11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers… To an Extent | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers compelling musical selections by courtesy of Badflower, D’Angelo, Demi Lovato, Denzel Curry & Kirk Franklin.

“If I could steal one final glance / One final glance / One final dance with him,” the late, great  Luther Vandross sings on “Dance with My Father” (Dance with My Father), continuing, “I’d play a song that would never ever end / ‘Cause I’d love, love, love, to / Dance with my father again.”  For Vandross, his desire on this Grammy-winning classic was to have another moment with his late father.  Honestly, what better way to kick off “11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers… To an Extent” than with the 2003 R&B gem?

The key thing to note about this playlist is the end of the title – “To an Extent.”  That means, that unlike the more ‘focused’ 15 Songs That Focus on Mama,  the dads don’t quite receive the same treatment – sorry Daddy! Nonetheless, 11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers features compelling musical selections, courtesy of Badflower (“Daddy”), D’Angelo and the Vanguard (“Sugah Daddy”), Demi Lovato (“Daddy Issues”), Denzel Curry (“Ricky”), and Kirk Franklin (“Father Knows Best”) among others.

1. Kirk Franklin, “Father Knows Best”

Long Live Love • Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA • 2019

The crème de la crème of Long Live Love, the 2019 contemporary gospel album by multi-Grammy-winner Kirk Franklin, is arguably the epic “Father Knows Best.” That electric piano is a nice production touch, while the song itself has bit more of a traditional gospel feel. It’s an extension of “Just for Me” that precedes it, trying to understand the reasoning behind God’s decisions.

Ultimately, it’s about trusting in God’s plan, and Kirk Franklin brilliantly likens God to earthly fathers, best showcased on the chorus:

“Oh, that’s what real fathers do
I wouldn’t expect nothing less from you
See, it’s alright to not always understand why
Let Him in, bring tears from your eyes
But God, your ways are better than mine
So, whatever you see, keep working on me
Promise me you’ll hold me close, don’t ever let me go…”

2. Mike Posner, “January 11^th, 2017”

A Real Good Kid • Island • 2019

The honesty and emotional nature of the A Real Good Kid, the third studio album by Mike Posner commences with a minute-long, spoken-word “Introduction.” “Introduction” leads to one of the most moving songs of the singer/songwriter’s career, “January 11^th, 2017”. Here, Posner discusses the impact that his father’s death had on him.

“January 11^th, 2017” is a bit tough to listen to. Why? The listener feels the pain that the musician experiences. At the same time, it feels as if Posner breaks down walls that previously stood tall and unmovable.

“The day my daddy died, I damn near quit the bandThe day my daddy died, I held my mama’s handI cried my tears, then dried ‘em upPut my face inside my handsThe day my daddy died, I became a man.”

3. Denzel Curry, “Ricky”

ZUU • Loma Vista • 2019

“Ricky” is a surefire highlight from ZUU, the 2019 album by Carol City, Florida rapper Denzel Curry.  “Ricky” features sick, malicious production work which serves as perfect fuel for Curry’s fire.  The pre-chorus is pitch-shifted, giving “Ricky” a gimmicky sound before Curry’s stand voices come through in all their glory on the catchy, rather prudent chorus:

“My daddy said, ‘Trust no man but your brothers

And never leave your day ones in the gutter’

My daddy said, ‘Treat young girls like your mother

My mama said, ‘Trust no ho, use a rubber.’”

The prudence doesn’t stop beyond the chorus.  At the end of the first verse, Curry goes on to quote ‘Ricky’ (his dad), “‘And fear no man but the man above your head’,” before once more quoting his mama, “‘Pray before you go to bed.’” On the second verse, Denzel remains charged up, reminiscing back to his first album (Nostalgic) and again, paying ode to Ricky.

4. Badflower, “Daddy”

OK, I’M SICK • Big Machine • 2019

“And Daddy gives it all ‘cause he loves you the most / He’s stretching your clothes, you’re clenching your toes…” Wow… Badflower delivers an unsettling, chilling number with “Daddy,” which appears on the band’s full-length, debut album, OK, I’M SICK (2019). Josh Katz imparts a tale of a girl being sexually abused by the man who should be her role model and protector, her father.  Disturbing, give Badflower credit for tackling such difficult, yet authentic subject matter.

