Best father of the bride dance songs

It doesn’t get much more fitting for a bride and father dance song than this track featuring lyrics all about a dad’s hopes and dreams for his daughter. Written for The Wild Thornberrys Movie, the song also features Paul Simon’s son, Adrian, singing harmony during the choruses.

Sweetest lyric: “I’m gonna watch you shine / Gonna watch you grow / Gonna paint a sign / So you always know / As long as one and one is two / There could never be a father / Love his daughter more than I love you”

The Temptations’ most famous song is perfectly suited to play as the soundtrack to a sweet father-daughter wedding dance. If your dad isn’t the type to go for an overly sentimental tearjerker, this tune has a cheerful, soulful vibe that still communicates just how much you mean to each other. It is said that this historic song was written in an equally historic place, the Apollo Theater in New York City.

Sweetest lyric: “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day / When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May / Well I guess you’d say / What can make me feel this way? / My girl”

Classic rock-loving dads will appreciate this iconic Van Morrison song. “Brown Eyed Girl” is another great option for a fun, upbeat number that is sure to put a smile on both of your faces during this special moment. Prefer a reggae version, country version, or bluegrass version? This song from the 60s has been covered by hundreds of bands in all different genres. A reggae version for a beach wedding seems like a perfect match.

Sweetest lyric: “So hard to find my way / Now that I’m all on my own / I saw you just the other day / My, how you have grown / Cast my memory back there, Lord”

This country ballad is sure to tug at your dad’s heartstrings and make for a sentimental, memorable moment at your reception. It’s especially fitting since the song’s narrator is a father speaking to the man about to marry his daughter. Go the extra mile and cue up some old pictures to be projected of your father and the bride interacting together from decades in the past.

Sweetest lyric: “From the first breath she breathed / When she first smiled at me / I knew the love of a father runs deep / And I prayed that she’d find you someday / But it’s still hard to give her away / I loved her first”

This sentimental father-daughter song has a sweet and simple melody that appeals to fans of all genres. This beautiful tune was one of many examples of Petty’s impressive musical talent. He said of writing “Wildflowers” that “I just took a deep breath and it came out. The whole song. Stream of consciousness: words, music, chords.”

Sweetest lyric: “You belong among the wildflowers / You belong somewhere close to me / Far away from your trouble and worries / You belong somewhere you feel free”

Written for the Disney movie Tarzan, “You’ll Be In My Heart” is a song that explains the never-ending love of a father for his daughter. This Academy Award-winning song was composed by Collins with his daughter, Lily, in mind.

Sweetest lyric: “You’ll be in my heart / Yes, you’ll be in my heart / From this day on / Now and forever more”

Dads everywhere can appreciate why this has become one of the most popular father of the bride songs. It’s all about remembering your daughter as a child and marveling at just how fast she’s grown up. Again, a picture slideshow of the bride growing older would really drive this song home.

Sweetest lyric: “You’re beautiful baby, from the outside in / 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 know you’ll always be my little girl”

The name of this daddy-daughter country song is particularly appropriate for a special dance between you two. In addition, the lyrics are breathtakingly beautiful. As Womack said about this song: “You can’t hear those lyrics and not think about children and hope for the future and things you want for them.”

Sweetest lyric: “Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens / 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”

If you prefer a father-daughter song with lyrics written from the perspective of an adult child to their parent, choose this classic by Natalie Merchant. Your dad is sure to be touched by the message of gratitude and love communicated in the song’s lyrics.

Sweetest lyric: “Oh, I want to thank you for so many gifts you gave / The love, the tenderness, I want to thank you / I want to thank you for your generosity, the love / And the honesty that you gave me”

Is your father your hero? Choose this meaningful ballad for your daddy-daughter wedding song. Popularized by Bette Midler when she sang it for the soundtrack of Beaches, the song also has versions by Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Gary Morris.

