June 19th is Fatherās 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 ā which kicks off with the sound of his daughterās heartbeat ā about Blue, his first child with Beyonce. On it, he raps: āThe most amazing feeling I feel / Words canāt describe the feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue / My greatest creation was you.ā
"7 Years" by Lukas Graham
Frontman Lukas Forchhammer says the death of his father inspired the bandās song ā7 Years.ā He explained this, saying. āItās a song about growing older. Iām 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 kidsā friends say, āYouāre going to visit your dad? Say hi! Heās awesome.ā I had a perfect father.ā
"Daddy Lessons" by BeyoncƩ
BeyoncƩ 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, āFather to Sonā is written from the perspective of a father speaking to his son.
"Piece By Piece" by Kelly Clarkson
Written about her absentee father, āPiece by Pieceā is an ultimately uplifting track as Kelly notes her fatherās neglect influenced her to be a major force in her daughterās life.
"Daughters" by John Mayer
āDaughtersā acts as a call to both mothers and fathers to ābe good to you daughters.ā
"I Learned From You" by Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus
āI Learned From Youā 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
āSong For Dadā is a touching tribute to Keithās late father. On it, he sings, āThe older I get / The more I can see / How much he loved my mother and my brother and meā
"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.
"Catās in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin
Weād be remiss to ignore Harry Chapinās 1974 classic, where he asks his father, āWhen you coming home, dad? / I don't know when / But we'll get together then.ā
"Father" by Demi Lovato
Demiās tumultuous relationship with their late father inspired the biting track, which explores conflicting feelings about him: āYou did your best or did you? / Sometimes I think I hate you / Iām sorry, dad, for feelinā this / I canāt believe Iām sayinā it.ā
"Father of Mine" by Everclear
One of the most biting songs about abandonment released in the ā90s, āFather of Mineā details the pain of growing up without a father but still having those early memories before he left the family: āMy daddy gave me a name / Then he walked away.ā
"My Fatherās Eyes" by Eric Clapton
The rock legend wrote the track about his father, who he never met. The track also references Ericās 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 Swiftās āBest Dayā is really written for her mom, but she shouts out her dad with this lyric: āI have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger.ā
"Papaāz Song" by Tupac
Tupac wrote the searing track ā which features a guest verse from the late rapperās stepbrother Wycked ā about his absentee father, rapping, āHad 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.ā
"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: āMy old man / I know one day weāll meet again as heās looking down / My old man / I hope heās proud of who I am / Iām trying to fill the boots of my old man.ā
"Like Father, Like Son" by The Game feat. Busta Rhymes
The Game wrote the loving track ā which details the birth of his son ā for his kid, Harlem Caron Taylor: āMy sonās ultrasound the closest I ever been to heaven.ā
"He Didnāt Have to Be" by Brad Paisley
The touching country track explores the relationship between Brad Paisley and his stepfather: āLookin' 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.ā
"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"