discodiscdoll•

Song lists

Father daughter dance songs

Fifty songs for the bride and her dad, from the old standards to the ones that end in a dance-off, each with its running time so you can plan the dance.

Updated · by the discodiscdoll studio

Short answer

A good father daughter dance song looks back on her growing up and lets him say what he won’t say in a speech. Well-loved choices include My Girl by The Temptations, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, I Loved Her First by Heartland and Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. Plan for 2½ to 3½ minutes of dancing.

These father daughter dance songs are grouped by style, from classic and country to sentimental, modern and upbeat. Every track was checked against a real music catalogue, and each shows its studio length, so you can see at a glance which ones need a fade. If the groom is dancing with his mom, our list of mother son dance songs uses the same layout.

What are classic father daughter dance songs?

Classic father daughter dance songs include My Girl by The Temptations (2:45), Daddy’s Little Girl by The Mills Brothers (2:48) and Unforgettable by Natalie Cole (3:28), the duet she recorded with her late father’s voice. Most of these are short, which suits a dad who would rather not be on display for long.

  1. 01My GirlThe Temptations · 1964 · 2:45Sunshine on a cloudy day. Warm, short and familiar to every generation in the room.
  2. 02UnforgettableNatalie Cole · 1991 · 3:28The virtual duet with her late father, Nat King Cole. A father-daughter song in the most literal sense.
  3. 03Daddy's Little GirlThe Mills Brothers · 1950 · 2:48The original father-daughter standard. Old-fashioned and very sweet.
  4. 04Thank Heaven for Little GirlsMaurice Chevalier · 1958 · 2:28From Gigi. Charming and a little theatrical.
  5. 05The Wonder of YouElvis Presley · 1970 · 2:33Big, warm and grateful. Elvis at his most generous.
  6. 06Isn't She LovelyStevie Wonder · 1976 · 6:36Written to celebrate his newborn daughter. Joyful, and long on the album, so trim it.
  7. 07Young at HeartFrank Sinatra · 1953 · 2:48A gentle swing for a dad who taught you the old songs.
  8. 08What a Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong · 1967 · 2:17Slow, grateful and known by everyone at the reception.
  9. 09When You Wish Upon a StarCliff Edwards · 1940 · 3:14The Pinocchio original. A short, dreamy choice for a Disney family.
  10. 10Sunrise, SunsetTopol · 3:25The Fiddler on the Roof song about a daughter grown up overnight. A gentle waltz.

What are the best country father daughter dance songs?

The best-known country father daughter dance songs are Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, I Loved Her First by Heartland and My Little Girl by Tim McGraw, all slow songs that follow a daughter from childhood to her wedding day. Country ballads also have a steady, easy beat for a dad who doesn’t dance.

  1. 11Butterfly KissesBob Carlisle · 1997 · 5:40Walks from bedtime prayers to her wedding day. The father-daughter song most people know.
  2. 12I Loved Her FirstHeartland · 2006 · 3:33A dad talking to the groom about who held her first. Tearjerker territory.
  3. 13My Little GirlTim McGraw · 2006 · 3:43Soft and steady, about watching her grow and letting her go.
  4. 14There Goes My LifeKenny Chesney · 2003 · 5:01From a scary surprise to the proudest goodbye. A whole childhood in one song.
  5. 15Let Them Be LittleBilly Dean · 2005 · 3:45About slowing down while they’re small. A gentle, swaying ballad.
  6. 16It Won't Be Like This for LongDarius Rucker · 2008 · 3:39Each verse is a stage of her growing up. Warm and very relatable.
  7. 17Daddy Dance with MeKrystal Keith · 4:18Written from the daughter’s side, for exactly this dance.
  8. 18Stealing CinderellaChuck Wicks · 2008 · 4:03A young man asking for her hand, seen through dad’s memories.
  9. 19Just Fishin'Trace Adkins · 2011 · 3:30About the small afternoons that turn out to be the big ones. Light and sweet.
  10. 20He Didn't Have to BeBrad Paisley · 1999 · 4:42A thank-you to a stepdad who chose to show up. Good for blended families.

