There are so many songs about daughters. The apple of many fathers’ eyes, many songs dedicated to daughters are written from a paternal perspective.
That said, there are still songs written by mothers to daughters.
For parents, nothing dominates their thoughts more than their children. As a result, there is a myriad of ‘to my daughter songs’ that celebrate milestones.
The best daughter songs are songs about daughters growing up.
Often song lyrics about daughters are very personal. Songs written for daughters tend to genuinely come from the hearts of songwriters who are parents.
Songs about loving your daughter can be pretty mushy but make for the best songs for your daughter’s birthdays and wedding days.
Whatever the reason, we hope this list helps you find the song about loving your daughter you need.
Table of Contents
1. Johnny Cash – “You Are My Sunshine”
It doesn’t get any simpler than this one, which is why we are kicking off with it.
Easy lyrics that you’re little one will pick up and sing with you.
The ideal song for your little girl. There have been bucket loads of renditions but we think there is something extra intimate about Johnny Cash’s ‘exposed’ partially-spoken vocals.
2. Bobby Vee – “Take Good Care Of My Baby”
Although a love song, the lyrics are ambiguous enough that Bobby Vee’s chipper yet downhearted tune has become a classic for parents.
With words that express concern for the care of the baby that was once his, it has become a popular song for daughters.
My baby girl songs can be cheesy, but as this one was written for a lost love it makes for one of the better baby daughter songs out there.
3. John Legend – “Right By You (for Luna)”
The list of ‘daughter growing up’ style songs is practically endless, but this next one by John Legend is very personal.
Written specifically for his daughter Luna, it explores the thoughts he has about his daughter’s future and his hopes to do right by her.
4. Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”
Love songs to daughters can be hit and miss. Stevie get’s the balance just right, the lyrics are personal and specific in places, and they express pure parental joy without being super sugary.
It’s a celebratory piece that marvels at how life has been created out of love and it makes for a beautiful daughter song.
5. Tim McGraw – “My Little Girl”
A daddy-daughter country classic with lyrics about daughters that any parent can relate to.
“You’ve had me wrapped around your finger
Since the day you were born”
6. Loretta Lynn – “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
Another country song about a daughter worth a mention is this old daughter song from the 1970s.
It has good acclaim, the Library of Congress selected the song for preservation in the United States National Film Registry back in the late 2000s.
7. Taylor Swift – “The Best Day”
There are lots of pop songs about daughters to choose from. But what if you’re a daughter who wants a song for a parent?
We got you covered! One that may have slipped your mind is the best day by Taylor Swift. The pop star deeply reminisces and vulnerably shares real family footage.
Hands down one of the best songs for daughters to sing to their parents and ideal if you want songs for ‘daughter slideshow’ projects.
8. Martina McBride – “In My Daughter’s Eyes”
Another great mother-daughter song that flips the narrative is “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride.
A beautiful song about striving to be a better person for your daughter.
9. Christina Aguilera – “Oh Mother”
Alternatively, “Oh Mother,” by Christina Aguilera is another great choice of daughter song. An homage to all the great mums out there.
“So, mother, I thank you, for all you’ve done and still do”
10. Adele – “Sweetest Devotion”
A similar option from another diva with lyrics full of love is “Sweetest Devotion,” by Adele.
A song about motherhood and unconditional love with honest lyrics that show the singer’s vulnerability, such as;
“I wasn’t ready then, I’m ready now”
Is anyone ever truly ready for parenthood?
11. Michael Buble – “Daddy’s Little Girl”
Buble’s beautiful take on an Al Martino classic. The lyrics could be a little too twee for some but it is a wonderful tribute and works well as a little girl’s song.
“You’re sugar, you’re spice, and everything nice.”
Full of comparative cliches, bright and shining stars, rainbows, and pots of gold this song has them all.
12. John Mayer – “Daughters”
“I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world”
What an opening line!
If you are after a song for your daughter that is slightly less sickly sweet with more of a point to make then perhaps John Mayers poignant lyrics will appeal to you a little more.
It stresses the importance of being a good parent.
“…be good to your daughters”
13. Jason Blaine – “Dance With My Daughter”
The ultimate song for a father-of-the-bride dance. With lyrics about the fleetingness of your children’s childhood that any parent will be familiar with.
“’Cause I’m just a father
Making the most of this moment in time
Before she lets me go, I’ll hold her close
Caught in this race against time”
14. Carrie Underwood – “Mama’s Song”
Carrie Underwood sings about a young bride reassuring her mom that her husband-to-be will take good care of her and that she will always need her Mumma.
“And he is good, so good
He treats your little girl like a real man should”
With a tonne of emotions and lyrics from the heart, it is another tear-jerker of a song for your daughter.
15.Faith Hill – “You Can’t Lose Me”
There are plenty of songs for daughters that portray the strength of a mother’s love for their daughters.
“You Can’t Lose Me” by Faith Hill flips the idea on its head, it is a driven, modern country-billboard daughter song that aims to reassure mum. The lyrics express a very nuanced relationship.
“A little girl, a little small for her age
A little too slow for the field day race
Momma’s waiting at the finish line
And wipes the teardrops from her eyes”
16. Reba McEntire – “I’ll Be”
This is another entry on our list that isn’t specifically about daughters. However, the video features a young girl and the lyrics are easy to imagine as a mother’s promise to a child.
“I’ll be the light that shines for you
When you forget how beautiful you are”
Full of encouragement and support it’s undeniably a top contender when it comes to picking songs for daughters from moms.
17. Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”
“Mama’s Broken Heart” is a song sung from the heart between a mother and daughter.
In it, her Mama rings and gives some frank advice to her daughter on how to take a breakup in her stride.
“Go and fix your makeup girl.
