The relationship between fathers and their children is one of the most important and influential of all human connections. Children want to be like their fathers, or their complete opposites. They can feel protected, smothered, or abandoned by their dads. Dads can wonder if they’re doing fatherhood right, struggle to express their love to their children, or regret the things they didn’t say or do.
Any way you slice it, the father/child relationship can stir up a lot of emotions, so it’s no wonder these emotions have sometimes been channeled by musicians into songwriting gold. Fatherhood doesn’t get as many songs penned about it as romantic love to be sure, but there have definitely been some dad-themed gems put out over the decades. In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, here are ten of my favorites. I know there are many more — so be sure to share your picks with us in the comments!
“Father and Son” by the Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens
This 1970 folk rock classic by Cat Stevens captures an exchange between a young, idealistic man looking to break away and live a life of passion, and an old, but wise father telling his son to “Just relax, take it easy.”
While many assume that the bearded, pre-Muslim conversion, hippie Cat Stevens identified only with the freedom-seeking son, in an interview in Rolling Stone, Stevens said: “Some people think that I was taking the son’s side. But how could I have sung the father’s side if I couldn’t have understood it, too? I was listening to that song recently and I heard one line and realized that that was my father’s father’s father’s father’s father’s father’s father’s father speaking.”
“Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait
Country music is filled with songs about dads, but George Strait’s “Love Without End, Amen” is surely the best of the bunch. Ever since becoming a father, I’ve definitely been learning about “the secret about a father’s love” of which good old George Strait croons.
“Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by The Temptations
“Papa Was a Rolling Stone” is a strange musical combination: truly doleful lyrics set to a funky groove. This 1970 dance hit by the Temptations tells the tale of a man discovering that his dad was a lazy, womanizing, good-for-nothing. The song teaches us that if your dad was a bad example on how to be a man, learn from him by doing the opposite…and then get up off your thing and dance until you feel better about it.
“Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III
I can thank Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up for introducing me to this gem of a song. Whenever I hear it, it makes me want to have a daughter. But even if you have a pack of boys (or a wild and crazy Gus), you can still relate to the pride and love that Loudon Wainwright feels for his little girl. When Wainwright sings, “Everything she knows I taught her,” the truth of how much influence you have on your kiddos really hits you. Wainwright also has another song about fatherhood called “Being a Dad” that’s pretty good too.
“Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin
The heartwrenching-est song about fathers and sons ever written. The song is based on a poem written by Harry Chapin’s wife. The couple often worked on each other’s writings, and when Harry first read the poem, he tried setting it to music, but the result didn’t grab him. It was not until his son was born that Chapin felt inspired to give turning the poem into a song another try, and “Cat’s in the Cradle” was the result.
The song tells the story of a man too busy with his career to actually enjoy the people that matter the most. He works to provide for his family, but doesn’t make an effort to build a relationship with his boy. By the time the father realizes what he’s let slip away, and wants to spend time with his son, life has come full circle — his son is too busy for him now. “My boy was just like me.”
Every time I hear this song, I start reflecting on the time I spend with my own boy and how quick he’s going to grow up. Men, if you want a relationship with your son (or daughter) when you’re old and gray, put the smartphone down, leave work at home, and go out and throw the ball around with him when he asks.
“Color Him Father” by the Winstons
Stepfathers often fill the role of the evil villain in books, movies, and music. The Winstons’ 1969 hit “Color Him Father” is a refreshing exception. The sentimental soul song is about a young boy’s love for his super stepdad who married his widowed mother and took on the father role for seven children that weren’t biologically his. The man in “Color Him Father” exemplifies the Art of Dad-liness: he works hard for his family, takes an active role in parenting, and loves his children’s mother.
“A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash
Sometimes an epic bar brawl is just thing a father and son need to mend their relationship. In “A Boy Named Sue,” Johnny Cash recounts the tale of a deadbeat dad who gives his son a girl’s name (Sue) before hightailing it out of town. The boy grows up ridiculed and taunted for his feminine name and vows to find and kill his father for branding him with this indignity. When the boy, now a man, finds his dad in a Tennessee bar, a knife and gun fight ensues (see what I did there?), but by the end, the dad explains why he named his boy Sue, and Sue comes away “with a different point of view.”
I wonder how many dads have named their sons Sue after hearing this song? Any male Sue’s out there?
