How do you find the perfect song for the father daughter dance?
There are so many times in a dad's life when he takes time to really think about how much he loves his daughter, whether it's writing meaningful birthday wishes for daughter or sharing a dance together. From the moment she can walk to the daddy daughter dances at school, and the father daughter dance at her wedding, a dad loves to dance with his little girl.
Whether you're looking for some new dance songs to enjoy with your little girl, the perfect song for a new TikTok dance with your tween, or father daughter wedding songs, we've compiled this list to provide you some with some inspiration. And they might also be the source of some wonderful father daughter quotes.
From the DaddiLife Community's favourite songs to dance to with their daughter to the most used father daughter wedding dance songs, here are 34 of the best father daughter dance songs.
Table Of Contents
Why the father daughter dance is important
If someone asked you 'when do a father and daughter dance together?', you'd probably think of the father daughter dance at her wedding or the daddy daughter dances at school. But answer should be 'all the time!'.
The truth is, a dad shouldn't need a daddy daughter dance or the wedding father daughter dance to enjoy dancing around with his little girl. In fact, Mark Merrill, the founder of Family First, Inc. believes you should have a father daughter dance whenever you can get the chance. He argues that there are four reasons why you should dance with your daughter.
Build memories
Dancing with your daughter creates memories, whether it's a special moment filled with a tear or two, the first you nail a routine together, or the fits of laughter after you fall flat on your face.
Over time, your daughter won't be able to pick out a special moment from every day. The individual memories will fade away, but they'll grow together as she looks back fondly and lovingly at the time you spent dedicated to having fun with her.
Communicates love
The physical connection of dancing will communicate and validate the love you have for your daughter, even if you don't say the words 'I love you'.
Opportunity to build her confidence
Dancing with your daughter and spending time with her one-on-one provides you with ample opportunities to compliment her, which in turn builds her confidence. Whether it's how beautiful she is, how much you enjoy dancing with her, how funny she is, how kind she is or how strong she is - tell her how amazing she is.
Set the standard for her future partner
We're not suggesting her any future partner needs to dance with her as much as you did when she was little, it's more about how they treat her. When your daughter takes your hand to dance - whether it's to slow songs or something upbeat - she does so knowing that you'll keep her safe, that you'll support her to thrive, that you admire her and build her up to be the best that she can, that you'll make her laugh, and that you'll love her unconditionally.
Those are the standards you're setting for her future partner when you dance together.
What is a daddy daughter dance?
A daddy daughter dance is a popular tradition in the US whereby schools will organise a dance just for fathers (and father figures) and their daughters.
There's no strict age limit on these dances but they are typically for younger girls. Many schools with have once daddy daughter dance at an earlier time for little girls under the age of five or six, and another one later in the evening for those perhaps aged 6-10.
The concept stems from a time when dads were not as engaged in the day-to-day care of their children and perhaps spent more time at work. The idea was to encourage dads to leave the office early to spend some one-on-one time with their daughter and create some special memories.
Of course, we know that modern dads are very different, and are much more actively involved in parenting their children. But that doesn't mean the daddy daughter dance is any less special.
What is the father daughter dance at a wedding?
The tradition of a father daughter dance at the daughter's wedding has been extremely popular in the US for many, many years. And it's a tradition growing in popularity in places like the UK and Ireland, too.
Up until recently, your dad has been the most important man in your life (and some will argue that marriage doesn't change that!). You've sent him the most thoughtful birthday wishes for dad and created an infinite number of memories together over the years. The the father daughter dance is a special moment - just a few minutes - to recognise and celebrate the bond you share.
It's seen as one final chance for a father and his daughter to share a moment together as she begins her life with her new husband or wife - another step of a father 'giving away' his daughter.
There's no real, definitive origin of the father daughter dance, but it is understood to have started at a time when marriages where arranged - either between the father and his daughter's suitor, or between two fathers.
The tradition has changed somewhat over the years, however. For many years, the father daughter dance would be the first dance, before the bride and groom took to the dance floor for the first time. However, with the first dance so commonly viewed as the dance between the bride and groom, the father daughter dance will now typically take place immediately after the first dance or even later in the evening.
The 5 best father daughter dance songs for a little girl
Your little girl is just finding her feet when it comes to expressing herself, and boy is she a girl who loves to let loose and throw some shapes in the kitchen, in the living room, or her bedroom.
We asked the DaddiLife Community for their favourite father daughter dance song.
1. 'Dance the Night' by Dua Lipa from the Barbie movie
I'll go first.
My 3-year old daughter has loved dancing to this song ever since the professionals performed it on Strictly Come Dancing. She loves holding hands and bouncing around in a circle, but she does insist on some independent dancing and trying us to copy some of the moves. And she always belts out the 'DAAAAA-AAAANCE. Dance the night away'.
2. 'Over and Over' by Hot Chip
Tom, dad to 3-year old Juno, said: "If by her favourite you mean my favourite and me forcing her to dance, then Over and Over by Hot Chip. We do foot twists, northern soul style dancing, and 360 spins. She likes to dance!"
