10. "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" by Alan Jackson
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is one of Alan Jackson’s better known singles (with “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” from the same album, being his highest debuting single). The song, much like the #2 song on our list, is a song about taking what your daddy taught you as a child and imparting the same values and lessons to your own children. Learning to drive is one of the biggest moments in adolescence, and the song pays a nice homage to just how important dads are to this monumental event. Remember, if you’re still working towards your license, be nice to your dad; one day, you’re going to have to teach your own children to drive. |
9. "Just Fishin'" by Trace Adkins
"Just Fishin'," like the previously mentioned “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” is a reminder of just how precious the small moments in life really are. Much like Adkins’ honorable mention, “You’re Gonna Miss This,” it encourages both fathers and their children to remember and cherish the simple memories and to create as many of them as you possible. Because no matter how simple the task may seem, the time spent together is something monumentally important to both fathers and their children. So grab a fishing pole, a baseball glove, a tea set, or a costume and go make some great memories. |
8. "Ready, Set, Don't Go" by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus
This is the first of two songs by Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus to be on our list (after all, they’re possibly the biggest country father-daughter duo since Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley). And, just like #5 on our list, it has two versions: Billy Ray’s version that appeared as the lead single on Home At Last and the duet version with Miley which appeared as a bonus track on the album. "Ready, Set, Don't Go" is all about the pain of letting go as your children grow up. While it may not seem like a great fit for our Father’s Day playlist, it belongs because it is a reminder to both fathers and their children that growing up is tough, but it’s easier when you have someone there with you. |
7. "Just the Two of Us" by Will Smith AND "Glory" by Jay-Z
We know you’re starting to get overwhelmed by all the country songs on our list, so here are TWO R&B songs! It may be cheating to have two songs in one slot, but the songs have very similar content and both feature the rappers' children. Will Smith wrote “Just the Two of Us” for the then unborn Jaden Smith (who now does his own songs with Justin Bieber – not a bad job Will). The song even opens and ends with Smith’s oldest son, Trey, making cute remarks about how important the song is and that he deserves to be paid (kids say the darndest things). In the song Smith gushes over how great his son is and all the hopes he has for his future film and music star. A similar, yet more recent, song, Jay-Z’s “Glory” does much the same thing that Smith’s song does. Hova laments all of his faults but can’t wait to see all of his dreams come true through his baby Blue (whose cries are featured on the track). The song was released the day of Blue Ivy Carter’s birth and references his little girl’s superstar mom, Beyoncé. |
6. "Daddy" by Beyoncé
Beyoncé's first solo album was full of bump and grind songs and, surprisingly, this ode to her then manager and father, Matthew Knowles. This song is the anthem of the all the little girls out there who just don’t know what they’re going to do when their daddy isn’t the #1 man in their lives anymore. The song takes us through Beyoncé's childhood and adolescence, sharing sentimental stories that many girls remember sharing with their own dads (their first bike ride, their first boyfriend, and their first tattoo). The chorus is by far the most beautiful part, though, with Beyoncé crooning how she hopes her future son and her future husband (she & Jay-Z were not an item yet) end up just like her daddy. Awwww. |
5. "Butterfly Fly Away" by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
This song appeared in Disney’s Hannah Montana: The Movie and also has an extended version on Billy Ray’s album, Back to Tennessee. It is one of three songs that Billy Ray and Miley have done together about their father-daughter relationship (the only one not appearing on our list is “I Learned From You”). "Butterfly Fly Away," like the other Miley and Billy Ray duet on our list, is about the bond between father and daughter and how, as much as we want to grow up, we’ll always remember and want the support our fathers gave us when we were young. So spread your wings, fly away, but don’t forget where you came from. |
4. "The Letter (To Daddy)" by Kellie Pickler
"The Letter (To Daddy)" is the most current song on our list and is also the shortest (clocking in at only 2 minutes). Pickler opens up the song discussing her daddy’s alcoholism and how it caused him to be largely absent from her life as a child (he had just been released from jail when she won American Idol), but the chorus congratulates her father on his transformation since then and has Pickler gently reminding him that she is proud of him for overcoming his demons and doing his best to make up for lost time. For those of you with a rough past with your dad, this song is a simple address that encourages you to open up to the possibility of forgiveness and fresh starts. |
3. "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle
Our second song to have “butterfly” in the title (what is it with Father’s Day songs and butterflies?) is one of the few songs our list that might could be classified as “pop” (nearly every other song is strictly in either the country or soul and R&B genre). "Butterfly Kisses" is a father’s reminiscence of the beautiful times he’s had with his daughter over the years, from her first pony ride, to her 16th birthday, to her wedding day (which is the verse when the tears really start flowing). The song is a beautiful reminder that our dads, even though they don’t always show it in ways we understand, do love us and do enjoy all of those cherished memories. |
2. "Love Without End, Amen" by George Strait
This country tune by George Strait tracks a young boy’s life as he learns about unconditional love from his father and then has to share that same unconditional love with his own son. The last verse of "Love Without End, Amen" finds the now old man in Heaven wondering if God could truly let him into Heaven with all the mess ups he’s made, only to be assured by the Heavenly Father that unconditional love is not just a human trait. The song is a reminder that no matter how bad we may screw up, our fathers still look on us with love and pride. The world could use more unconditional love like that. |
1. "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross
Hands down, this song is probably the best known song on our Father’s Day list. It has been covered on American Idol every season since its release (most recently being covered by runner-up Jessica Sanchez). It rightly won the Grammy in 2004 for Song of the Year and its eponymous album was the last to be released before Vandross’ death in 2005. It is a song about the love between a father and his wife and child and how the love continues even after death has taken that man out of your life. It is probably the song most likely to produce tears on our list, so grab your tissues and make sure you tell your dad you love him. |
Let us know in the comments section or on Twitter !
You can also check out our other Music Mania Top Ten lists, Music Mania Reviews, Music Mania Blogs, and Music Mania Store!