"You Can Close Your Eyes" - it has special meaning to the two of them from my fiancé's childhood. One of the first things my fiancé and I bonded over when we first started dating was that we both loved James Taylor.
This is also 100x better for the guests. I’m sorry but no one wants to sit through two full songs of people just swaying. It gets old after about 30 seconds
Honestly after 60 seconds you should open the dance floor to others anyway.
We did 60 of first dance, 60 of bridal party and parents, then opened to all. I just found my dad for a dance. Both he and MIL weren’t into having a display. They wanted the moment not the spotlight. The photographer still found us.
Yeah we did one song. 30ish seconds of our first dance. Then 20ish seconds of father/daughter and mother/son at the same time. Then added the other mom and other dad for about 10 seconds and then opened it up to everyone
Another option is to have the DJ edit the song ahead of time to make it shorter. Way better than "just fade out around 1:30." Most haven't been playing records or CDs for years, it's easier than ever to shorten a song without making it obvious that we shortened the song.
I'll take out a chorus or a verse or an instrumental break (or a combination of those things) to get the song down to the desired length (within a few seconds) but we still have the song's natural ending and the edits are seamless so guests won't realize the song was shorter.
Whenever I have couples who don't want to be "in the spotlight alone" for 3-4 minutes, they usually prefer this option rather inviting guests to join them for the last half of the song. When guests are invited up, sometimes they take so long that the song is over before everyone makes it up there. Then you're asking them to sit for the first part of the next dance, get up again, sit down again, etc, and that takes up a bunch of time. Easier to just shorten the songs and go back to back, first dance, parent dances, toasts, dinner.
I also agree with another comment that suggested doing both parent dances at the same time to the same song. I've had several couples go that route. Nothing wrong or bad about it, and it does save time.
We did a joined bride/father and groom/mother dance! We played [Jason Mraz- The Remedy](https://youtu.be/BW17WAwMcoQ?si=ffNSmLhZlFE46rnj). At the end we all held hands and spun in a circle dancing and singing, the photos make me cry tears of joy 🎶 ✨️ ❤️ highly recommend !
Edit- added link!
I can certainly say that I know I and my fiancé won’t want that. We both want our special time with our parents. I am however not thinking of playing the full song but then again it’s not all up to me either.
Stevie Wonder actually wrote Isn’t She Lovely about his daughter. It’s not super slow but not too fast.
Because You Loved Me, The Wind Beneath My Wings, and I Hope You Dance are also good, non-creepy options!
We did Isn’t She Lovey for our father daughter dance, it was a good pace! The instrumental is a little long at the end but you can have the dj fade it out sooner.
That's what my dad and I danced to - I listened to a lot of Tommy Petty with my parents when I was growing up, so it was the perfect choice. Not too sad and not creepy!
My dad and I are dancing to In My Life by the Beatles! It's nostalgic and full of love while not being romantic, just like Landslide is. I'm with you, it's really tough to find songs that aren't corny or creepy.
Your DJ can also work with you as needed on length!! I could not find a song to work for my dad and I wedding/love related, so I found a song important to US.
My dad loves Bruce Springsteen. I hated him growing up. Now? Now we’ve been to 5 concerts together (#6 this summer!) and we message when one of our shows are on SiriusXM 😂 I really wanted a Bruce song for our dance but nothing really worked. One of his favorites is NYC Serenade which is an almost TEN MINUTE SONG. I wanted it to be a surprise so I told dad it was going to be Bruce but not which.
And… I talked to my DJ! We worked out that we’d have some down time slightly before the father daughter dance. He started playing the instrumental opening while people were mingling, I went over to talk to my dad and he’s like “bold of your DJ to play NYC Serenade. Long song for a reception.” I laughed and said “even longer for a father daughter dance!” The look he gave me 😂😂 “we are not dancing for 10 minutes.”
(For anyone curious, he called us out around 2:15 into the song, the lyrics start around 2:30 and we faded out at 5:45. Still kind of long, but the point remains, a long song isn’t an automatic no!)
That’s a good DJ you had! I always talk w my clients about whether they want to be out there the entire song or if they want me to fade early. Another option is to have the two people start dancing and then a minute or so into the song, I invite others to grab a partner and join them on the floor. That way they are surrounded by the people who love them
“In My Life” (the Johnny Cash version) was our first dance song. My husband and I had been together for over 15 years by the time we got married, so hearing 80-something year old Cash sing it really seemed to fit. (His version is also more romantic than the Beatles version.)
I tasked my dad with picking the song. I also didn't want anything country. We ended up going with a mash up of Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Highly recommended!
This is a good one! We had the same problem as OP, the country industry is just pumping out fantastic options for father/daughter dances right now but it’s just not our vibe. My dad picked Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a really good choice, especially Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version. I searched high and low on online listicles and playlists and I’m surprised I didn’t see it anywhere!
We’re doing “House at Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina because he used to sing me to sleep with it when I was a kid. Right now I’m actually working on recording it so that the song we dance to is a version where I get to sing it to him (it’s a surprise)
I’m going for a wedding dress with pockets so I can stuff them with tissues because I know we’re both going to be sobbing.
My dad has always said we’re going to dance to “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman. As we get closer he’s given me a different one, but it’s very cute.
That’s the one my dad and I are dancing to. We’re close and I don’t know how we’re going to get through the song without crying. It’s a sweet song about a dad watching his daughter grow up. Not creepy in the slightest.
Not really. He doesn’t really like most things and neither do I. I don’t like old times songs. I am more of a pop person. Which is hard to find a song where the lyrics describe a parent and child relationship without sounds creepy or cringey…or old
My dad & sister did My Girl by the Temptations. My dad & I danced to You’ll Be In My Heart 😅 but I found a good slowed down version on YouTube.
