Favorite Father-Daughter Dance Songs

I’ve heard it said that being a crier (being able to show emotion) is considered a gift….Unfortunately for me, I sweat from my eyes on a regular basis and my children claim it as a victory if they do something that results in Mom tearing up.

Father-Daughter dances just happen to be one of those things. And with FOUR girls of our own that Derek and I will being marrying off…I’m in TROUBLE! Nothing else tugs at the heart strings more than witnessing the last dance between Daddy & Daughter. The man who was larger than life to his little girl is now giving her away to the man of her dreams and letting go for the last time…yup; I’m in BIG trouble.

Listed below are some of my all time FAVORITE songs for this tear-jerking moment:

“Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole I’ve been an old soul since I was young and loved listening to the likes of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, etc and this duet between father and daughter always made me a sentimental sap.

“Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle This song was big for father-daughter dances when I was planning my wedding (it’s even on our wedding video, if I remember correctly) *sigh*

“I’ve Got the World on a String” by Barry Manilow Again, I’m showing my old soul. You can find this song sung by Frank Sinatra or Michael Buble, but I played this version a lot when my girls were little. More of an upbeat dance.

“Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel),” by Billy Joel This song was one Derek liked to play for the girls when they were little too. Major tear jerker, this one is. “..dream how wonderful your life will be…”

“My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw You can’t go wrong with some Tim McGraw and some slow country dancing. Love this one!

“Daughters” by John Mayer I’m getting emotional just putting this list together, people! I guess I have a lot of memories invested in these songs since we’ve played a lot of them to our girls when they were young.

“Hero” by Mariah Carey When the little girl inside of you wants to dance with her “hero”. “..and then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on..”

“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder I’ve always enjoyed Stevie Wonder and this song is a little funkier and upbeat for your father-daughter dance.

“Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns and Roses If you’re looking for something more on the nontraditional side, with a little more rock and roll… Just a fun song.

“Daddy’s Little Girl” by the Shires I think most “little girls” can relate to a lot in this song; I know I could and so could my four girls. Beautiful!

“In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride If mother-daughter dances were a thing, this is what I would play. Not just because I love Martina McBride, but I agree with a lot of her sentiments “this miracle God gave to me, gives me strength when I am weak…”

“Count On Me” by Bruno Mars Such a sweet song between father and daughter “..you can count on me/you’ll always have me shoulder when you’re crying…

“Open Arms” by Journey Because “why not”?

“He Didn’t Have to Be” by Brad Paisley For all those loving, hard working, good dads, who “didn’t have to be”

“I’ll Be There” by Mariah Carey Yes, another one from Mariah Carey! You can also find it by Jackson 5

“Forever Now” by Michael Buble Ask my family; I’m kind of a Michael Buble nut. Just another artist my girls have grown up listening to and they consider his music as “oldies”!

“You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins Disney fans will know what I’m talking about with this one! I had a long term pediatric patient who LOVED the Disney Tarzan movie before his accident and his family would play the movie and music for him continually. I can’t hear this music and not feel some heart twinges.

“You’re My Best Friend” by Queen Another fun rock option ….Okay, one more song….

“You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins Just another tear jerker; nothing to see here.

If you don’t see your favorite song from your Father-Daughter dance, please share! Help our other brides out as they look for their choice dance to share with their daddy.