Father’s Day Playlist 2014: 8 Songs That Celebrate Dads

Bianca Gracie | June 12, 2014 8:58 am

Beyonce – “Daddy”

Beyonce and her father/former manager Matthew Knowles seem to not be on the best of terms now. However, back in the day, their close relationship was quite admirable. So much so, that the singer dedicated a song to him on her 2003 debut album Dangerously In Love – simply titled, “Daddy.” The sparkling piano-laden R&B ballad is a tribute to Knowles, as Beyonce reminisces about childhood memories with her father and how she hopes for her future man to be just like him. She confesses, “I treasure every irreplaceable memory and that’s why I want my unborn son to be like my daddy/I want my husband to be like my daddy/There is no one else like my daddy.” Excuse us as we bawl our eyes out…

Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus – “I Learned From You”

Miley Cyrus simply cannot be tamed! But in happier, more clothed times, she was an innocent teenager who enjoyed recording songs with her famous dad, Billy Ray. The duo’s popular tune “I Learned From You” was released in 2006 as the closing track on the Hannah Montana series soundtrack. The country-influenced duet is quite beautiful, as the two sing their hearts out about how they made the other stronger than before: “I learned from you that I do not crumble/ I learned that strength is something you choose.” It is not clear how strong their relationship is now, but hopefully this song is a reminder that their bond was once unbreakable.

Eminem – “Hailie’s Song”

Eminem usually comes off as a tough-as-nails rapper. Underneath that hard shell, though, he’s a total softie — especially when it comes to his 18-year-old daughter Hailie Jade. On his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (released in 2002), the rapper reveals to the world how much his little girl means to him on his ode “Hailie’s Song.” He is so excited to share his happiness, that he actually sings, not raps, throughout the entire tune! With lyrics like “but when I see my baby, suddenly I’m not crazy/It all makes sense when I look into her eyes,” the tune is an absolute tear-jerker.

Nas – “Daughters”

It is a difficult challenge raising a daughter as a father, especially for celebrities who are under the critical eyes of the media. Rapper Nas has publicly discussed his relationship with his 20-year-old daughter Destiny and how he’s working to make their bond stronger. His 2012 single “Daughters,” off his eleventh studio album Life Is Good, has a great message for young dads who are struggling with raising a girl in the right way. Very self-critical, the song discusses his daughter’s wild behavior, which Nas blames on his weak parenting skills. For a rap song, it’s personal with lyrics like “she heard stories of her daddy thuggin’/so if her husband is a gangster can’t be mad, I love her,” which are elevated by the tune’s soulful production.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.