Harry Chapin, Cat's in the Cradle. The best song about fatherhood I am aware of. Bond with your son when he's five. Wait till he's 50 and he won't give you the time of day. Harry Chapin was a major talent who died young. Here is his great Taxi. We Boomers are damned lucky to have the greatest popular music soundtrack of any generation.
What Happened to Harry Chapin?
Emmylou Harris, To Daddy
Arizona's own Marty Robbins, That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine. The old Gene Autry tune from the '30s.
Joan Baez, Daddy, You've Been on My Mind. The great Dylan song slightly modified. Not addressed to a literal father, you understand. At :40, the girl depicted is not Joan Baez but Suze Rotolo, Dylan's first New York girlfriend. How do I know that? Because I am a self-certified Dylanologist from way back.
Shep and the Limelites, Daddy's Home, 1961. Anyone who prefers rap crap to this has a hole in his soul.
Rivingtons, Papa Oom Mow Mow. Stretching a bit.
James Brown, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, 1965
Horace Silver, Song for My Father, 1964
Hank Williams, I'm a Long Gone Daddy
No, I am not going to link to Alan Sherman, Hello Mudda, Hello Faddah, 1963.
Frank Zappa, Hungry Freaks, Daddy, 1966
Paul Peterson, My Dad. To end on a 'wholesome' if schmaltzy note.