Father Daughter Dance Songs: 100 Beautiful Choices for 2021

100 Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding

If you’re having a hard time finding the most beautiful father-daughter dance songs for your wedding, let me help you out. When the bride and her father share the dance floor on the wedding day, it can move everyone to tears. That’s why you need the perfect song that will forever be etched in everyone’s memories. That’s where this list comes in!

But first, let’s see why this famous tradition is so significant.

Significance of the Father-Daughter Dance

The bond between a father and daughter is arguably the strongest bond ever. When a father first sets his eyes on his daughter, he falls in love with her and is ready to do everything within his power to protect and provide for her. The daughter also reciprocates this love to her father early in life. She always wants to be close to him and desires his approval.

At her wedding, it becomes clear that the daughter is no longer the father’s little girl. And that realization comes with a lot of emotion.

There is joy and pride that comes from seeing a new home formed. There is uncertainty as to whether or not the home will be the one she desires. Then there is the pain of separation. For years they have been together, this is regardless of the fact that they now live apart or not. All of these emotions come to play during the dance.

So, to keep such an emotional tradition is only natural. To that end, here is a list of a couple of songs that will make the dance a truly unforgettable one.

Related: Beautiful mother son songs for your wedding

35 Traditional Father-Daughter Dance Songs

We all know that a wedding is not just about the married couple and their romance. It is also about those close to the bride and groom coming together, showering their blessings on the new couple, and creating beautiful moments and memories. One such lovely moment is the father-daughter dance that needs a beautiful song to set the mood. Let’s check out some of my favorites!

dancing father and bride to the tune of best father daughter dance songs
  1. “How Sweet it is – James Taylor
  2. “Sweet Child O’Mine” -Guns N’ Roses
  3. “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole
  4. “When You Need Me” – Bruce Springsteen
  5. “Wind Beneath My Wings”– Bette Midler
  6. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
  7. “Dance Like Yo Daddy” – Meghan Trainor
  8. “Dream a Little Dream of Me”– Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
  9. “Forever Young”– Rod Stewart
  10. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles. Check more best Beatles first dance songs.
  11. “I’ll Be There For You” – the Rembrandts
  12. “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
  13. “Let’s Go Crazy” – Prince
  14. “Misty” – Ella Fitzgerald
  15. “My Girl” – The Temptations
  16. “Nothing Can Change This Love” – Sam Cooke
  17. “She’s a Rainbow”– The Rolling Stones
  18. “A Song for My Daughter” – Ray Allaire
  19. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
  20. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Steve Tyrell
  21. “They Can’t Take That Away from Me Me” –  Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
  22. “You’re My Best Friend” – Queen
  23. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” – Randy Newman
  24. “Father’s Eyes” – Amy Grant
  25. “Times Of Your Life” – Paul Anka
  26. “You are the Sunshine of my life” – Stevie Wonder
  27. “You are so beautiful” – Joe Cocker
  28. “Always Be Your Baby” – Natalie Grant
  29. “Dream” – Priscilla Ahn
  30. “Daddy’s Little Girl” – Michael Bublé
  31. “Forever”– The Beach Boys
  32. “One in a Million” – Larry Graham
  33. “She’s Leaving Home”– The Beatles
  34. “You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor
  35. “It Had to Be You” – Ray Charles

READ MORE: Sister and Brother Songs for the Wedding

41 Country Father Daughter Songs

There’s something special about country songs, right? If you are looking for a sweet song for the father-daughter dance, check out our suggestions of beautiful country songs that will set the mood for the father-daughter dance.

father and daughter wearing country outfit while dancing

  1. “Don’t Blink”– Kenny Chesney
  2. “Never Grow Up” – Taylor Swift
  3. “My Wish” – Rascal Flatts
  4. “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
  5. “The Girl You Think I Am” – Carrie Underwood
  6. “I’ll be Your Man”–  Zac Brown Band
  7. “Butterfly Fly Away” – Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
  8. “I Loved Her First” – Heartland
  9. “Just Fishin”– Trace Adkins
  10. “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
  11. “Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
  12. “Wildflowers” – Tom Petty
  13. “Landslide”– Fleetwood Mac
  14. “Thank You” – Led Zeppelin
  15. “My Hero” – Foo Fighters
  16. “Father and Daughter”– Paul Simon
  17. “Tupelo Honey” – Van Morrison
  18. “Tiny Dancer” – Elton John
  19. “Lullaby” –  Billy Joel
  20. “You Got It ” – Roy Orbison
  21. “My Darling” – Wilco
  22. “I’ll Stand By You” – The Pretenders
  23. “That’s How Strong My Love Is” – The Rolling Stones
  24. “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper
  25. “To Make You Feel My Love”–  Bob Dylan
  26. “She’s Got a Way” – Billy Joel
  27. “Daughter” – Loudon Wainwright III
  28. “Cinderella” – Steven Curtis Chapman
  29. “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” – Darius Rucker
  30. “Stealing Cinderella” – Chuck Wicks
  31. “There Goes My Life” – Kenny Chesney
  32. “You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins
  33. “Daddy Dance With Me” – Krystal Keith
  34. “A Father’s Love ” – Bucky Covington
  35. “You Can Let Go” – Crystal Shawanda
  36. “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” – Billy Ray Cyrus
  37. “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
  38. “Then They Do” – Trace Adkins
  39. “The Best Day”– Taylor Swift
  40. “Angels” – Randy Travis
  41. When She Grows Up” – Craig Campbell