3. 'As it was' by Harry Styles
Rob, dad to 3-year old Esme, said: "She asks Alexa for Harry Styles and it always plays 'As it was'. Then when that song finishes she asks Alexa for Harry Styles again..."
4. 'London is the Place for Me' from Paddington
Chris, dad to 3-year old Lyra, said:"We like dancing to all sorts really, but London is the place for me, from the Paddington movie is a favourite. I like introducing her to music I like so I can share my passion for music with her."
5. Sleeping Bunnies
Eoin, dad to 3-year old Delphine, said: "She loves to dance but wouldn't be able to choose a specific song really - aside from Sleeping Bunnies! She will dance to anything uptempo. Classic house music, bossa nova..."
The perfect song for a TikTok dance with your daughter
The unfortunate reality is that your little girl will grow up, and what feels like all of a sudden, she won't be interested in wildly jumping around the room or having you twirl her around over and over again. In fact, she may even find your dad dancing a bit embarrassing as she reaches the teenage years (and even pre-teen!).
All is not lost, however. There's still a way you can enjoy a father daughter dance or two. You will have to delve into the world of TikTok dances, though...
By now, she may have got into choreography and dance routines, watching plenty on social media and maybe even recording a few herself. You'll really need to let go of your inhibitions for these father daughter dances!
You'll probably want to keep an eye on the charts and which songs are super popular with the age group at the time. But here are some fun suggestions!
6. 'Dance Like Yo Daddy' by Meghan Trainor
This one sounds like one of the best TikTok dance songs. It's modern with plenty of opportunity for some cool (or goofy) moves, and it literally starts with the lyrics 'Dance like yo daddy'. It's perfect.
7. (I've Had) The Time of my Life
Sure it's not a super modern beat synonymous with social media dances. But doing that lift from Dirty Dancing with your daughter will be something pretty special!
8. 'Shake it Off' by Taylor Swift
If you've got a little Swifty on your hands, Shake it Off might be a great choice to learn a dance to. It's quite apt, because you're really going to have to let loose and shake it off if you're filming this one.
9. Waffle House by Jonas Brothers
Both my wife and 10-year old niece have been obsessed with this song in recent months. And you've got to admit, it makes for a good father daughter dance routine!
10. I Don't Care by Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran
This is actually works brilliantly as a song about a father and his daughter, rather than just being a fun one to dance to!
In fact, take a look at Ben and Zara on YouTube. Their channel is full of father daughter dance inspiration!
The 24 best father daughter wedding songs
The daughter typically chooses the father daughter dance song for her wedding, but some might like to include you in choosing the song. It might be a song that means a lot to you both, something that conveys her love and admiration for you, or maybe even your favourite song. However, you may have your heart set on a song that conveys your love and admiration for her.
So, whether she grew up listening to you belt out Guns n Roses Sweet Child O' Mine or the Beach Boys, we've got some of the best loved and most used father daughter wedding music ideas, including songs from Paul Simon, James Taylor, Elton John, John Legend, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen and many, many more.
11. 'When You Need Me' by Bruce Springsteen
These Bruce Springsteen lyrics perfectly explain what it means to be a dad, especially as she begins her new life as a married woman... always being ready, willing and able to be there for your daughter, whenever and however she needs you.
12. 'Isn't She Lovely' by Stevie Wonder
'Isn't she lovely' are easily some of the best known Stevie Wonder lyrics. And it's hardly surprising. Stevie Wonder wrote the song to celebrate the birth of his daughter Aisha. There's arguably no better song that perfectly sums up the sudden rush of love and joy you experience when your daughter is born. And that's something you'll be thinking about a lot during the father daughter dance.
13. 'Your Song' by Elton John
"How wonderful life is while you're in the world" are some of the best known and best loved Elton John lyrics. And there's nothing that really sums up how it feels to have a daughter than those nine words.
14. The Best Day by Taylor Swift
These Taylor Swift lyrics will resonate with any woman who grew up with a loving father. Given the singer's superstardom, this will no doubt be a hugely popular choice
15. 'You've Got a Friend in Me' by Randy Newman
Sometimes our relationships go further than father and daughter. Sometimes we count each other as friends - maybe even best friends. If that's the case, then Randy Newman's Toy Story classic is a great choice!
16. 'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica
One for the metalhead father daughter duo. Metallica frontman James Hetfield has said he can't really remember what he wrote this song about, but he's stressed that it can symbolise the connection and love between any two people.
17. 'Hold My Girl' by George Ezra
Ezra wrote this about a messy breakup. But at its foundations, the song is about loving so deeply, the pain you go through when you can't solve their problems, and the strong desire to simply hold them. That's a lot like the emotions a dad goes through when he has a daughter.
18. 'Wind Beneath My Wings' by Bette Midler
"Did you ever know that you're my hero" are arguably the most famous of all Bette Midler lyrics. Although it was originally written as a romantic song, it quickly became a favourite to portray love between any kind of relationship.
19. 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Frank Sinatra
If you love the smooth, dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra, then you'll be hard pressed to find a more fitting song to pay tribute to your daughter on her wedding day. There are so many Frank Sinatra lyrics that describe a really classic, gentlemanly love and respect for another person. And The Way You Look Tonight might be the pick of the bunch.
