Blog Post // 2021-06-20

Songs For Dad

I know you are probably sick of hearing about my dad, if you have been following me for any length of time. We had a sometimes intense, and sometimes amazing relationship. The truth is, I am more like he was than my mom, and that is why we clashed at times. He is where I get my straightforwardness from, my sense of humour, my love for nature, my bad temper, my passionate determination. I knew he loved me, always, but he was immature and dealing with his own demons, which at times led to wounds between us. All things factored in, I miss him! 

I think that dads matter! If you are a dad, you mean the world to your kid! Don't take your role lightly!

If you have had a terrible experience with your dad, he has been absent, or you can only think of trauma when a father crosses your mind, I am sorry. I also kept you in mind as I thought on this topic.

If you are like me and you no longer have your dad in your life because he is not alive, I also thought of you. 

If your relationship with your dad is a struggle that you are pressing on through, I thought of you.

If you have an amazing relationship with your dad, that is awesome - you were also on my mind.

So, where am I going with all this? I just thought since, in Canada, it is Father's Day, I might post some songs that are associated, one way or another, with fathers. So, that was the goal, here. Although these are not all songs I am drawn to listen to on a regular basis, they fit the description and made me think of my own dad or someone else's dad (and yes some of them are not quite metal).

In This Moment - Daddy's Falling Angel

This is one of my favourite songs by this band. Catchy, but emotional. 

I don't know about other people that have lost loved ones, but I have dreams all the time with my dad in them. A lot of the time, I actually recognize I am dreaming, while I am dreaming, and try my hardest to stay asleep to have another moment. 

Pull these scars off my eyes
Lost from the world
A child searching for her dad

In my dreams last night I saw your face
You held me and washed away my tears
Then I woke to realize you're gone
I'm drowning in solitude again

Borknagar - Wild Father's Heart

Gracefully done, and a great song to sing along with.

I think these lyrics really speak to what no one can know until they become a parent, and that is just the way your heart can love in a way you never knew possible.

I think dads are also often associated with adventure. I am thankful my dad never held the fact that I am girl against me. He took me for many treks! I never once worried about any detail because, to me, he was a superhero, and nothing could threaten us.

Awakened by a thumping heart
Growing in his chest

The pulse of generations resounding in one men
Calling him, alluring

To climb the peaks
To reach the sun
To rise above
To rise above

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride

Energetic and fun!

I remember my dad got his hands on some vinyl he found second-hand, and one was Steppenwolf. So, he would take the opportunity to play Magic Carpet Ride. To me it was like the song was written about our exciting journeys together.

I like to dream, yes, yes
Right between the sound machine
On a cloud of sound I drift in the night
Any place it goes is right
Goes far, flies near
To the stars away from here
Well, you don't know what
We can find
Why don't you come with me little girl
On a magic carpet ride

Neil Young - Old Man

This is a song that is easy to listen to around most people, and you usually end up with it stuck in your head.

My dad was a Neil Young fan. I always thought it would be cool to go to one of his concerts with my mom, sort of like a memorial for my dad. 

I thought this song must be written about how much we were alike. I wasn't always happy about the characteristics we shared, but I knew deep down that some of my struggles were his as well.

Apparently, this song isn't actually written about a father, but it really seemed like it.

Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were

Eye of the Enemy - The Shift

I think these words speak to the commitment being a parent should be. Children are, after all, innocent, and parents should feel a sense of protecting them and helping them learn. There is an unwritten promise that should be made.

Promises made an oath sworn with pride
Never to stray far from your side
I'll never stray far from your side

Little one, innocent son
I swear I will always be here

Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

This song is older, and Guns N' Roses was one of the first bands I ever listened to. They feel nostalgic for me, and so they take me back to being a child. Though I don't think these lyrics were actually written about a child, they feel like they should have been. 

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stare too long, I'd probably break down and cry

Whoa, oh, oh
Sweet child o' mine
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love of mine

Dream Theater - The Best of Times

This song just about killed me. I heard of it but hadn't heard it. I cried, it is very raw and open. I appreciate that, even if the style isn't my favourite. Apparently, it was written about Mike's dad, that was dying during the making of Black Clouds & Silver Linings. 

Remember days of yesterday
And how it flew so fast
The two score and a year we had,
I thought would always last
The summer days and west coast dreams,
I wished would never end
A young boy and his father,
Idol and best friend

Thank you for the inspiration
Thank you for the smiles
All the unconditional love
That carried me for miles
It carried me for miles
But most of all thank you for my life

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

This might seem like a weird choice about a dad. In my case, this was the song that my dad felt every guitarist should learn to play, and was a measure of their ability.

