Songs About Daddy Issues
Daddy issues is a concept that is in the lives of many successful musicians. There are many musicians who turn their problems with their fathers or other family members into unique songs. Here are songs about daddy issues with examples from different genres:
Kelly Clarkson – Because Of You
Kelly Clarkson is an American singer-songwriter, actress and author. She rose to prominence after winning Season One of American Idol singing competition in 2002; thus setting in motion an impressive career path.
Thankful was more pop than rock in terms of her vocal range; My December (2007) marked Clarkson as a rock icon due to its more confessional approach and emphasis on lyrical depth. This track is one of the most popular songs about daddy issues.
The Neighbourhood – Daddy Issues
California band The Neighbourhood first made their debut in 2012 without providing much in terms of information about themselves or music that had previously been released — only two tracks, Female Robbery and Sweater Weather were made available to audiences and critics. Yet fans and critics found their music transformative, as it combines rock instruments with R&B/hip hop aesthetics, creating what has since been termed alternative rock.
Since their formation, Jesse Rutherford (vocals), Jeremy Freedman (guitar), Zach Abels (guitar), and Mikey Margott (bass) have defied convention. Their singles have garnered over one billion views/streams and they’ve collaborated with celebrities like YG and Denzel Curry; additionally their albums such as 2018’s Hard to Imagine the Neighborhood Ever Changing and 2022’s Wiped Out! have debuted as number ones on Billboard’s alternative chart. This song is one of the most original songs about daddy issues.
John Mayer – Daughters
John Mayer is one of those rare musicians who has found success across many genres – as a sensitive singer/songwriter with jazz chord progressions; leader of an electric blues trio; and as an up-and-coming pop-rock performer. His acoustic debut Room for Squares earned critical acclaim in 2001 and went triple platinum; then Heavier Things came out two years later and went platinum as well.
In 2006, Continuum marked a turning point in his musical journey from singer/songwriter to rock/pop artist with an expansive musical palette. The release received double platinum certification and featured collaborations with legends from multiple genres like BB King and Buddy Guy as well as jazz performers like Herbie Hancock. This unforgettable song is one of the most high-energy among songs about daddy issues.
Harry Chapin – Cats in the Cradle
Harry Chapin was born in New York City on December 7, 1942 and raised in Brooklyn Heights. As a boy he sang with the local Boys Choir before entering folk clubs with his brothers Tom and Steve to make music in Greenwich Village folk clubs, where they began writing narrative songs as well as performing them live as singer-songwriters on tours around North America and Europe.
His debut album, Heads and Tales, included “Taxi,” which became one of the most requested radio songs for 10 weeks and earned him both a Grammy nomination and gold record certification. As soon as this hit took off, he began writing more narrative-style songs than ever. This successful song has one of the most emotional lyrics among songs about daddy issues.
Greatest Stories Live was his second gold record and 19 appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show were highlighted during this time period. Additionally, he began becoming more politically involved by meeting with President Carter to discuss hunger legislation; unfortunately in 1977 his double album Dance Band on Titanic proved commercially unsuccessful.
Everclear – Father Of Mine
Art Alexakis founded Everclear, which remains active to this day, touring worldwide. Additionally, he plays in other bands and has written songs for various artists.
At one time, this band was a frequent feature on college radio stations and charted multiple hits; their success led to a major label deal and string of successful albums released under that deal. They’ve even appeared in television programs like Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide!
This work by Everclear is one of the first ones that come to mind among songs about daddy issues.
Redlight King – Old Man
Redlight King frontman Mark Kasprzyk has made history with a stellar career that includes winning Juno Awards, appearing on late-night talk shows and touring internationally. But along the way there were also dark days–one being his battle with addiction that nearly derailed it altogether–yet eventually found recovery and is back with an album that stands as both his comeback statement and vision of purpose.
Forming in Hamilton, Ontario in 2011, this band made a striking first impression with their 2011 album Something for the Pain which featured Neil Young’s 1972 hit of the same name “Old Man,” paying reluctant tribute to Kazprzyk’s father who taught school by day and raced stock cars by night. Their follow up album Irons in the Fire followed in 2013; its track “Born to Rise” became the soundtrack for Lionsgate sports drama film Draft Day starring Kevin Costner. It is considered as one of the songs about daddy issues.
Demi Lovato – Father
Lovato made her Disney Channel debut after appearing in As the Bell Rings, earning lead roles in Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance films and television shows respectively. Her 2008 album Unbroken featured “Skyscraper”, an anthem celebrating self-confidence and strength that marked Lovato’s maturation into an accomplished actress.
Holy Fvck marks Lovato’s journey since her days on Sonny with a Chance. Since then, she’s sought treatment for depression and bipolar disorder multiple times, spoken out against bullying and mental health awareness initiatives and provided financing through her foundation for others to receive treatment. Among songs about daddy issues, it would be impossible not to mention this song by Demi Lovato.
Kendrick Lamar – Father Time
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth has become one of the world’s most celebrated modern rappers, having established an enormous worldwide fan base since first beginning to write lyrics as a teenager in Compton. At 16, his mixtape, Overly Dedicated (under pseudonym K-Dot), gained local attention and eventually led him into signing with independent label Top Dawg Entertainment for a record deal.
Good Kid, M.A.A.d City was his debut major-label album and it received critical acclaim and sales. Since then he has continued to enthrall audiences with follow up albums like To Pimp A Butterfly and 2017’s DAMN.
Mac Demarco – Watching Him Fade Away
Mac DeMarco is an award-winning musician, having released five full-length albums to build up a substantial fan base and collaborated with artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Father John Misty, Rostam Batmanglij and Tanya Tagaq. His music ranges from indie rock to alternative country genres and his unique approach has inspired young indie musicians to express themselves musically with greater autonomy.
Mac initially began his musical career with a band in Vancouver before transitioning into solo work after being recognized by record labels. He started uploading songs via Bandcamp – an internet platform which allowed musicians to sell directly to fans – and quickly attracted a large following before being signed by one label. By 2012 he released his debut full-length album entitled ‘2’ which received high critical acclaim, even earning him Pitchfork’s designation of Best New Music! One song even licensed for use by Target Inc in an advertisement campaign!
Mac released his second album ‘Salad Days’ in 2014 as an introspective and more subdued affair, showing his evolving musical maturity as both singer and songwriter. Critics lauded its melancholic piano ballads. This was followed by another full-length release entitled ‘Another One’ with mostly love songs on it. It can be listed as one of the songs about daddy issues .
Demi Lovato – Daddy Issues
On her eighth studio album, she pushes boundaries. The title track compares her body to Eucharistic elements; “Heaven” sounds like an explicit masturbation hymn with skipping kick drums and celestial choirs; while “City of Angels” makes fun of Disneyland’s Splash Mountain ride – yet all this anger contains humor and irreverence within its depths.
Demi Lovato’s Daddy Issues is one of the first songs about daddy issues that comes to mind. In this song, the artist presents the problems of her past in her own style.