“My Father’s Eyes” by Eric Clapton
Understanding the backstory of this song makes it all the more poignant. Guitarist Eric Clapton grew up not knowing who his father was. In 1991, Clapton’s four-year-old son fell to his death from the window of Clapton’s Manhattan apartment. “My Father’s Eyes” was Clapton’s way of exploring the grief of not knowing his father and the tragic loss of his own son. He shares in his autobiography that the song describes “the parallel between looking into the eyes of my son, and seeing the eyes of the father that I never met, through the chain of our blood.”
Clapton also wrote “Tears in Heaven” in honor of his dead son. He no longer plays both “My Father’s Eyes” and “Tears in Heaven” during concerts because they’re too emotionally draining.
“Just the Two of Us” by Will Smith
In his debut solo album, Will Smith laid down the best song ever recorded that accurately describes putting in a baby’s car seat for the first time. In all seriousness, “Just the Two of Us” is a great song about being a dad. Smith perfectly captures what a man feels when he sees his baby for the first time or when his kid starts cutting up. Thanks to the Fresh Prince, I find myself singing in my head “Tru dat tru dat, uh ah why you do that, I try to be a tough dad, but you be making me laugh,” whenever Gus gets into mischief.
“The Living Years” by Mike + the Mechanics
There’s a reason “The Living Years,” feels so real and poignant. Not only had the man who penned the lyrics lived the song — BA Robertson’s father, with whom he had a strained relationship, had died three months before his son was born — but Mike Rutherford had also recently lost his father and had a child, and Paul Carrack, who sang lead vocals on the song, had lost his father when he was 11 years old. Put those men’s experiences together, and now you know why the song hits you right in the heart.
“The Living Years” is a gentle reminder to pick up the phone, or better yet, write a letter, to tell dad how much he’s meant to you…while you still can.
What are your favorite songs about fatherhood? Share them with us in the comments!
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“Father and Daughter” – Paul Simon. My first two children are girls. This was the song that my oldest daughter and I danced to at her wedding. It gets me every single time I hear it.
Daddy Frank by Merle Haggard
“Levon” by Elton John
“Communication Breakdown” by Led Zeppelin
“Life of a Salesman” by Yellowcard. One rare song from this generation extolling fathers.
“My Dad” by Paul Peterson (The Donna Reed Show)
Daddy’s Hands
written and recorded by Holly Dunn
I remember daddy’s hands folded silently in prayer
And reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare
You could read quite a story in the callous’ and lines
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind
I remember daddy’s hands how they held my mama tight
And patted my back for something done right
There are things that I’d forgotten that I loved about the man
But I’ll always remember the love in daddy’s hands
Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was crying
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands
I remember daddy’s hands working ’til they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed
If I could do things over I’d live my life again
And never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands
My best song about dad is ” Leader of the Band”
By Dan Folgelberg.
“Daughters” by John Mayer
How could you possibly forget Stealing Cinderella?
“That’s My Job” by Conway Twitty. Damn song will tear a guy up.
Brad Paisley, “The Dad He Didn’t Have to Be”
Lonestar: “My Front Porch Looking In”
Sawyer Brown “The Walk” and “Dirt Road”
There are more about a father’s relation to his daughter – but country music still has plenty about father/son
“Fathers day ” Weddings parties anything
“I Love You Son” by Joshua Creek
“Father” and “Defender” by Manowar
The Living Years by Mike + the Mechanics really hits me, because I lost my father 9 years ago, and it took them a week to find me to inform me of his death. I was trying to find him the last 6 months of his life to catch up with him and see how he’s doing. Then that fateful last day of April, 2003, I had found out my father passed away a week earlier. Requiescat in Pace, pater. In loving memory of James David McBee II, 6 Jan. 1948 – 23 April 2003.
I’ve Been Watching You by Rodney Atkins. Great song about a dad’s love for his son!
Genesis Elijah – Fathers Day
Great song! You should really listen if you have not heard it.
I adore the song ‘just the two of us’ by Will Smith – he’s such a great role model, fashionable, great dad, talented!
It seems to me that there are WAY more songs about fathers and sons than fathers and daughters.
For those of us with daughters I’d highly recommend Cailin by Unwritten Law.
“Man Out of Myself” by Wade Bowen
Pet shop boys – It’s a sin!