Perhaps the bridge is a bit far-fetched: “And Daddy lay sick on the hospital bed / She creeps in the room with a bag in her hand / And smothers the face of a terrible man.” At the same time, its captures the emotions felt by a totally wronged little girl who didn’t deserve such treatment.

5. Lil Yachty, “Babby Daddy” (Ft. Lil Pump & Offset)

Lil Boat 2 • Capitol / Motown • 2018

“Your baby daddy a sucka, ayy, your baby daddy a busta, ayy / Your baby daddy so broke, he hit the plug for a free line of coke / I’m thirty deep with the whole gang, pull up, we bringin’ the pain / Fuckin’ a bitch, grabbin’ her throat, poppin’ out all of her veins…” On “Baby Daddy,” one of few highlights from Lil Boat 2, Lil Yachty drops a low-energy, deadpan verse and hook (partially mumbled you might say). Even so, it’s appealing and effective.

 Unfortunately, the aforementioned hook is filthy – sexually-charged and misogynistic.  Nonetheless, the delivery, as opposed to the lyrics, shows the potential of the rapper. Lil Pump, appears, dropping what seems like the millionth oral sex reference of Lil Boat 2.  Like Yachty, despite the filth, he shines on his verse, with a flow similar to “Gucci Gang.” As for Offset, he references Patek Phillipe for the umpteenth time. Even recycling, he brings energy to this banger, which really has little to do with dad either. 

6. Nicholas Tomillon, “To My Father”

To My Father – Single • Millennial • 2018

“You would rip off the sheets / Right as you came in my room / Then you would throw me around / Like I meant nothing to you.” Damn. Before any lyrics are sung on “To My Father”, it’s clear that this alternative record from rising teen singer/songwriter Nicholas Tomillon is an incredibly authentic, yet moody and troubling listen. Tomillon depicts a truly tough relationship with his father, expressing feelings of a lack of safety, support, and love. Chocked-full of ‘affecting’ lyrics, among the most affecting appears near the end of the record:

“And now the sound of your screams still rattle in my brain

You’re like a medieval demon rushing through my veins

Ain’t got a moment to weep cause you’re the one to blame

You make me feel insane.”

Despite the adversity, there is a silver lining for Tomillon, per his interview with The Musical Hype:

“Not only has this song helped me, but people message me every day, whether it be to tell me how much they love the song, or how much they can relate to it, and how it has given them a sense of hope and understanding of the fact that they are not alone.”

“To My Father” previously appeared on the playlist, 5 Songs That Depict Difficult Parent-Child Relationships.

7. Macy Gray, “Sugar Daddy”

Ruby • Mack Avenue • 2018

Macy Gray possesses one of the most distinctive voices in the entire music game. Selling her unique instrument effectively has been an issue for Gray, who should definitely be respected beyond her superb, Grammy-winning hit, “I Try”.  Post- On How Life Is (her most successful album), her career has been much more obscure, which is sad.  However, she’s had some nice moments, including “Sugar Daddy” which appears on her quietly released 2018 album, Ruby.

“Sugar Daddy” is ‘just what the doctor ordered.’  The first reason why is because it highlights the beauty and distinct tone of Gray’s voice.  She certainly sounds quite melodic.  While she may still come off as an acquired taste to some, she sounds palatable.  Part of the reason for the appetizing nature of her performance is the fact that the record is somewhat novel.  It masterfully fuses retro soul, urban contemporary, and even a dash of pop for good measure.  Secondly, “Sugar Daddy” is quite catchy record, benefiting from memorable songwriting. 

8. Demi Lovato, “Daddy Issues”

Tell Me You Love Me • Hollywood / Island • 2017

“Daddy Issues” is arguably the most ‘eyebrow-raising’ song from Demi Lovato’s sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me. In the context of the album, Lovato continues to be unapologetic to the nth degree. Interestingly, an early f-bomb is censored, regardless of amended or explicit editions.

