Father’s Day is just around the corner, which means everyone everywhere should be looking for the best songs to play on dad’s special day. It goes without saying that the majority of people have had a father figure in their life. Someone they either called dad. If you did not have that type of person, a strong male role model often fills that gap, and if you look hard enough, undoubtedly there is someone special. Underground Music is a record store and music shop in downtown Kelowna, BC, and are experts at finding music for every occasion, and they have curated a list of 10 great songs about fathers.
Bruce Springsteen, My Father’s House, Nebraska
While not an easy listen, this song highlights that sometimes things unsaid can be more painful than things we regret saying. The song talks about the things he inherited from his father and his compulsive need to continually drive by his house, emphasizing a longing to connect and settle unfinished business.
Reba McEntire, The Greatest Man I Ever Knew
A direct tribute to her father, Reba sings alongside light drum echoes and a piano about telling a person they love them without using the words directly. It is both emotional, and a wonderfully composed tune with impactful lyrics.
John Lennon, Beautiful Boy
Written from a father to his son, the piece was written by John as the final full-length album before his murder. Sometimes, the display of a father’s love comes from simple things like comforting his son after a nightmare, which is precisely what this song is about.
John Mayer, Daughters
Another ode to a child, this song is a powerful four minutes about supporting a girlfriend, watching a little girl grow up, dealing with family matters, and about the strength a boy derives from their mother. A heartwarming plea is remembered in its chorus.
Kesha, Father Daughter Dance
Sometimes, Father’s Day isn’t a celebration, but a remembrance. Kesha’s hit Father Daughter Dance is an important song about how she never got to meet her father. It creates an appreciating by those who have fathers by helping understand the feelings those who don’t have a father.
Harry Chapin, Cat’s in the Cradle
No song list about fathers is complete without Harry Chapin’s hit about a busy dad not wanting his son to grow up just like him. The adage, ‘like father, like son’ is a direct influence in this tear-jerker that surely has resulted in quite a few late night calls.
Loretta Lynn, They Don’t Make ‘em Like My Daddy
If the title of the song wasn’t clear enough, Loretta Lynn’s song about her beaming love for her daddy is a stark contrast to a few of the previously listed songs. Filled with heaping praise and adoration, you can tell how Loretta Lynn truly felt about her father when she wrote this song.
Paul Simon, Father and Daughter
A sweet, refreshing song about a father’s love for his daughter, this song was nominated for an Oscar, a fact clear in its beautiful guitar work and sentimental chorus - "There could never be a father / Who loved his daughter more than I love you."
Luther Vandross, Dance With My Father
Another song about lost time or missed connections, Luther’s song is about his father that he lost when he was seven. He hadn’t coped with the issue prior to working on this song, and it topped the charts when it was released, allowing Luther closure, and giving us another kick right in the feelings.
Dolly Parton, Daddy’s Working Boots
This lyrical masterpiece details Dolly’s father’s story through his boots. Using a combination of true sentiment and lyrical details, Dolly lets us know she appreciated her father’s hard work and sacrifice.
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If you're looking for vinyl or cd's with these tracks or others, check out our shop! There you'll find features such as a search function where you can look up a track by name to find the one you're looking for. Head on over to the online shop today, and we hope to see you one day at our physical shop in Kelowna!