What is a sentimental father daughter song?

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman, Find Your Wings by Mark Harris and Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog are sentimental father daughter songs that suit a quiet, close dance. Several are lullabies at heart, which is part of why they land.

  1. 21CinderellaSteven Curtis Chapman · 2007 · 4:30A dad dancing with his little girl before the clock runs out. Made for this moment.
  2. 22DaddyBeyoncé · 2003 · 4:57A quiet, grateful song to her father. Little known and very personal.
  3. 23Find Your WingsMark Harris · 2005 · 3:35A blessing for a daughter flying off on her own.
  4. 24Rainbow ConnectionKermit the Frog · 1979 · 3:15Gentle and hopeful, for a dad who watched The Muppets with you.
  5. 25Baby MineBette Midler · 1988 · 2:27The Dumbo lullaby, slowed to a hush. Short and tender.
  6. 26Danny's SongLoggins & Messina · 1971 · 4:15Acoustic and content, about a family and a little love going a long way.
  7. 27Father's EyesAmy Grant · 1979 · 4:04A daughter hoping to see the world the way her father does.
  8. 28WonderNatalie Merchant · 1995 · 4:26About a child everyone underestimated. Bright and quietly proud.
  9. 29Dear TheodosiaLeslie Odom Jr. · 2015 · 3:04From Hamilton: two new fathers promising their children a better world. Gentle and hopeful.
  10. 30LandslideFleetwood Mac · 1975 · 3:19About change and getting older. A favourite for dads and daughters who share a record shelf.

What are modern father daughter dance songs?

Modern father daughter dance songs include Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift, The Climb by Miley Cyrus and Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves. They suit brides who want a song they chose themselves rather than one from their parents’ record collection.

  1. 31Never Grow UpTaylor Swift · 2010 · 4:50A parent’s wish to keep a child small a little longer. Just guitar and voice.
  2. 32Fathers & DaughtersMichael Bolton · 3:29A big, warm ballad written about fathers and daughters.
  3. 33I Won't Let GoRascal Flatts · 2011 · 3:46A promise to stay through the hard parts. Builds slowly to a big chorus.
  4. 34RainbowKacey Musgraves · 2018 · 3:30A gentle reassurance that the storm is over. Piano and voice.
  5. 35The ClimbMiley Cyrus · 2009 · 3:56About the journey more than the summit. Swells into a big finish.
  6. 36A Million DreamsZiv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman & Michelle Williams · 2017 · 4:29From The Greatest Showman, about dreaming big together.
  7. 37Ready, Set, Don't GoBilly Ray Cyrus · 2007 · 4:05A dad watching his daughter pack for a new life. Very fitting for a wedding.
  8. 38Like My FatherJax · 3:03A daughter wanting someone who loves her the way her dad loves her mom.
  9. 39Then They DoTrace Adkins · 4:30A dad wishing the kids would grow up, then missing them when they do. This recording opens with a short string intro.
  10. 40DaughtersJohn Mayer · 2004 · 3:58A plea to fathers to be good to their daughters. Soft and slow.

What is a fun father daughter dance song?

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown and Let’s Twist Again by Chubby Checker are fun father daughter dance songs that get the room clapping. They work alone or as the second half of a switch-up after a slow song.

