75 Best Father-Daughter Dance Songs for a Tear-Jerking Moment Ideas

Few wedding moments are more touching than the father-daughter dance. Traditionally, it's the second dance of the wedding, immediately following the first dance between the newly married couple. Of course, if there's another special person in your life who you see as a father figure, you can share your special dance with them instead. (This could be the person who gives you away if you choose to uphold that custom.)

You want to pick a song that really speaks to your emotions, but finding the perfect choice among all the father-daughter dance songs out there can be tricky. You're looking to encapsulate the special relationship you share with your dad—you want a song about love but only the one-of-a-kind love between a dad and daughter. If you don't know where to start, pick a genre you both love first, and there's bound to be a song that fits the bill. To help you choose the perfect tune for your tender moment with Dad, we've compiled 75 of the best father-daughter dance songs out there.

01of 75 "Sweet Pea," by Amos Lee Lyrics of Love: "Sweet pea/Apple of my eye/Don't know when and I don't know why/You're the only reason I keep on coming home" 02of 75 "How Sweet It Is," by James Taylor Lyrics of Love: "I close my eyes at night/Wondering where would I be without you in my life/Everything I did was just a bore/Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before/But you brighten up for me all of my days" 03of 75 "Father's Eyes," by Amy Grant Lyrics of Love: "When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say/She's got her father's eyes/Her father's eyes/Eyes that find the good in things/When good is not around" 04of 75 "Times of Your Life," by Paul Anka Lyrics of Love: "The seasons are passing one by one/So gather moments while you may/Collect the dreams you dream today/Remember, will you remember/The times of your life?" 05of 75 "Unforgettable," by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole Lyrics of Love: "Unforgettable in every way/And forever more/That's how you'll stay/That's why, darling, it's incredible/That someone so unforgettable/Thinks that I am unforgettable, too" 06of 75 "The Way You Look Tonight," by Frank Sinatra Lyrics of Love: "Someday, when I'm awfully low/When the world is cold/I will feel a glow just thinking of you/And the way you look tonight/Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm" 07of 75 "Butterfly Kisses," by Bob Carlisle Lyrics of Love: "All the precious time/Oh like the wind, when the years go by/Precious butterfly/Spread your wings and fly/She'll change her name today/She'll make a promise/And I'll give her away" 08of 75 "Father and Daughter," by Paul Simon Lyrics of Love: "I'm gonna watch you shine/Gonna watch you grow/Gonna paint a sign/So you always know/As long as one and one is two/There could never be a father/Love his daughter more than I love you" 09of 75 "Forever Young," by Rod Stewart Lyrics of Love: "And when you fin'lly fly away, I'll be hoping that I served you well/For all the wisdom of a lifetime, no one can ever tell/But whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you win or lose" 10of 75 "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong Lyrics of Love: "I see trees of green, red roses, too/I see them bloom for me and you/And I think to myself what a wonderful world" 11of 75 "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," by Stevie Wonder Lyrics of Love: "You are the sunshine of my life/That's why I'll always be around/You are the apple of my eye/Forever you'll stay in my heart" 12of 75 "Daughter," by Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics of Love: "Everything I say/She takes to heart/Everything she takes/She takes apart/That's my daughter in the water/Every time she fell I caught her/Every time she fell" 13of 75 "My Girl," by The Temptations Lyrics of Love: "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day/When it's cold outside I've got the month of May/Well I guess you'd say/What can make me feel this way?