Weddings are full of loving and sincere moments. In all these moments, the parents’ dance is the deepest demonstration of familial love. At this moment, parents step to the dance floor with pride and their hearts overflowing with the love and joy of their children getting married.
Also, it is when the married couple honors their unbreakable bond with their parents before starting a new chapter of their life together.
For this moment to be very special, you need to play the best songs that embody the essence of family and make the dance floor a canvas for love to be expressed through music. With the myriad of songs present, this article will guide you to the perfect tune that will make this special moment even more extraordinary.
So, get your cheer on and get ready to sway and even shed a tear or two as you dance with your parents to this compilation of 25 soul-stirring songs for parents dance at weddings.
Songs for Parents Dance at Weddings
Parent and child dance is a time-honored wedding tradition. That is why it is always included in wedding receptions. Here are the best songs to honor this beautiful tradition.
For the ultimate play list on your wedding day, check out these popular posts:
1. “Teach Your Children” by Hanson
Touching Lyrics: “/ You who are on the road/ Must have a code that you can live by/ And so become yourself/ Because the past is just a good-bye/.”
This classic, beautiful song, with only brotherly harmony and guitar accompaniment, talks of the sometimes complicated but heartfelt connection parents share with their children.
2. “Daughters” by John Mayer
Touching Lyrics: “/Fathers be good to your daughters/ Daughters will love like you do/ Girls become lovers who turn into mothers/ So mothers be good to your daughters too/.”
Mayer’s sensational hit “Daughters” conveys a message of undying support and love parents give to their children. It will serve as an amazing tribute to the support and love the bride and groom’s parents have given them.
3. “Find Your Wings” by Mark Harris
Touching Lyrics: “/I’m here for you whatever this life brings/ So let my love give you roots/ And help you find your wings/.”
This beautiful Christian song is a great song for parents’ dance at weddings as it projects the love and support parents give to children to help them figure out their path in life.
4.”Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
Touching Lyrics: “/I’m grateful for each day you gave me/ Maybe I don’t know that much/ But I know this much is true/ I was blessed because I was loved by you/.”
The beautiful voice of Celine conveyed a message of the appreciation and gratefulness you have for parents for their love, making it a great song choice for songs for parents to dance to at weddings.
5. “Greatest Love Of All” by Whitney Houston
Touching Lyrics: “/I believe the children are our future/ Teach them well and let them lead the way/ Show them all the beauty they possess inside/.”
This beautiful country ballad with heartfelt lyrics that speak of hope and love will surely tweak the heartstrings of guests and family present at the reception.
6. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Touching Lyrics: “/I see skies of blue/ And clouds of white/ The bright blessed day/ The dark sacred night/ And I think to myself/ What a wonderful world/.”
Armstrong’s timeless classic song, with its optimistic tune, is a perfect piece to add to your playlist. Parents of different ages and backgrounds love its central message of hope.
7. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
Touching Lyrics: “/Unforgettable in every way/ And forevermore (And forevermore)/ That’s how you’ll stay (That’s how you’ll stay)/”
This emotional classical ballad will make an ideal song for a lovely dance with your dad or mom as it talks of the connection between a parent and child that creates unforgettable memories.
8. “Just the Two of Us” by Will Smith
Touching Lyrics: “/So if the world attacks and you slide off track/ Remember one fact, I got your back/.”
If you want to turn it up a bit on the dance floor with your parents, then this upbeat song is what you need.
9. “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert
Touching Lyrics: “/ Won’t take nothing but a memory/ From the house that built me/”
This emotional song will be a great choice when looking for songs for parents’ wedding dance because it talks about the safety, love, and support a child feels with their parents.
10. “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers
Touching Lyrics: “/Through the years/ You’ve never let me down/ You turned my life around/ The sweetest days I’ve found/ I’ve found with you/”
The sentimental country song with heartfelt lyrics speaks of the devotion and love of parents as they watch their growth and still be able to witness this special moment as they embark on a new phase of life.
11. “I Loved Her First,” by Heartland
Touching Lyrics: “/I knew the love of a father runs deep/ And I prayed that she’d find you someday/ But it’s still hard to give her away/ I loved her first/.”
This beautiful, heartfelt country song is great for parents to dance at weddings, especially the father-daughter dance.
12. “Sweetest Devotion” by Adele
Touching Lyrics: “/The sweetest devotion/ Hitting me like an explosion/ All of my life, I’ve been frozen/ The sweetest devotion I’ve known/.”
