Songs for Dad: 40 Picks for a Mixtape He'll Keep

These songs for dad cover Father’s Day, birthdays, weddings and goodbyes. If your dad is the one who still has a CD player in his truck, a mix of songs about him and songs he already loves is a gift he’ll play until it skips.

What are the best songs about dad?

The best songs about dad include My Father’s Eyes by Eric Clapton, Father and Son by Cat Stevens and Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. They cover fathers, sons, daughters and stepdads.

01My Father's EyesEric Clapton · 1998About seeing your father in yourself and your own child.
02Father and SonCat Stevens · 1970A conversation between a father and a son who wants to leave. Honest on both sides.
03Cat's in the CradleHarry Chapin · 1974A warning about being too busy for your kids. Bittersweet.
04Daddy's HandsHolly DunnRemembering a father’s hands, firm and gentle.
05He Didn't Have to BeBrad Paisley · 1999Thanking a stepdad who chose to love you. A great pick for bonus dads.
06Watching YouRodney AtkinsA kid copying his dad, for better and for funnier.
07Just Fishin'Trace AdkinsA dad and daughter on a fishing trip. Small moments that matter.
08Love Without End, AmenGeorge Strait · 1990A father’s love that holds no matter what.
09Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)John Lennon · 1980A lullaby from father to son. Gentle and personal.
10DaughtersJohn MayerAbout how fathers shape their daughters.
11Leader of the BandDan Fogelberg · 1981A son’s thank-you to his musician father.
12My Old ManZac Brown BandUnderstanding your father once you’re a father yourself.

What are good father–daughter dance songs?

Good father–daughter dance songs include My Girl by The Temptations, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle and I Loved Her First by Heartland. A few run past five minutes, so check the length and plan a fade if you need one.

13My GirlThe Temptations · 1964Upbeat and easy for a first father–daughter dance.
14Butterfly KissesBob CarlisleWatching a daughter grow up, all the way to her wedding.
15I Loved Her FirstHeartlandA father handing his daughter over at her wedding.
16My Little GirlTim McGrawA father’s promise to his daughter.
17UnforgettableNatalie Cole · 1991Natalie Cole singing with recordings of her late father. Made for this dance.
18Isn't She LovelyStevie Wonder · 1976Written for his own daughter. Joyful and bouncy.
19Daddy Dance with MeKrystal KeithA father–daughter wedding dance song, simple and sweet.
20Father and DaughterPaul SimonA gentle promise to watch over his daughter.
21You Are the Sunshine of My LifeStevie Wonder · 1973Bright and easy to dance to.
22What a Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong · 1967Short, gentle and loved by every generation.

What are good dad rock songs for the truck?

Good dad rock songs for the truck include Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger, Hold On Loosely by .38 Special and More Than a Feeling by Boston, the songs he turns up without being asked. Put a few of these between the sentimental ones so the CD gets played more than once.

23Old Time Rock & RollBob Seger · 1978The dad anthem. He will turn it up.
24Free BirdLynyrd Skynyrd · 1973Nine minutes. He’ll air-guitar the solo.
25Hold On Loosely.38 Special · 1981Southern rock advice about not smothering what you love.
26Takin' Care of BusinessBachman-Turner OverdriveWorking-man rock for the guy who always gets it done.
27More Than a FeelingBoston · 1976Huge guitars and a soaring chorus.
28Jack & DianeJohn Mellencamp · 1982Small-town nostalgia with a drum break he’ll tap on the wheel.
29Fortunate SonCreedence Clearwater Revival · 1969Short, sharp and loud.
30MargaritavilleJimmy Buffett · 1977For the dad who’s mentally on a beach.
31Against the WindBob Seger · 1980Looking back over the years. More reflective than it looks.
32The Boys Are Back in TownThin Lizzy · 1976Twin-guitar swagger.
33Ramblin' ManThe Allman Brothers Band · 1973Easygoing Southern rock for the highway.
34HighwaymanThe Highwaymen · 1985Willie, Waylon, Johnny and Kris trading verses. Country royalty.

What songs are good for a dad's funeral?

Gentle songs for a dad’s funeral include Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill, Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross and The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics. Our list of funeral and celebration of life songs has more, grouped by moment in the service.

35Go Rest High on That MountainVince GillA gentle country farewell, widely played at services.
36Dance with My FatherLuther Vandross · 2003Wishing for one more dance with a father who is gone.
37The Living YearsMike + The MechanicsAbout the things left unsaid between a father and son.
38Drive (For Daddy Gene)Alan JacksonRemembering learning to drive with dad. Warm, not heavy.
39If Heaven Wasn't So Far AwayJustin MooreWishing you could visit the people you’ve lost.
40Temporary HomeCarrie UnderwoodAbout this life being one stop on a longer journey.

Which songs for dad suit which occasion?

For Father’s Day, start with Watching You; for his birthday, Old Time Rock & Roll; for a wedding dance, My Girl; for a memorial, Go Rest High on That Mountain.

Occasion	Start with	Tip
Father's Day	Watching You, He Didn't Have to Be, his favourite rock	Alternate one song about him with one he loves.
Birthday	Old Time Rock & Roll, The Boys Are Back in Town	Add hits from the year he got his first car.
Wedding dance	My Girl, Butterfly Kisses, I Loved Her First	Check the length; trim a long one if needed.
Memorial	Go Rest High on That Mountain, Dance with My Father	Give each family member a copy to keep.

How do you make a mix CD for dad's truck?

To make a mix CD for dad’s truck, burn an audio CD of 18 to 22 songs, order them and print a cover.

Burn an audio CD. It plays in any car stereo. One disc holds 80 minutes, about 18 to 22 songs; see how many songs fit on a CD.
Check the length. Free Bird alone is about nine minutes. Paste your list into the playlist length calculator before you burn.
Order it. Start loud, keep the sentimental songs in the middle, end on the one that matters most. Our mixtape guide has more.
Give it a cover. Print a tracklist with our free CD case template, or use an old photo of him.

No burner in the house? We’ll burn your playlist for dad to a custom CD mixtape, test it, and post it in a jewel case with a printed tracklist.

None of the songs on this list carry an explicit tag, which matters if the CD rides along with the grandkids. Making one for mom too? See our songs for mom.

Questions people ask

What is a good song for my dad?

Good songs for your dad include songs about fathers: My Father's Eyes by Eric Clapton, Father and Son by Cat Stevens, Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg and My Old Man by Zac Brown Band. Mix in the rock or country he played in the truck and it becomes his.

What are good father-daughter dance songs?

Popular father-daughter wedding dance songs include My Girl by The Temptations, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, I Loved Her First by Heartland, My Little Girl by Tim McGraw and Unforgettable by Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole.

What songs are good for Father's Day?

For Father's Day, mix a couple of songs about dads, like Watching You by Rodney Atkins or He Didn't Have to Be by Brad Paisley, with his favourite rock: Old Time Rock & Roll, More Than a Feeling, Jack & Diane. A CD for the truck is a gift he'll use.

What songs are good for a dad's funeral?

For a dad's funeral, Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill, Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross, The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics and Drive (For Daddy Gene) by Alan Jackson are often chosen. A song he loved is usually the best pick.

Is Cat's in the Cradle a sad song?

Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin is bittersweet. The song is about a busy father who misses his son's childhood, and the son growing up to be just as busy. Many people love it, but listen to the full lyric before using it as a gift or a dance.

Will a burned CD play in my dad's truck?

An audio CD plays in practically any car or truck CD player. If you burn it yourself, choose audio CD rather than MP3 disc unless you know his stereo reads MP3s.