Non-sappy father/daughter dance songs

I've spent the last two days scouring the 'net for a father/daughter dance for our wedding reception, and frankly, virtually every suggestion I've come across has a title that makes me throw up in my mouth a little like "Daddy's Little Girl" or "Butterfly Kisses."

I'm not opposed to sentimental songs but perhaps none with the bride=angel/child/doll theme I can't seem to get away from. He's a 60s/70s Classic/Southern rock kinda guy. There's gotta be something out there about years going by, getting older, moving on… I just can't seem to find it. This is one of the few traditions we're actually keeping, so I'd like to find something right for us. —Sharon

Yeah, nothing like the creepy incest themes that seem to come up with father/daughter dances, hmm? That's part of why I skipped the tradition, but I do agree that with the right song it can be a nice moment. Here are a few non-icky song ideas pulled from all kinds of sources including the many, many, many suggestions in the comments:

Classic rock ballads and harder rock for those rockin' dads:

Led Zepplin's "Thank You" (hear it)
Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" (hear it)
Rolling Stones' "She's a Rainbow" (hear it)
The Cars' "Just What I Needed" (hear it)
Warrant's "Heaven" (hear it)
Neil Young's "Here for You" (hear it)
Bruce Springsteen's "When You Need Me" (hear it)
Queen's "You're My Best Friend" (hear it)
Guns and Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine" (hear it)
Staind's "Zoe Jane" (hear it)
Tom Petty's "American Girl" (hear it)

Contemporary sentimental, but not overdone (yet!):

Loudon Wainwright's "Daughter" (hear it)
Five for Fighting's "100 Years" (hear it)
World Party's "She's the One" (hear it)
10,000 Maniacs' "How You've Grown" (hear it)
Natalie Merchant's "Kind And Generous" (hear it)
The Cary Brothers' "Blue Eyes" (hear it)
Wilco's "My Darling" (hear it)
Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" (hear it)
Amos Lee's "Sweet Pea" (hear it)
Eva Cassidy's "True Colors" (hear it)

Softer rock classics (when you want to rock, but also keep it purty):

Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" (hear it)
Bad English's "When I See You Smile" (hear it)
Journey's "Lights" (hear it)
Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" (hear it)
Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" (hear it)
Carol King's "Child of Mine" (hear it)
The Byrds' "Turn, Turn, Turn" (hear it)
Paul Simon's "Father and Daughter" (hear it) or "You Can Call Me Al" (hear it)
Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" (hear it)
James Taylor's "You've Got A Friend" (hear it)
Joe Cocker's "Darling Be Home Soon" (hear it)
Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird" (hear it) or "Landslide" (hear it)
The Beatles' "Across the Universe" (hear it) or Rufus Wainwright's version
(hear it)
Another Beatles selection, "In My Life" (hear it)
Lulu's "To Sir With Love" (hear it)
Gram Parsons' "A Song for You" (hear it)
Bread's "Daughter" (hear it)
Jimmy Buffett's "Little Miss Magic" (hear it)
Spiral Staircase's "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday" (hear it)
Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" (hear it)

Classics from the '40s and '50s

Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love" (hear it)
The Rays' "Silhouettes" (hear it)
Frankie Avalon's "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (hear it)
Elvis' "The Wonder of You" (hear it)
Sam Cooke's "Nothing Can Change This Love" (hear it)

Crazy and funky:

Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" (hear it)
Voltaire's "Goodnight Demonslayer" (hear it)
Any version of "You Are My Sunshine," particularly the Johnny Cash version (hear it)
"Time Warp" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (hear it)
LOTS from The Vitamin String Quartet. Try Sweet Child O' Mine (hear it) or "Don't Stop Believing" (hear it)
Kermit's "The Rainbow Connection" (hear it)

For the country dads at heart:

The Bellamy Brothers' "Let Your Love Flow" (hear it)
Kenny Chesney's "There Goes My Life" (hear it)
John Fogerty's "I Will Walk With You" (hear it)
The Judds' "Love is Alive" (hear it)
Rascal Flatts' "My Wish" (hear it)
Dixie Chicks' "Lullaby" (hear it)

Far out stuff for alterna-dads:

Yo La Tengo's "You Can Have It All" (hear it)
David Bowie's "Let's Dance" (hear it)
"Standing" from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical, sung by Tony Head
(hear it)
The Dropkick Murphy's "Forever" (hear it)

And the strangest (but cool) suggestions from the comments:

Randy Newman's "Short People" (hear it)
Jonathan Coulton's "Re: Your Brains" (hear it)
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five's "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens"
(hear it)

If you're looking for even more, the playlist from WFUV's father's day show might give you some great ideas.