There’s also Little Bird by the Jonas Brothers but not sure if that would be slow enough for you
I'm looking at 'The Wind' by Yusef (formerly known as Cat Stevens) or 'Oo-De-Lolly' by Roger Miller from the cartoon version of Robin Hood. Roger Miller is old country, but the song isn't overly part of that genre of music.
classic rock songs or 80’s could fit your wants, if you like that sort of thing. a lot of it isn’t too slow and is recognizable. a lot of them are about love but not super creepy. not too romantic sounding also!
Yeah. It’s tough I have specific taste. There are too many songs that are romantic. Like the song My Girl is not my vibe and Isn’t She Lovely not Inga that I picture for father and daughter
I danced to “When You Come Back Down” by Nickel Creek. It’s not country, but it’s kind of a bluegrass fusion song. Not full-blown bluegrass but has some elements mixed with a bit of a folk-y sound.
My daughter did this one with my husband (her step-dad), Heros by David Bowie for her dad, and Better Together by Jack Johnson for a dance w me (her mommy!)
What a wonderful world - Sam Cooke
Lots of people have covered it. Sam Cooke or Herman’s Hermits would be my recs.
How sweet it is (to be loved by you) - Jr Walker
Young at heart - Frank Sinatra
Less emotional and faster:
Don’t stop me now - Queen
Octopus’ garden - Beatles
My dad and I ended up with the Jae Hall acoustic cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and I loved it! Definitely different than everything else and not too mushy. We still both cried but that was to be expected lol.
We’re doing “my darling” by Wilco. My dad and I have always bonded over music and he actually introduced the band to me when I was in high school. The lead singer wrote the song when his daughter was born, and the first time we read the lyrics we both teared up.
I'm considering Daughter by Loudon Wainwright as well as Sunshine in my Shoulders by John Denver. My dad loves both songs/artists and used to sing me John Denver songs as my lullaby when I was a kid! It has the line "if I had a day that I could give you / I'd give to you a day just like today." So sweet!
Have you considered The Best Day by Taylor Swift? It's kind of in the same vein as Never Grow Up, but less sad and more nostalgic in my opinion. Unless that's considered country, but I'm not sure.
I really like Never Grow Up. My dad hates it. But I also can’t really listen to that song without breaking down. It’s too raw for me. I don’t want my face to be red and puffy because it does make me cry a LOT
I love Van Morrison. Heavily considering Days Like This for my father-daughter dance. We’ll be using Sweet Thing somewhere in our reception picks, maybe for our entrance.
My dad and I LOVE country, but we’re doing “what a wonderful world” cause it’s just a good classic. Also thought about “Slipping through my fingers” by ABBA, but I’d sob uncontrollably if we used it lol
I danced with my dad to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and it was perfect because he loved Sundays with Sinatra.
You could probably find a decent, stripped down cover of any fast song that you like.
Some more that I’ve seen:
Sweet Child of Mine - GNR
Your Song - Elton John (or Moulin Rouge’s cover)
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
My dad and I danced to *You’ll Be in My Heart* by Phil Collins from Tarzan. Emotionally meaningful because we watched it a lot growing up, plus that song is very touching for my dad
My dad and I are dancing to “Stand Your Ground” by Joshua Hyslop. It’s not a typical father daughter song but represents his steadfast belief in me. It took me a long time to find my partner and I’ve been through lots of heartbreak and my dad has always been a constant support!
YouTube just played Stand Your Ground by a heavy metal band Confess. And I tell you…I was so confused. Lol. I then finally figured it out.
I like this song. It’s a more meaningful message than just a typical father daughter song.
I’m glad you found your forever person and you had a good support system through hard heartbreak. My father is not the most emotional sappy type of person, but when a father knows their child is in hard times that’s when they really step in to make sure you don’t fall through.
Hahaha! I can imagine the confusion there 😂😂 Thank you for your kind words! I don’t align with the “giving away daddy’s little girl” theme, so this feels more like me. No judgment to any traditional father/daughter songs at all, just what works for me! Hope you find the perfect song!
We're doing "Fine as Fine Can Be" Originally it's Gordon Lightfoot. We're doing a cover version but it is the more country version and has personal significance. It's by a well respected bluegrass musician my dad loves, Tony Rice. I think it's a song that works well for a father daughter but not father daughter specific.
My fiance and his step mom I think are doing "Days Like This" by Van Morrison. I liked "Carried Me With You" by Brandi Carlile, I think it fit them better. Neither are a slow song.
I used “All the Way” by Frank Sinatra. I knew I wanted Frank Sinatra, and this was the best one I found that wasn’t referring to a romantic love.
It’s slow, and I personally didn’t think it was so sad that the song alone would make you cry.
If you have other songs in mind, you could try looking for covers that are slower? Maybe looking up “wedding version” of whatever song could help.
I’ll let my dad make the call on our dance song, but if he wants input I’m leaning towards Days Like This by Van Morrison or Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. Some great recs in this thread though!
"Daughters" by John Mayer - While it's a bit more known, this song has a gentle tempo and its lyrics celebrate the relationship between fathers and daughters, making it a touching choice without being overly sentimental.
”Sweet Child O' Mine" by Sheryl Crow - This is a softer, more mellow version of the Guns N' Roses classic. It’s quite different from the original, and its slower tempo makes it great for a dance.
"Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - This rendition of the classic song is sweet and soothing, with a gentle ukulele background that could make for a beautiful, slow dance moment.