“Daughters” by Greg Brown
old school but the best, Oh my papa by eddie fisher. My dad sang it to me as a child, and i sing it to my daughters today.
All This Time by Sting, written about the death of his father. When my dad was dying I listened to it 25-30 times a day.
Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home
Walk Like a Man by The Boss from his Tunnel of Love album. (For you youngsters out there, The Boss refers to Bruce Springsteen.)
butterfly kisses
forget the artist
“Father to Son” by Queen. It feels so sad and so majestic at the same time… it is one of my favorites, but I hardly listen to it because it nearly makes me cry.
“Wear Clean Draws” by The Coup. It’s a bit different from the songs on this list, as The Coup are a leftist political hip-hop group, but “Wear Clean Draws” is the front man’s loving and funny ode to his daughter.
Im in the Navy and whenever I hear the song Home Again by Queensreich I get all choked up. He sings the song with his daughter and its a perfect description of how I feel, since I am deployed, about my little girls back home. “So please be strong, It wont be long till I’m home again with you”
These songs shows the relationship between fathers and their children that influences of all human connections. Emotions of the father/child relationship is well channeled by musicians through these songs and is a good tribute to fathers.
There is an old Irish song called, The Old Man it is mostly played at funerals , but a great tribute to fathers
How about my song – “THANK YOU FOR BEING MY DAD,” – check it out on YouTube & iTunes. Thanks,
JON BARKER
Springtseen got a whole career outta writing songs about the relationship between father and sons.
‘My Father’s House’ (on Nebraska) gets me everytime. You can fall out with your Dad as a younger man, but always remember real adults are big enough to forgive past mistakes.
Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg. It’s just too perfect.
Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina
“Dance With My Father Again” by Luther Vandross. Listening to it as I type this note and tears are rolling down my face.
Another one that should bring tears is ‘Oh No’ by Sonia Dada – a very underrated and underexposed band that deserves more attention than they ever got.
“Seeing My Father In Me” – Paul Overstreet
Weddings Parties Anything – Father’s Day
A song about a father who gets to see his son every Saturday and how much it means to him. I know a few blokes in this position and this song rings a bell with them everytime they hear it
The most touching Dad songs for me are:
“Papa can you hear me”
and
“A piece of sky”
by Barbra Streisand from the film YENTL
For me, the greatest ‘Dad’ song is a poignant tribute to a lost father – ‘Tank Park Salute’ by Billy Bragg
A buddy of mine and I (we’ve both lost our fathers), try and get to see Billy whenever he’s playing in town. We always consoled ourselves that he never played it live – knowing that we’d struggle to get through without blubbing.
Then one time, Billy plays ‘Debris’ by The Faces before saying “And here’s another song about a father…” and launches in to Tank Park Salute.
Cue the sound of stifled sobbing from hundreds of guys in the audience….
Billy plays it pretty much every time these days, and my friend and I have perfected a standard operating procedure of manly faces and strictly no eye contact for the duration
If you don’t know the music of Billy Bragg, or have pigeon-holed him as “that guy who does the political stuff”, I urge you to search out Tank Park Salute.
__________
Kiss me goodnight and say my prayers
Leave the light on at the top of the stairs
Tell me the names of the stars up in the sky
A tree taps on the window pane
That feeling smothers me again
Daddy is it true that we all have to die
At the top of the stairs
Is darkness
I closed my eyes and when I looked
Your name was in the memorial book
and what had become of all the things we planned
I accepted the commiserations
Of all your friends and your relations
But there’s some things I still don’t understand
You were so tall
How could you fall?
Some photographs of a summer’s day
A little boy’s lifetime away
Is all I’ve left of everything we’ve done
Like a pale moon in a sunny sky
Death gazes down as I pass by
To remind me that I’m but my father’s son
I offer up to you
This tribute
I offer up to you
This tank park salute
These are all fantastic choices. My favorite three here were Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam’s “Father and Son,” Eric Clapton’s “My Father’s Eyes,” and Mike + the Mechanics’ “The Living Years.” Interestingly, it was my Dad who exposed me to such great music. I remember being just a month shy of my twelfth birthday and my Dad playing Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” for me. I’ll be honest — it made me cry and it still touches my heart.