PS: Extra bonus awesome points if you can carry off something like this.

PPS: If you're also looking for killer first dance songs, check out our article on first dance songs that haven't been done to death.

Read more posts about: father daughter dance, music, reception, songs

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About Ariel Meadow Stallings

Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.

RESPONSES: 320 Comments, 1 THIS! vote

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On June 10th, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Wedding Cake Baker said

As an independent baker, I've done a lot of weddings, and the most unique Father/Daughter dance I've ever seen was Bob Seeger's "Like a Rock" … I would have never thought of it, but the DJ suggested beforehand that the audience listen to the lyrics and it really seemed to fit.
On June 10th, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Grace said

My father and I are REALLY heavy into 60's/70's/80's rock. We both love stuff like deep Purple and Alice Cooper. I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out a song to dance to. We're both very picky about our music(no bob seger or rod stewart), so it's twice as hard to find a song. I thought about Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" because I can remember my dad singing that all the time when I was little, but the lyrics just don't seem to fit the father/daughter thing. I'd really appreciate some input.

*oh, by the way, I really wouldn't recommend "sweet child o'mine" by Guns N' Roses. Axl wrote that song about his girlfriend at the time. It's an incredible song..one of my faves, but unless you want that incestuous vibe going on… I'd steer clear.
On June 11th, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Julie said

My dad and I did not have a very close relationship growing up – but now we are in a good place and I'm dancing with him to "Square One" by Tom Petty.

"Square One my slate is clear, rest your head on me my dear. It took a world of trouble, took a world of tears, it took a long time to get back here"
On June 13th, 2008 at 7:40 AM
KellyGirl said

My dad and I will either be dancing to "Somebody's Baby" by Jackson Browne or "Celluloid Heros" by the Kinks. The lyrics to "Somebody's Baby" are probably a little creepy if you really get into analyzing it, but I'm not that worried, it's a cool song. And we both just really like the song "Celluloid Heroes."

My dad got really into the whole father-daughter dance song thing and made me a mix CD of all the songs he thought would be good for it. It's definitely my favorite wedding-related gift so far.
On June 21st, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Lea said

I'm thinking possibly Out of This World by The Cure
On June 21st, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Jennie said

My dad always used to play Red Sovine "Daddy's Girl" in the car while we were fishing. We will be dancing to that. It is very childlike, sweet, lighthearted, and definately not sappy.
On June 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Randi said

I am thinking about Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel) for my father and then I didn't want to go all sappy with my stepdad so I was thinking My Wish by Rascal Flatts
On June 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 PM
kate said

I think Lullaby by the Dixie chicks is great for a dance with dad or your new husband. It could also be easily learned by a band ifyou're having one..
On June 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Megan said

Thanks for the Neil Young suggestions!! I am shocked that I am not the only girl w/ a Neil obsessed father!!
On June 25th, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Michael said

Hi All, I'm looking for a song to dance with my two daughters too. I'm getting remarried and I have two daughters from a previous marriage that are 10 & 11 and I want to dance with them. I'm wondering if a "father/daughter" dance song is appropriate in this situation or if anyone has suggestions. Thanks
On June 25th, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Jackie said

I think Singalong Junk by Paul McCartney is a nice instrumental. Plus it's short & sweet at two and a half minutes!
On July 1st, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Cindy said

"My Girl" by the Temptations is totally non-sappy and something you would never think of as a father-daughter first dance song. My daughter had this as her first song and everyone loved it – its just a great timeless song.
On July 2nd, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Kymberlee said

My dad and I danced to "I love you more today than yesterday". It was upbeat and fun, and before it was over, everyone was joining in!
On July 4th, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Dara said

my friend danced to 100 years by five for fighting.