Related: Elvis Wedding Songs for Father-Daughter Dance

24 Short Father Daughter Wedding Songs

Not everyone feels at home on the dance floor. That’s when you need a short father-daughter wedding song that will not go on for too long, like these below.

fauther and bride dancing

  1. “God Only Knows”– The Beach Boys
  2. “Sweet Pea” – Amos Lee
  3. “Stairway to the Stars” – Ella Fitzgerald
  4. “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
  5. “Ain’t That Love” – Ray Charles
  6. “Gracie” – Ben Folds
  7. “You Send Me” – Sam Cooke
  8. “Daddy” – Beyonce
  9. “One Call Away” – Charlie Puth
  10. “Strawberry Swing” – Coldplay
  11. “First Man” –  Camila Cabello
  12. “Cecilia and the Satellite” – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
  13. “Let It Be Me” – Ray LaMontagne
  14. “I Lived”– OneRepublic
  15. “How Long Will I Love You” – Ellie Goulding
  16. “Moon River” – Frank Ocean
  17. “My Little Girl” Jack Johnson
  18. “Right By You” – John Legend
  19. “To Know Him is To Love Him” – Amy Winehouse
  20. “Hold My Girl” – George Ezra
  21. “Your Song” – Ellie Goulding
  22. “Home” – Michael Buble
  23. “Count on Me” – Bruno Mars
  24. “Daddy Lessons” – Beyoncé

CHECK: Best Wedding Reception Songs

5 Tips to Narrow Down Your Search for the Perfect Song

  1. The sensitivity of this dance requires the perfect song to set the tone. You have to be careful not to pick a piece that will leave you bowling out your eyes. Yes, there will likely be some tears with all the emotions at play. You, however, do not want this dance to turn the entire wedding party into a crying party.
  2. Another type of song you should avoid during the father-daughter dance is a loud and high-tempo song. Yes, a wedding party should be full of merriment and hype. The father-daughter dance moment is, however, a time for them to embrace their emotions and relive memories shared. A loud song will not be the right song for such a moment.
  3. The father-daughter dance is an essential part of the wedding. It is, however, not the only thing to be done at the wedding. There is usually a long list of things to do, and this is why you will need to keep the song short. Do not pick a piece that is too long. People will get bored, and it will just drag the wedding for too long. Moreover, the wedding is about the couple and not the father and daughter.
  4. Some fathers and daughters have a favorite song. Picking this song for the dance is an excellent idea. Having your favorite music played during the dance is a great way to let your emotions flow and have fond memories return. If you do not have a favorite song, a song by your favorite artist could also do.
  5. Finally, the song’s lyrics should make sense to both of you. It should have lyrics you both can relate to. Pick a song with lyrics that best describe your feelings at the moment.

Both of you should take out time to make a list of possible songs to use for the dance. You should then listen to the songs and pick out the song you feel will best suit your father and daughter dance.

FAQs about Father-Daughter Songs

Now you have a list of beautiful, heart-touching songs that will be the perfect track for the father-daughter dance at the wedding.

But do you still have questions? I put together the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about father-daughter dance songs, and we hope that these solutions will help you! 

Who picks out the father-daughter song?

There’s no particular rule regarding who has to pick the father-daughter song. It can be a dedication of a daughter to the first man in her life to remind him how much he means to her. The song can also be chosen by the father to express his feelings for her. 

How do you choose a father-daughter dance song?

There are many amazing songs that depict the pure and beautiful relationship between a father and his daughter. Such songs are ideal for the father-daughter dance at the wedding. If you do not want to browse every song, you can choose a song that’s special to you.  

What does the father-daughter dance symbolize?

A father-daughter dance is a special part of a wedding ceremony. It is the moment when the bride and her father celebrate their relationship. For the father, it is the moment of pride and joy and for the daughter, it is when she expresses her love and gratitude for him.

How long is the father-daughter dance?

There’s no particular rule regarding the time of the father-daughter dance at a wedding. It usually lasts as long as the duration of the song, which is about 3-4 minutes. However, some people choose to have a shorter dance if the duration of the ceremony is short. 

What is the best father-daughter wedding song dance?

The father-daughter dance at a wedding is one of the most beautiful moments at a wedding ceremony. To make it even more special and memorable, you need a beautiful song like “Butterfly Fly Away” (Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus) or “I’ll Stand By You” (The Pretenders).  lesbian wedding father and daughter dancing

Is the father-daughter dance before the first dance?

Usually, the father-daughter dance is set after the first dance that the newlywed couple has. But there’s no hard and fast rule regarding this and you can schedule it at any time. You can also have it after the toasts are done and before the couple cuts the cake.   

What are some of the best father-daughter dance songs from movies?

A father-daughter dance song should express the special relationship that the two share. It can depict their love and friendship. The best ones include “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (Toy Story), “Learn Me Right” (Brave), “Remember Me This Way” (Casper), etc. 

Final Words

The wedding day brings a mix of emotions for every bride – and her father. On one hand, they are both happy and hopeful about the possibilities that the bride’s future holds. On the other hand, they can’t forget that they are getting separated and that makes their hearts heavy.

However, a beautiful father-daughter dance with the ideal song can remind them of their special bond that will never change. 

father and bride dancing and smiling at the camera

What are your favorite father daughter dance songs? Please share with us below!

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