Updated April 4, 2024 | Author: Matthew Campbell
The father and daughter dance is commonly between a dad and the bride on her wedding day.
If you are just getting started trying to figure out what song you want played, discover the songs below by the type of relationship you have had in your life.
When picking out the song to dance the father-daughter wedding dance, you must consider the following 3 factors: 1. Does the song have a special meaning to both of you?Quick Tips
2. Does the song’s meaning describe your relationship?
3. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the style of dance that fits best?
As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for the father-daughter dance. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s brides. Besides the relationship type between the father and bride, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.
New Father and Daughter Songs
- “Father Daughter Song” by White/Sayer (Folk – 2024)
- “For The Both of Us” by Dan + Shay (Country – 2023)
- “Perfect Day” by Al Green (R&B – 2023)
- “Anything Like You” by Sam Derosa (Indie – 2023)
- “Can She Have This Dance” by Drew Baldridge (Country – 2023)
- “if father time had a daughter” by Walker Hayes (Country – 2023)
- “Hey Dad” by Casi Joy (Country – 2023)
- “Dad Does” by Johnathan Len (Country – 2023)
- “When God Made You My Father” by Riley Roth (Country – 2022)
- “Good Hands” by Kylie Morgan (Country – 2022)
- “Good Hands” by Johnny and Heidi (Country – 2022)
Popular versus Unique Alternatives
Below is a list of popular and unique alternative father-daughter dance songs. The songs on the left are popular father-daughter dance hits. The songs on the right are similar alternative tracks in the same music style, tempo, and mood – but not played at every wedding.
| Popular Songs | Unique Alternatives |
|---|---|
| 1. I Loved Her First – Heartland 2. My Little Girl – Tim McGraw 3. This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge 4. My Girl – The Temptations 5. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle 6. My Wish – Rascal Flatts 7. Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder 8. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong 9. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman 10. You’ll Always Be My Baby – Alan Jackson 11. Daughters – John Mayer 12. Father and Daughter – Paul Simon 13. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra 14. You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins 15. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac 16. Landslide – The Chicks 17. The Man Who Loves You The Most – Zac Brown 18. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack 19. Wildflowers – Tom Petty 20. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion 21. Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw 22. Stand By Me – Ben E. King 23. It Won’t Be This Way For Long – Darius Ricker 24. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison 25. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses 26. Forever Young – Rod Stewart 27. Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross | 1. Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron 2. Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie 3. Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff 4. Shining Star – The Manhattans 5. Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine 6. Anyway – Martina McBride 7. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder 8. Perfect Day – Al Green 9. Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo 10. Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey 11. Daughter – Ben Rector 12. Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor 13. Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel 14. Good Hands – Kylie Morgan 15. Glitter In the Air – P!nk 16. I Can Change – Lake Street Dive 17. Like My Father – Jax 18. The Climb – Miley Cyrus 19. Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi 20. When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth 21. Tell Me Twice – Chayce Beckham 22. One Call Away – Charlie Puth 23. Never Grow Up – Taylor Swift 24. Sweet Pea – Amos Lee 25. Walk With You – Edwin McCain 26. Story Of Love – Bon Jovi 27. First Man – Camila Cabello |
Dad-Daughter Dance Songs by Relationship
Songs Written for a Dad-Daughter Wedding Dance
- This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
- Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
- Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff
- Never Give You Away – Greg Stielstra Productions
- Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo
Dad’s Love For His Daughter
- You’ll Always Be My Baby – Alan Jackson
- My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
- I Loved Her First – Heartland
- Walk With You – Edwin McCain
- The Man Who Loves You the Most – Zac Brown Band
- Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey
- Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
- Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron
- Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie
- Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
Girl’s Love For Her Dad
- When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth
- Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi
- Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor
- Daddy’s Little Girl – The Shires
- Daddy Dance With Me – Krystal Keith
Putting Dad in High Regard
- Like My Father – Jax
- Half the Man – Jennifer Smestad
- First Man – Camila Cabello
- Like My Daddy – LeNasia Tyson
- You’ll Always Be My Hero – Ashley Marina
- Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City
Dads and Daughters Being There For Each Other
- Good Hands – Kylie Morgan
- She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge
- Call My Name – Lukas Graham
- Never Alone – Jim Brickman Feat. Lady Antebellum
- Your Joy – Chrisette Michele
- You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
- There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
- One Call Away – Charlie Puth
- I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Unexpected & Fun About Dads and Daughters
- Your Mama Don’t Dance – Loggins & Messina
- My Girl – Temptations
- Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
- Shining Star – The Manhattans
- You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Father and Daughter Are Friends
- You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
- You’re My Best Friend – Queen
- In My Life – Beatles
Daddy’s Dedication To Daughter For The Future
- Forever Young – Rod Stewart
- Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
- Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
- My Wish – Rascal Flatts
- Wildflowers – Tom Petty
A Daughter’s Dedication To Her Dad She’s Grown Up
- You Can Let Go – Crystal Shawanda
- Ready, Set, Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus
- There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
- Time to Let Me Go – Quixotic Sound
- You’re A Big Girl Now – The Stylistics
Songs for Every Father & Daughter
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- I’m Happy Just To Dance With You – Beatles
- Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Songs For A Single Dad and Daughter Dance
- For My Daughter – Kane Brown
- Babyfather – Sade
- Rich Man – Little Big Town
Songs For A Stepdad and Stepdaughter Dance
- Step by Step – Brandon Davis
- My Boy (My Girl Version) – Elvie Shane
(See more stepdad and stepdaughter songs)