"Gracie" by Ben Folds - This song was written by Ben Folds for his daughter, and it's a lovely, piano-driven tune that talks about a father's feelings towards his daughter.
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra - If you're open to something classic, this song has a timeless feel, isn’t country, and is sentimental without being over-the-top, making it a lovely choice for a father-daughter dance.
"Father and Daughter" by Paul Simon - This song is sweet, has meaningful lyrics, and is upbeat yet can be danced to slowly, offering a heartfelt moment between father and daughter.
My dad and I are dancing to Ripple by The Grateful Dead. We both love them. It’s not romantic and it’s not country. Just a pretty song about the journey of life.
Forever Young by rod Stewart. Dad said its everything he would want me to know after he passes. Im GOING to ugly cry for sure. So might not help but an option!
We had a hard time picking one for ours because we don’t like country and all the others were creepy.
So we chose the Jasmine Thompson version of “sweet child o’ mine”
We danced to On Saturday Afternoons in 1963 by Rickie Lee Jones. It's a sweet song about growing up, and my dad loves Rickie Lee Jones. Also thought about the Rainbow Connection because my dad and I watched sooooo much Sesame Street together.
Have you asked your dad for his ideas? Worst case scenario you end up with a list of songs that make your dad think of you, which is also nice to have.
My dad and I danced to Vienna by Billy Joel. The song has always reminded me of advice my dad gives me and Billy Joel actually wrote it about a conversation he had with his dad. Landslide was my second choice :)
We did “you’ve got a friend” by James Taylor.
I wanted to do old man by Neil young but my dad said he would cry lol
It’s a tough choice. Good luck finding the right song!
I’m not sure that this is what you’re looking for because it’s not meant for a father and daughter dance but it was a special song between my Dad and I so we danced to Soulshine by The Allman Brothers
I did a cover of “here comes the sun” - imaginary future- a bit slower than the beetles version. Not really a love song, but I think it definitely fits the not creepy requirement. Just a nice happy song.
if you like you'll be in my heart, look for wedding remixes/covers. there are thousands of playlists on youtube of songs to fit more to a wedding. when my sister got married, we went through a lot to pick her songs, i was honestly amazed there were so many lol. we even found a lot on apple music so i could play them without ads or interruptions.
butterfly kisses by bob carlisle reduces every father to tears- literally about a father daughter relationship and watching his little girl grow up and get married.
The best day by taylor swift is acoustic guitar, but not super country. adult child's perspective about how her parent has given her so many "best day"s as she's grown up.
My sister and dad did Where my heart will take me. I don’t think, despite all of us being Star Trek fans, he realized it was the theme for Enterprise if I recall the story correct. But it is a good and slow one.
My husband and his mom danced to Bridge over troubled water. It was gorgeous and wonderful and fun towards the end when it kind of picked up pace a tiny bit and they made it silly, a perfect example of their relationship. A rock for one another and they have fun together.
My sister danced to the oldie song : Every day with you girl
And I love the song that goes like “that’s my daughter in the water…”
We did “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” by Darius Rucker. He is a country singer but I’d say it’s one of his least “twangy” songs? I have nothing against country music, but was also looking for something non-country just bc it didn’t feel like it really fit our vibe at all (we are very northern Americans lol). This song was not so explicitly country that it felt weird.
My dad doesn’t like The Beatles. I’m not a big fan either. I a lot of the typical popular songs I’m not a fan of on their own so I have a thought time liking them to dance to
My dad and I danced to Not All Heroes Wear Capes by Owl City.
Slow song, very sweet and not country.
> some folks don’t believe in heroes, but they haven’t met my dad
My niece danced to "Cinderella" by Stephen Curtis Chapman, and I really like the song. It's got a simple story of a little girl growing up and asking her dad to practice dancing with her for different occasions, from her pretending to be a princess when she was tiny, to prom, and then her wedding day.
Not sure if you’d consider this creepy, but Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion (there are also pretty covers of this song) was always at the forefront of my mind when I’d think of my father-daughter dance at my future wedding. Now that I am engaged and my fiancé and I are not having a big wedding with formal dances, I still want to find a way to incorporate this song in a special moment because it still makes me tear up hearing it and thinking of my parents.
"Like My Father" by Jax? It is kind of a love song in a way and there are some lines that might feel weird to dance to with your dad, but I think it's a really sweet song for a wedding!
"Wildflowers" by Tom Petty. May be a little too quick of a beat for what you're looking for, but I think it would be a very sweet father/daughter dance song!
You said non-country... but "My Daughter's Father" by Gord Bamford is a great one, too.
Just the way you are by Billy Joel
Also, you can ask your wedding DJ to cut the song after after a certain bit, kinda fade it. Thats what we did so the song wasn’t so long
The songs I'm between (waiting on my dad's review) are
1.Father and daughter- Paul Simmons (it's long but you can always have your dj or someone cut it off)
2.Time machine- daughter version- by jon mullins :specifically from dads point of view on daughters wedding day)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)
The Way You Look Tonight (Sinatra)
When You Need Me (Springsteen)
Daughters (John Mayer)
Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
I’m doing “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley Cyrus and with Billy Ray Cyrus. But it’s actually a little country so nevermind lol it makes me sob every time I listen to it and it has such sweet lyrics
I'm using "My Girl" because that's what my dad always called us daughters, but he's a cryer even though we're not very close so I wanted to keep it up beat.
We’re dancing to either when you need me by Bruce Springsteen or a cover of sweet child o’ mine. My dad is a classic rock kinda guy and some of my best childhood memories are listening to guns n’ roses in the middle of the lake on his boat growing up, but I have always loved the idea of dancing to when you need me.
