Are you having a father-daughter dance and need a song? We have 100+ to choose from. He’s always been there. He read to you before bed. He held the camera steady at your recital. He’s your biggest cheerleader, and he’s looking forward to the father-daughter dance just as much as you are. Your choice of father-daughter dance songs sets the tone for the type of memory you’ll create, and selecting the perfect song is not always an easy task.
That’s exactly why we’re here!
We’ll show you how to:
- Pick the right song to match your wedding
- Choose the moves that dad can handle
- Make sure it’s clear how much he means to you
Brides Often Ask
Does the bride dance with her father first?
Traditionally, the bride and groom will share the official First Dance from beginning to end. For the second dance, if we’re sticking with tradition, the bride and father of the bride will begin the song, with the new husband stepping in about half-way through. This is a symbolic gesture showing the father accepts the new husband and welcomes him as the head of the new family.
Is Father Daughter Dance before the first dance?
Many couples are modernizing tradition so that the groom and father of the bride each get a full song, but still, want to maintain the symbolism. In this case, the father takes the first dance with a happy bride. Once this is finished he visually/physically invites the groom to step in for the second dance, and enjoy their first dance as husband and wife.
In a lot of today’s ceremonies tradition takes a back seat to happy memories. It’s often a far better decision to have a full song for both dad and your new husband, but dad still gets to go first.
How long is the father-daughter dance?
You probably wouldn’t want to choose a 20-minute epic for the daddy-daughter dance but there really is no formal rule as to how long the dance should last. Short father-daughter dance songs are recommended since dad may have some trouble keeping up with you or mastering 9 minutes of choreography.
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Top 10 Songs Of All Time
It can be difficult choosing the right music for any event. However, a great list could help you streamline your choices. With the top dance songs of all time you will have a playlist that satisfies guests of a wide range of tastes, ages, and styles.
- How Sweet It Is by The Isley Brothers
- Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
- Father’s Eyes by Amy Grant
- Forever Young by Rod Stewart
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
- I Loved Her First by Heartland
- Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses
- My Little Girl by Tim McGraw
- Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn
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Best Father-Daughter Dance Songs
Ultimately, the best father-daughter dance song is one that is special and meaningful to the bride and her father. It’s important to choose a song that reflects the relationship between the two and evokes emotions and memories.
- My Girl by The Temptations
- Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
- The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
- Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
- Daddy’s Little Girl by Michael Buble
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder
- Daughters by John Mayer
- My Darling by Wilco
- Stand By Me by Ben E. King
- I Loved Her First by Heartland
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Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs
The father-daughter dance is a sentimental one and a time where they’re wrapped in each other. A time to remember the love they share and how much of a hero the bride’s dad is. For this stage, you need only the most unique father-daughter songs to serenade them. Songs could be traditional or non-traditional father-daughter dance songs. They could be upbeat or slow, old disco or modern father-daughter dance songs. The playlist should contain great songs that mean something to the duo.
- Amy Winehouse – To Know Him Is To Love Him
- Daniel Caesar – Blessed
- Paul Simon – Father and Daughter
- Jay-Z ft. Blue Ivy – Glory
- Sade – By Your Side
Fun Country Father Daughter Dance Songs
Having a wedding on the farm, barn, countryside, or something rustic-inspired? Country father-daughter wedding dance songs will fit in well with your playlist. In any case that you grew up listening to country music with daddy, or you’re a country girl at heart. Country music has some of the best love sayings. The beauty of country music is in the eloquent expression of feelings. Pick country father-daughter dance songs that mean a lot to you and daddy.
