Picking Father/Daughter or Mother/Son Songs that don’t suck…

In the WIC there is a lot of emphasis put on the Father/Daughter  and Mother/Son dances but most of the songs often chosen for these make me want to gag! They are either over used or really creepy/awkward (especially in the Father/Daughter) case.

So I have decided to provide you with a list of songs I feel are great for any occasion or relationship…

The Father/Daughter Mix

Father & Daughter – Paul Simon {this is actually the song I picked because I feel it is completely perfect. Not too slow, not too cheesy. Just the perfect sentiment between a father and his only daughter.} Father & Daughter – Paul Simon

My Girl – The Temptations {an oldie but a goody 🙂 this song is just so fun and great for dancing} My Girl – The Temptations

Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips {of course I love the Beatles but this was a wonderful remake and I think it is so wonderful for a nontraditional father/daughter song} Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips

Jesus, etc – Wilco {You’ve got to love Wilco mellow alt country-ness and how can you not love a song that says “Don’t cry. You can rely on me honey. You can come by anytime you want.” Everyone say “aww” now} Jesus, etc – Wilco

The Mother/Son Playlist

Still Fighting It – Ben Folds {one of my all time favorite songs and I think the words are just so sweet and lovely. Someone please pick this for their wedding!} Still Fighting It – Ben Folds

You Are Goodbye – Holly Conlan {Nontraditional? yes! Sad? yes! Incredibly sweet? absolutely! I just love the line like “Stay” “Please don’t ever leave” that are exactly words mom’s say to their children} You Are Goodbye – Holly Conlan

Other Side of the World – KT Tunstall {listen to all the words and maybe you’ll get but I thought it was very sweet} Other Side of the World – KT Tunstall

You Are My Face – Wilco {can’t you just hear a guy singing this about his teenage years with his mom?} You Are My Face – Wilco

The Songs That Can Go Either Way

Yellow – Coldplay {I’ve always felt like these were sweet words you should say to your child} Yellow – Coldplay

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses {my dad actually requested we play this song at our wedding *smile*} Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

Stand By Me – Ben E. King {one. of. the. best. songs. ever.} Stand By Me – Ben E. King

You Belong to Me – Jason Wade {I like this song b/c no matter where you go or who you are with you will always belong to you parents because you nothing breaks blood} You Belong to Me – Jason Wade

Ok so I know that not every family is “cookie cutter perfect” with a mom or dad always in the picture. So here are a few songs for those “different” circumstances…

Songs for Estranged Relationship

This Boy – James Morrison {one of my favorite songs and I just love how he tells his mom that he gets why she had to do what she did and he’s ready to move on} This Boy – James Morrison

Broken Strings – James Morrison & Nelly Furtado {I like how this song is about letting go and saying good bye for that one last time… I think it works great for a son or daughter} Broken Strings – James Morrison & Nelly Furtado

Daughters – John Mayer {anyone whoever thought this was a sweet song about a father and daughter is severely mistaken. Listen to the lyrics. It’s not so sweet but it is pretty and it’s often very true} Daughters – John Mayer

For the Daughter who wants to Dance with her Mom

The Best Day – Taylor Swift {this is actually my mom’s ring tone for my phone b/c I vividly remember what it felt like to be 13 and only have my mom there to cheer me up and get me through everything} The Best Day – Taylor Swift

SansParents – For the Sibling Who Was Always There

Daniel’s Song – The Finches {I don’t have a brother… but if I did I hope I could be as good of a sister as this} Daniel\’s Song – The Finches

Orange Sky – Alexi Murdoch {one of the prettiest songs I know… it’s like the best lullaby} Orange Sky – Alexi Murdoch

Hope this helps in your song quest!

*All photos by yours truly 🙂

Don’t cry
You can rely on me honey
You can come by any time you wantI’ll be around
You were right about the stars
Each one is a setting sun