/My girl/Talkin' 'bout my girl" 14of 75 "I Loved Her First," by Heartland Lyrics of Love: "From the first breath she breathed/When she first smiled at me/I knew the love of a father runs deep/And I prayed that she'd find you someday/But it's still hard to give her away/I loved her first" 15of 75 "Brown Eyed Girl," by Van Morrison Lyrics of Love: "So hard to find my way/Now that I'm all on my own/I saw you just the other day/My, how you have grown/Cast my memory back there, Lord" 16of 75 "Cinderella," by Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics of Love: "Oh, I will dance with Cinderella/I don't wanna miss even one song/'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight/And she'll be gone" 17of 75 "I Turn to You," by Christina Aguilera Lyrics of Love: "For a shield from the storm, for a friend, for a love to keep me safe and warm, I turn to you/For the strength to be strong, for the will to carry on/For everything you do, for everything that's true, I turn to you" 18of 75 "Sweet Child O' Mine," by Guns N' Roses Lyrics of Love: "She's got a smile it seems to me/Reminds me of childhood memories/Where everything/Was as fresh as the bright blue sky/Now and then when I see her face/She takes me away to that special place" 19of 75 "When My Little Girl Is Smiling," by The Drifters Lyrics of Love: "When my little girl is smiling/There's nothing more I can say/I see those big bright eyes/And then I realize/That girl is gonna get her way" 20of 75 "Lean On Me," by Bill Withers Lyrics of Love: "Lean on me, when you're not strong/And I'll be your friend/I'll help you carry on/For it won't be long/'Til I'm gonna need/Somebody to lean on" 21of 75 "Dance with My Father," by Luther Vandross Lyrics of Love: "If I could get another chance/Another walk/Another dance with him/I'd play a song that would never ever end/How I'd love love love/To dance with my father again" 22of 75 "Have I Told You Lately," by Rod Stewart Lyrics of Love: "Have I told you lately that I love you?/Have I told you there's no one else above you?/Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness/Ease my troubles, that's what you do" 23of 75 "Wildflowers," by Tom Petty Lyrics of Love: "You belong among the wildflowers/You belong somewhere close to me/Far away from your trouble and worries/You belong somewhere you feel free" 24of 75 "Changes," by Ozzy Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne Lyrics of Love: "We've shared the years/We've shared each day/I love you daddy/But I found my way" 25of 75 "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)," by Billy Joel Lyrics of Love: "Goodnight my angel, now it's time to dream/And dream how wonderful your life will be/Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullaby/Then in your heart there will always be a part of me" 26of 75 "Michelle," by the Beatles Lyrics of Love: "I love you, I love you, I love you/That's all I want to say/Until I find a way/I will say the only words I know that you'll understand/Michelle, ma belle" 27of 75 "My Little Girl," by Tim McGraw Lyrics of Love: "I turned around and you've almost grown/Sometimes when you're asleep/I whisper I love you in the moonlight at your door/As I walk away, I hear you say/Daddy love you more" 28of 75 "Not While I'm Around," by Kat Jennings and Angela Lansbury Lyrics of Love: "No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare/Others can desert you, not to worry, whistle and I'll be there" 29of 75 "Oh! My Papa," by Eddie Fisher Lyrics of Love: "No one could be so gentle and so lovable/Oh, my pa-pa, he always understood/Gone are the days when he could take me on his knee/And with a smile he'd change my tears to laughter" 30of 75 "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole Lyrics of Love: "Somewhere over the rainbow/Way up high/And the dreams that you dream of/Once in a lullaby" 31of 75 "The Long and Winding Road," by The Beatles Lyrics of Love: "The long and winding road/That leads to your door/Will never disappear/I've seen that road before/It always leads me here/Leads me to your door" 32of 75 "There Goes My Life," by Kenny Chesney Lyrics of Love: "Sleep tight, blue eyes and bouncing curls/He smiles/There goes my life/There goes my future my everything/I love you, daddy goodnight/There goes my life" 33of 75 "When You Need Me," by Bruce Springsteen Lyrics of Love: "When you need me call my name/'Cause without you my life just wouldn't be the same/If you want me come sunny skies or rain/When you need me just call my name" 34of 75 "I Got You Babe," by Sonny & Cher Lyrics of Love: "Don't let them say your hair's too long/'Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong/Then put your little hand in mine/There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb" 35of 75 "You Are So Beautiful," by Joe Cocker Lyrics of Love: "You are so beautiful/To me/You are so beautiful/To me/Can't you see/You're everything I hoped for/You're everything I need/You are so beautiful/To me" 36of 75 "(They Long to Be) Close to You," by the Carpenters Lyrics of Love: "On the day that you were born the angels got together/And decided to create a dream come true/So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue" 37of 75 "A Wink and a Smile," by Harry Connick Jr. Lyrics of Love: "Just the sound of your voice/The light in your eyes/We're so far away from yesterday/Together, with a wink and a smile" 38of 75 "Isn't She Lovely," by Stevie Wonder Lyrics of Love: "Isn't she lovely?