Adele’s”Sweet Devotion,” tells of the unwavering devotion and love that parents give their children that gives them the strength to face the world.
13. “Humble and Kind,” by Tim McGraw
Touching Lyrics: “/When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you / When the work you put in is realized / Let yourself feel the pride / But always stay humble and kind/.”
This is a cover of Lori McKenna’s slightly upbeat ballad song. It will make a beautiful dance song for parents’ dance because it serves as a reminder for parents to children to remain humble and kind while wishing that all their dreams come true.
14. “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins
Touching Lyrics: “/You’ll be in my heart/ No matter what they say/ You’ll be here in my heart/ Always/”
This amazing pop-rock song, with its heartfelt lyrics, is a beautiful tribute to the connection and undying love between a parent and child.
15. “That’s the Way of the World” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Touching Lyrics: “/If you look way down in your heart and soul / Don’t hesitate ’cause the world seems cold / Stay young at heart, ’cause you’re never, never old/.”
This soulful, funky disco tune conveys a message of staying strong as you start a new chapter in your life, making it a good father-daughter or mother-son dance song, and it is sure to get your guests dancing too.
16. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Touching Lyrics: “/You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains / You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas / I am strong when I am on your shoulders / You raise me up to more than I can be/.”
“You Raise Me Up” is a powerful ballad that will be a great song choice for parents’ wedding dance. Its lyrics speak of being inspired and given strength by a loved one in your toughest times.
17. ” You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
Touching Lyrics: “/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/.”
This classic up-tempo sound with its nice melody makes a perfect song for an energetic dance between the bride, groom, and their parents. The lyrics celebrate the strong connection between parents and children and how they will always be there for them.
18. “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green
Touching Lyrics: “/Loving you forever / Is what I need / Let me be the one you come running to / I’ll never be untrue/.”
This is a classic song whose lyrics speak of unconditional love, which is the aura of your big day. Plus, since it’s a classic, it will be well-known by your parents, grandparents, and every guest present, making it easier for them to connect and understand the song’s special meaning.
19. “Blessed” by Elton John
Touching Lyrics: “/Hey you, you’re a child in my head/ You haven’t walked yet/ Your first words have yet to be said/ But I swear you’ll be blessed/.”
The songs speak of support and reassurance given to a child by their parents, and those attributes are vital factors newlyweds need for their journey together.
20. “What You Won’t Do For Love,” by Bobby Caldwell
Touching Lyrics: “/But then I only want the best, it’s true / I can’t believe the things I do for you/.”
This sweet ballad talks about the lengths parents will go to see their children happy, making it a great fit for a mother and groom or father and daughter dance.
21. “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
Touching Lyrics: “/ And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to/ I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too/ Yeah, this, is my wish/.”
This heartwarming song is an ideal fit for parents’ dance at weddings and is sure to bring tears to your guests as it speaks of the unconditional love parents have for their children.
22. “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” by Guns N’ Roses
Touching Lyrics: “/She’s got a smile it seems to me/Reminds me of childhood memories/Where everything/Was as fresh as the bright blue sky/.”
This classic upbeat song will keep the aura of the reception dance floor electric.
23. “In My Life” by The Beatles
Touching Lyrics: “/For people and things that went before/ I know I’ll often stop and think about them/ In my life, I’ll love you more/.”
This track is a good addition to your collection of songs for parents’ dance at weddings as it speaks about friends and family that have stayed in your life and helped shape your life.
24. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
Touching Lyrics: “/Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,/ Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,/ And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance/I hope you dance/.”
This masterpiece will create an emotional moment between a parent and child as it speaks of parents’ hope that their children reach their goals and live their dreams.
25. “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart
Touching Lyrics: “/But whatever road you choose, I’m right behind you win or lose,/ Forever young/.”
The song tells of how parent figures wish a happy life for the child and still be in their life.
Summary
Playing certain songs for parents’ dance at weddings can be boring. However, with this collection of songs provided for you in this article, that won’t be the case. With these songs, years from now, you will remember how they created magic for your special day while you were dancing with your parents at the reception.
FAQs
In this section are questions people often ask.
What Is the Dance for Parents at a Wedding?
This is a wedding tradition where the groom dances with his mother and the bride dances with her father.
Can You Skip Parent Dance at Weddings?
Yes, you can, especially if it makes you very emotional.
Do Parent Dances Come Before or After the First Dance?
Parents’ dance comes after the newlyweds’ first dance or even after dinner.