70+ Best Father Daughter Dance Songs for Weddings in 2024 [List]

Father-daughter dance songs come in a really wide range of styles.

We asked over 250 brides and wedding DJs what they thought were the best father-daughter dance songs for 2023.

Check out the top father-daughter dance songs that are bound to make you and your dad shed a tear or two.

Here is what we cover:

The Standards Father-Daughter Dance Songs

There are a few songs that are nearly always recommended for a father-daughter dance, including“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman. These songs are not just tried and true classics but are safe bets to be popular with guests as well. When developing your list of possible songs to play, ensure you include at least one song from each of these bands.

1. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
2. “What a Wonderful World ”– Louis Armstrong
3. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
4. “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
5. “They Can’t Take That Away from Me Me” by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
6. “You Are My Sunshine” by Johnny Cash
7. “Misty” by Ella Fitzgerald
8. “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke
9. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
10. “The Way You Look Tonight” (Father of the Bride version) by Steve Tyrell

Instrumental And Classic Father Daughter Dance Songs

No matter the occasion, music is important for a father daughter dance song. The perfect father daughter dance song would be an instrumental that features no lyrics. Classic songs, including Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” or Ben E. King ‘s “Stand By Me” are powerful picks as well, while songs like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” might set the mood for a fun dance party. The best father daughter dance songs depend on how your dad and daughter feel about each other.

1. Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
2. John Mayer – Daughters
3. Ben E. King – Stand By Me
4. Frank Sinatra – I Wish You Love
5. The Beatles – All You Need Is Love
6. Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata
7. Pachelbel – Canon in D
8. Schubert – Ave Maria
9. Flute and Guitar – What a Wonderful World
10. Bach – Air on G -String
11. Scott Keo – Beautiful Memory

The Best Rock Ballads For Father Bride Dance

Here are some beautiful, romantic songs that would make the perfect Father-Daughter Dance.

1. Bad English – When I See You Smile
2. The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
3. Led Zeppelin – Thank You
4. Journey – Faithfully
5. Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
6. Eagles – Love Will Keep Us Alive
7. Bruce Springsteen – Jersey Girl
8. Motley Crue – Home Sweet Home
9. Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
10. Billy Joel – Lullabye

Fun Country Father Daughter Dance Songs

It is hard to think of good father-daughter dance songs for a wedding, as not just any father daughter dance song will work. The songs listed below are mostly fun country songs by popular artists but you can listen to other kinds of songs that could work well as well. Remember, it is important to pick a song that the father and daughter can both enjoy. The dad’s favorite song might not be the daughter’s favorite song, but you can always switch songs if possible.

1. Billy Ray Cyrus – Ready, Steady, Don’t Go
2. Zac Brown Band – I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter)
3. Heartland – I Loved Her First
4. Neil Young – Long May You Run
5. Slim Dusty – Waltzing Matilda
6. Martina McBride – In My Daughter’s Eyes
7. Paul Simon – Father and Daughter
8. Natalie Grant – I’ll Always Be Your Baby
9. Johnny Cash version – You Are My Sunshine
10. Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
11. Kacey Musgraves – Love Is A Wild Thing
12. LANCO – Born to Love You

Indie Wedding Songs For Father Daughter Dance

Instead of choosing a song written by a best-selling artist, why not find a song that has personalized meaning for you and your daughter? If you feel that way, go ahead and try our list of father-daughter dance songs.

1. Mitski – Two Slow Dancers
2. Snail Mail – Let’s Find An Out
3. Modest Mouse – Sleepwalking
4. Mumford & Sons – There Will Be Time
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
6. Grouplove – Tongue Tied
7. Otis Redding – That’s How Strong My Love Is
8. Foster The People – Houdini
9. Michael Bublé – You’ve Got A Friend In Me
10. The Pretenders – Evaporate
11. The Fontaines – Love Someone
12. Walk The Moon – Tightrope

Popular Pop Daddy Daughter Dance Songs

Pop music has been around for years and has the best father-daughter dance songs or pop songs to get everyone on the dancefloor. You’ll have the most fun when you let your daughters know they look beautiful and they’ll have thoughts of you in their minds long after your dance has ended. Click play and let your girl dance to her favorite songs or let’s go through them here together.

1. Frank Ocean – Moon River
2. Calum Scott – What I Miss Most
3. Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You
4. Adam Levine – Lost Stars
5. Bruno Mars – Count On Me
6. Taylor Swift – Delicate
7. Beyoncé – Daddy
8. Meghan Trainor – Dance Like Yo Daddy
9. Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars
10. Vance Joy – Riptide
11. Walk the Moon – Shut Up and Dance
12. Sia – The Greatest

Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs

A father daughter dance is a sweet and personal tradition that signifies how much your daughter has grown up and how proud you are of her as a person. A father individualized dance song can come from two sources: the lyrics or the music. Lyrics for songs about father-daughter love can include messages about a daughter reflecting on her father’s original qualities and the depth his unconditional love.

1. Amy Winehouse – To Know Him Is To Love Him
2. Daniel Caesar – Blessed
3. Paul Simon – Father and Daughter
4. Jay-Z ft. Blue Ivy – Glory
5. Sade – By Your Side

Upbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs

Some of the songs that are fun and upbeat to dance to are:

1. Steven Curtis Chapman – Cinderella
2. Guns and Roses – Sweet Child of Mine
3. Tom Petty – American Girl
4. Meghan Trainor – Dance Like Yo Daddy
5. Steppenwolf – Born to Be Wild

Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs

1. God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
2. Sweet Pea by Amos Lee
3. Stairway to the Stars by Ella Fitzgerald
4. What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
5. My Girl by The Temptations
6. Forever by The Beach Boys
7. Ain’t That Love by Ray Charles
8. Gracie by Ben Folds
9. You Send Me by Sam Cooke
10. You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder

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FAQ

Does The Bride Dance With Her Father First?

Traditionally, the bride and groom will share the official First Dance from beginning to end. For the second dance, if we’re sticking with tradition, the bride and father of the bride will begin the song, with the new husband stepping in about half-way through. This is a symbolic gesture showing the father accepts the new husband and welcomes him as the head of the new family.

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Is Father Daughter Dance Before The First Dance?

Many couples are modernizing tradition so that the groom and father of the bride each get a full song, but still, want to maintain the symbolism. In this case, the father takes the first dance with a happy bride. Once this is finished he visually/physically invites the groom to step in for the second dance, and enjoy their first dance as husband and wife.

In a lot of today’s ceremonies tradition takes a back seat to happy memories. It’s often a far better decision to have a full song for both dad and your new husband, but dad still gets to go first.

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How Long Is The Father-Daughter Dance?

You probably wouldn’t want to choose a 20 minute epic for the daddy-daughter dance but there really is no formal rule as to how long the dance should last. Short father-daughter dance songs are recommended since dad may have some trouble keeping up with you or mastering 9 minutes of choreography.