100 Best Father Son Songs For A Dedication + Lyric Quotes

Updated on September 28, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

Occasionally we take a tangent from the wedding-only song lists. There are several types of occasions that require a special song.

One of them is a wedding, yes. Others are for family celebrations and, sadly, funerals.

This article features our list of special songs between a son and his father.

What Are Father-Son Songs?

Father-son songs are special when a groom wishes to dedicate a special song to his father at the wedding reception.

You can use this song in a slideshow or it can be included in the DJ’s playlist for your wedding reception. If you plan to surprise your father, be sure to talk about it with your partner and a professional wedding coordinator.

This wouldn’t necessarily be a dance song. Rather, suggest playing a song in the middle of the wedding reception that everyone can dance to, whether it be a fast or slow song.

Of course, if you and your father are dancers, feel free to create a choreographed routine and bring in the groomsmen or the groom’s siblings.

This can be especially meaningful if the father has a milestone birthday near the wedding date. Heck, it could be the other way around. Maybe it’s the father’s second wedding and his son is turning 25. It’s completely up to you.

 

 

Our Top 10 Father-Son Songs List

1. “My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band
2. “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” by Owl City
3. “Father’s Love” by Bob Carlisle
4. “Man That Hung The Moon” by Brantley Gilbert
5. “Father To Son” by Queen
6. “Dad” by Tyler Wood
7. “Just The Two Of Us” by Will Smith
8. “My Boy” by Elvie Shane
9. “Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait
10. “Old Man” by Beck

Listen to Father Son Songs

Best Father Son Songs List

We’ve talked to wedding couples through social groups and analyzed hundreds of wedding DJs’ playlists across the U.S. that provide reception music.

We selected a list just for you of the most popular and unique father son songs for your reception.

Every groom’s music tastes are different.

Thus, we selected father-son songs that include many different genres.

If you have a favorite Father-Son song that doesn’t appear on our list, please leave a comment below so we can add it.

Hip Hop Father Son Songs

Like Father Like Son – The Game feat. Busta Rhymes
2015, Hip Hop

I hope you know I love you young’n, like Father, like Son
My little man, your day is coming

Yesterday – Atmosphere
2008, Hip Hop

I didn’t keep it simple
Chip on the shoulder, anger in my veins

Letter 2 My Unborn – 2Pac
2001, Hip Hop

Want to let you know I love you
Love you, if you didn’t know I feel this way

It’s A Boy – Slick Rick
1991, Hip Hop

Though son, I still kinda wish I coulda been there when he was born at 3:01
Bygones be gone, there’s nowhere wrong and all

Christian Father Son Songs

LIKE YOU – Aaron Cole, Tauren Wells, and TobyMac
2021, Christian

‘Cause if I’m gonna be more of anything
I just wanna be more like You

Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin
2015, Christian

You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are

I Will Be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman
2003, Christian

Through the winning, losing and trying
We’ll be together

Father’s Love – Bob Carlisle
1998, Christian

No matter where you go
Always know You can depend on
Your father’s love

Country Father Son Songs

Hey Dad – Tyler Booth
2022, Country

Good Ol’ Man – Drew Green
2022, Country

Out here learning on the fly
Trying to do the best I can
To raise him up right
No sir, yes, ma’am

Reach the Pedals – Jesse Labelle
2021, Country

Go to church, stay clear of that old devil
That’s what my daddy taught me
Before my feet could reach the pedals

My Son – Eddie Montgomery
2021, Country

My son please don’t make mistakes
And make, no don’t chase the things I’ve chased
Don’t waste your life on the run
My son, go ahead and spread your wings

Ain’t Even Met You Yet – Chris Lane
2021, Country

I feel ready but I feel scared to death
All I know is I love you

Stay at Home Dad – Drew Baldridge
2021, Country

Me and mama miss you bad
I’ll be the man till you get back

My Boy – Elvie Shane
2021, Country

He’s bigger than the plans I had
He’s makin’ me a better man

Things He Handed Down – Lady A
2021, Country

It’s his words that mean most to me now
Of the things he handed down

Things Dads Do – Thomas Rhett
2021, Country

Complain and ask why your fridge is full of weird beer
That’s just a few things dads do

Man That Hung The Moon – Brantley Gilbert
2019, Country

And it won’t be long
Till I hear “Daddy’s home” and
Footsteps running to
The man that hung the moon

Dad’s Sailboat – Walker Hayes
2019, Country

Tears don’t care if I don’t want ’em to come
I’m tryna take it like a man but I’m taking it like a son

Dad – Tyler Wood
2018, Country

Anyone else would call you Superman
But I just call you Dad

Boy – Lee Brice
2017, Country

I know you will, ’cause you’re a part of me
And a part of you will always be my boy