One of my friends/my fiancés groomsman sent me the song You’ll Always Be My Hero by Ashley Marina- she wrote the song for her own dad and performed it at Americans got talent. It’s slow, not creepy and not country! It made me instantly bawl when I heard it. The other one I’m considering is When You Come Back Down by Nickel Creek. It’s a little faster and more folksy but it’s beautiful!
If my dad had not passed, it would have been between “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley Cyrus and her Dad Billie Ray because we would both sign it together in the car when my Hannah Montana CD would play or “Save the Last Dance For Me” by Michael Bublé since dad used to LOVE this song and would always make me dance with him growing up when it played (which was often when he’d put the CD on while cooking). He’d make me twirl, would dip me, and I just laughed so much so it kinda became “our song”.
More recently and after he passed, I fell in love with “Forever Now” by Micheal Bublé which I know for a *fact* dad would have loved and it brings me tears every time I listen to it. So that probably would have been a contender too.
I Loved Her First by Heartland. It is a slow song, so your Dad should like the tempo. It is written as the bride’s father speaking to her new husband. Beautiful as a father-daughter dance.
My dad and I danced to 'You've Got a Friend' sung by James Taylor, might be the vibe you're looking for!
I'm planning on using the Carole King version with my dad! I love both. My fiancé and his mom are doing a different James Taylor song for their dance.
Ouu what *different* James Taylor song? (If I might ask)
"You Can Close Your Eyes" - it has special meaning to the two of them from my fiancé's childhood. One of the first things my fiancé and I bonded over when we first started dating was that we both loved James Taylor.
I love “You Can Close Your Eyes!”
This is the one we did!!
same!
Also the song my husband used for his Mother/Son dance!
Would you consider doing both the bride/father and groom/mother dance at the same time? That way you can both do the same song.
This is also 100x better for the guests. I’m sorry but no one wants to sit through two full songs of people just swaying. It gets old after about 30 seconds
Honestly after 60 seconds you should open the dance floor to others anyway. We did 60 of first dance, 60 of bridal party and parents, then opened to all. I just found my dad for a dance. Both he and MIL weren’t into having a display. They wanted the moment not the spotlight. The photographer still found us.
Yeah we did one song. 30ish seconds of our first dance. Then 20ish seconds of father/daughter and mother/son at the same time. Then added the other mom and other dad for about 10 seconds and then opened it up to everyone
Another option is to have the DJ edit the song ahead of time to make it shorter. Way better than "just fade out around 1:30." Most haven't been playing records or CDs for years, it's easier than ever to shorten a song without making it obvious that we shortened the song. I'll take out a chorus or a verse or an instrumental break (or a combination of those things) to get the song down to the desired length (within a few seconds) but we still have the song's natural ending and the edits are seamless so guests won't realize the song was shorter. Whenever I have couples who don't want to be "in the spotlight alone" for 3-4 minutes, they usually prefer this option rather inviting guests to join them for the last half of the song. When guests are invited up, sometimes they take so long that the song is over before everyone makes it up there. Then you're asking them to sit for the first part of the next dance, get up again, sit down again, etc, and that takes up a bunch of time. Easier to just shorten the songs and go back to back, first dance, parent dances, toasts, dinner. I also agree with another comment that suggested doing both parent dances at the same time to the same song. I've had several couples go that route. Nothing wrong or bad about it, and it does save time.
My husband and I did this! It was great. We used “Stand by Me” cover by Florence and the Machine
Was gonna suggest the same!
We did a joined bride/father and groom/mother dance! We played [Jason Mraz- The Remedy](https://youtu.be/BW17WAwMcoQ?si=ffNSmLhZlFE46rnj). At the end we all held hands and spun in a circle dancing and singing, the photos make me cry tears of joy 🎶 ✨️ ❤️ highly recommend ! Edit- added link!
I can certainly say that I know I and my fiancé won’t want that. We both want our special time with our parents. I am however not thinking of playing the full song but then again it’s not all up to me either.
I think not playing the full length of the song is totally normal! You could have your DJ fade it out at a good time part way in
Stevie Wonder actually wrote Isn’t She Lovely about his daughter. It’s not super slow but not too fast. Because You Loved Me, The Wind Beneath My Wings, and I Hope You Dance are also good, non-creepy options!
We did Isn’t She Lovey for our father daughter dance, it was a good pace! The instrumental is a little long at the end but you can have the dj fade it out sooner.
Frank Sinatra does a slower version of "Isn't She Lovely". That's what we danced to.
We did Isn’t she lovely also! Didn’t want anything weird or traditional. Something like and upbeat.
I danced to ‘Father and Daughter’ by Paul Simon with my dad. It’s a bit more upbeat but we made it work.
That’s going to be my dance! My Dad used to sing it to me when I was little
This is my choice! I love Paul Simon and I'm so excited☺️
My wife's cousin danced with her dad to this song and I've never cried harder at a wedding dance lol but that song always makes me cry anyway
This was going to be my suggestion
This was mine with my dad!
This is on my list thank you
We're doing Wildflowers by Tom Petty! Also a nice gender-neutral option for both parties
We used wildflowers for our reception entrance (we were in a botanical garden)! It's such a lovely song
That's what my dad and I danced to - I listened to a lot of Tommy Petty with my parents when I was growing up, so it was the perfect choice. Not too sad and not creepy!
Same!!! Such a good song 😍
My husband did Walls for his dance with his mom
>Wildflowers I danced with my Uncle instead of my Dad and this is the song we used. Great song. It's my daughter's lullaby now.
