42 Best Father’s Day Songs to Dedicate to Your Dad
Any one of these tunes will make a sweet tribute to your pops.
In addition to planning a family dinner or a day jam-packed with activities, you’ll need a carefully curated soundtrack to get everyone in a celebratory mood for Father's Day. That’s exactly why we have cooked up an exciting playlist full of Father’s Day songs that deserve to be played for the man of honor come June 18.
It’s not always easy to find the best tribute songs for Dad that sum up that special father-daughter or father-son relationship. But, if you happen to be looking for a catchy country tune, a sentimental ballad with emotional lyrics or even a gospel song about fatherhood that will take you to church, you’re sure to find it right here. Some of these hits will even inspire touching Instagram captions to go with all of your selfies with your pops, or can serve as a message in your Father's Day card.
Even if he has two left feet, after he hears this lineup, your old man will be up and moving and ready to declare his own Father’s Day anthem.
"Good, Good Father" by Todd Galberth
For a gospel take on a Father's Day song, listen to this tune by Todd Galberth. It's message: "You're a good, good father. It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are. And I'm loved by you," is the ultimate reminder of the love we receive from the Father of all fathers.
"Daddy" by Beyoncé
It's no secret that Beyoncé's father, Matthew Knowles, was instrumental in her career early on, and even served as her manager. And in tribute to her father, Beyoncé included this emotional ballad detailing their relationship on her 2003 debut album as a solo act.
"First Man" by Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello brought tears to everyone's eyes at the 2020 Grammy's when she sang "First Man" to her dad, who was sitting in the front row. The song has since become a modern favorite for fathers and daughters everywhere.
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"Carried Me With You" by Brandi Carlile
This song details all the supportive things that fathers do, through beautiful lyrics like "Like a lighthouse in a storm, you were always guiding me." If the tune sounds familiar, it's from the Pixar movie Onward, which is also about dads, and therefore a perfect Father's Day movie.
"Your Joy" by Chrisette Michele
A song fit for a father-daughter dance, Chrisette Michele details the relationship between a dad and his daughter, especially as she grows up and finds love of her own. "You'll always be my father and I'll always be your joy," she sings. Cue the tears.
"Independence Day" by Bruce Springsteen
If Springsteen isn't Dad Music, we don't know what is. Then again this song, about the inevitable moment when kids leave their dads, is kind of a bummer, so we won't blame you if you just put on "Born to Run" again.
"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman
All these years later, he's still your Prince Charming — and this emotional ballad by Steven Curtis Chapman will take him right back to the days of fairytales and princesses.
"Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash
In this song, the Man in Black admits that, even when times where hard when he was a kid, everything felt better when his family of four gathered around to harmonize. Warm up your pipes and do the same!
"My Old Man" by Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown, lead singer of Zac Brown Band, keeps things simple and sweet while describing the two men who raised him: his dad, Jim Brown and mentor Rodney Shelton, who he called "Old Man." He shifts gears toward the end of the song, writing the final few lines from his kid's perspectives.
"My Daddy Knows Best" by The Marvelettes
Sure he does! This Berry Gordy-penned Motown song just confirms to Daddy what he already knows to be true.
"Glory" by Jay-Z featuring Blue Ivy
Dad will surely relate to each and every line in Jay-Z's sweet tribute to his wife and newborn daughter. Give him a day or two, and he'll be singing this entire song to you and your siblings.
"They Don't Make 'Em Like My Daddy" by Loretta Lynn
They broke the mold when they made your dad. Loretta Lynn knows just how you feel.
"I Learned From You" by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
From Miley back in the Hannah Montana days, this song is about all of the things she learned from her father, even though at the time she said she didn't want to listen to him. No word on whether the steps to the "Achy Breaky Heart" are included.
"Song For Dad" by Keith Urban
It goes without saying that the older we get, the more we can see our parents' mannerisms jngrained in us, and Keith Urban points out that it's actually a beautiful thing.
"Daddy's Home" by St. Vincent
The title track to St. Vincent's most recent album may not have a presmise your family can relate to — it's about her dad being released from prison to find that she's a rock star — but if your dad is into it, the song definitely is a vibe.
"Daddy’s Hands" by Holly Dunn
The Texan singer memorialized her father with her Grammy-nominated hit, making us all shed a few tears. So, be warned: It may result in a good cry session on Father's Day.
"Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds
In this song, singer/songwriter Ben Folds starts off by saying, "Good morning, son," before delivering insights about the world to his baby boy, including the most wisest words ever bestowed upon a child from a dad: It sucks to grow up.
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw
Proud #GirlDad Tim McGraw perfectly articulates the special bond between fathers and daughters with his lyrics: "Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again. Go on, take on this old world but to me ... you'll always be my little girl."
"Just The Two of Us" by Will Smith
In 1997, the actor/rapper put his own spin to Bill Withers' classic, dedicating the song to his eldest son Trey. It's still stuck on repeat all these years later.
"Daddy Lessons" by Beyoncé featuring Dixie Chicks
This unexpected collaboration is further proof that Queen Bey can nail pretty much any genre, and also tells your dad that you actually were listening to his advice from all these years.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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