I think the song is actually about death. I always thought it was about someone who had a drug overdose, but have heard it isn't actually about that....

There was this period of time when I was listening to Led Zeppelin, and I really liked the song "Black Dog." My dad decided he would have a talk with me, to make sure I knew what it was about, and that I still wanted to listen to it after I knew. lol

There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings
In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
You know

Gojira - Backbone

I chose this song because my dad taught me to go for what I want, because he believed I could do anything I wanted. He taught me to stand up for myself, and to not give up (partly because that is what I had to do with him).

All the stars fearlessly bright
They call me out there, order me to face the wind
My structure's alive, body's on the way
Don't bow down before the walls
Of fear and madness, they try to counter me
And strike me down to the ground again

Hatebreed - Live for This

I think this speaks to the fact that some things that are hard are worth every difficult moment. It speaks to determination, which I associate with a father.

For the true who've remained and the new blood.
Motivation, undying allegiance
Striving through the hardships and affliction.
Every drop of blood
Every bitter tear
Every bead of sweat
I live for this

Live for this, Live, Live
Live for this
Live for this, Live, Live

Wintersun - Loneliness

I can't listen to this beautiful song and not think about our treks through the snow, and miss my father's company. I was walking in the bush with him before I was taller than the ferns. I know this song is very emotional, and speaks specifically to the loss of a father, and how hard it is to go on.

Once I saw the light in your eyes
But nothing will be any longer the way I remember
I've become someone else and I can't go back, I tried
I'm lost in the fields of snow far from home

Am I the only one awake?
Am I the one who is fading away?
There was so much I wanted to say
Do I have a reason anymore to stay?

For Today - Fatherless

This song breaks my heart, because it holds true for some people. Some parents were/are not there for their children for so many reasons, but a child still wants and needs their parent.

Born from a broken home
When my father died, I was left to find my way through life alone
Left on my own, I put my pain on display as I fought with hatred and rage
No son should ever have to face the world without the love of his father
I faced the world alone
I had no one to run to, and everything to run from
I had no one to run to, and everything to run from
I buried my hope in the ground
Drowning, with no one to pull me out, sinking inside my head

Tell me who I am
I can hardly stand
Now I've come to see, it was never "me" I was looking for
It was always him, it was always him

The Offspring - Bad Habit

I had to add this one to the list because I found out, after my dad died, that the tape I had with Bad Habit on it was confiscated by him. I don't think he appreciated the lyrics. I remember him commenting about it, but I had no idea he had taken it. lol.

Drivers are rude
Such attitudes
But when I show my piece
Complaints cease
Something's odd
I feel like I'm god
You stupid dumb shit goddamn motherfucker!

I open the glove box
Reach inside
I'm gonna wreck this fucker's ride

Caliban - Memorial

This speaks to the struggle that grief is, whether it is grief of someone not present, because they didn't step up and be what they should have been, or due to death or illness. Grief is relentless and hard!

Those times we had, so long ago. Like yesterday I miss 'em so much
I can't let go!
My heart is full of hate, It's bleeding love
Father I have to say goodbye, to keep myself alive
I can still see you, you're fading away.
But I can still feel you though you're drifting away from me.

Stratovarius - Father Time

I remember the first time I heard this song it made me think of how quick life goes. Sometimes, it feels like things were just yesterday, and sometimes it feels like it has been forever. Sometimes you hold onto stupid things, and regret it later. "Life is a bitch and then you die, so you may as well make the best of it while you are here," as spoken by my father.

There's no need to hide the past that I have left behind
It's a good resource somewhere for me to find
Why am I waiting for someone to reach out
it should be all up to them
keeping in touch ain't that easy but I'll have to try

Where have all the years gone
that's what I am asking now
What have I learnt so far
tell me Father Time - tell me now

The Agonist - The Anchor and the Sail

This song just makes me think of someone who is willing to take on anything in defence of someone. In high school, all I had to say was who my dad was, and there was no worry about anyone trying anything crazy. He was fierce when it came to keeping me safe! 

And I love the vocals in this, and the motivational nature of this song!

I would fight for you, I would cross all seas and borders
Steal the fright from you, like a mother for her daughter
All the crimes between what is done and left to be seen
A little blind spot in the rear of the conscience remaining in me

I would take on the fight, as a sailor who cuts through the sea
Tastes the salt stuck deep into his skin
I would win the fight, like a beast thrown into the ring
Tastes the blood right off his lips