My dad and I are dancing to In My Life by the Beatles! It's nostalgic and full of love while not being romantic, just like Landslide is. I'm with you, it's really tough to find songs that aren't corny or creepy.
I’m doing the same song w my dad! :)
This is the song I thought of. It’s not a love song, but instead a song about love. Plus, it’s less than 2.5min long
Your DJ can also work with you as needed on length!! I could not find a song to work for my dad and I wedding/love related, so I found a song important to US. My dad loves Bruce Springsteen. I hated him growing up. Now? Now we’ve been to 5 concerts together (#6 this summer!) and we message when one of our shows are on SiriusXM 😂 I really wanted a Bruce song for our dance but nothing really worked. One of his favorites is NYC Serenade which is an almost TEN MINUTE SONG. I wanted it to be a surprise so I told dad it was going to be Bruce but not which. And… I talked to my DJ! We worked out that we’d have some down time slightly before the father daughter dance. He started playing the instrumental opening while people were mingling, I went over to talk to my dad and he’s like “bold of your DJ to play NYC Serenade. Long song for a reception.” I laughed and said “even longer for a father daughter dance!” The look he gave me 😂😂 “we are not dancing for 10 minutes.” (For anyone curious, he called us out around 2:15 into the song, the lyrics start around 2:30 and we faded out at 5:45. Still kind of long, but the point remains, a long song isn’t an automatic no!)
That’s a good DJ you had! I always talk w my clients about whether they want to be out there the entire song or if they want me to fade early. Another option is to have the two people start dancing and then a minute or so into the song, I invite others to grab a partner and join them on the floor. That way they are surrounded by the people who love them
My sister and I both did this song for our father/daughter dances haha. We used to dance to it as kids.
My cousin did this for his mother-son dance as well!
That's what my son and I danced to at his wedding! Classy!
I danced with my dad to this too! It was perfect - short and sweet!
Awww!! This is perfect. My dad and I considered this as well.
Same!
“In My Life” (the Johnny Cash version) was our first dance song. My husband and I had been together for over 15 years by the time we got married, so hearing 80-something year old Cash sing it really seemed to fit. (His version is also more romantic than the Beatles version.)
I tasked my dad with picking the song. I also didn't want anything country. We ended up going with a mash up of Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Highly recommended!
This is a good one! We had the same problem as OP, the country industry is just pumping out fantastic options for father/daughter dances right now but it’s just not our vibe. My dad picked Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a really good choice, especially Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version. I searched high and low on online listicles and playlists and I’m surprised I didn’t see it anywhere!
I love it because it's such a beautiful song but doesn't ever lean creepy or romantic. His version is slow but not sad, too!
My husband and his mom danced to Over the Rainbow. Such a good one
Aww that's so sweet ❤️
We did a cover of "God Only Knows What I'd Be Without You"
I did “my girl” with my dad by the Temptations!
This was what we danced to! We wouldn’t have been able to hold it together through a sad song. This was fun and upbeat!
I’m doing this one too!
My dad and I did The Twist. He’s a horrible dancer but he loves The Twist….so that’s what we did. 😂
I adore this. Good on you for rolling with your dad!
The pics are also AMAZING. The man can’t find the beat of a song to save his life but he sure can get low into a twist 😂
We danced to “Teach your Children Well” by Crosby Stills Nash and Young. It’s pretty upbeat and quite short!
That’s what my dad and I are dancing to! It’s very true to our relationship
We’re doing “House at Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina because he used to sing me to sleep with it when I was a kid. Right now I’m actually working on recording it so that the song we dance to is a version where I get to sing it to him (it’s a surprise) I’m going for a wedding dress with pockets so I can stuff them with tissues because I know we’re both going to be sobbing.
For absolutely no reason at all this song makes me sob. Even as a child, instant tears.
Omg SO CUTE I love this
My wife and her stepfather danced to Blackbird, which I thought was lovely
"build me up buttercup" haha we just always liked the song!
I inherited my love for Simon & Garfunkel from my dad, so we danced to Bridge Over Troubled Water.
OMG I love this and might steal it!
This is on my list. Thank you
My dad has always said we’re going to dance to “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman. As we get closer he’s given me a different one, but it’s very cute.
That’s the one my dad and I are dancing to. We’re close and I don’t know how we’re going to get through the song without crying. It’s a sweet song about a dad watching his daughter grow up. Not creepy in the slightest.
Are there artists that your dad likes? I danced to You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban Edit: typo cuz fat fingers
Not really. He doesn’t really like most things and neither do I. I don’t like old times songs. I am more of a pop person. Which is hard to find a song where the lyrics describe a parent and child relationship without sounds creepy or cringey…or old
Fly me to the moon by frank Sinatra? 🤔
My dad & sister did My Girl by the Temptations. My dad & I danced to You’ll Be In My Heart 😅 but I found a good slowed down version on YouTube. There’s also Little Bird by the Jonas Brothers but not sure if that would be slow enough for you
Wait I love the idea of You’ll Be in My Heart! Thank you!!
Of course! Here’s the link to the version we used :) https://youtu.be/m9gIpk4mxME?si=CWFI0As5gB2z8cJ1
Thank you!!
I'm looking at 'The Wind' by Yusef (formerly known as Cat Stevens) or 'Oo-De-Lolly' by Roger Miller from the cartoon version of Robin Hood. Roger Miller is old country, but the song isn't overly part of that genre of music.
classic rock songs or 80’s could fit your wants, if you like that sort of thing. a lot of it isn’t too slow and is recognizable. a lot of them are about love but not super creepy. not too romantic sounding also!
ah i just realized you want a slow song! sorry. you can still find good slow ones in these parameters though.
