to Bill Withers' classic, dedicating the song to his eldest son Trey. It's still stuck on repeat all these years later.
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"Daddy Lessons" by Beyoncé featuring Dixie Chicks
This unexpected collaboration is further proof that Queen Bey can nail pretty much any genre, and also tells your dad that you actually were listening to his advice from all these years.
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"Cat’s in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin's soft voice is one we've all heard before, telling the sad story of a young boy missing his dad, who works all the time. But eventually the boy grows up to become a man, and winds up taking after his father, for better or for worse.
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"The Greatest Man I Never Knew" by Reba McEntire
The legendary country singer sings about the reality of young children with a hardworking dad. The main takeaway: He might keep to himself, but there's no doubt that your dad still loves you.
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"Love Without End, Amen" by George Strait
No matter the trouble or situation, it's great to know our dad's love is unconditional: "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then. It's a love without end, amen."
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"Kyoto" by Phoebe Bridgers
This song is about a more complicated relationship with a. mostly absent father ("my little brother said you called on his birthday — you were off by like ten days, but you get points for trying"), but if he's into indie rock you and Dad will still be able to dance to it together.
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"The Best Day" by George Strait
The simplest activity, like camping, can mean the world to a child if it's with their favorite person in the world: dad.
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"Papa Don’t Preach" by Madonna
Though the relationship between dads and daughters is a sweet one, it can be difficult for him to watch his little girl grow up. In this case, the Queen of Pop asks her dad for support when she's about to become a young mother, and of course, he's there for her.
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"Father Of Mine" by Everclear
Written by the rock band's lead singer, Art Alexakis, this song quickly became a classic because it's incredibly relatable for any child who has a strained relationship with their father.
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"Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" by John Lennon
John Lennon wrote this beautiful melody for Sean, his son with Yoko Ono. In an interview, The Beatles member once described him as "my biggest pride."
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"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" by Alan Jackson
Fathers and sons don't need a lot to have a good time together — whether they're steering a boat or driving an old Ford, the memories last a lifetime.
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"Father And Daughter" by Paul Simon
It's basically a rule for all dads to love Paul Simon, and there's no better Father's Day tune than this one. Here, he sings: "As long as one and one is two, there could never be a father love his daughter more than I love you."
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"That’s My Job" by Conway Twitty
The incredibly talented and versatile Conway knew how to make words hit home with lyrics like: "That's my job, that's what I do. Everything I do is because of you, to keep you safe with me. That's my job you see."
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"Watching You" by Rodney Atkins
Rodney Atkin's heartwarming, funny song is proof that the kids are always paying attention to everything dad says and does — for better or for worse.
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"Daughters" by John Mayer
This soulful song reminds everyone about the importance of a father's influence on his daughter as she grows and builds her own life. "Fathers, be good to your daughters. Daughters will love like you do," he sings.
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"There Goes My Life" by Kenny Chesney
The story of a young man who unexpectedly becomes a father (but of course, instantly falls in love with his daughter) is told in this country classic.
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"Father to Son" by Queen
Fathers and sons everywhere can definitely rock out to this big, dramatic anthem by Queen, which talks about passing wisdom down through generations.
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"He Didn't Have to Be" by Brad Paisley
Father's Day isn't just for biological dads; it's also for stepdads, adoptive dads, and other father figures. Brad Paisley pays tribute to all of them in this sweet song.
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"Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" by Gladys Knight and the Pops
This funky '70s song lightly pokes fun at all those times you heard dad accidentally let a curse word slip around you. Plus, it's just plain catchy and fun to dance to!
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"My Front Porch Looking In" by Lonestar
It's an indescribable feeling when you pause for a moment and look at the love you have in front of you. All dads can relate to these heartwarming lyrics: "A little blue-eyed blonde with shoes on wrong cause she likes to dress herself. And the most beautiful girl holding both of them. Yeah the view I love the most is my front porch looking in."
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"Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross
It's a wedding staple for a reason: Luther Vandross sings about a son's treasured memories of dancing with his father, who has since passed away. We dare you not to shed a tear when he croons, "How I'd love to dance with my father again."
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