20 songs to celebrate dads on Father's Day

John Mayer uses his 2004 single “Daughters” to stress the importance of a father-daughter relationship. He reiterates that men should always look out for women, which starts with being a great girl dad. As he sings on the hook, “Fathers, be good to your daughters / Daughters will love like you do.”

In 2003, Beyoncé released her critically-acclaimed solo debut album Dangerously in Love. The final track on the album is “Daddy,” a sweet ode and reflection on the relationship she has with her father. It’s a gracious song as she sings, “No matter what mistakes, I know you’re there for me / You cure my disappointments and you heal my pain / You understand my fears and you protected me.” 

On Paul Simon’s 2002 single “Father and Daughter,” the singer takes the perspective of a dad singing to his daughter. Simon uses the track to give his daughter advice and ensure that he is always there to support and protect her. 

In 2003, Luther Vandross released his single “Dance With My Father” as a tribute to his dad. The song finds Vandross reminiscing about the times he spent with his father when he was child and how much he wishes his dad was alive to share sweet moments like that again. 

In 2002, country singer Keith Urban released his third album Golden Hour, which featured the deep cut “Song for Dad.” On the track, Urban realizes how much of his mannerisms and actions are reflective of his dad the older he gets. He shows appreciation by reminiscing on how his father worked hard to take care of his family, and he hopes he can be just like him when he raises a family of his own. 

In 1974, funk legend James Brown released his hit single “Papa Don’t Take No Mess.” On the track, Brown stresses how a father is going to stand in his ways, but also won’t put up with nonsense. His father ensures that he’s the man of the house with his strength, emotions, and disciplinary actions. 

“First Man” is the final single released from Camilla Cabello’s sophomore album Romance. On the track, Cabello is singing to her father as she tries to ease his worry and overprotection about a serious relationship she’s in. As she sings on the hook, “I swear on my heart that he’s a good man / I know you’ll stay up late just waitin’ for me / You held me so tight, now someone else can / But you were the first man that really loved me.” 

In 1998, Will Smith released his fourth solo single “Just the Two of Us.” Smith wrote the song as an ode to his first-born son. He gives little anecdotes like bringing his newborn home for the first time, his son’s comedic timing that’s similar to his, and the hope that he'll be the best father he can be. 

In 2017, country band Zac Brown Band released their fifth album Welcome Home, which was led by the single “My Old Man.” The track stresses how sons look up to their fathers, wanting to be around them, and mimicking their every move. It also shows a full-circle moment when the son grows up and has a son of his own and he’s hoping that he’ll grow up to be just like him.

Soulful singer Chrisette Michele teamed up with producer-songwriter Babyface on her song “Your Joy.” On the track, Michele gives a daughter's perspective of her father always being present, supportive, and protective. As she grows up, she knows any other love could never compare to a father’s love. 

Eric Clapton’s 1998 single “My Father’s Eyes” takes a different approach on fatherhood. On the track, Clapton stresses how he never met his father and wishes he got to meet him. When Clapton has a son of his own, he realizes that’s when he needed his father to teach him how to raise his child. However, he’s hoping to see his father’s eyes when he looks into his son’s eyes. 

Beyoncé and The Chicks teamed up for the remix of “Daddy Lessons.” On the track, they sing about a father teaching his daughter different lessons such as staying strong, being a tough girl, and always looking out for the family. 

On George Strait’s 2000 single “The Best Day,” he describes a father and son spending quality time together, everything from camping trips, working on classic cars, to a wedding day. The song ends on the wedding day anecdote in which the son recognizes how his dad was a good husband and father, and now it’s his turn to take the reins. 

In 2012, Nas released his eleventh album Life is Good, which featured the smooth single “Daughters.” Nas uses the track to stress the influence that fathers have on their daughters especially as they grow up from young girls to young women. The rapper details the growing pains of raising a child and how time moves ever so swiftly. As he says on the track, “They grow fast, one day she’s a little princess / Next day she’s talking boy business, what is this?”

In 1974, British rock band Queen released their second album Queen II, which featured the standout track “Father to Son.” The track sheds light on how a father gives advice to his son. Children may not always hear what their parents say to them, but if it's written, it will stick with them forever. 

Gil Scott-Heron’s 1980 track “Your Daddy Loves You” gives a father’s perspective of sharing thoughts with his daughter. On the track, he mentions that he and his child’s mother have been going through problems, but every time he looks at his daughter, he knows the problems are petty.

In 2006, country singer Tim McGraw released his hit single “My Little Girl.” It’s an essential girl dad track for any father who watches his child grow up, but no matter how old she gets, she will always be his little girl. 

In 2005, The Game released his critically-acclaimed album The Documentary, which featured the final track “Like Father, Like Son.” On the track, The Game gives listeners insights into the moment when his first child was born. He gets some assistance from Busta Rhymes on the hook saying, “I hope you grow up to become that everything you can be / That’s all I wanted for you young’n, like father like son / But in the end I hope you only turn out better than me.”

Since Miley Cyrus played a pop star on the Disney show Hannah Montana, it was only right for her to release a soundtrack as well. One of the songs is a duet alongside her father Billy Ray Cyrus titled “I Learned From You.” They trade verses about not always seeing eye-to-eye, but emphasizing how much they respect and trust each other for a daughter to make her own decisions.  

In 1976, Stevie Wonder released his hit single “Isn’t She Lovely” as a tribute to his first-born child Aisha Morris. The sweet ode finds Wonder in awe of becoming a parent and reiterating how precious it is to bring new life into the world. As he says in the second verse, “Isn’t she pretty? / Truly the angel’s best / Boy, I’m so happy / We have been heaven blessed.”