/Isn't she wonderful?/Isn't she precious?/Less than one-minute old/I never thought through love/We'd be making one as lovely as she/But isn't she lovely made from love?" 39of 75 "Scarlet Begonias," by the Grateful Dead Lyrics of Love: "Ain't nothing wrong with the way she moves/Scarlet begonias or a touch of the blues/And there's nothing wrong with the look that's in her eyes/Had to learn the hard way to let her pass by" 40of 75 "Always, in All Ways," by Kenny Loggins Lyrics of Love: "I thought you'd always be daddy's child/And suddenly you were grown/Now that you're on your own/If ever you feel alone/I'll be there beside you/For always, in all ways" 41of 75 "The Best Day," by Taylor Swift Lyrics of Love: "And now I know why all the trees change in the fall/I know you were on my side/Even when I was wrong/And I love you for giving me your eyes/Staying back and watching me shine" 42of 75 "Constellations," by Jack Johnson Lyrics of Love: "It was just another night with the sunset and/The moonrise not so far behind/To give us just enough light/To lay down underneath the stars listening to Papa's translations of the stories across the sky" 43of 75 "Count on Me," by Bruno Mars Lyrics of Love: "If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep/I'll sing a song/Beside you/And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me/Every day I will/Remind you" 44of 75 "Daddy," by Beyoncé Lyrics of Love: "Can't stop my tears from falling/I love you so much, daddy/Thank you (my unborn son to be like my daddy)/You've done so much for me (want my husband to be like my daddy)/I love you, daddy" 45of 75 "Daughters," by John Mayer Lyrics of Love: "On behalf of every man/Looking out for every girl/You are the God and weight of her world/So fathers, be good to your daughters/Daughters will love like you do" 46of 75 "Dream Big," by Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband Lyrics of Love: "And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud/Cause it will carry all your cares away/And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself/And it will help you feel okay" 47of 75 "Gracie," by Ben Folds Lyrics of Love: "One day you're gonna want to go/I hope we taught you everything you need to know/Gracie girl/And there will always be a part of me/Nobody else is ever gonna see but you and me/My little girl" 48of 75 "Hero," by Mariah Carey Lyrics of Love: "And then a hero comes along/With the strength to carry on/And you cast your fears aside/And you know you can survive/So when you feel like hope is gone/Look inside you and be strong" 49of 75 "I Hope You Dance," by Lee Ann Womack Lyrics of Love: "Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens/Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance/And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance/I hope you dance" 50of 75 "Kind and Generous," by Natalie Merchant Lyrics of Love: "Oh, I want to thank you for so many gifts you gave/The love, the tenderness, I want to thank you/I want to thank you for your generosity, the love/And the honesty that you gave me" 51of 75 "Let Your Heart Sing," by Katharine McPhee Lyrics of Love: "If you follow/Follow the voice in your heart/Always know that's how to find/Who you are/So hold on/Never let go of your dreams/You'll see the magic/Believing is where it begins" 52of 75 "My Wish," by Rascal Flatts Lyrics of Love: "I hope you never look back, but you never forget/All the ones who love you, in the place you live/I hope you always forgive, and you never regret/And you help somebody every chance you get" 53of 75 "Somethin' Special," by Colbie Caillat Lyrics of Love: "It's something special to me/Days go by and I grow stronger/It takes time, but I will never let go" 54of 75 "Thank You," by 33Miles Lyrics of Love: "What if I looked at my life in a different way/Took a little more time to stop and pray/I know it will change all the moments in between/So here I go/Thank You for everything/Thank You for loving me" 55of 75 "You Raise Me Up," by Josh Groban Lyrics of Love: "You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains/You raise me up to walk on stormy seas/I am strong when I am on your shoulders/You raise me up to more than I can be" 56of 75 "Your Song," by Elton John Lyrics of Love: "Oh I know it's not much but it's the best I can do/My gift is my song/And this one's for you/And you can tell everybody this is your song/It may be