![“11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers… To an Extent” [Photo Credits: Big Machine, Capitol, Hollywood, Island, Loma Vista, Mack Avenue, Millennial, Motown, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Sony]](https://themusicalhype.com/wp-content/plugins/accelerated-mobile-pages/images/SD-default-image.png)
![“11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers… To an Extent” [Photo Credits: Big Machine, Capitol, Hollywood, Island, Loma Vista, Mack Avenue, Millennial, Motown, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Sony]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/11-songs-all-about-dads-fathers-to-an-extent-1.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1)
11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers compelling musical selections by courtesy of Badflower, D’Angelo, Demi Lovato, Denzel Curry & Kirk Franklin.
![“11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers… To an Extent” [Photo Credits: Big Machine, Capitol, Hollywood, Island, Loma Vista, Mack Avenue, Millennial, Motown, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Sony]](https://themusicalhype.com/wp-content/plugins/accelerated-mobile-pages/images/SD-default-image.png)
![“11 Songs All About Dads & Fathers… To an Extent” [Photo Credits: Big Machine, Capitol, Hollywood, Island, Loma Vista, Mack Avenue, Millennial, Motown, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Sony]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/11-songs-all-about-dads-fathers-to-an-extent-1.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1)
“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
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 11th, 2017”
A Real Good Kid • Island • 2019
“January 11th, 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
“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
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
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
“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
“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
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
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
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
“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…”
Leave a Comment