Most of us dads rarely show emotions, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel anything. Deep down, dads do care a lot, especially when it comes to our children.
To give you an idea of a father’s feelings towards his kids, listen to these best dad songs on Spotify or any streaming service.
Mockingbird (2004) – Eminem
The fifth single from Eminem’s fifth studio album Encore, Mockingbird is a song dedicated to his first-born daughter Hailie Jade. It earned the rapper a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance and peaked at #11 at Billboard Hot 100.
Mockingbird shows a more mature Eminem as a father. Thru the song, he patiently explains to his daughter, how their family used to have no money and that’s why he is away most of the time working.
The rap song is also a bit of a departure from Eminem’s usual music. There’s no shouting and barely any cursing in the lyrics. With a tune of a lullaby, Mockingbird sounds sweet and loving, exactly how fathers would sing to their little girls.
Isn’t She Lovely (1976) – Stevie Wonder
One of the most popular songs by Stevie Wonder, Isn’t She Lovely was not released as a commercial single. Still, it was able to hit the number 23 spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Isn’t She Lovely shows Stevie’s adulation for his then-newborn daughter, Aisha Morris. The melody and lyrics are simple, yet the song is very catchy.
That’s because almost all girl dads can relate to it. This is something I’ve yet to experience myself, but for most fathers, no one else is lovelier than their daughters.
Just the Two of Us (1997) – Will Smith
Way before Will Smith became a controversial Oscar winner, he was a well-known rapper in the 90s with chart-topping hits like Gettin’ Jiggy With It and Wild Wild West. He also co-wrote and sang one of the best dad songs on the list, Just the Two of Us.
The song reached no. 1 in the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs and no. 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100. Not to be confused with Bill Wither’s hit of the same name, Just the Two of Us is an ode to Smith’s eldest son, Trey.
The song describes the 4-time Grammy winner’s feelings right from his child’s birth to toddler years. The emotions are all there…he was happy, thankful, hopeful, nervous, and full of love at the same time. Just The Two of Us also has plenty of important advice, something that a good father would do when talking to his child.
My Little Girl (2006) – Tim McGraw
The second single from Tim McGraw’s album, Reflected: Greatest Hits Vol. 2, My Little Girl is all about the country singer’s love for his daughter. The song reached no. 3 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and no. 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
In My Little Girl, the 3-time Grammy winner tells his daughter that she will always be his little girl though she’s already growing up. That’s every father’s line but it never gets old. The singer feels the world is taking his daughter away from her, but as a dad, he knows there’s nothing he can do.
All our kids will have to pursue their ambitions and we can only hope that they remember where they came from. As the song goes “Chase your dreams, but always know the road that’ll lead you home again“.
Ready, Set, Don’t Go (2007) – Billy Ray Cyrus
Before Miley Cyrus became the popular musician she is today, she was lead actress in the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana. The “Wrecking Ball” singer was just 16 then and her move to Los Angeles from Nashville to start her career in Hollywood inspired one best dad songs today…Ready, Set, Don’t Go.
The song was the lead single of Billy Ray Cyrus’ 2007 album Home at Last. It was praised for it’s outstanding lyrical content by critics, which tells the country singer’s torn feelings for his daughter. As a dad, it goes without saying that Billy Ray wanted Miley to pursue her dreams and succeed. But at the same time, he knows that he will miss his daughter.
Ready, Set, Don’t Go did fine as a solo song. When released as a duet by Billy Ray and Miley, however, it gained more commercial success. It peaked at 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Miley’s first international country hit.
Bonus Songs
Though not as popular as the five songs on the list, Young Man (2018) by Justin Timberlake and Leave Your Life (2021) by Ed Sheeran, for me, are the best dad songs.
The first one is exactly what I want to say to my kid and the second one tells how I feel whenever I’m away from him. JT and Ed are two of my favorite singers, by the way, so I’m being biased here.
But enough about my preferences, how about you? What is your favorite dad song? Let me know which one on this list captures your emotions as a father.
I could not resist commenting. Well written!