Sweetest lyric: “Did you ever know that you’re my hero / And everything I would like to be? / I can fly higher than an eagle / For you are the wind beneath my wings”

Believe it or not, Michael Jackson was only 11 years old when he recorded this iconic song. This is the perfect choice for a father who’s always been there for you through thick and thin over the years.

Sweetest lyric: “I’ll reach out my hand to you / I’ll have faith in all you do / Just call my name and I’ll be there”

This Beach Boys song is short and sweet but still packed with a meaningful sentiment. In fact, Paul McCartney once called it “the greatest song ever written.” And at just under three minutes long, it’s a great choice for dads who tend to shy away from the spotlight. Keep reminding him it will only last three minutes!

Sweetest lyric: “You never need to doubt it / I’ll make you so sure about it / God only knows what I’d be without you”

Looking for something with a contemporary feel? This sweet song by John Mayer has just the right tempo and, of course, the perfect subject matter. It was a critically acclaimed hit when it was released and even won the 2005 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Sweetest lyric: “On behalf of every man / Looking out for every girl / You are the God and weight of her world / So fathers, be good to your daughters / Daughters will love like you do”

This soulful track by Amos Lee is a unique father-daughter dance song with a catchy melody. Though it was released in 2006, it has a timeless sound and sentimental lyrics that will have you second-guessing that the song has been around for decades. The song was once featured in an AT&T commercial that showcased the special bond between a dad and his little girl.

Sweetest lyric: “Sweet pea, apple of my eye / Don’t know when and I don’t know why / You’re the only reason I keep on coming home”

If your father prefers the classics when it comes to music, he won’t be able to resist this beloved option. Though it was originally sung by Fred Astaire in the film Swing Time, Sinatra’s version and another cover by Billie Holiday are both considered classics to this day. This option would also pair perfectly with a formal ballroom wedding theme/venue.

Sweetest lyric: “Someday, when I’m awfully low / When the world is cold / I will feel aglow just thinking of you / And the way you look tonight”

Express your unending love and gratitude to your dad by choosing this beautiful father-daughter wedding song by Beyoncé. Her father said of this song: “It basically says ‘Thank you for all you’ve given me and when I marry a man, it will be like my daddy.’”

Sweetest lyric: “Can’t stop my tears from falling / I love you so much, daddy / Thank you (my unborn son to be like my daddy) / You’ve done so much for me (want my husband to be like my daddy) / I love you, daddy”

Perhaps the ultimate rock father-daughter dance song, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is sure to be a fun one to dance to with your dad. You can even rock out by playing along on air guitar to the epic guitar solo! Fun fact: Axl Rose wrote this song for his girlfriend, Erin Everly, who was the daughter of Don Everly (Everly Brothers).

Sweetest lyric: “She’s got a smile that it seems to me / Reminds me of childhood memories Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky”

For a sweet song with a folky sound, choose “You’ve Got a Friend.” This chart-topper was originally written and performed by Carole King, but the version with Taylor’s soft, gentle voice makes it sounds more like a loving dad singing to his daughter.

Sweetest lyric: “You just call out my name / And you know wherever I am / I’ll come running, to see you again / Winter, spring, summer or fall / All you have to do is call / And I’ll be there / You’ve got a friend”

Written from the perspective of a father walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, this song is perfectly suited for your dance together. It’s sure to bring a tear to dad’s eye and create an unforgettable moment at your reception.

Sweetest lyric: “I’ll take this slow sweet walk with you / You’ll let go of my hand to say I do / And he will discover just how blessed a life can be / I know ‘cause all those years ago someone handed you to me”

As one of the top father-daughter dance songs of all time, this Stevie Wonder song is sure to be a hit at your wedding. It was written by Stevie Wonder to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha, and the lyrics show the depth of a father’s love.

Sweetest lyric: “Isn’t she lovely? / Isn’t she wonderful? / Isn’t she precious? / Less than one-minute old / I never thought through love / We’d be making one as lovely as she / But isn’t she lovely made from love?”

What is the number one father

What's the best song for a father

What song do they dance to in Father of the Bride?

Who picks out the father