A song for dad — for everything you never said out loud

Dads are more complicated. They don't cry at films — at least not in front of people. To “I love you” they answer “me too, now drive carefully”. But they remember everything: how you fell off your bike and got up on your own, how you changed a tyre on the motorway in the rain, how you called from your first job.

A song for dad doesn't have to be sentimental. It has to be true. Then he'll listen to it in the car — alone, with the volume up.

What to tell us about him

• his words — the advice you thought you weren't listening to, and now repeat to your own children;
• one story with him — the fishing trip, the garage, the match, your first time driving;
• how he shows love — often not with words but with actions: the fixed tap, the phone answered at three in the morning;
• what you want him to hear — “thank you”, “I understand you now”, “I'm proud to be your son/daughter”.

If dad has favourite music — old rock, folk, eighties hits — write it in “Music wishes”. The song can sound like his time.

When it suits

• birthday and jubilee — 50, 60, 70 — when there's a whole life to tell;
• retirement — see also a song for retirement;
• his daughter's or son's wedding — a song for the father is a powerful moment at the celebration;
• no reason — especially if you haven't really talked in a while.

What if it's too hard to write?

Sometimes dad is the hardest to write about — because there's silence between you too. Tell us just a few things and leave the rest to us. We write with respect: without overdoing it and without words that wouldn't be yours.

If you prefer, order a poem — many dads keep it in their wallet longer than they'd admit.

Dads rarely say what they feel. That's why they love hearing it so much.

A gift for mum too? Read a song for mum.

Order a song for dad