The Best Part Of Me – Lee Brice
2017, Country

I got my old man’s baby blues
And his daddy’s taste for whiskey too

My Old Man – Zac Brown Band
2017, Country

Now I finally understand
I have a lot to learn
From my old man

You Should Be Here – Cole Swindell
2016, Country

You should be here, standing with your arm around me here
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer

Family Man – Craig Campbell
2011, Country

The livin’, breathin’, reason that I am
A family man

He’s Mine – Rodney Atkins
2011, Country

If you knew me then
There’d be no question in your mind
You know he’s mine

Anything Like Me – Brad Paisley
2010, Country

I’m gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It’s safe to say that I’m gonna get my pay back if he’s anything like me

A Father’s Love (The Only Way He Knew How) – Bucky Covington
2010, Country

He was saying “I love you”
The only way he knew how

Letter to Me – Brad Paisley
2007, Country

But you’ll make it through this, and you’ll see
You’re still around to write this letter to me

Don’t Blink – Kenny Chesney
2007, Country

Don’t blink, you just might miss
Your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads

Little Guy – Gord Bamford
2007, Country

And I’ll dance with you pray for you
And wrap my arms around you when you cry
Little guy

My Wish – Rascal Flatts
2006, Country

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

The Best Day – George Strait
2006, Country

I can’t believe son that you’ve grown
He said dad this could be the best day of my life

Watching You – Rodney Atkins
2006, Country

I wanna do everything you do
So I’ve been watching you

Who You’d Be Today – Kenny Chesney
2005, Country

It ain’t fair you died too young
Like a story that had just begun
But death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you

Let Them Be Little – Billy Dean
2005, Country

Let them be little, cause they’re only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love, everyday

Mr. Mom – Lonestar
2004, Country

Been crazy all day long
And it’s only Monday
Mr. Mom

Then They Do – Trace Adkins
2003, Country

Can’t believe how much you miss
All they do
And all they did
You want all the dreams they’ve dreamed of to come true
Then they do

He Gets That From Me – Reba McEntire
2003, Country

He smiles that little crooked smile
There’s no denying he’s your child
Without him I don’t know what I’d do

Song for Dad – Keith Urban
2002, Country

And I only hope when I have my own family
That every day I see a little more of my father in me

Drive (For Daddy Gene) – Alan Jackson
2002, Country

But I was king of the ocean
When daddy let me
Drive

He Didn’t Have to Be – Brad Paisley
1999, Country

I think about the man that’s standing next to me
And I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be

The Greatest – Kenny Rogers
1999, Country

Little Boy, in a baseball hat
Stands in the field with his ball and bat

I Wish I Could Have Been There – John Anderson
1994, Country

It was a happy day, but kinda’ sad
And I wish they could have been there

Love Without End, Amen – George Strait
1990, Country

He said daddies don’t just love their children every now and then
It’s a love without end, amen

That’s My Job – Conway Twitty
1987, Country

Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me
That’s my job you see

A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash
1969, Country

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother had

R&B Father Son Songs

Father’s Child – Michael Kiwanuka
2016, R&B

Walk with me, show me the right direction

The Day (That You Gave Me a Son) – Babyface
2009, R&B

And I felt blessings straight from God
The day that you gave me a son

Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
2003, R&B

I’d play a song that would never ever end
‘Cause I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

Just The Two Of Us – Will Smith
1998, R&B

Every time I look at you I think man, a little me
Just like me, wait and see gonna be tall

Wind Beneath My Wings – Gerald LeVert & Eddie LeVert
1996, R&B

I know you know the truth about it
I would be nothing, nothing without you

Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
1972, R&B

I heard Papa called himself a jack-of-all-trades
Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave

Patches – Clarence Carter
1970, R&B

So I told Mama I was gonna quit school, but
She said that was Daddy’s strictest rule

Rock Father Son Songs

Old Man – Beck
2022, Rock

Old man, look at my life
I’m a lot like you were

Dad – Coleton Rubin
2021, Rock

I hope I am everything you wanted me to be

When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen
2016, Rock

‘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

Drinking Beer with Dad – Kid Rock
2015, Rock

Best education I ever had
Was out there on the back porch drinking beer with dad

Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
2009, Alt. Rock

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really f***** it up this time
Didn’t I, my dear?

