Fatherhood and Pop Songs

Everclear's "Wonderful" is a pretty depressing song for anyone whose parents were around. At least mine, anyway.

 

This thread reminds me of one of the greatest days of my life.

As the doctor first handed me my newborn daughter, the song, "Waiting For A Girl Like You," played. That song was followed, I'm not making this up, by Amy Grant's "Baby, Baby".

 

Some of my favorites about fatherhood, as written/sung by the fathers, or from a son's perspective of his father:

"The Living Years," by Mike & the Mechanics (one of the best anthemic songs about fatherhood ever made, in my opinion).

"Leader of the Band," by Dan Fogelberg (an obvious, moving tribute of a son to his father).

"Butterfly Kisses," by Bob Carlisle (one for the ages for fathers and daughters)

"Tears In Heaven," by Eric Clapton (solomn, hauntingly sad song produced after the death of his 4-year-old son in a fall from a New York City high-rise apartment window).

 

Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Temptations

Outfit - Drive-By Truckers

Independence Day - Springsteen

Waitin On A Train - Bottle Rockets

Was I Right Or Wrong - Skynyrd

Daddy's Cup - Drive-By Truckers

 

another one I can't believe my fellow Springsteen fans haven't mentioned yet:

Adam Raised a Cain

 

"The Blind Man in the Bleachers."

"Daddy, What If," by Bobby Bare and Bobby Bare Jr. (age four)

 

Father and Son - Cat Stevens

Old Man - Neil Young

 

Not father and son but "Give a Man a Fish" by Arrested Development had similar sage advice.

 

the father-son relationship from a son's point of view:
Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash

 

"The Living Years" - Mike + The Mechanics. Hands down.

Honorable mention:
"Circle Of Life" - Elton John
"You Can't Hurry Love" - The Supremes
"Turn, Turn, Turn" - The Byrds
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Tears For Fears
"Go Your Own Way" - Fleetwood Mac

 

I forget the best one: Martha Wainwright's ode to her father Loudon III.

It's called "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole."

 

"How You've Grown" by 10,000 Maniacs breaks me up every time. As a son, it makes me want to call my mom. As a dad, I imagine it'd make me want to hug my kid to death.