June 19th is Fatherโs Day, so we pulled a list of songs that focus on fatherhood. Whether honoring these men for the task of raising children, acknowledging the complexities of father-child relationships, or exploring the pain of absentee fathers, these tracks span the spectrum of the vocation.
"Glory" by Jay Z
Jay wrote the deeply emotional and revealing track โ which kicks off with the sound of his daughterโs heartbeat โ about Blue, his first child with Beyonce. On it, he raps: โThe most amazing feeling I feel / Words canโt describe the feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue / My greatest creation was you.โ
"7 Years" by Lukas Graham
Frontman Lukas Forchhammer says the death of his father inspired the bandโs song โ7 Years.โ He explained this, saying. โItโs a song about growing older. Iโm also coming to a realization that being a father is the most important thing. My biggest dream is not to be some negative old dude, but to have my kidsโ friends say, โYouโre going to visit your dad? Say hi! Heโs awesome.โ I had a perfect father.โ
"Daddy Lessons" by Beyoncรฉ
Beyoncรฉ and her father Mathew Knowles had a rocky relationship in the past, but she still decided to honor him with Lemonade's "Daddy Lessons." The swinging country tune is perfect for reminding your old man that you actually did listen to all the things he taught you.
"Father to Son" by Queen
Written by guitarist Brian May, โFather to Sonโ is written from the perspective of a father speaking to his son.
"Piece By Piece" by Kelly Clarkson
Written about her absentee father, โPiece by Pieceโ is an ultimately uplifting track as Kelly notes her fatherโs neglect influenced her to be a major force in her daughterโs life.
"Daughters" by John Mayer
โDaughtersโ acts as a call to both mothers and fathers to โbe good to you daughters.โ
"I Learned From You" by Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus
โI Learned From Youโ is a song sung by both Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter, Miley, about the various things both of them have learned from each other.
"Song For Dad" by Keith Urban
โSong For Dadโ is a touching tribute to Keithโs late father. On it, he sings, โThe older I get / The more I can see / How much he loved my mother and my brother and meโ
"Confessions of a Broken Heart (Daughter to Father)" by Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay wrote the emotional track as a letter to her father, Michael Lohan, who was arrested and charged with a DUI following a car crash.
"Catโs in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin
Weโd be remiss to ignore Harry Chapinโs 1974 classic, where he asks his father, โWhen you coming home, dad? / I don't know when / But we'll get together then.โ
"Father" by Demi Lovato
Demiโs tumultuous relationship with their late father inspired the biting track, which explores conflicting feelings about him: โYou did your best or did you? / Sometimes I think I hate you / Iโm sorry, dad, for feelinโ this / I canโt believe Iโm sayinโ it.โ
"Father of Mine" by Everclear
One of the most biting songs about abandonment released in the โ90s, โFather of Mineโ details the pain of growing up without a father but still having those early memories before he left the family: โMy daddy gave me a name / Then he walked away.โ
"My Fatherโs Eyes" by Eric Clapton
The rock legend wrote the track about his father, who he never met. The track also references Ericโs late son, Connor, who died when he was four years old after plummeting from a high-rise apartment building window.
"The Best Day" by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swiftโs โBest Dayโ is really written for her mom, but she shouts out her dad with this lyric: โI have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger.โ
"Papaโz Song" by Tupac
Tupac wrote the searing track โ which features a guest verse from the late rapperโs stepbrother Wycked โ about his absentee father, rapping, โHad to play catch by myself, what a sorry sight / A pitiful plight, so I pray for a starry night / Please send me a pops before puberty / The things I wouldn't do to see a piece of family unity.โ
"My Old Man" by Zac Brown Band
The ballad acts as a tribute to the relationship between Zac Brown and his father, and how it inspired the way he raises his son: โMy old man / I know one day weโll meet again as heโs looking down / My old man / I hope heโs proud of who I am / Iโm trying to fill the boots of my old man.โ
"Like Father, Like Son" by The Game feat. Busta Rhymes
The Game wrote the loving track โ which details the birth of his son โ for his kid, Harlem Caron Taylor: โMy sonโs ultrasound the closest I ever been to heaven.โ
"He Didnโt Have to Be" by Brad Paisley
The touching country track explores the relationship between Brad Paisley and his stepfather: โLookin' back all I can say / About all the things he did for me / Is I hope I'm at least half the dad / That he didn't have to be.โ
"Just The Two Of Us" by Will Smith
This sweet spin on the Bill Withers' classic was a dedication to Smith's eldest son Trey: "You're living proof that dreams do come true / I love you and I'm here for you."
"First Man" by Camila Cabello
Cabello sang this endearing tune to her father at the 2020 Grammys. The modern classic brought everyone to tears with lyrics like, "You don't even know how much it means to me now / That you were the first man that really loved me."
"Carried Me With You" by Brandi Carlile
The song is a beautiful way to talk about the comfort a father brings, through beautiful lyrics like, "From the day it all began/Yeah, you were there/You took my hand/And when I hurt a bit too deep/You watched me as I fell asleep"