Bride and Father-In-Law Dance
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
- Family Affair – Mary J. Blige
- Family Is Family – Kacey Musgraves
(See more songs for a bride to dance with her father-in-law)
Bride and Grandpa Dance
- Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) – The Judds
- Grandpas Baby Girl – Terry Wagenschutz
- Grandpa Told Me So – Kenny Chesney
Bride and Brother Dance
- Brothers & Sisters – Coldplay
- Come Dancing – Kinks
- Sister to a Brother – Rob Finlay
(See more songs about sisters and brothers growing up)
Father-Daughter Songs by Genre
Rock
- Story Of Love – Bon Jovi
- Walk With You – Edwin McCain
- Gracie – Ben Folds
- Daughters – John Mayer
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Sheryl Crow
- Wildflowers – Tom Petty
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- Forever Young – Rod Stewart
- Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Folk
- Forever Young – Andrea von Kampen
- Father Daughter Dance – Craig Cardiff
- The Old Man & His Daughter – Kaitlin Huwe
- Promise You’ll Stay – Joshua Creek
- Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
- Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
- Father And Daughter – Paul Simon
Country
- Good Hands – Kylie Morgan
- Moments into Memories – Will Dempsey
- When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth
- Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi
- Tell Me Twice – Chayce Beckham
- You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings) – Alan Jackson
- She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge
- Half the Man – Jennifer Smestad
- Prettiest Girl in the World – Logan Mize
- Dads and Daughters – MaRynn Taylor
- The Man Who Loves You the Most – Zac Brown Band
- For My Daughter – Kane Brown
- Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
- Daddy’s Little Girl – The Shires
- Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
- I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter) – Zac Brown Band
- Daddy – Abby Anderson
- You Can Let Go – Crystal Shawanda
- It Won’t Be Like This For Long – Darius Rucker
- Ready, Set, Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus
- Stealing Cinderella – Chuck Wicks
- I Loved Her First – Heartland
- My Wish – Rascal Flatts
- My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
- There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
- Then They Do – Trace Adkins
- There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
Pop
- Daughter – Ben Rector
- Grow As We Go – Mat and Savanna Shaw, The Piano Guys
- Call My Name – Lukas Graham
- Like My Father – Jax
- We’re Gonna Miss These Days – Dave Barnes
- Time to Let Me Go – Quixotic Sound
- First Man – Camila Cabello
- You’ll Always Be My Hero – Ashley Marina
- Forever Now – Michael Bublé
- Beautiful Memory – Scott Keo
- This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
- Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City
- One Call Away – Charlie Puth
- Fathers & Daughters – Michael Bolton
- You’re My Hero – Wedding Music Central
- Never Alone – Jim Brickman Feat. Lady Antebellum
- You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
- A Song For My Daughter – Ray Allaire
- You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
- Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
- Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
- Tiny Dancer – Elton John
- What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Beautiful Dreamer – Roy Orbison
R&B
- Like My Daddy – Lenasia Tyson
- Right by You (For Luna) – John Legend
- Babyfather – Sade
- Your Joy – Chrisette Michele
- Footprints in the Sand – Leona Lewis
- Daddy – Beyonce
- Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Eddie & Gerald LeVert
- Hero – Mariah Carey
- Unforgettable – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
- Ballerina Girl – Lionel Richie
- Shining Star – The Manhattans
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Your Daddy Loves You – Gil Scott-Heron
- You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
- You’re A Big Girl Now – The Stylistics
- I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
- My Girl – The Temptations
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Christian
- Daddy’s Girl – Channing Gillespie
- Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
- You’re My Little Girl – Go Fish
- Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
Mixed-Genre
- My Father’s Daughter – Olivia Vedder, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard
- Letter To My Daughter – Quando Rondo
- Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
Do you have a favorite father-daughter dance song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add your song!
FAQs
The bride selects the song to dance to with her father on her wedding day. However, the song should reflect their relationship such as a song highlighting a moment in their life or lyrics that describe their relationship.
If you have a father who passed away before your wedding day, check out this song. “Would Have Loved Her” by Chris Bandi is a special dedication song.
Brides can also have a family member fill in such as their mother, brother, uncle, or aunt. You can get more dad dedication suggestions on our wedding memorial songs list.
If you do not want to dance with your father on your wedding day, then a popular alternative is to have a mother-daughter dance. (See mother-daughter dance instead of father-daughter)
Other options include a honeymoon dance (similar to the money dance) and a selfie dance (guests can get selfies with the wedding couple).
Historically, the bride danced with her father as a final farewell before her new life with her husband. In the 1990s through the 2000s brides typically danced with their fathers immediately following the first dance.
However, in recent years, more and more brides are choosing to only have one formal dance, the first dance, and get to the dance party as quickly as possible.
So, it is up to you if you wish to have the father-daughter dance or not.
Absolutely not! The point of the father daughter dance is to honor your relationship. If you have a history of goofing off, then make your dance a fun one!
A lot of people choose funny songs instead of serious father daughter songs. This gives the dance a light-hearted feel.
And if you can’t decide on what song to use, you can always choose an instrumental number such as a jazz tune, classical or modern waltz, or contemporary dance music.
The most important thing is to not rush your decision. You can even discuss it with your father or the man you will dance with if you like.
It can be super fun to make the song a surprise and see his reaction (be sure to tell the photographer and videographer to look for it).
When planning the father daughter dance, select a song around 2 minutes in length to prevent any awkward moments of trying to get off the dance floor (unless you have a choreographed dance).
The DJ can also create a shortened version of any song you think is a bit too long.
Why trustMatthew Campbell?
DJ, Author, Music Lover
I have always had a love for music and the way it makes you feel. My passion grew for wedding celebrations with years as a wedding DJ. Now, as a wedding music planner, I research popular and unique wedding songs to create personalized playlists for couples and help wedding pros curate crowd-cheering music. Let’s get the party started! – Read More About Me