Hell Yeah – Neil Diamond
2005, Rock

Still I think about myself
As a lucky old dreamer
And if you’re askin’ me to tell
Is it worth what I paid
You gonna hear me say
Hell yeah

Here For You – Neil Young
2005, Rock

Listen to the sound
Of this old heart beating for you
Yes I’d miss you

Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own – U2
2004, Rock

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don’t have to go it alone

Sail To The Moon – Radiohead
2003, Rock

Maybe you’ll be president
But know right from wrong
Or in the flood you’ll build an Ark
And sail us to the moon

Life Of A Salesman – Yellowcard
2003, Rock

Whisper in my ear that I’m growing up to be a better man, dad

With Arms Wide Open – Creed
2000, Rock

I’ll show you love, I’ll show you everything
With arms wide open

Father, Son – Peter Gabriel
2000, Rock

I first found my courage
Knowing daddy could save
I could hold back the tide
With my dad by my side

My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton
1998, Rock

Bit by bit, I’ve realized
That he was here with me
And I looked into my father’s eyes

Father of Mine – Everclear
1998, Rock

Father of mine
Tell me where did you go?

The Last Song – Elton John
1992, Rock

I never thought you’d come
I guess I misjudged love between a father and his son

The Living Years – Mike + The Mechanics
1988, Rock

I know that I’m a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Forever Young – Rod Stewart
1988, Rock

May good fortune be with you
may your guiding light be strong

Walk Like A Man – Bruce Springsteen
1987, Rock

Tracing your footprints in the sand
Trying to walk like a man

My Father’s House – Bruce Springsteen
1982, Rock

My father’s house shines hard and bright
It stands like a beacon calling me in the night

Independence Day – Bruce Springsteen
1981, Rock

There was just no way this house could hold the two of us
I guess that we were just too much of the same kind

Leader of the Band – Dan Fogelberg
1981, Rock

My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) – John Lennon
1981, Rock

The monster’s gone, he’s on the run
And your daddy’s here

A Man I’ll Never Be – Boston
1978, Rock

You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind, you see
A man I’ll never be

Carry on Wayward Son – Kansas
1976, Rock

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done

You’re My Best Friend – Queen
1976, Rock

I’m happy, happy at home
You’re my best friend

The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy
1976, Rock

Spread the word around
Guess who’s back in town

Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
1975, Rock

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you

Cat’s in the Cradle – Harry Chapin
1974, Rock

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you, dad”

Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd
1973, Rock

Oh don’t you worry you’ll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this oh babe if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied

Old Man – Neil Young
1972, Rock

Old man take a look at my life
I’m a lot like you

Kooks – David Bowie
1971, Rock

Soon you’ll grow so take a chance
With a couple of Kooks

You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
1971, Rock

All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

The Captain and The Kid – Jimmy Buffett
1970, Rock

Tomorrow just a day away
For the captain and the kid

Father And Son – Cat Stevens
1970, Rock

It’s not time to make a change (Away, away, away)
Just sit down, take it slowly

Pop Father Son Songs

You Will Always Be My Son – Caleb and Kelsey
2022, Pop

Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City
2017, Pop

When he looks in my eyes I hope he can see
That my dad’s a hero to me

7 Years – Lukas Graham
2015, Pop

Once I was 11 years old, my daddy told me
Go get yourself a wife or you’ll be lonely

Father & Son – Rod Stewart
2006, Pop

Find a girl, settle down, if you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old but I’m happy

If I Could – Barbra Streisand
1997, Pop

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn’t mine.
I watched you grow
So I could let you go

Father And Son – Boyzone
1995, Pop

If you want, you can marry
Look at me, I am old
But I’m happy

A Song For My Son – Mikki Viereck
1991, Pop

You filled my life
With so much joy
As I watched you grow
From that little boy

Father To Son – Phil Collins
1989, Pop

I’ll always be with you don’t forget
Just look over your shoulder I’ll be there

Father To Son – Queen
1974, Pop

Joyful the sound, the word goes around
From father to son

Dear Father – Neil Diamond
1973, Pop

Dear Father
We dream

My Dad – Paul Petersen
1962, Pop

And ev’ry one would say, “that’s his son”
and my heart would burst with pride

Celtic Father Son Songs

The Old Man – John McDermott
Celtic

Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him… The Old Man

Similar song lists for further reading:

• Dad songs
• Daddy songs
• Father songs

How Do You Choose a Father-Son Song?

Set some time aside to think about what your father means to you (or vice versa). List some of the qualities he has that are meaningful to you. Journal notes about some special memories. If you do this while listening to our Spotify playlist, we’re certain one will resonate with you.

We recommend that you choose a song that conveys a special meaning between the father and his son. Think of a song where the lyrics speak to you. If a special song doesn’t come to your mind right away, don’t worry. We have 70 of the Top Father-Son gongs to choose from here.

Other Occasions for Father-Son Songs

Father-Son songs aren’t just for your wedding reception. These sentimental songs can also be played to celebrate a milestone birthday, your Father’s retirement, or even Father’s Day. It is already a day to celebrate Fathers so why not dedicate a song to your father?

Fathers can also play the songs to celebrate the birth of their new baby boy, their graduation, or to commemorate special bonding days like a fishing trip.

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Wedding Songs For The Ultimate Party!

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About Matthew Campbell