My Dad’s a big Clapton fan, and by extension, so am I; I grew up absorbing that man’s music, and “My Father’s Eyes” has always had a particularly strong resonance with me — I simply find it to be so haunting and beautiful. I learned about Eric Clapton’s loss of his son from my Dad when I was still very young, so perhaps that concept, of a father losing his little boy, always stayed with me — I couldn’t imagine it.
“The Living Years” has an especially strong connection with me. The song came out originally in 1989, I believe. Just four years previously, my grandfather (Dad’s Dad) died on the morning of March 15th, 1985 in an accident. I was born in November of 1988 and my parents were married in July of 1989, about the time that this song came out. My Dad told me that “The Living Years” was actually played at his wedding, and that he had it played, in part, because I was born not too long after his own father had passed on. He said to me, in a nutshell, that in a way, the song reminded him of both myself and my grandfather.
Great list here — loved reading it!
A couple other great ones you might enjoy would be Randy Newman’s “Memo to My Son” and Colin Hay’s “Dear Father.”
Respectfully yours from Seattle
Father about a son: Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me.”
Rare Mother about a son – from the son’s perspective: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”
I was blessed when Simple Man played off a greatest hits CD, and my young son said “Momma, play that again. What that man’s Momma told him sounds exactly like what you tell me all the time. That’s MY song isn’t it Momma?!” I replied, “Absolutely baby, absolutely.” And it absolutely is what I want for my son…and his sister!
u2 kite…powerful lyrics, great melody
drive(for daddy gene) by Alan jackson
Atmosphere – Yesterday, also a great song on the topic of Dads
“Desperados waiting for a Train” as sung by The Highwaymen and “Teach me Pa” by Raymond Froggatt.
First one gets me every time, even though it shouldn’t yet.
No Dance with my Father again?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_mzw2MdIFY
“The Best of Times” by Dream Theater. I bawl like baby every time. It’s about the drummer’s last moments with his dad, recalling a loving lifetime together. Man, it gets me so much I teared up just typing this… Not because I lost my father or anything, fortunately he’s still with me, but it conveys the emotions perfectly.
Really recommended.
DEAR DADDY
(Brick Casey/Underground Records)
http://www.DADDYDEDICATION.webs.com
….why; because everyday is a Father’s Day.
Sincerely,
Brick Casey
100
The Last Song by Elton John
This song is sad and bitter-sweet. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics, Elton John the music. It’s about a young gay man dying of AIDS. His father dis-owned once he learned of his lifestyle.
There are two sides of this story. The son thought he was invincible…”I never thought I’d lose, I only thought I’d win”, and the father must learn to put aside his feelings about his son’s lifestyle, and realise he truly loves his son.
You feel in this song that too much time, love, and caring have been wasted. “I never thought you’d come. I guess I misjudged love, between a father and his son.
There is much debate over this topic but Love, does and should, trump all.
flowers on the water by john williamson is perftect for someone who has lost there dad or any loved one
Thanks for the list of songs (article & comments). I”m struggling with losing my father (his body is here; his mind/spirit left us years ago) and with being a father (two boys with autism; two daughters who are too much like me). The Living Years makes me tear up. Glad there’s a lot of “Dad” songs out there. Just wish there were more. Also wish there were more “life long marriage” songs. If I could write one, I would, if nothing else to honor my parents. Best advice from my Dad: that wedding ring on your hand is like a tourniquet. It’s SUPPOSED to cut off your circulation. Love ya, Dad. Miss ya…even though you drove me nuts.
what is the title of this lyrics please help me…
my mother was crying my father was crying I’m crying too because of losing you.. thank u
I Went To Your Wedding
Patti Page
For your daughter – none tops “Sunrise Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof… danced with my daughter at her wedding to this and we both cried. Best artist, Topol of course!
For my dad, I agree with many – Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelburg
Louden Wainwright has created some brilliant work on father/son stuff.
There’s a song for his Dad called “Sometimes I Forget” – which for mine is the best, but he wrote at least four songs that would be comfortable in this “top ten”. He wrote a great song for his son, who is a once-in-a-lifetime-genius etc (I’m serious, by the way) called Rufus Wainwright which also sticks in my brain by its lines, if not by totality:
“I think I know what you’re going through – everything changes but nothing is new”
and
“…boys grow up to be grown men, then men turn back into boys again”
Judy Collins’ “My Father”
Wendy Waldman’s “Vaudeville Man”
James Taylor’s “Daddy’s All Gone”
Father and Son by Peter Gabriel
Im not a country fan but my mom played Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton when i was a little boy and talked about her dad/my grandpa made her choke up and when I think of it, it gets to me.
