17 father-daughter wedding dance song ideas to play on your special day

Culture

Every detail of a wedding ceremony has to be perfectly in place, including the music selections for the special day. For those brides planning to make the father-daughter dance part of their wedding reception, choosing a song will depend on musical tastes and lyrics that speak to the relationship they have with their fathers. Below we run down 17 father-daughter wedding dance song ideas that can soundtrack this once-in-a-lifetime moment. 

1. "Father and Daughter" – Paul Simon

Simon sings about a father promising to support his daughter, giving her gems of wisdom for her to take through life on 2002's "Father and Daughter." 

2. "Wind Beneath My Wings"  – Bette Midler

"Wind Beneath My Wings," although not written about a father-daughter relationship, still fits into the moment as the song is about friendship. "Did you ever know that you're my hero/ And everything I would like to be?" are lyrics that can speak greatly to a father and daughter relationship.

3. "Lullabye" – Billy Joel

Billy Joel dedicated and wrote his own 1993 lullaby to his daughter Alexa Raye, during a time he was divorcing her mother, Christie Brinkley. "Goodnight, my angel/ Now it's time to dream/ And dream how wonderful your life will be," he sings.  

4. "Daddy" – Beyoncé

On her  2003 record, Beyoncé reminisces about her father's love for her throughout her childhood, from bike rides to when he found out she had a first boyfriend. Listen to the song here.

5. "I'll Be There" - Jackson 5

Although not a traditional father-daughter song, the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" has lyrics of loyalty through thick and thin that can capture the unconditional lifetime bond a loving father has for his daughter. Listen to the song here

6. "Because You Loved Me" – Céline Dion 

"Because You Loved Me," Dion's grateful ode to an individual who has lifted her up in hard times, is the perfect background music for any father-daughter dance. 

7. "Daddy's Hands" – Holly Dunn

Late country singer Holly Dunn remembers her father's hands as a metaphor for the love and protection he gave her as a little girl. Listen to the song here.

8. "My Little Girl" – Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw gets sentimental on "My Little Girl" as he sings to his daughter about the unbreakable love he has for her. Listen to the song here.

9. "Daughters" – John Mayer

John Mayer's "Daughters" preaches to fathers, telling them to be good to their daughters. Mayer paints a picture of how a father's love can strongly impact his daughter's life in the future. 

10. "Isn't She Lovely" – Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder's daughter Aisha Morris was the inspiration for the cheerful 1976 song. Listen to the song here.

11. "Daughter" – Loudon Wainwright III

On "Daughter," folk singer Loudon Wainwright III sings proudly of having a daughter and all the things he'll do to provide his love and knowledge to her. Listen to the song here.

12. "Dance With My Father" – Luther Vandross

On "Dance With My Father," late soul singer Luther Vandross longs to spend one more special moment with his father, who has passed on.

13. "Right By You (Luna)" – John Legend

John Legend's "Right By You (for Luna)" is an ode to his baby Luna. In the audio love letter, he opens himself to the journey of fatherhood and expresses that he will be there for her no matter what. Listen to the song here.

14. "I Loved Her First" – Heartland

Heartland's "I Loved Her First" is a story of letting go, narrated from the perspective of a father who can't believe his daughter is all grown up and has a found a love to call her own. Listen to the song here

15. "Over the Rainbow" – Israel Kamakawiwo'ole  

The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's soulful cover of the classic Wizard of Oz song is a feel-good selection for the father-daughter dance segment of the ceremony.

16. "Unforgettable" – Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole re-recorded her dad's "Unforgettable" with his vocals, creating a brand new father-daughter duet released in 1991. Listen to the song here

17. "When You Need Me" – Bruce Springsteen 

Bruce Springsteen's "When You Need Me" is for the bride who is very close to her dad and wants him to remember that he'll always have a special place in her life after she's married. Listen to the song here

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