Silke Jasso
As a wedding guest, what is usually the best part of the wedding? The reception, right? That’s when everyone relaxes a little more and the formality of it all does an about-face and becomes about the celebration of the couple. That is, except for one part — the father/daughter dance. It’s the moment during the reception when the crowd pauses to witness that intimate moment, that final farewell and that step back to when the bride was a little girl.
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In this special edition of Rare Country’s 5, host Erin Holt looks at our five favorite country songs for that so-important father-daughter dance. So, if you’re about to tie the knot, you may want to consider one of these.
If you’re hoping to two-step with your daddy or daughter for your post-nuptial spin around the dance floor, check out Holly Dunn’s “Daddy’s Hands.” This poignant recollection of growing up with a father that was both firm and gentle oozes with love and appreciation. And while the lyrics could induce a tear or two, the tempo keeps it a little light.
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We haven’t heard much from Heartland since they released their debut single, the quintessential wedding waltz, “I Loved Her First.” But with that one song, they made a lasting impact on country music. “I Loved Her First” will definitely cause leaky eyes with its narrative to the groom of no matter how much he loves his new bride, Daddy loved her first. Oh gosh, hand us a tissue please.
When it comes to knowing how to tug at heartstrings, Rascal Flatts are in a class by themselves and when it comes to a wedding song wrought with meaning, “My Wish” is everything. The song is a list of all of the things a parent would tell their child as they send them off to a new life and there isn’t a human who can’t hear the tenderness in those words. A slow cha-cha-cha or simply rocking in Daddy’s arms for one last time would make this moment magical.
Filled with emotion and soaring choruses, Tim McGraw’s “My Little Girl” is a tender yet dramatic offering for father and daughter to demonstrate their dance skills after the “I dos” have been said. The lyric serves as a reminder that no matter what she does or where she goes, that lovely lady in white, waltzing around the room, is still a little girl to her daddy.
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Speaking of sending your baby girl off with a heartfelt of hopes, Lee Ann Womack had the anthem for wishing your offspring big dreams with “I Hope You Dance.” With verses as light and sparkly as fairy wings, but a chorus as rich as velvet, “I Hope You Dance” is the parent’s ultimate message to their offspring that life is meant to be lived, no matter who is by your side. But for at least a few minutes, in the middle of the dance floor, the man by the bride’s side is her beloved daddy.
We’re gonna need a few days to recover from this emotional Rare Country’s 5, but be sure to check out Erin’s video and look for more fun lists and news when we’re back with another Rare Country’s 5 next week.