- Billy Ray Cyrus – Ready, Steady, Don’t Go
- Zac Brown Band – I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter)
- Heartland – I Loved Her First
- Neil Young – Long May You Run
- Slim Dusty – Waltzing Matilda
- Martina McBride – In My Daughter’s Eyes
- Paul Simon – Father and Daughter
- Natalie Grant – I’ll Always Be Your Baby
- Johnny Cash version – You Are My Sunshine
- Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
- Kacey Musgraves – Love Is A Wild Thing
- LANCO – Born to Love You
The Best Rock Ballads For Father Bride Dance
Rock father-daughter dance songs are beyond mere music. They are modern hits that pull at the heartstrings. Classic rock father-daughter wedding songs are even more of hits. They are the oldie but goodie we can’t do without. Perfect for rustic or alternative themed weddings, there is an emotional sync rock ballads come with. The Led Zeppelin father-daughter songs is a perfect collection that will remain evergreen. They’ve serenaded fathers and daughters since 1968 and remain hot stuff for the wedding. The trick is to ensure that the bride and her father are on the same page.
- Bad English – When I See You Smile
- The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
- Led Zeppelin – Thank You
- Journey – Faithfully
- Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
- Eagles – Love Will Keep Us Alive
- Bruce Springsteen – Jersey Girl
- Motley Crue – Home Sweet Home
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
- Billy Joel – Lullabye
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Upbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs
Upbeat father-daughter dance songs are for the duo that has had enough of the emotions. They want to dance and celebrate the day, instead of getting emotional. It’s also a perfect category for the father and daughter who love to dance together. Recreate the childhood dances. They just want to be happy, so play fast happy father-daughter songs, but they are cautious about the lyrics. For some added humor, throw in some funny father-daughter wedding dance songs. Give the guests something to laugh about with your funny dance steps. While you bask in the sweetness of your love.
- Steven Curtis Chapman – Cinderella
- Guns and Roses – Sweet Child of Mine
- Tom Petty – American Girl
- Meghan Trainor – Dance Like Yo Daddy
- Steppenwolf – Born to Be Wild
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Popular Pop Daddy Daughter Dance Songs
One of the best father-daughter dance songs of 2021 is Pop! Although it may take you forever to finally decide on the perfect song, pop is the safest choice. It’s fun – which is what’s inspiring all of these viral videos – has catchy dance moves, and most of you reading this probably got busted dancing and singing along to it in your car this morning.
Here’s what’s hot right now:
- Frank Ocean – Moon River
- Calum Scott – What I Miss Most
- Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You
- Adam Levine – Lost Stars
- Bruno Mars – Count On Me
- Taylor Swift – Delicate
- Beyoncé – Daddy
- Meghan Trainor – Dance Like Yo Daddy
- Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars
- Vance Joy – Riptide
- Walk the Moon – Shut Up and Dance
- Sia – The Greatest
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R&B Father-Daughter Dance Songs
The father daughter dance is a significant part of any wedding reception and choosing the perfect R&B songs is vital. Apart from the right words and tempo they should be songs that are great to dance to.
- Daddy by Beyonce
- Unforgettable by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole
- Letter To My Daughter by Quando Rondo
- Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross
- Daddies N Daughters by Mistah F.A.B.
Father Daughter Dance Oldies Songs
Nostalgia is a feeling that is common with good old songs. And, if you and your dad have songs to remember that could bring out the best on your wedding day, then your choice for a playlist is easy.
- Come Fly with Me by Frank Sinatra
- It’s for My Dad by Nancy Sinatra
- Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
- God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder
Spanish Father and Daughter Songs
Spanish fathers enjoy dancing with their daughters, and where best to do that than on their wedding day. From Spanish oldies to modern day tunes, there are lots to choose from and dance to.
- Que Me Alcance La Vida by Sin Bandera
- Mi Princesa by David Bisbal
- Vals Para Una Novia by Alejandro Jaén
- Canción Para Ella by Eros Ramazzotti
- Papá, Quiero Decirte by Lali Torres
Modern Father-Daughter Dance Songs
Yes, oldies are good, but lots of modern-day music is great too. With some extra research, we’ve come up with modern melodies that would be perfect for the father-daughter dance.
