Father-daughter dances are a staple at weddings. They represent the connection between two people who have spent their whole lives together. With that being said, planning one can be a challenge. Here are 94 father-daughter dance songs that will help you nail the perfect song for your big day. From emotional father-daughter dances to fun, upbeat dances, we know choosing a song to capture your bond can be a hard decision which is why we’ve rounded up the very best to inspire your own.
{top photo by Thistle Wood Photography with planning + design by Cedarwood Weddings}
What is a good father and daughter song?
Whether you and your dad plan on hitting the dance with a fully choreographed number or prefer to sway in tune with the music, there’s an option here that will work for you. At the very least, they’ll jog a memory—a childhood favorite, an artist you both enjoyed—that’ll help you decide on your own.
One of our past GWS couples choose “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen as their Father-Daughter dance song since that was “their song” The bride Taylor shares:
My dad + I loved just singing the song to each other and it was like our “thing,” you know? Then it started that any time we heard the song and weren’t together we would call each other and not even say a word but just set the phones down and listen to it together. I would even do it at school dances, or if I called him at work he’d always pick up and listen with it on his desk.
When I got older and started to travel for a while at a time with Kris, any time I called him it meant to him that I was still his and I’m doing alright. It grew into a way that he could know that I’m still his little girl even though I’m off in the world running around. The dance was one of the most special moments, and then (naturally) every single guest started singing along and eventually joined them on the dance floor!
How do you choose a father-daughter dance song?
If you don’t know where to start, pick a genre you both love and there’s bound to be a song in that genre that works for you both! To help you choose the perfect song for your special moment with Dad, we’ve compiled 94 of the best father-daughter dance songs out there – with big thanks to lots of input from past and current GWS couples! – and we organized them into genres.
And the best way to decide if you aren’t familiar with the songs? Check out our Spotify playlists – preferably with your Dad and a glass of wine!
Ready for the ultimate father-daughter dance playlist?
The Standards Father-Daughter Dance Songs
Let’s start with the classics! These songs are classics for a reason and you can’t go wrong with any of these beautiful songs…
- “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
- “What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
- “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
- “They Can’t Take That Away from Me Me” by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
- “You Are My Sunshine” by Johnny Cash
- “Misty” by Ella Fitzgerald
- “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke
- “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
- “The Way You Look Tonight” (Father of the Bride version) by Steve Tyrell
Upbeat + Fun Father-Daughter Dance Songs
We totally get that sweet and slow songs don’t work for every relationship! Whether you want to bust a move with Dad or just rock back and forth to a fun beat, this list is for you!
- “My Girl” by The Temptations
- “Here Comes the Sun” by the The Beatles
- “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince
- “She’s a Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones
- “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
- “Sweet Pea” by Amos Lee
- “Dance Like Yo Daddy” by Meghan Trainor
- “The Best of You” by Andy Grammar feat. Elle King
- “I’ll Be There For You” by the Rembrandts
- “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart
- “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen
- “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
Pop/Modern Father-Daughter Dance Songs
So many recommended songs are either classics or country, so this list is for those of you looking for something a bit more current!
- “Daddy” by Beyonce
- “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
- “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince
- “Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay
- “First Man” by Camila Cabello
- “Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
- “Let It Be Me” by Ray LaMontagne
- “I Lived” by OneRepublic
- “How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding
- “Moon River” by Frank Ocean
- “My Little Girl” by Jack Johnson
- “Right By You (for Luna)” by John Legend
- “To Know Him is To Love Him” by Amy Winehouse
- “Hold My Girl” by George Ezra
- “Gracie” by Ben Folds
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” acoustic cover by Paul Canning
- “Your Song” by Ellie Goulding
- “Home” by Michael Buble
- “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars
- “Daddy Lessons” by Beyoncé
Rock Father-Daughter Dance Songs
You both love belting out classic rock songs, so why not have one of those for your first dance!
- “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty
- “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
- “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin
- “My Hero” by Foo Fighters
- “Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon
- “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker
- “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison
- “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
- “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)” by Billy Joel
- “You Got It ” by Roy Orbison
- “My Darling” by Wilco
- “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders
- “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor
- “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by The Rolling Stones
- “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
- “To Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan
- “She’s Got a Way” by Billy Joel
- “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor
- “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III
R&B Father-Daughter Dance Songs
There are so many good R&B options that they’re in almost every category we’ve listed! If you’re only feeling R&B, we’ve got a nice mix of old and new school for you.
- “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross
- “Daddy” by Beyoncé
- “Just the Two of Us” by Will Smith
- “Your Joy” by Chrisette Michele
- “Color Him Father” by The Winstons
- “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert
- “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- “Ballerina Girl” by Lionel Richie
- “Hero” by Mariah Carey
- “Daddy Lessons” by Beyoncé
Country Father-Daughter Dance Songs
Love country music? There are SO many options in this genre! Whether it’s a song written for their own daughter or their father, there are lots to choose from!
- “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney
- “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift
- “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
- “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw
- “The Girl You Think I Am” by Carrie Underwood
- “I’ll be Your Man (Song for a Daughter)” by Zac Brown Band
- “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
- “I Loved Her First” by Heartland
- “Just Fishin'” by Trace Adkins
- “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
- “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle
Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs
Sometimes the Father-Daughter dance can do on for a l-o-n-g time! These are the perfect songs (all under 2 minutes!) to make sure the dance doesn’t feel awkward if you or Dad aren’t natural dancers!
- “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
Pin the photo above to save for your wedding.
A song with a special meaning for you and your dad can make the most memorable moment of your wedding. Let us know if we missed anything, we’ll keep adding to our playlists!
wow beautiful wedding musics, should foward that music to the venue wedding DJ next time.