I Get It From My Dad: The Revival of Dad Music

Calling all music-lovers! The “dad music” renaissance is upon us! “Let’s Groove,” the 1981 song by Earth Wind and Fire, is a TikTok sensation. Legendary rock bands like Metallica, Talking Heads, and Journey were all featured on the soundtrack for season four of Stranger Things. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are touring again for the first time in six years. Amidst this dad-music-mania, I started to question my own understanding of the genre. The essence of dad music is nostalgia. With narrative-based lyrics about the human condition, the genre is relatable.

These emotional lyrics are typically potent. Some dad songs are so lyrically charged, that they can feel like a hug or a slap across the face. Ultimately, this lyricism is why the genre is timeless; unassuming songs like Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” can evoke memories of birthdays, graduations, weddings, and family reunions. It is more than a genre—it is the shared soundtrack of our lives. Music has always been an integral part of my family life. “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash is my first memory. When I was a young kid, my dad drove me to school. He played a variety of songs during these car rides, but “Ring of Fire” was always my favorite. I became obsessed with music.

Even at a young age, it was obvious that my dad had an immense appreciation for all music genres. This was my introduction to dad music. It is typically assumed that dad music only encompasses a particular musical style or era, but this oversimplification of the genre is limiting. While many of my childhood friends, and Emerson classmates, associate dad music with certain/particular rock bands like Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, and Cake, the genre is undeniably subjective. Its sound cannot be defined because dad music is inherently varied. For example, my personal interpretation of the genre includes 80s alternative music, early 2000s R&B, and Florence + the Machine’s “Greatest Hits.”

To know my dad is to know his music taste. The same can be said about myself and my grandpa (my dad’s father). Music is our love language. When I became interested in singing as a young child, my dad promptly registered me for a musical theater class. Last year, I gave my dad a cassette tape of curated songs for his birthday. Similarly, my dad brought my grandpa to see one of his favorite bands, The Doobie Brothers, over the summer. In an effort to understand my personal connection to dad music, I spoke with both my dad and grandpa about the way music has impacted their lives. When my grandpa was seven years old, he was gifted his first record player. Growing up, his family listened to, what he calls, “the standards,” like Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, and Kate Smith. From that point on, my grandpa was captivated by music. Then, when he was a senior in high school, he received an album that would change his life: What’d I Say by Ray Charles. Blues, Soul, and Jazz music became his religion. His devotion to these genres continued into adulthood.

Later, my grandpa would pass on his love of music to his children. Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Stevie Wonder songs were the soundtrack of my dad’s childhood. My grandpa filled their home with a variety of records and record players. Eventually, these record players were replaced by home stereos and a state-of-the-art sound room. This room had strategically placed speakers to create an unparalleled listening experience. According to my dad, if a person found the “sweet spot” in the sound room, they could actually visualize each musician within the space. As he grew older, my dad spent many hours listening to music with my grandpa. “You listen to a beautifully performed and produced song with great equipment in this way,” he exclaimed with awe, “depending on the type of music, it gives you goosebumps, can make you tear up, or want to run up a wall with sheer excitement.” This time spent in the sound room made a substantial impact on my dad. Music was something my dad and grandpa could enjoy together. It was a common interest that ultimately strengthened their relationship.

Just as my grandpa and dad shared the sound room, my dad and I have bonded over live music. As a lifelong music lover, my dad has some crazy concert stories, my favorite being “The Infamous Green Day Show.” In 2000, my dad was not a Green Day fan, but he wound up watching their set at a music festival. After the final song, the band members proceeded to smash their guitars, damage some amps, destroy the stage, and set their drum kit on fire. When I first heard this story, I was shocked. It sounded like something that only happened in movies.

By the time I was old enough to attend concerts, my dad was adamant that I experience the magic of live music. We became “concert buddies,” and have seen a number of concerts together, including 5 Seconds of Summer, Florence + the Machine, and Anderson .Paak. During a period when I struggled with intense self-doubt, my dad showed me the therapeutic nature of live music. The concerts we shared together were transformative. To me, dad music is about togetherness—the same sense of togetherness you feel in a packed concert venue when the musician strums the first guitar chord. I am fascinated by the revival of dad music, because my dad’s passion for music changed my life. I wouldn’t be a music writer if it weren’t for his influence. The celebration of dad music emphasizes how music acts as a bonding tool for many families. However, I think the definition of dad music can extend to those outside of our immediate family. My grandpa, cousins, and friends have all influenced my music taste. Humans thrive when we are in a community, and music is a powerful force that can help bring us together.

Your MagazineMarch 9, 2023