My mother passed away a few years ago, actually soon after my friends wedding, and every time I hear the song it makes me cry. But I think the sentiment for living for the moment works well
On July 5th, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Monique said

My dad and I's song is "The House on Pooh Corner" by Kenny Loggins. As a kid he always called me his 'Pooh Bear.' It turned into 'Pookie' after awhile. It fits and I plan on dancing with him to it next spring!!

Remember, it doesn't have to be sappy or lovey-dovey.. it just has to represent the two of you and what makes your bond special and unique. Dont dance to Butterfly kisses JUST BECAUSE its a daddy-daughter song =]

be creative!!!!!
On July 7th, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Holly H. said

If you're squeamish about dancing with Pops to Guns 'n' Roses, bear in mind that Sheryl Crow covered "Sweet Child o' Mine" and it's totally wedding appropriate.

Another one nobody's mentioned yet is Madeleine Peyroux's cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go." Nice shuffle beat, Maddie sounds just like Billie Holliday, and the lyrics work for a dad watching his baby girl go off into the world.
On July 11th, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Elizabeth said

I will probably go with the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows". I still like the somewhat sappy lyric of "God only knows what I'd be without you", and the "I may not always love you/but long as there are stars above you/you never need to doubt it/I'll make you so sure about it" opening line. Plus, the music itself is just really lovely.
On July 14th, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Amy said

I'm still not sure what song to dance with my dad to, but this post has certainly helped me out! If nothing else I've got the piece of mind that comes with knowing I'm not the only one who has faced this dilemma!
On July 17th, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Lady Spades said

Sheryl Crow's version of Sweet Child of Mine is kick ass!! I also like Baby Love by The Supremes…. Dancing in the Moonlight…. Here Comes the Sun… Time after time- i heard this version by some random band(who i later found out is called Spoken) its pretty cool, God Only Knows- Beach Boys(if youre really close to your dad)… There's a punk cover of Stand by Me(originally by The Temptations)… Bittersweet Symphony by Verve… What a Wonderful World covered by The Ramones
On July 18th, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Kit said

If you've never heard of Fyder and Everhardt, you're normal. They're a teeny two-man band who graced the Ely, MN Blueberry Festival with their music for many summers. I've considered doing my wedding dance with my dad to a Bob Dylan tune because he's a rabid fan, but he also has all of Fyder and Everhadrt's CDs and wants to dance to "Dancing With My Daughter", about rocking his baby back to sleep. Very sentimental, very personal for us, incest-free.
On July 19th, 2008 at 2:14 PM
alexis Thomson said

Choose wisely, I was at a weding where the bride and her dad danced to "nights in white satin" by the moody blues, and it was really creepy.
On July 24th, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Warda said

Are there any danceable versions of "Charlie on the MTA" (aka "The MTA Song") out there? My dad sang this to me at bedtime when I was a kid, and I'd love to use it, but I can't find any versions with the right tempo. Thanks!
On July 25th, 2008 at 6:06 AM
ellie said

Everyone needs to check out Vitamin String Quartet. If you (and dad) have a favorite song that just wouldn't be appropriate due to genre or lyrics they just might have your song. They take pop/punk/oldies/heavy metal, pretty much everything, and play it on quartet instruments, no vocals. I was looking for something fun for my cocktail hour so I will be using their music. If you don't pay attention its just classical instruments and music, but if you stop to listen, you realize you know the song, and could even sing along. It's great. Just remember, though you might not hear the lyrics, a lot of people might know what they are anyway. But I figure its better than blaring sexual inuendos during a father song, or any other dance for that matter.
On July 26th, 2008 at 3:01 AM
Pallie said

My dad and I are dancing to "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. We sang it together at a karaoke party once and now, every time I hear it, I think of him.
On July 27th, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Donna said

I'm thinking of "For Bobby" by John Denver for my father, and "Innocent When You Dream" by Tom Waits for my stepfather.