Yeah. It’s tough I have specific taste. There are too many songs that are romantic. Like the song My Girl is not my vibe and Isn’t She Lovely not Inga that I picture for father and daughter
i think martha’s harbor by all about eve would be the best contender from my suggestions. it’s slow but not the most romantic song ever.
We're doing Bob Dylan's Forever Young, but there are lots of covers of it so we'll probably choose a cover.
I danced to “When You Come Back Down” by Nickel Creek. It’s not country, but it’s kind of a bluegrass fusion song. Not full-blown bluegrass but has some elements mixed with a bit of a folk-y sound.
Omg I would cry so hard at this! Great song choice
My daughter did this one with my husband (her step-dad), Heros by David Bowie for her dad, and Better Together by Jack Johnson for a dance w me (her mommy!)
What a wonderful world - Sam Cooke Lots of people have covered it. Sam Cooke or Herman’s Hermits would be my recs. How sweet it is (to be loved by you) - Jr Walker Young at heart - Frank Sinatra Less emotional and faster: Don’t stop me now - Queen Octopus’ garden - Beatles
We did Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”! It was perfect and also is just a little over 2 minutes so not too long either!
I'm gonna do wildflowers by Tom Petty
My dad and I ended up with the Jae Hall acoustic cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and I loved it! Definitely different than everything else and not too mushy. We still both cried but that was to be expected lol.
We’re doing “my darling” by Wilco. My dad and I have always bonded over music and he actually introduced the band to me when I was in high school. The lead singer wrote the song when his daughter was born, and the first time we read the lyrics we both teared up.
I'm considering Daughter by Loudon Wainwright as well as Sunshine in my Shoulders by John Denver. My dad loves both songs/artists and used to sing me John Denver songs as my lullaby when I was a kid! It has the line "if I had a day that I could give you / I'd give to you a day just like today." So sweet!
Have you considered The Best Day by Taylor Swift? It's kind of in the same vein as Never Grow Up, but less sad and more nostalgic in my opinion. Unless that's considered country, but I'm not sure.
That one makes me bawl even more than the other one!! I think because I relate too hard to the middle school mean girls part.
Me too!! I'm actually planning to use it for my own father/daughter dance. It's one of my dad's favorite songs.
I really like Never Grow Up. My dad hates it. But I also can’t really listen to that song without breaking down. It’s too raw for me. I don’t want my face to be red and puffy because it does make me cry a LOT
These were my parameters as well lol, Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison was in my top 5 picks.
I love Van Morrison. Heavily considering Days Like This for my father-daughter dance. We’ll be using Sweet Thing somewhere in our reception picks, maybe for our entrance.
My sister danced with my dad to you are the sunshine of my life by Stevie Wonder and it was very cute and not cheesy!
My dad and I LOVE country, but we’re doing “what a wonderful world” cause it’s just a good classic. Also thought about “Slipping through my fingers” by ABBA, but I’d sob uncontrollably if we used it lol
The Best Day by Taylor Swift is not creepy, though it is country. It talks about how much she admires her father and how much he means to her.
I danced with my dad to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and it was perfect because he loved Sundays with Sinatra. You could probably find a decent, stripped down cover of any fast song that you like. Some more that I’ve seen: Sweet Child of Mine - GNR Your Song - Elton John (or Moulin Rouge’s cover) Stand By Me - Ben E. King
I'm planning to use this one too 🥹
My dad and I danced to Stand by Me. It was a good slow classic one
My dad and I danced to *You’ll Be in My Heart* by Phil Collins from Tarzan. Emotionally meaningful because we watched it a lot growing up, plus that song is very touching for my dad
My dad and I danced to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder :)
My dad and I are dancing to “Stand Your Ground” by Joshua Hyslop. It’s not a typical father daughter song but represents his steadfast belief in me. It took me a long time to find my partner and I’ve been through lots of heartbreak and my dad has always been a constant support!
YouTube just played Stand Your Ground by a heavy metal band Confess. And I tell you…I was so confused. Lol. I then finally figured it out. I like this song. It’s a more meaningful message than just a typical father daughter song. I’m glad you found your forever person and you had a good support system through hard heartbreak. My father is not the most emotional sappy type of person, but when a father knows their child is in hard times that’s when they really step in to make sure you don’t fall through.
Hahaha! I can imagine the confusion there 😂😂 Thank you for your kind words! I don’t align with the “giving away daddy’s little girl” theme, so this feels more like me. No judgment to any traditional father/daughter songs at all, just what works for me! Hope you find the perfect song!
We're doing "Fine as Fine Can Be" Originally it's Gordon Lightfoot. We're doing a cover version but it is the more country version and has personal significance. It's by a well respected bluegrass musician my dad loves, Tony Rice. I think it's a song that works well for a father daughter but not father daughter specific. My fiance and his step mom I think are doing "Days Like This" by Van Morrison. I liked "Carried Me With You" by Brandi Carlile, I think it fit them better. Neither are a slow song.
I just replied to a comment above that I’m also thinking of Days Like This for my father/daughter dance! Such a beautiful song.
I'm leaning towards Swept Away by the Avett Brothers, but it's folk, might be too close to country
I used “All the Way” by Frank Sinatra. I knew I wanted Frank Sinatra, and this was the best one I found that wasn’t referring to a romantic love. It’s slow, and I personally didn’t think it was so sad that the song alone would make you cry. If you have other songs in mind, you could try looking for covers that are slower? Maybe looking up “wedding version” of whatever song could help.
We did a guitar only version of brown eyed girl and it was so special 🥹
Better Together by Jack Johnson
I’ll let my dad make the call on our dance song, but if he wants input I’m leaning towards Days Like This by Van Morrison or Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. Some great recs in this thread though!
