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Rae
Savvy June 2021

Father Daughter Dance Songs that Aren't Sappy or Toxic

Rae, on February 25, 2020 at 11:52 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 15

Hello All!

I'm having quite a bit of trouble finding a song to dance to with my father. My dad's an old cowboy who doesn't show much emotion or do much more than shuffle while dancing. My dad has never really listened to music so he doesn't have any favorite bands to choose a song from. Songs about how Daddy is a girls first love give me creepy pedo-patriarchy vibes, so most of the quick answer songs are out of the question.

My parents split when I was 11 and my mom died when I was 13. For years I didn't think I'd even invite my dad to my someday-wedding, but we've had a very good relationship for a very long time now. He's very conservative and traditional, I am not. He's very accepting of me and my FH (though he ignores my tattoos like maybe he can make them disappear).

I don't wanna dance to Somewhere Over the Rainbow or I Hope You Dance. Anybody got any other ideas?

15 Comments

Latest activity by Jennifer, on February 26, 2020 at 2:54 PM
  • Chantal
    Expert May 2021
    Chantal ·
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    We're doing "Butterfly Kisses." It's another veryyyyy typical one, but I've known it'd be our song since I was a little girl and he'd sing it to me. I never got a creepy vibe out of it, but I know everyone is different.

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  • D
    June 2021
    Dj Tanner ·
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    I’m doing “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. It’s a very conservative song, it’s not at all a sappy father daughter love song. The song speaks about living your life and sometimes not always making the best decisions but doing it your way and in the end it all works out. When I was younger me and my father always disagreed and as much as I love my dad to pieces we have only gotten super close in the past five years. I’d suggest giving “my way” a listen to. Hope this helps
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  • Rae
    Savvy June 2021
    Rae ·
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    Chantal,

    I wish I had that. My sister decided on "My Little Girl" Tim McGraw the very first time she heard it, but I just don't have that kind of relationship with my dad.

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  • Katharine
    Expert July 2021
    Katharine ·
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    You could always find an instrumental version of a more traditional song to play down the word's undertones that bother you.

    I was planning on What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong for my father-daughter dance, but my dad is no longer likely to be able to travel to our wedding due to new health issues. It's a nice, traditional song, but without the sappy and, I agree, often slightly creepy lyrics of many other traditional songs for this dance

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  • Chantal
    Expert May 2021
    Chantal ·
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    Gotcha! Does he like more old timey music? Does he have an artist he really likes that you could pick a song from to surprise him? Have you considered just doing something instrumental and quick? I am doing a father-daughter dance FIRST for the whole song, and then he'll pass me to FH and FH and I are going to dance for like a minute by ourselves and then our DJ will call others to the floor. FH and I are NOT dancers at all...

    You could do something a lot more casual, like James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend." I also looked up some other apparently "non sappy" music, and found

    "To Sir With Love" - Lulu

    "Kind and Generous" - Natalie Merchant

    "Wildflowers" - Tom Petty


    I haven't heard those last three, so I'm not sure if they're easy to dance to. If these don't work for ya, I hope you find a song that you like! Like I said, you can always just pick out an instrumental version of a song you both enjoy and have it played, even if it's not a "love-y" song.

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  • D
    June 2021
    Dj Tanner ·
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    Yes I think this is a great idea as well, instrumental songs are perfect like Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller, or sleepwalk by santo and Johnny version.
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  • F
    Dedicated September 2020
    Furure Mrs. ·
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    My dad and I are going to use Just Fishin' by Trace Adkins

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  • Renay
    Devoted April 2020
    Renay ·
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    We are doing "Here comes the sun" By The Beatles. My dance will be with my step dad as my father passed when I was 8. I chose to avoid something super sappy or about step dads because most speak harshly about fathers and its not my dad's fault he can't be there to dance with me,

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  • A
    Dedicated October 2022
    Allison ·
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    I was thinking of using 'Humble and Kind' by Tim McGraw

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  • Rae
    Savvy June 2021
    Rae ·
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    I've been considering Humble and Kind as well

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  • S
    Expert October 2019
    Sara ·
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    I feel the same way about a lot of traditional father/daughter songs. My dad and I danced to my wish by rascal flats, which I think was a perfect fit for our relationship.
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  • M
    Savvy February 2020
    Marley ·
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    Mine is so niche it may not work. But we’re doing Drive by Alan Jackson. My dad is a huge nascar/racing/muscle car guy and he’s had an 88 mustang he bought brand new. He taught me how to drive a stick in that car. He’d let me sit in his lap and steer his truck home from the bus stop. He’d let me steer the boat for a little bit when we went to the lake. The first time I heard that song as a kid I thought it would be the one I used. Not a typical father/daughter song, but it’s us.
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  • Rae
    Savvy June 2021
    Rae ·
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    Ug the feels, that's so great. I love that song. I would cry watching a father/daughter dance to that song. It doesn't work for me and my dad, but what a great pick.

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  • Briahna
    Beginner March 2021
    Briahna ·
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    I am doing a song called Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. Its super sweet and simple! I knew it would be mine and my dads song since i first heard it when I was 8!

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  • Jennifer
    VIP August 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    "My Girl" by the Temptations? Its upbeat, and fun!

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