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How did it all begin? -

Dad rock most definitely started as an ironic jab at the music tastes of older generations, particularly fathers who couldn’t get enough of those iconic '70s and '80s bands most of us are familiar with.

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But what does it really mean? -

It's all about that classic rock vibe with real drumming, lots of guitars, and a straightforward rock sound. Or, to put it simply, the dad rock genre refers to the music that is too cool to go out of style!

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Dad rock keeps evolving -

As dads get older, so does the next wave of dad rock, which can leave some fathers feeling a bit outdated. Someone will inevitably one day coin the term "grandad rock!"

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How young people feel about it -

For the TikTok crowd, dad rock is more about bands like Nickelback and Creed—those ’90s/’00s radio rock giants with distorted guitars, raspy vocals, and, of course, flannel shirts.

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Sense of nostalgia -

Even though they'll never say it out loud, it seems that Gen Z actually finds solace in these older songs. Associating an entire genre with their dads evokes sweet nostalgia for their childhood.

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Dad rock bands and their hits -

So we've mentioned that dad rock bands range from those who rocked out in the '70s through the early 2000s. Clearly that's quite the timeline! But who comes out on top, and with which tunes? Let’s dig into the ultimate dad rock essentials playlist in the following slides.

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'Sultans of Swing' - Dire Straits -

No other band or song deserves to open this playlist. 'Sultans of Swing' epitomizes dad rock, and if there's any classic guitar solo that a father can whistle note-for-note, it's probably this one.

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'Brown Eyed Girl' - Van Morrison -

Blending calypso influences in both rhythm and guitar style, Van Morrison's signature song features everything that dad rock stands for: iconic guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and romantic lyrics.

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'Peg' - Steely Dan -

Pitchfork ranked 'Peg' the 87th best song of the 1970s, calling it “one of the strangest hits to ever grace the mainstream.”' Without a doubt it's one of the funkiest fatherly jams ever created!

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'A Horse with No Name' - America -

Ah yes, the pinnacle of the genre. Guaranteed to make most dads nod their heads in perfect rhythm, reminiscing on the good old times.

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'Hotel California' - Eagles -

The Eagles are without a doubt the legends and pioneers of dad rock, and their hit 'Hotel California' must be one of the most overplayed songs of all time—but still deserves the praise!

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'What a Fool Believes' - The Doobie Brothers -

This wonderfully composed and produced song won both Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards, making it statistically one of the most celebrated dad tunes of all time.

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'Dancing in the Dark' - Bruce Springsteen -

Many Bruce Springsteen tracks could easily earn a spot in the prestigious realm of dad rock fame, but this one somehow perfectly encompasses what the genre is all about.

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'The Joker' - Steve Miller Band -

A catchy, smooth track that belongs to nonchalant dads who never quite decided to grow up and 'settle down,' even after their kids were born...

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'Don't Stop' - Fleetwood Mac -

It's not easy to choose just one song from the legendary Southern Californian band, but here it is. The jauntiness and screaming guitars of ‘Don’t Stop’ mark the pinnacle of dad moments in the band's discography.

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'Down on the Corner' - Creedence Clearwater Revival -

Featuring an unforgettable bass line and John Fogerty’s near-genius songwriting skills, no dad rock playlist is ever complete without this timeless hit.

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'Roxanne' - The Police -

Widely considered a masterpiece, even though it leans more towards new wave compared to other tracks on this list. It's very likely that many dads have rocked out to this song in their heyday, and many still do.

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'Layla (Unplugged)' - Eric Clapton -

Slow-burning guitars, smoky timbre, and an acoustic vibe—this is quintessential dad rock. Some argue that Eric Clapton’s 'Unplugged' even drove the kids of that era deeper into alternative music.

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'Beds Are Burning' - Midnight Oil -

This protest song is about the theft of Indigenous land, and made a particular impact upon its release. Today, it is widely considered an absolute dad rock classic.

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'Better Man' - Pearl Jam -

Basically leading the charge for the next wave of dad rock, 'Better Man' showcases the softer side of these iconic Seattle rockers. Let’s see what other 'younger' bands fall into the category of dad rock in the following slides.

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'Rollin'' - Limp Bizkit -

It might feel too modern for dad rock, but it’s been around for over 20 years, and still makes some fathers wear baggy jeans! Plus, Fred Durst literally looks like the king of dad rock nowadays...

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'Song 2' - Blur -

With their bombastic drums, angsty guitar riffs, and simple yet catchy lyrics, the early 2000s hits like this one have cemented Blur's place as dad rock icons.

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'All the Small Things' - Blink-182 -

As time passes, even bands such as Blink-182 have been introduced to the dad rock hall of fame. Their snappy, energetic sound is back, as they reunited in 2022.

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'Stupid Girl' - Garbage -

The unexpected inclusion of the once favorite track for jilted teens shows just how much dad rock's (or mom rock!) horizons have expanded.

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'Some Might Say' - Oasis -

Yes, feel free to be shocked to learn that yet another song you once loved is now classified as dad rock. But don't worry—you’re still cool, no matter what some might say! 

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'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)' - The Offspring -

One more pop punk anthem that has transitioned to dad rock. But, hey, it still rocks as much as it did when it was released!

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'Smells Like Teen Spirit' - Nirvana -

Admit it, you were kind of expecting this one to appear on the dad rock essentials list. Nowadays, most of the teenagers from the iconic music video are sending their kids to college...

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'Numb' - Linkin Park -

The last song on this list demonstrates just how little is needed for a nu-metal banger to become a dad rock classic. Oh, how time flies!

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Dad rock forever -

In the end, it seems it's that perfect mix of serious and cheesy that transforms any song, no matter the era or genre, into pure dad rock gold. It packs its punchlines but also brings the heart, whether that's in the music itself or the emotions listeners bring to it.

Sources: (The New York Times) (Mixdown Magazine) (Berklee) (Pitchfork)

See also: Do you remember these music genres that died out?

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