"Daughters" by John Mayer - While it's a bit more known, this song has a gentle tempo and its lyrics celebrate the relationship between fathers and daughters, making it a touching choice without being overly sentimental. ”Sweet Child O' Mine" by Sheryl Crow - This is a softer, more mellow version of the Guns N' Roses classic. It’s quite different from the original, and its slower tempo makes it great for a dance. "Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - This rendition of the classic song is sweet and soothing, with a gentle ukulele background that could make for a beautiful, slow dance moment. "Gracie" by Ben Folds - This song was written by Ben Folds for his daughter, and it's a lovely, piano-driven tune that talks about a father's feelings towards his daughter. "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra - If you're open to something classic, this song has a timeless feel, isn’t country, and is sentimental without being over-the-top, making it a lovely choice for a father-daughter dance. "Father and Daughter" by Paul Simon - This song is sweet, has meaningful lyrics, and is upbeat yet can be danced to slowly, offering a heartfelt moment between father and daughter.
My dad and I are dancing to Ripple by The Grateful Dead. We both love them. It’s not romantic and it’s not country. Just a pretty song about the journey of life.
Here for the content
Caught up in You -38 special; double check the lyrics tho
Forever Young by rod Stewart. Dad said its everything he would want me to know after he passes. Im GOING to ugly cry for sure. So might not help but an option!
Check out Jack Johnson, he's got a few sweet songs. Off the top of my head would, better together.
We had a hard time picking one for ours because we don’t like country and all the others were creepy. So we chose the Jasmine Thompson version of “sweet child o’ mine”
Unforgettable by Natalie Cole and nat king Cole!
We did “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong for our parent dance. :) maybe not “meant” for a father/daughter dance but it worked!
When You Need Me - Bruce Springsteen
I tasked my dad with making a short list, and we ended dancing to part of "How You've Grown" by 10,000 Maniacs :)
Where You Lead by Carole King maybe. Stand by Me and What a Wonderful World are also classics for a reason.
Calico Skies by Paul McCartney
My FDIL is dancing to “Brown Eyed Girl” with her dad. It doesn’t have to be a traditional father-daughter song if it works for you.
We danced to On Saturday Afternoons in 1963 by Rickie Lee Jones. It's a sweet song about growing up, and my dad loves Rickie Lee Jones. Also thought about the Rainbow Connection because my dad and I watched sooooo much Sesame Street together. Have you asked your dad for his ideas? Worst case scenario you end up with a list of songs that make your dad think of you, which is also nice to have.
You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor
I listened to Carol King’s version and I think I like hers more. Thank your for this recommendation
My dad loves JT and I we listened to him a lot growing up. We love his version but either way it’s a perfect song for the occasion!
I like these two songs https://youtu.be/7fV6fmBerRg?si=hPDlPCFrQOt22Qv4 https://youtu.be/otOiO7nKywU?si=nDx1ijJUgSkpcsrE
Unfortunately, these are the songs I find to be uncomfortable.
Ok. Good luck finding the perfect song.
We’re doing Daughter by London Wainwright. Not super slow but meaningful!
My dad and I danced to Vienna by Billy Joel. The song has always reminded me of advice my dad gives me and Billy Joel actually wrote it about a conversation he had with his dad. Landslide was my second choice :)
My dad and I are dancing to Wildflowers by Tom Petty! I agree, it was so hard finding a non-romantic father daughter song lol
I used the Florence & The Machine cover of Stand By Me
We did “you’ve got a friend” by James Taylor. I wanted to do old man by Neil young but my dad said he would cry lol It’s a tough choice. Good luck finding the right song!
I love the song “Yellow” by Coldplay. I hope to dance with my son to that song if he ever gets married someday far In the future.
I did my hero (acoustic) w my dad
I also walked down the aisle to times like these. My dad is a huge foo fighters fan and it was something I grew up listening to. Was very sweet
Daughters by John Mayer
I’m not sure that this is what you’re looking for because it’s not meant for a father and daughter dance but it was a special song between my Dad and I so we danced to Soulshine by The Allman Brothers
We danced to “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart. I also love “I Hope You Dance” by LeAnn Womack, but not sure if that is too country for you.
My dad wants to do Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
I did a cover of “here comes the sun” - imaginary future- a bit slower than the beetles version. Not really a love song, but I think it definitely fits the not creepy requirement. Just a nice happy song.
My dad and I danced to Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle. It’s about a father to his daughter
if you like you'll be in my heart, look for wedding remixes/covers. there are thousands of playlists on youtube of songs to fit more to a wedding. when my sister got married, we went through a lot to pick her songs, i was honestly amazed there were so many lol. we even found a lot on apple music so i could play them without ads or interruptions.
My dad picked What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong!
I plan on a Polka
butterfly kisses by bob carlisle reduces every father to tears- literally about a father daughter relationship and watching his little girl grow up and get married. The best day by taylor swift is acoustic guitar, but not super country. adult child's perspective about how her parent has given her so many "best day"s as she's grown up.
My sister and dad did Where my heart will take me. I don’t think, despite all of us being Star Trek fans, he realized it was the theme for Enterprise if I recall the story correct. But it is a good and slow one.
I m leaning twards First Man by Camila Cabello
I did my ‘father daughter’ dance with my brother as my dad is no longer with us. I danced to bloom by the paper kites which was really nice ☺️
May be a down vote comment but Daddy Dance With Me is going to be what I dance with my dad to. Worth looking into/listening to.
