Songs touting the importance of familial relations as an emotional cornerstone have long been a part of country music. While there are a plethora of songs celebrating the role of mothers — such as Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” and Faith Hill’s “You Can’t Lose Me” — there is also a sturdy canon of songs celebrating dads.
In honor of Father’s Day, here’s a look at some of country music’s top tunes saluting dads, whether from the perspective of fathers wrestling with the demands and long-reaching impact of being a parent, or from the perspective of children, now grown, reminiscing on the memories and lessons learned from dear ol’ Dad.
For some, thinking of their father conjures up memories of baseball games, camping, hugs, fishing trips and working together on cars. For others, the memories might center more around an absentee father who spent long days away at the office or on work trips, or one who was a stern disciplinarian.
If you can’t find just the right Father’s Day greeting card or you need a slate of songs to soundtrack a perfect Father’s Day celebration (or are just in a nostalgic mood for some fatherly tunes), consider a few of the songs below.
This list includes hits from a range of artists, including George Strait‘s “Love Without End, Amen,” Reba McEntire‘s “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” Trace Adkins’s “Just Fishin’” and Ricky Van Shelton’s “Keep It Between the Lines,” as well Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be,” an ode to stepfathers.
Since fathers have fathers too, we threw in a nod to grandpas as well, with The Judds’ “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Ole Days).”
See our list of the best country Father’s Day anthems below.