The chorus specifically is where the eyebrows are raised:

“Lucky for you, I got all these daddy issues

What can I do?

I’m going crazy when I’m with you

Forget all the therapy that I’ve been through.”

Does Lovato over-sexualize daddy issues? Arguably, but beyond the modern production and sexual tilt, there’s a personal aspect.  Lovato legitimately had a rocky relationship with her late father, Patrick Lovato.  “Daddy Issues” previously appeared on the playlist, 5 Songs That Depict Difficult Parent-Child Relationships.

9. Beyoncé, “Daddy Lessons”

Lemonade • Sony • 2016

“With his gun, with his head held high / He told me not to cry / Oh, my daddy said shoot / Oh, my daddy said shoot.” From Demi Lovato’s “Daddy Issues,” we move on to urban contemporary icon Beyoncé, who sings about “Daddy Lessons.” “Daddy Lessons,” which hails from her Grammy-winning album Lemonade, finds ‘Yoncé switching up styles and embracing country music.  Since this is a country song, should the “guns” mentioned in the aforementioned lyrics be taken literally?  Probably not; they feel more metaphorical, particularly when it comes to Beyoncé or the character that she portrays.

Moving on, one line really stood out when “Daddy Lessons” was released:

“He always played it cool

But daddy was no fool

And right before he died, he said remember…”

If it seemed that Beyoncé was talking explicitly about her own father, Matthew Knowles, and adding some meaning to the playlist theme and title, this particular lyric seems to rule it out. Why? Well, Knowles is still alive….

10. D’Angelo and the Vanguard, “Sugah Daddy”

Black Messiah • RCA • 2014

“I fill my baby’s crib with all the sweetness daddy wants to give / And when it comes to rocking her to sleep, I’ll never tire.” Yeah, it’s pretty damn clear what D’Angelo had in mind on “Sugah Daddy,” a highlight from Black Messiah (2014), his first album in 14 years, credited to D’Angelo and the Vanguard to be precise.  Throughout his career, the musician has shown a knack for singing compelling songs referencing sex.

Undoubtedly, “Sugah Daddy” embraces sex.  Beyond ‘doing it,’ the record also reminded R&B enthusiast just how much they missed neo-soul.  The most contemporary thing about “Sugah Daddy” is the fact that it was released in 2014.  Otherwise, this is old-school to the nth degree, and that’s a huge selling point.  Expectedly, D slaughters – “It’s just the way she’s so raw and uncut / She needs a spankin’ to shake her up.”  Yeah, it’s salacious, but according to D, the girl is high maintenance and ‘love’ seems to be irrelevant.  Again, probably not your go-to song for Father’s Day…

11. Monica, “Daddy’s Good Girl”

New Life • RCA • 2012

“And I promise to be good, daddy’s good girl / You ain’t gonna hear nothing ‘bout me/ Hanging late up in these streets…” Good to know Monica! Believe it or not, not every song that features ‘dad’ or ‘father’ in the song title is really about dad.  That’s the case with this excellent Monica song, “Daddy’s Good Girl,” which appeared on her sixth studio album, New Life (2012). Dad is mentioned, but he’s not the focal point in the least.

“Daddy’s Good Girl” opens lovely with electric piano, setting up the laid-back, chilled-out vibes of the record.  The production is understated, yet quite effective.  Background vocals add to the excellence, even if their appearance is characterized by subtlety. The chorus, partially excerpted above, is the centerpiece, representative of the solid songwriting overall.  Prior to the aforementioned excerpt, Monica focuses on the main theme of the song – love between man and woman:

“And if you love me, tell me that you love me

I need to hear those words, before I go to bed

My baby, baby I make it easy, baby

I just want you to need me

I gotta feel your touch, taste your kiss

Hear your voice in my head…”

[Photo Credits: Big Machine, Capitol, Hollywood, Island, Loma Vista, Mack Avenue, Millennial, Motown, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Sony]