- Ready, Set, Don’t Go by Billy Ray Cyrus
- One Call Away by Charlie Puth
- Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
- I Lived by OneRepublic
- Like My Father by Jax
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Instrumental And Classic Father Daughter Dance Songs
The first step in pulling off a successful Honor dance number is selecting the style. For example, classic father-daughter dance songs are almost always best at traditional weddings. Instrumentals like Wagner paired with a waltz is always a classy choice.
Rule of thumb; your choice of daddy-daughter wedding songs should fit right in with the ceremony, speeches, and celebrations for the rest of the night.
To get your creative juices flowing, here are our best top 10 selection of first dance wedding songs staples:
- Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
- John Mayer – Daughters
- Ben E. King – Stand By Me
- Frank Sinatra – I Wish You Love
- The Beatles – All You Need Is Love
- Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata
- Pachelbel – Canon in D
- Schubert – Ave Maria
- Flute and Guitar – What a Wonderful World
- Bach – Air on G -String
- Scott Keo – Beautiful Memory
Indie Wedding Songs For Father Daughter Dance
Indie weddings are a great place to explore new wedding songs. This is a modern genre of music characterized by insightful lyrics and quirky rhythms. This option is particularly fun because you get to choose between fast or slow, and there’s a good chance you get to choose a song that was played around the campfire or a song that plays on repeat during road trips. If these types of daddy-daughter dance songs are an option, go for it.
If this sounds like you, and you’re looking for some fun father-daughter dance songs here’s a short list to get you started:
- Mitski – Two Slow Dancers
- Snail Mail – Let’s Find An Out
- Modest Mouse – Sleepwalking
- Mumford & Sons – There Will Be Time
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
- Grouplove – Tongue Tied
- Otis Redding – That’s How Strong My Love Is
- Foster The People – Houdini
- Michael Bublé – You’ve Got A Friend In Me
- The Pretenders – Evaporate
- The Fontaines – Love Someone
- Walk The Moon – Tightrope
Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs
If you are pressed for time, you could arrange your reception program in a way that still accommodates every event. With shorter music, you could manage every aspect seamlessly, even the father-daughter dance.
- God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
- Sweet Pea by Amos Lee
- Stairway to the Stars by Ella Fitzgerald
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
- My Girl by The Temptations
- Forever by The Beach Boys
- Ain’t That Love by Ray Charles
- Gracie by Ben Folds
- You Send Me by Sam Cooke
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder
Tips On Choosing The Best Father-Daughter Wedding Dance Songs
Wedding songs for father and daughter help foster the bond between the duos. So, you must get it right. Below are some helpful tips for choosing the best father-daughter wedding dance songs.
- Reminisce about good memories
Every great dad is his daughter’s hero. Think of all the good times you’ve shared, and try to remember specific events to match with related songs. - Remember a lesson taught
Growing up, we made tough decisions. Through it all, your dad was there and he taught you some life lessons and hacks. Think of them and pick songs that relate and appreciate that. - Think of the relationship you share
The bond have you with your dad is an evident one. Was it always like that? Or did you find each other and became inseparable? Whichever it is, there’s a lot to be grateful for. - Choose your style
Do you want to break out in a full dance, or do you want something very slow? Pick your style and choose songs that suit you. - Set the tone
How do you want the audience to feel when you dance? Excited, sober, laughing all through, or do you want an intimate ambiance? This will determine the types of songs.
Pin this photo to save for your wedding!
The father-daughter dance is a beautiful one to honor the father and serenade the bride. He remains her hero, no matter where she goes. The right father-daughter dance songs will set the mood and put the duo in sync. We’ve rounded off rock ballads, upbeat, country, unique, and fun father-daughter dance songs. Make your pick from the different genres above and see tips on how to choose top father-daughter wedding songs.
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Don’t know what style of music to choose? This infographic will help you!
If you’re looking for some father-daughter dance songs that you can use at your wedding, then you’ll love this infographic. It’s a simple list of songs that you can show the DJ or band to play one of them.
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