It’s just a break-up.
Run an’ hide your crazy and start actin’ like a lady.
‘Cause I raised you better, gotta keep it together even when you fall apart.”
18. The Beatles – “All My Loving”
One of the first-ever songs on which Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics before the music, “All my loving” is a sweet and simplistic love song that is vague enough to be a great baby daughter song.
19. The Temptations – “My Girl”
One of the best daughter songs that comes to mind is “My Girl” By The Temptations. The music video features Eddie Kendricks dancing with his daughter.
The lyrics compare her to sunshine just like the track we opened our article with and as you will find out later… the track we have chosen to round things off with as well.
Perfect for Father’s Day or as a daughter’s birthday song!
20. Neil Young – “Here For You”
This is another song for a daughter that focuses on how much a father will do for her.
1988 hit from the singers’ album Prairie Wind that has descriptive lyrics that let you know you looked after and loved like;
“protective arms surrounding you”
It’s one of those songs about dads and daughters growing up that tugs on the old heartstrings.
21. Steven Curtis Chapman – “Cinderella”
If you don’t cry at this one you might be made of stone. It is one of those next-level songs for my daughter.
Written in 2006 after the singer’s daughter was badly disfigured at the hands of some horrific facial burns.
Although the song has very specific importance for the artist it is still one of those songs about your daughter general enough to apply to anyone’s daughter.
The emphasis is on how quickly a daughter can grow up so you should make the most of your time together.
A song for an older daughter should have lots of childhood references if you want to hit the wedding guests right n the feels. This one does exactly that!
22.Beyoncé – “Daddy Lessons”
A catchy tune from the superstars’ acclaimed Lemonade album that the singer wrote as an ode to her father, Matthew Knowles.
With a cool country edge that the singer had never previously experimented with. The chorus is fire;
“Here’s what you do
When trouble comes in town
And men like me come around”
Oh, my daddy said shoot”
She performed it with the Dixie Chicks at the CMAs.
23. Quando Rondo–“Letter to My Daughter”
There are also a lot of rap songs written for daughters, “Letter to My Daughter,” by rising Atlanta rapper Quando Rondo is one such track.
It is a stripped-back beat written very personally over an acoustic guitar directly to her and full of raw promises and pledges.
“Want you to know you the only one / Made me change the way that I live,”
24. Bob Carlisle – “Butterfly Kisses”
The best songs for daughters are wholesome, lyrics don’t get more wholesome than those in Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle.
Being a contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, there are many overt religious references in Carlisle’s lyrics.
“She was sent here from heaven and she’s daddy’s little girl
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank god for all of the joy in my life”
Some people may find them a little over the top but it’s honestly catchy and full of vivid imagery.
25.Michael Bolton – “Fathers & Daughters”
Michael Bolton’s “Fathers & Daughters” comes from the soundtrack of the Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried movie with the same title.
It is chock full of lyrics about daughters and makes lots of grand comparisons with strong imagery.
“Like moonlight on the water, and sunlight in the sky
Fathers and daughters never say goodbye,”
26. Holly Dunn – “Daddy’s Hands”
A folksy piece of music for daughters that want to sing an homage to their father.
The chorus lyrics paint a strong picture of family life.
“Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands”
27. Lee Anne Womack – “I Hope You Dance”
This is another gorgeous song for a daughter, again ideal for a wedding dance or as one of the background songs for a daughter’s birthday videos, etc.
The lyrics evoke powerful emotions and are all about the hopes the country singer has for her daughter.
“May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed”
28. Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”
When asked what the song was about, Stevie Nicks made it clear that her lyrics were inspired by both her romance with Buckingham, as well as her relationship with her father.
“Even children get older
And I’m getting older too”
It is another strong example of song lyrics about daughters growing up with a different spin.
29.Taylor Swift – “Never Grow Up”
Taylor Swift makes a second appearance in our list of songs for daughters this time with a relatively modern song from mother to daughter which lets us see her with maternal instincts seeing as the pop star has no children of her own- yet.
“I won’t let nobody hurt you
Won’t let no one break your heart”
The lyrics of a protective mama-wolf-to-be.
30. Stevie Wonder – “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”
We are finishing up with a second entry from Sir Stevie Wonder that also ticks all the ‘best song for a daughter’ boxes.
One of those love songs that can stand in for sweet little girl songs with strong enough sentiments to bring a tear to the eye.
“You are the sunshine of my life
That’s why I’ll always be around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you’ll stay in my heart”
Not too soppy, making it top of our ‘I love my daughter’ songs compilation.
Songs About Daughters – Final Thoughts
Daughters’ songs come in so many incarnations.
Whether it’s songs to sing to your daughter to get them off to sleep (a song for baby girl) or songs written about daughters who are full-grown, there are plenty to choose from.
Be it mother and daughter songs, or little girl songs for dads to sing, there will always be a demand for beautiful songs about daughters.
We have done our best to pick the best songs with lyrics about daughters and tried to gather more than just ‘songs with daughter’ in the title.
At the very least we hope we have left you with a better idea of what is a good song to dedicate to your daughter.
FAQs
What country song is about a daughter growing up too fast?
“You’ll Always Be My Baby” by Alan Jackson is a country song about a daughter growing up too fast. It’s a beautiful yet teary tune.
What is a good song for my daughter for her birthday?
“My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw is a good song to dedicate to your daughter for her birthday, especially if you are her father.
What is a good rock song about daughters?
The following are rock songs about daughters:
“Wildflowers” by Tom Petty
“When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen
“Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)” by Billy Joel
“Here for You” by Neil Young
“My Father’s Eyes” by Eric Clapton
Similar Articles:
Songs About Sons
Songs About Family
Country Songs About Daughters