20. 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong
'What a wonderful world' are the iconic Louis Armstrong lyrics that everyone knows. This song could easily be about the enjoyment a dad see in the world around him because he has a daughter.
21. 'I Loved Her First' by Heartland
One of the great country music entries. It's quite literally about the process of a father giving away his daughter at her wedding. It's perfectly captures the mix of emotions you'll be going through on that night - proud of the woman she's become, happiness that she's found love, but sadness that time is moving too quickly.
22. 'Father's Eyes' by Amy Grant
These Amy Grant lyrics will have you gushing through the whole of the father daughter dance. Father's Eyes is a firm favourite choice for daughters wanting to pay tribute to their dads.
23. 'Daddy's Little Girl' by The Shires
This one is very similar to Father's Eyes but with a bit more of a country sound. Regardless, it's another touching option centred around a little girl's love for her dad.
24. 'Daughters' by John Mayer
John Mayer's Daughters is a little different to the others on this list. It's actually more akin to a call to arms for other dads, and a warning against the troubles your daughter may face if you're not a good father.
25. 'Sweet Pea' by Amos Lee
This one is a little more upbeat in its rhythm but the lyrics certainly capture how it feels to be a dad, struggling at work all day every day, and coming home to your daughter.
26. 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life' by Stevie Wonder
The second Stevie Wonder song on this list... although he wrote this song about his wife in 1970, it's a song that has since been used to convey an undying love for someone. And 'undying' is the perfect way to describe the love a father has for his daughter.
27. 'You'll Be in My Heart' by Phil Collins
This will be particularly special if your daughter loved the film Tarzan when she was little. Phil Collins' song is about the unbreakable bond that love creates. There are some really lovely lyrics that make for an equally lovely dance.
28. 'Landslide' by Fleetwood Mac
Landslide is a lovely song reflecting on time as you get older. This one can really bring up some tough emotions as you try to deal with your daughter growing up and becoming her own woman.
29. 'Changes' by Kelly and Ozzy Osbourne
Another one for the rock fans. In 2003, the Prince of Darkness re-recorded a revised version of the song with his daughter, Kelly, documenting their lives together as they both grew older, becoming an instant father-daughter classic. The music video shows a montage of home video clips of the time they shared.
30. 'Butterfly Kisses' by Bob Carlisle
A country hit, Butterfly Kisses is all about the wedding day and the emotions you'll go through as you give your daughter away.
31. 'My Girl' by The Temptations
Although it's another song that was written about romantic love, the lyrics translate beautifully to the love between a dad and his little girl.
32. 'Father and Daughter' by Paul Simon
The 80s legend might be better known for You Can Call me Al but these Paul Simon lyrics will do just nicely for a father daughter wedding dance. Simon actually wrote this song for the 2002 animated film The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
33. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World by Prince
I'd love to dance to this song with my daughter at her wedding because it came on the radio moments after she was born. And to me, she will always be the most beautiful girl in the world.
34. 'Daddy's Little Girl' by Michael Buble
Michael Buble's version of the 1949 song is probably the best known and a lovely reminder for you daughter of just how precious she is to you.
FAQs
Who picks the father daughter dance at a wedding?
It's usually the bride that chooses the father daughter dance song, but it's not some kind of strict rule. I'm sure that if you had your heart set on dancing to a particular song with her, she'd be okay with that. Equally, she might like to surprise you with a father daughter dance, and so chooses to keep the whole thing a secret from you.
She might also like to choose with you, so it's not a bad idea to have some of these dance songs lined up as possible options!
I don't know how to dance. What do I do?!
First off, don't worry. Not many dads do know how to dance. You're not the first to ask this question and you certainly won't be the last.
Dancing with a toddler or little girl
Dancing with your daughter at this age is all about having fun and making her smile. So it really doesn't matter what you do. If she's not yet walking or is small enough, you could pick her up, sit her on your hip and hold her hand while you move around.
If she is walking or is a little older, just hold her hand and move. At her age, there's no thing as embarrassing dad dancing. Just her dad dancing and having fun.
Dancing with a tween
Now it's getting more tricky. Dad dancing is definitely a thing in her mind, now. At this age, we're talking brief, choreographed routines either from or for social media. We've got two pieces of advice for you... 1) Copy her. 2) Keep practicing.
Wedding dance
When it comes to the father daughter wedding dance, you've got three options:
Keep it simple - You don't need to know how to dance for this one, and it's the option most people go for. Have one hand on her back, holding her close to you, hold her hand with the other and rotate on the dance floor and sway from side to side.
Ballroom - You (or your daughter) may want to perform a ballroom dance. In which, our only advice is get lessons.
Something fun - This is probably more aligned with that choreographed routines with tweens. So practice, practice, practice.
Is it okay to do a 'fun' father daughter dance at her wedding?
Absolutely! The most important thing about the father daughter dance at her wedding is that it captures your relationship. If you and your daughter have always had quite a fun, goofy relationship, there's no reason why you can't choreograph a fun, goofy routine.
