Father's Day is celebrated throughout Brazil on the second Sunday of August, the 10th. With this in mind, Wikimetal has compiled a list of songs that are tributes to fathers and rock-loving sons.
“My Father’s Eyes” – Eric Clapton
Released on the 1998 Pilgrim Conor , who tragically passed away, and the father he never knew, as described in his autobiography. The song explores Clapton's experience of never having known his father and reflects on how this absence impacted his life, including becoming a father himself. Another recommendation is the famous "Tears in Heaven," a poignant ballad written in memory of his son, who died at the age of four after falling from a window in a New York building.
“Father and Son” – Cat Stevens
The song has become an anthem that continues to resonate five decades after its release. Originally released in 1970 as part of the album Tea for the Tillerman, the track plays on the theme of fathers and sons alike, detailing a complex relationship. However, the song isn't based on Cat Stevens' own experiences. “Father and Son” was released long before Cat Stevens became a father; he actually wanted to address a political event: the Russian Revolution. Cat Stevens explained [via Pop&Rock ]: “The song tells the story of a young man who wants to join the Russian Revolution, against the wishes of his father, a conservative farmer.” Later, the musician confessed that he sees much of his relationship with his father in the song. “I never understood my father, but he always let me do what I wanted.”
“Blood Brothers” – Iron Maiden
Released on the album Brave New World in 2000, the song was written by bassist Steve Harris, and it is speculated that it is a tribute to his late father. Reflecting on the connection between people, mortality, and the lasting impact of memories, particularly those of loved ones who have passed away. According to Iron Maiden Bulgaria , “the image of the deceased father is there primarily to highlight that the main connecting thread between life and the afterlife is the memories of those who have departed.”
“Cats in the Cradle” – Ugly Kid Joe
Written by Harry Chapin, the song gained fame through the band Ugly Kid Joe . The track talks about the cycle of fatherhood and the importance of a father's presence in his children's lives. The song addresses the relationship between a father and his son over the years, and in the music video, Ugly Kid Joe shows the father, initially busy with work, promising his son that they will have time together "later." At the end of the story, the son, now an adult, repeats the same pattern with his father, illustrating the sad irony that the cycle continues.
“Rooster” – Alice In Chains
Written by guitarist Jerry Cantrell , the song addresses the impact of the Vietnam War on his father's life, who was nicknamed "Rooster." The song became an anthem, marking a closer relationship between father and son, allowing Cantrell to better understand what his father had gone through, addressing the difficulty of coping with the consequences of violence and loss, both for the soldiers and their families. The music video blends scenes of the band with images of Jerry Cantrell's father.
“The Best of Times” – Dream Theater
Another song about the importance of cherishing precious moments with those we love. At over 13 minutes long, the song is a tribute to Howard Portnoy , father of drummer Mike Portnoy , released on the album Dark Clouds & Silver Linings (2009). In the lyrics, the drummer expresses gratitude for the meaningful relationship he had with his father, a DJ at a radio station in Long Beach, New York, who passed away in January 2009 at the age of 69.
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