Having a new father figure in the family can be either a blessing or a curse.
From songs about abusive parenting to tracks rooted in pure adoration, our collection of stand-out songs about stepdads crosses the genres and covers it all, whether you’re faced with accepting a stepfather, or are finding your way as a stepdad yourself,
Songs About Step Dads
1. Brandon Davis – Step By Step
Brandon Davis’ country hit, Step By Step, is an anthem celebrating the bond between stepfathers and step-children, backlit by the breathtaking devotion of a man to his new family.
Step By Step recognises the time lost at the start of a stepdad’s relationship to his step-children, turning this feeling of absence into motivation to provide them with the best during their later childhood;
“One day, they’ll have their first kiss and their first dance, and their I-turned-sixteen car, and I’ll be right there when they walk in hurt from their first broken heart.”
Davis’ track will resonate with any stepdad who shares nothing but strength and love with his new family, treasuring his step-kids’ blessings whilst whole-heartedly stepping into the role;
“I never knew this was how life would turn out, but I’m sure glad it did, call it stepping up or stepping in, but step by step, my world went spinning … I thank God for sending them my way, ’cause it ain’t my blood or DNA that made that precious child, but it don’t take rocket science to figure out that they’re my life.”
2. Hitman Sammy Sam – Step Daddy
Hitman Sammy Sam’s 2003 hip-hop track, Step Daddy, is a tongue-in-cheek insight into abusive stepfathers who ruin the family dynamic.
Sam blankets his track in a dark sense of humour, exposing a story of a step-dad going to extreme lengths to keep control over his new family, and kids who just want their new dad to listen, refusing to accept a madman as their father.
Step Daddy cleverly splits each line between the step-dad and childrens’ perspective, capturing the conversational arguments which often fester within a changed family setting; “‘You ain’t my daddy’ / ‘Shut up!.. I’ma call yo mama!’ / ‘Call my mama… You just mad ‘cause you ain’t my daddy.’”
This track is a godsend for anyone needing to see the brighter side of a terrible situation, drawing needed attention to emotional abuse spurred by a broken step-dad’s heightened need for control.
3. Lloyiso – Love Runs Deeper
Lloyiso’s Disney track, Love Runs Deeper, naturally roots itself in an inspirational theme of embracing love and hope in the face of a new beginning.
Composed from a stepfather’s point of view , Love Runs Deeper dedicates itself to highlighting the importance of giving step-kids the space needed to accept a new father figure;
“You can count on me too, I’ll be there for you, no pressure, take all the time you need to, when you open the door, I’ll be standing there, know that patience is pure, not going anywhere… ’cause love runs deeper, love runs deeper than words.”
With an intense yet motivational soul/pop soundscape, Lloyiso’s cinematic track is perfect for any new step-dad needing to take steps back in order to move forward, while keeping his abundance of love all the same;
“Life is such a blessing every waking minute, perfect picture full of colours, always painted different, sick together, yeah, we’re here for a ride, family forever, standing side by side.”
4. Eminem – Stepdad
Eminem’s 2020 album track, Stepdad, is an exaggerated yet profoundly realistic take on seething hatred for an abusive stepfather.
Detailing the long-term abuse of a step-child overwrought with murderous thoughts towards their stepdad, Eminem’s track is plunged in brutal fantasy of inflicting torture back upon the abuser;
“I counted sixty-nine times he swatted me with it, I’d cry, he just started hitting me harder, God, I wish I could just jaw him, if I could get my weight up, but I’m just a second grader … I’m fantasising at night when he’s sleeping at just the right time, sneak up with a lethal injection and put him down like they did to my dog.”
Underlying Eminem’s predominant theme of becoming a child killer is a heartbreaking insight into the effects of being raised by an inadequate father, showing how abusive traits can be inadvertently adopted by a step-child after constant exposure to violence and verbal/emotional maltreatment.
Stepdad is a piece for anyone craving to release the lethal levels of anger and resentment built over a childhood of suffering, without literally following in the cruel habits of their stepdad.
5. Joey Lindsey – Stepfather Of The Bride
Joel Lindey’s country cover of Mike McLauglin’s Stepfather Of The Bride, modernises the classic piece with a pure aura of sweetness and clarity, crafting the perfect track for a wedding day dance between a bride and her step-father.
Stepfather Of The Bride looks back at the bond between stepdad and daughter, nourished and nurtured all the way from childhood to adulthood.
This track exhibits a step-dad’s endless love for his step-daughter, despite knowing he can’t fill the shoes of another man; a unqiue sentiment of heartbreaking adoration and sacrifice brought to light most prominently on her wedding day;
“I was there as you grew, but can’t walk you down the aisle, now it’s time to say adieu, can I dance with you for a while? I could never be your daddy; but today I’m filled with pride, smiling ear to ear, I’m the stepfather of the bride.”
6. Brad Paisley – He Didn’t Have To Be
Brad Paisley’s country single, He Didn’t Have To Be, is centred in the pain of a single mother finding new love, and the bliss of finding a stepfather who makes the family complete.
Written from the perspective of a young boy, Paisley takes a breathtakingly sensitive and heartwarming approach to detailing the stresses of dating as a single mother, and finding a man who runs towards the responsibility rather than away from it;
“When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new, it always winds up feeling more like a job interview, my momma used to wonder if she’d ever meet someone, who wouldn’t find out about me and then turn around and run.”
He Didn’t Have To Be is anchored in adoration for a stepfather who brings nothing but love to his new family, showing his step-kids that hope can always be found in the future;
“It seemed so strange to me how we went from something missing to a family … I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be.”