“Mu Old Man” by John Mcdermott!
Youtube it! Have a Hankie ready!!!!
I have finally spoken to my dead mum,she pasted on exactely 4 years ago.When we wanted to do something significant during her remembrance,we called our home town to ask our nieghbour how to go about it because during thier late uncle remembrance they told us that they contacted a powerful diviner that communicates with the dead,i guess what they communicated with thier late uncle.We did likewise,thanks to Doctor Jefferson.i hope you will be interested in talking to your dead loved ones someday,His contacted is…..doctorjeffersontemple@gmail.com
Gamez
Both “Talking to the Wrong Man” and “Long Line of Love” by Michael Martin Murphey are great dad songs. Love this site, by the way!
Lots of great songs hear, another good one is “Where Corn Don’t Grow” by Waylon Jennings. This is a great article. Thanks once again.
Vertical Horizon – The Man Who Would Be Santa
Try listening to this song without a tear in your eye. :)
its my dads funeral on friday ive chosen dance with my father for goin in to cemetry any ideas on something leaving something reflecting my mum and dad thanks sandra
alive by pearl jam
Hearthlands- I loved her first (for girls)
And I.agree with Cats in the cradle too
“Leader Of The Band.” Dan Fogelberg.
Patches by Clarence Carter
Jon Barker…I’m looking for a song for a birthday tribute DVD to my father-in law..and your song is PERFECT!!!..already bought it on ITUNES!!! He raised 5 great sons and will be turning 90 years old this year. Thank you!
There are so very many beautiful songs of tribute to our fathers as seen here on this website. My FAVORITE, Everything I Own written by David Gates (Bread) for his father. I miss you Dad, everyday I miss you.XXOO
I have two: One bittersweet admiration and regret and the other of growing pride for one’s son. In order “My Old Man” by the late Steve Goodman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6BB1FbCA2I) and the second “My favorite Spring” by Tom Paxton.
I sort the almost entire list and get ready to place my entry and … Catherine beats me to the punch! I second “Everything I Own” by Bread. David Gates is talking about his dad as he stated in concert not as many think, a girlfriend. Great choice.
I Still Can’t Say Goodbye by Chet Atkins
“Father to son” by Phil Collins is about advice a father gives to his son as he grows up and falls in love. Great song!
Papa Don’t Take No Mess – James Brown:
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa is the man who can understand
How a man has to do
Whatever he can
Papa don`t, Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t take no mess, no
He don`t take no mess
Now Papa might grin
Drink a little taste of gin
Bet his last ten on
A little game of skins, hit me
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa don`t, Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t take no mess, hey, hey
Papa digs the chick
If she look real slick
Papa rap is very quick
He defintely ain`t no trick
Oh, yeah
Papa don`t, Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa is the man
Who will take a stand
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t, don`t, Papa don`t
Look, dig this
Papa didn`t cuss
He didn`t raise a whole lotta fuss
But when we did wrong
Papa beat the hell out of us
Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t, Papa don`t
Papa don`t take no mess
Papa don`t take no mess
I saw Papa cry when he
Thought that I would die
Lookie here
I saw papa cry
I saw Papa cry when he
Thought that I would die
He says something was in his eye
I knew it was a lie
Papa loves his son
Mama said Papa`s smart
Papa got a whole lotta heart
And Papa would do his part
When the game get hard, hit me
How about “Father of Mine” by Everclear?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkcbxjWG9Mc
These are some great suggestions by everyone! I agree that Conway Twitty had a great one with “That’s My Job” but lets also not forget George Strait sang a great tune with “Love Without End”. Randy Travis also sings “Good Intentions”! Thanks everyone God bless our kids and great daddy’s!
The best is “That’s my job” by Conway Twitty.
This is the greatest song about dads and sons. Ever. Especially when you read about the background.
JCB Song – Nizlopi
http://youtu.be/rGkseGFQLh4
“Dance with My Father” – Luther Vandross
For those with absentee fathers: “My Dad’s a Bear,” fr. “The Hoppers’ Holiday Classics” by The Hopper Bros. Hear and/or download for free at http://thehopperbrothers.bandcamp.com/track/my-dads-a-bear-fathers-day.
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