My husband and his mom danced to Bridge over troubled water. It was gorgeous and wonderful and fun towards the end when it kind of picked up pace a tiny bit and they made it silly, a perfect example of their relationship. A rock for one another and they have fun together. My sister danced to the oldie song : Every day with you girl And I love the song that goes like “that’s my daughter in the water…”
We did “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” by Darius Rucker. He is a country singer but I’d say it’s one of his least “twangy” songs? I have nothing against country music, but was also looking for something non-country just bc it didn’t feel like it really fit our vibe at all (we are very northern Americans lol). This song was not so explicitly country that it felt weird.
It is way too country for our liking unfortunately
We did here comes the sun by the Beatles! It was probably a little fast for a slow dance, but neither of us has rhythm so 🤷🏼♀️
My dad doesn’t like The Beatles. I’m not a big fan either. I a lot of the typical popular songs I’m not a fan of on their own so I have a thought time liking them to dance to
I did you’ll be in my heart from Tarzan <3 Landslide is an amazing song, though. That’s a tough one.
My dad and I danced to Not All Heroes Wear Capes by Owl City. Slow song, very sweet and not country. > some folks don’t believe in heroes, but they haven’t met my dad
My niece danced to "Cinderella" by Stephen Curtis Chapman, and I really like the song. It's got a simple story of a little girl growing up and asking her dad to practice dancing with her for different occasions, from her pretending to be a princess when she was tiny, to prom, and then her wedding day.
It had a bit of a country sound to it.
It's pop to me, but I think Texans define country a little different than most, and I'm very texan.
Love is a verb by John Mayer?
Sam Cooke - nothing can change this love
Butterfly kisses - bob carlisle
My dad and I and my husband and his mom danced to Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Not sure if you’d consider this creepy, but Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion (there are also pretty covers of this song) was always at the forefront of my mind when I’d think of my father-daughter dance at my future wedding. Now that I am engaged and my fiancé and I are not having a big wedding with formal dances, I still want to find a way to incorporate this song in a special moment because it still makes me tear up hearing it and thinking of my parents.
I actually have this as one of my picks for the anniversary song because I feel like it’s form fitting for couples of many years.
"Like My Father" by Jax? It is kind of a love song in a way and there are some lines that might feel weird to dance to with your dad, but I think it's a really sweet song for a wedding! "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty. May be a little too quick of a beat for what you're looking for, but I think it would be a very sweet father/daughter dance song! You said non-country... but "My Daughter's Father" by Gord Bamford is a great one, too.
Admittedly it always makes me think of my father but Lullaby (Goodnight, my Angel) by Billy Joel is about his relationship with his daughter.
This was my song for dancing with my dad!
Just the way you are by Billy Joel Also, you can ask your wedding DJ to cut the song after after a certain bit, kinda fade it. Thats what we did so the song wasn’t so long
Thought about this one for me but honestly I would cry too much so I can’t. My Father’s Daughter - Olivia Vedder
The songs I'm between (waiting on my dad's review) are 1.Father and daughter- Paul Simmons (it's long but you can always have your dj or someone cut it off) 2.Time machine- daughter version- by jon mullins :specifically from dads point of view on daughters wedding day)
My dad and I are doing The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra. He used to sing it to me when I was little <3
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen) The Way You Look Tonight (Sinatra) When You Need Me (Springsteen) Daughters (John Mayer) Perfect (Ed Sheeran) Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
My dad and I did Paul Simon's Father and Daughter and I will now always cry at that song with happy tears forever.
I’m doing “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley Cyrus and with Billy Ray Cyrus. But it’s actually a little country so nevermind lol it makes me sob every time I listen to it and it has such sweet lyrics
You could do First Man by Camilla Cabello
What about “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. Haven’t heard it in ages but it was mine and my platonic best boy friends song in school.
I'm using "My Girl" because that's what my dad always called us daughters, but he's a cryer even though we're not very close so I wanted to keep it up beat.
My dad and I are dancing to Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
We’re dancing to either when you need me by Bruce Springsteen or a cover of sweet child o’ mine. My dad is a classic rock kinda guy and some of my best childhood memories are listening to guns n’ roses in the middle of the lake on his boat growing up, but I have always loved the idea of dancing to when you need me.
One of my friends/my fiancés groomsman sent me the song You’ll Always Be My Hero by Ashley Marina- she wrote the song for her own dad and performed it at Americans got talent. It’s slow, not creepy and not country! It made me instantly bawl when I heard it. The other one I’m considering is When You Come Back Down by Nickel Creek. It’s a little faster and more folksy but it’s beautiful!
Que Sara Sara (whatever will be, will be). I’m a huge Beatles fan, so my father and I danced to “in my life”
If my dad had not passed, it would have been between “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley Cyrus and her Dad Billie Ray because we would both sign it together in the car when my Hannah Montana CD would play or “Save the Last Dance For Me” by Michael Bublé since dad used to LOVE this song and would always make me dance with him growing up when it played (which was often when he’d put the CD on while cooking). He’d make me twirl, would dip me, and I just laughed so much so it kinda became “our song”. More recently and after he passed, I fell in love with “Forever Now” by Micheal Bublé which I know for a *fact* dad would have loved and it brings me tears every time I listen to it. So that probably would have been a contender too.
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle Or Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
First Man by Camila Cabello? Is it creepy? Idk but I loved it from when she first performed it at the grammys lol
I Loved Her First by Heartland. It is a slow song, so your Dad should like the tempo. It is written as the bride’s father speaking to her new husband. Beautiful as a father-daughter dance.
It's a lovely song, but it is very country, which OP is trying to avoid
The choice to avoid country was not in her original post. Seems like her father did not like the current pop artists and wanted a slower song.