quite simple but now that it's done/I hope you don't mind" 57of 75 "You've Got a Friend," by Scotty McCreery Lyrics of Love: "If the sky above you/Should turn dark and full of clouds/And that old north wind should begin to blow/Keep your head together/And call my name out loud/And soon I will be knockin' upon your door" 58of 75 "Just Fishin’," by Trace Adkins Lyrics of Love: "There holdin' that pink rod and reel/She's doin' almost everything but sittin' still/Talkin' 'bout her ballet shoes and training wheels/And her kittens/And she thinks we're just fishin'" 59of 75 "It Won’t Be Like This for Long," Darius Rucker Lyrics of Love: "He lays down there beside her/Till her eyes are finally closed/And just watching her it breaks his heart/Cause he already knows/It won't be like this for long" 60of 75 "Because You Loved Me," by Céline Dion Lyrics of Love: "You were my strength when I was weak/You were my voice when I couldn't speak/You were my eyes when I couldn't see/You saw the best there was in me/Lifted me up when I couldn't reach" 61of 75 "Always Be Your Baby," by Natalie Grant Lyrics of Love: "You are my hero/And that will never change/You still can dry my tears with just your smile/The one I've leaned on/From my first steps/To walking down the aisle" 62of 75 "Daddy's Hands," by Holly Dunn Lyrics of Love: "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" 63of 75 "Daddy's Little Girl," by The Shires Lyrics of Love: "Used to wrap my hands around his little finger/Turns out he was wrapped around mine/He said 'you can be anything you want to in this great big world'/But I'm always gonna be daddy's little girl" 64of 75 "Wind Beneath My Wings," by Bette Midler Lyrics of Love: "Did you ever know that you're my hero/And everything I would like to be?/I can fly higher than an eagle/For you are the wind beneath my wings" 65of 75 "Walk with You," by Edwin McCain Lyrics of Love: "I'll take this slow sweet walk with you/You'll let go of my hand to say: I do/He will discover just how blessed a life can be/I know 'cause all those years ago/Your mom handed you to me" 66of 75 "Dance With My Daughter," by Jason Blaine Lyrics of Love: "Gonna dance with my daughter/Spin her around under the lights/'Cause I'm just a father/Making the most of this moment in time" 67of 75 "My Darling," by Wilco Lyrics of Love: "Grow up now/My darling/Please don't you grow up too fast/And be sure, darling/To make all the good times last" 68of 75 "It's for My Dad," by Nancy Sinatra Lyrics of Love: "He always was a rock when I needed one/He gave me good advice when I needed some/I want you to know that when it's said and done/He's one of the best friends I ever had" 69of 75 "Butterfly Fly Away," by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus Lyrics of Love: "You tucked me in, turned out the light/Kept me safe and sound at night/Little girls depend on things like that" 70of 75 "Emmylou," by Vance Joy Lyrics of Love: "Oh c'mon sleepyhead, get yourself to bed/Don't go losin', oh, the nighttime/Oh, don't feel bad/Well, I never have, since I got you, my Emmylou/You are loved, you are loved, you are loved" 71of 75 "In My Life," by The Beatles Lyrics of Love: "Though I know I'll never lose affection/For people and things that went before/I know I'll often stop and think about them/In my life, I'll love you more" 72of 75 "One Call Away," by Charlie Puth Lyrics of Love: "I'm only one call away/I'll be there to save the day/Superman got nothin' on me/I'm only one call away" 73of 75 "I Will Walk With You," by John Fogerty Lyrics of Love: "I will walk with you/Every step of the way/Love you all my life/Love you every day/No matter where you wander/No matter what you do/Come what may I will walk with you" 74of 75 "Roots and Wings," by Miranda Lambert Lyrics of Love: "I raise my glass/On a Saturday night/I thank the Lord above/On my Sunday drive/For Daddy's hands/And Mama's dreams/He gave me roots/She gave me wings" 75of 75 "My Little Girl," by Tim McGraw Lyrics of Love: "You're beautiful baby, from the outside in/Chase your dreams but always know/The road that will lead you home again/Go on, take on this old world but to me/You know you'll always be my little girl"

FAQ

• When does the father-daughter dance take place? The father-daughter dance typically occurs during the reception after the meal and toasts. This dance, along with other family dances, is a great way to transition into an open dance floor.

• What does the father-daughter dance symbolize? The father-daughter dance is a sweet moment between the bride and her father and symbolizes their appreciation for the love and guidance they received throughout their lives.