print
Last week, you guys helped me narrow down my first-dance song choices (haven’t made a decision yet, but we love all the suggestions). This week, I present my father/daughter song picks. Every time I turn on the radio I hear another cheesy country song that would work—Tim McGraw 's “My Little Girl”, Trace Adkins' “Then They Do,” Gary Allan's “Tough Little Boys,” Heartland's “I Loved Her First,” you name it. But I inherited my love for country-pop from my mom and not my dad, so the twang isn't gonna fly.
Here are my top ten—you can listen below. Too sappy? Too literal? Any other suggestions?
1. Tom Petty “Wildflowers”
2. Paul Simon “Father and Daughter”
3. Hem “The Part Where You Let Go”
4. Wilco “My Darling”
5. Bruce Springsteen “When You Need Me”
6. Bob Dylan “Forever Young”
7. Neil young “Long May You Run”
8. Loudon Wainwright III “Daughter”
9. Loretta Lynn "They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy Anymore"
10. Allman Brothers “Soulshine”
father/daughter songs
The 20 Best Gadgets of the Decade…
The 10 Best Video Game Characters of…
The 17 Best Romantic Comedies This Decade
The 50 Best Movies of the Decade…
Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms Vs. Bad…
Blind Pilot - The Story I Heard
B.O.B. - Put Me On
Punch Brothers - Punch Brothers at CMJ
"Father and Daughter" is my favorite on this incredible list.
I never thought of "The Part Where You Let Go" by Hem as a father/daughter song. That's really cool.
Will Hoge, Baby Girl
When I first saw the list, I immediately thought of "Father and Daughter" before seeing it at #2. Endearing tune.
a bit tear-jerkyish for my taste. i'm a crier so i would keep it light
Billie Holiday - My First Impression of You
*on last.fm under teddy wilson
Billie Holiday - I Wished on the Moon
*on youtube
STANDARDS: Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World and Beatles' In My Life
I also really like these indies:
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Let Those Blue Skies
Magnetic Fields - Book of Love
Hey Kate, this is an excellent top ten list. These are some wonderful choices, I really like Bob Dylan's "Forever Young", perfect for a first dance song. I would also include "Unforgettable" with Natalie Cole singing with her father. You can cross-post this to our site http://www.toptentopten.com/ and link back to your site. We are trying to create a directory for top ten lists where people can find your site. The coolest feature is you can let other people vote on the rankings of your list.
Father's Day- Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
My Father's Only Son- Carrie Newcomer
That's a pretty good list, but I am going to guess that you have never heard "She Knows Her Daddy Sings" by Jerry Jeff Walker, otherwise I am sure you would have included it.
I've heard that Tim McGraw has been doing it in some of his shows.
I very much agree with Stephen Kellogg's song Father's Day.
These aren't literal, but I have always sung them to my daughter. "Do You Realize" by the Flaming Lips (That you Have/The World's/Most Beautiful Face)and "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles (but I assume if the Beatles are a no-go for first dance then they are likely for the Father-Daughter dance). Maybe even medley it up and throw in a little "Papa Don't Preach" or "Girls Just Wanna' Have Fun."
My wife and Father-in-law danced to Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" - not literal at all but was a special song to them. Find one that has the same connection for you and your Dad!
Add another supporter to "Father's Day" by Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers!
Good list. "Wildflowers," one of the best songs ever. A couple of others...
- The Band, "All La Glory"
- Mark Knopfler, "All That Matters"
And though not strictly Father/Daughter songs, I think Coldplay's "Green Eyes" works, as does the Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris duet "Beyond My Wildest Dreams."
BTW, there's a nice live version of "All That Matters" where Knopfler and Emmylou trade vocals. The instrumentation is really great, and it would make a totally fab waltz.
Married two daughters off. First song was Forever Young (Rod Stewart version). Second was Child of Mine by Carol King.
Both were special.
Bread -- Daughter, The Raconteurs -- Old Enough. Long May You Run is about a car not a kid.
Great concept. Nice list. But, umm, isn't Neil Young's song, "Long May You Run" about a car...?
We've been through
some things together
With trunks of memories
still to come
We found things to do
in stormy weather
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Although these changes
have come
With your chrome heart shining
in the sun
Long may you run.
Well, it was
back in Blind River in 1962
When I last saw you alive
But we missed that shift
on the long decline
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Although these changes
have come
With your chrome heart shining
in the sun
Long may you run.
Maybe The Beach Boys
have got you now
With those waves
singing "Caroline No"
Rollin' down
that empty ocean road
Gettin' to the surf on time.
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Although these changes
have come
With your chrome heart shining
in the sun
Long may you run.
Except 'Wildflowers' by Tom Petty is about his ex-wife, not his daughter.
"My Little Girl" by Pierce Pettis is a worthy mention also.
"Don't Forget" by Brett Dennen. Lovely. I know it's not about his daughter (he doesn't have one).
"Gracie" by Ben Folds. Cheesy, but the sentiment is there.
How about James Taylor - Whenever I See Your Smiling Face
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Love these lists and some of the songs are amazing!
My dad is a huge Jimi Hendrix fan, so I surprised him with Fiona Apple's cover of the song "Angel." He loved it and it was wonderful!
Great list - saw a lot of these songs on other lists but to PP Matthew Williams - Daughter is an awesome suggestion!
Thanks for posting!!