Each year, musicians create new songs which are perfect for the Father of the Bride to dance with his beloved daughter on her wedding day. Here is a list of songs dating back to the Big Band Era up to today from which you might find the perfect song for your father-daughter wedding dance!
Hey, John!
Help!
My younger daughter, Julie, just announced that she’s engaged! While I love Christopher like a son, I know that there is so much emotional upheaval to come as we plan their wedding. That includes collaborating with Julie to select our father-daughter dance. Could you suggest some songs from which we might pick?
Thanks!
–Ken in Coventry
Hey, Ken!
I completely understand…and your question came at exactly the right moment because I’m working on a list of songs from which my daughter and I will select for our daddy-daughter dance.
I organized this list by genre. Some of these songs such as “You’ve Got a Friend” are sung in two different genres—by Carole King (soft rock) and Scotty McCreedy (country). Check any song on YouTube to see if they make your concise list.
Might this list expand? Yes. As I continue to research, I may add more. Check back with me to see if I do!
Drum roll, please! Here are the gorgeous songs I’ve found!
The Great American Songbook
“What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong
“Something Special,” Colbie Caillat
“Unforgettable,” Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
“A Wink and a Smile,” Harry Connick, Jr.
“Because You Loved Me,” Céline Dion
“You Raise Me Up,” Josh Groban
“Your Song,” Elton John
“Let Your Heart Sing,” Katharine McPhee
“Wind beneath My Wings,” Bette Midler
“Daddy’s Little Girl,” The Mills Brothers (or cover by Michael Bublé)
“The Way You Look Tonight,” Frank Sinatra
“It’s for My Dad,” Nancy Sinatra
Christian
“Thank You,” 33 Miles
“Thank God, I Got Her,” Jonny Diaz
“Father’s Eyes,” Amy Grant
“God Gave Me You,” Blake Shelton
“Till I Found You,” Phil Wickham
Country
“Just Fishin,’” Trace Adkins
“Butterfly Kisses,” Bob Carlisle
“Cinderella,” Steven Curtis Chapman
“There Goes My Life,” Kenny Chesney
“Butterfly Fly Away,” Miley Cyrus and Billy Joe Cyrus
“I Loved Her First,” Heartland
“Roots and Wings,” Miranda Lambert
“Walk with You,” Edwin McCain
“You’ve Got a Friend,” Scotty McCreery (or Carole King)
“My Little Girl,” Tim McGraw
“My Wish,” Rascal Flats
“Stealing Cinderella,” Chuck Wicks
“I Hope You Dance,” Lee Ann Womack
Rock/R & B/Motown
“I Turn to You,” Christina Aguilera
“Times of Your Life,” Paul Anka
“In My Life,” The Beatles
“The Long and Winding Road,” The Beatles
“Daddy,” Beyoncé
“Thank You for Loving Me,” Bon Jovi
“First Man,” Camilla Cabelo
“Hero,” Mariah Carey
“Close to You,” The Carpenters
“Ain’t That Love,” Ray Charles
“You Look Wonderful Tonight,” Eric Clapton
“You Are So Beautiful,” Joe Cocker
“You’ll Be in My Heart,” Phil Collins
“Two Steps Behind,” Def Leopard
“Forever Young,” Dylan (or Rod Stewart)
“I Will Walk with You,” John Fogerty
“Always Be Your Baby,” Natalie Grant
“Sweet Child of Mine,” Guns ‘N Roses
“Landslide,” Fleetwood Mac
“Gracie,” Ben Folds
“Constellations,” Jack Johnson
“Stand by Me,” Ben E. King
“Sweet Pea,” Amos Lee
“Right by You (for Luna),” John Legend
“Always, in All Ways,” Kenny Loggins
“Count on Me,” Bruno Mars
“Daughters,” John Mayer
“Cecelia and the Satellite,” Andrew McMahon
“Tupelo Honey,” Van Morrison
“Wildflowers,” Tom Petty
“It Won’t Be Like This for Long,” Darius Rucker
“Father and Daughter,” Paul Simon
“I Got You, Babe,” Sonny & Cher
“When You Need Me,” Bruce Springsteen
“The Best Day,” Taylor Swift
“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” James Taylor or Marvin Gaye
“My Girl,” The Temptations
“Daughter,” Loudon Wainwright III
“Isn’t She Lovely?” Stevie Wonder
“I Just Called to Say I Love You,” Stevie Wonder
“You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” Stevie Wonder
Traditional/Well Known Children’s Songs
“You Are My Sunshine”
If you have additional questions, please reach out to me.
Your friend in the wedding business,
John Shyne
Images above are courtesy of Pixabay.com.
Images below here are in the Ainsworth House & Gardens Gallery.
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