  1. 41Brown Eyed GirlVan Morrison · 1967 · 3:06The upbeat father-daughter classic. Everyone knows the chorus.
  2. 42I Got You (I Feel Good)James Brown · 1965 · 2:44Short, loud and joyful. The switch-up that gets everyone clapping.
  3. 43CelebrationKool & The Gang · 1980 · 4:58Pure party. Ends the dance by opening the floor.
  4. 44Best Day of My LifeAmerican Authors · 2013 · 3:16Stomping and bright, clean and modern.
  5. 45Daddy CoolBoney M. · 1976 · 3:26Disco with a wink in the title.
  6. 46Let's Twist AgainChubby Checker · 1961 · 2:19For the dad who has been waiting all night to twist.
  7. 47LollipopThe Chordettes · 1958 · 2:11Bubbly 50s harmony, short and silly.
  8. 48Daydream BelieverThe Monkees · 1967 · 2:59Breezy 60s pop with an easy singalong.
  9. 49Daddy Sang BassJohnny Cash · 1968 · 2:22Country gospel about a family singing together.
  10. 50Dancing in the StreetMartha Reeves & The Vandellas · 1964 · 2:38Motown horns and a call to dance. Gets every generation up.

How do you choose a father daughter dance song?

Choose a father daughter dance song that has a memory attached, such as the record he played in the car, then check that it runs about 2½ to 3½ minutes or can be faded to that. A few things help:

If the song runsWhat to doExample
Under 3 minutesPlay it wholeMy Girl (2:45), Lollipop (2:11)
3 to 4½ minutesFade after the last chorusI Loved Her First (3:33), Stealing Cinderella (4:03)
Over 4½ minutesAgree a fade point with the DJButterfly Kisses (5:40), Isn't She Lovely (6:36)
Slow into fastHave the DJ cut one trackDaddy's Little Girl into I Got You (I Feel Good)
  • Write down the fade point. Give the DJ a timestamp (“fade at 3:15”) and ask for a gentle fade, not a hard stop.
  • Have one run-through. Decide who leads and where the twirl goes. Practise in the shoes you’ll wear if you can.
  • For a stepdad or another father figure, He Didn’t Have to Be by Brad Paisley says thank you for choosing to be there.
  • If your dad has died, some brides dance with a grandfather, brother or uncle, or play his favourite song while the room watches photos. There’s no wrong way to do it. Our memorial songs may help with choosing.
  • Ask for clean, studio versions. Everything on this page is clean in its usual release, but check that the DJ isn’t using a live or extended mix.

How do you make a CD of the wedding songs for dad?

A CD of the wedding songs is a keepsake a father of the bride will actually play, especially if his truck still has a CD player. Put your father daughter dance song on it with the processional, first dance and send-off; one 80-minute disc holds about 18 to 22 songs.

Want it done for you? We’ll burn your wedding songs to a custom CD with a photo from the day as the cover.

Questions people ask

What is the most popular father daughter dance song?

Father daughter dance songs chosen again and again include Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, My Girl by The Temptations, I Loved Her First by Heartland, My Little Girl by Tim McGraw and Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. The right father daughter dance song is the one with a memory attached.

How long should a father daughter dance be?

A father daughter dance usually lasts 2½ to 3½ minutes. Longer songs such as Butterfly Kisses (5:40) or Isn't She Lovely (6:36) work well if the DJ fades them at a point you agree on in advance.

What is a good upbeat father daughter dance song?

A good upbeat father daughter dance song is Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown or Celebration by Kool & The Gang. Many dads and daughters start with a slow song and have the DJ switch to one of these halfway through.

What is a good father daughter dance song for a stepdad?

He Didn't Have to Be by Brad Paisley is a favourite father daughter dance song for a stepdad, because it thanks a man who chose to raise a child. My Girl by The Temptations and Daddy's Little Girl by The Mills Brothers also work for any father figure.

What are country father daughter dance songs?

Country father daughter dance songs include Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, I Loved Her First by Heartland, There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney, It Won't Be Like This for Long by Darius Rucker and Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks.

What can I give my dad after the father daughter dance?

A CD of the wedding songs is a simple keepsake for the father of the bride, especially if he still has a CD player in the car. One 80-minute CD holds about 18 to 22 songs, so it can include your father daughter dance song and the rest of the day's music.