As if planning a wedding wasn't stressful (and fun) enough, now you have to pick all of the songs to play during first dances. While finding a perfect song for you and your significant other might seem easy enough (I'll make a blog about that later); the parent dances are making you hit a wall. But, Why?
If you're like me, you want these dances to be perfect - to be a true reflection of your relationship. My dad passed away in 2006, and I met my now husband in 2007. My stepdad has been a part of my life since the early 90's, and while we didn't always see eye-to-eye through my teen years, he really did become a father to me when I lost mine, and a mutual respect developed (I was a HOLY HELLION to him when I was younger, and I will fully admit that - he deserves a trophy for putting up with me!). When my husband and I were planning our wedding, I was having a really hard time deciding on a song to dance with my stepdad to, and here is why:
EVERY. SONG. IS. ABOUT. LOVING. HER. FIRST. OR. BEING. DADDY'S. LITTLE. GIRL!
The reason I hit the wall, was because I am quite literal. I FEEL every song I listen to, and I take lyrics to heart. Every song tells a story, and back in 2009, there weren't many songs to chose from that didn't mention being "Daddy's Little Girl" or "Loving her First". I needed a perfect song for me and my stepdad, and one that didn't mention him being the first man in my life. The song that I was going to dance with My Biological Dad to was "My Wish" by Rascal Flats. It was our song. My dad loved that song, and even had me record it to a tape cassette so he could listen to it in his 78' Lincoln, and also the CD/cassette player he had in his kitchen. I didn't have the heart to dance with anyone else to that song-- not for such an important dance to say the least, and it was perfect for everything my dad wanted for me in this life.
I never did end up finding a song that I felt was suitable for my stepdad and I. Luckily for me, one of my future brides' informed me that her dad was a song writer/recorder out in Michigan. He graciously accepted the job of writing and composing a song based on my stepdad and I's relationship. And when the time came, there was not a dry eye in the house when I had my father-daughter dance, to a song that was written just for us.
I get that not everyone can have a song custom written and recorded for their first dance. So, I did the leg work and found some of the best songs to use when your situation is a little different. Here are my TOP 10 songs, perfect for those first dances with your step-parent.
My Girl ~ Elvie Shane
MY WISH ~ Rascal Flats
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME ~ Celine Dion
I HOPE YOU DANCE ~ Leann Womack
I TURN TO YOU ~ Christina Aguilera
MY GIRL ~ The Temptations
READY, SET, DON'T GO ~ Billy Ray Cyrus
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE ~ Billy Joel
HOLD MY HAND ~ Hootie & the Blowfish
THERE YOU'LL BE ~ Faith Hill
FOREVER YOUNG ~ Rod Stewart
Now, My TOP 10 absolute favorite songs for Father-Daughter Dances are:
I LOVED HER FIRST ~ Heartland
CINDERELLA ~ Steven Curtis Chapman
MY LITTLE GIRL ~ Tim McGraw
BUTTERFLY KISSES ~ Bob Carlisle
IT WON'T BE LIKE THIS FOR LONG ~ Darius Rucker
ISN'T SHE LOVELY ~ Stevie Wonder
THE BEST PART OF ME ~ Lee Brice
I'LL BE YOUR MAN (SONG FOR A DAUGHTER) ~ Zac Brown Band
DANCE WITH MY DAUGHTER ~ Jason Blaine ((<3 LOVE THIS ONE))
DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL ~ The Shires
Last year, I had a bride whose father passed away. She didn't have a step-father, but still had a special dance with her brother (he walked her down the isle). Every time I hear the song, I think of their dance, and I think about my own dad. If you are in the same boat, and looking for a perfect song to dance with someone else to, use:
YOU SHOULD BE HERE ~ Cole Swindell.
I didn't forget about my grooms though! Here are my TOP 10 Mother-Son Dance Songs:
You're my best friend ~ Queen
HUMBLE & KIND - TIME McGRAW
DO I MAKE YOU PROUD ~ Taylor Hicks
MOTHER ~ Sugarland
YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE~ Stevie Wonder
BOY ~ Lee Brice
SIMPLE MAN ~ Shinedown
HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY ~ Rod Stewart
HE GETS THAT FROM ME ~ Reba McEntire
THE PERFECT FAN ~ Backstreet Boys
A SONG FOR MAMA ~ Boys II Men
Last, but not least, for the Brides that want a special dance with their MOM; Here are my top 10 Songs for a special Mother-Daughter Dance <3.
LIKE MY MOTHER DOES ~ Lauren Alaina
MAMA'S SONG ~ Carrie Underwood
IN MY DAUGHTER'S EYES ~ Martina McBride
I'LL STAND BY YOU ~ The Pretenders
YOU CAN'T LOSE ME ~ Faith Hill
SWEETEST DEVOTION ~ Adele
SOMEBODY'S HERO ~ Jamie O'Neal
YOU'RE GONNA BE ~ Reba McEntire
EVERY MOTHER'S DREAM ~ Martina McBride
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW ~ Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole
These are just a few ideas, and can easily be switched around! I would love to hear about the songs that you had chosen for your parent dances. Drop a comment with your favorite songs <3 They just might help someone else who is having a hard time picking the perfect song <3