Five essential Spanish songs to celebrate Father’s Day

Santo Domingo.- Music in Spanish has a unique ability to convey respect, gratitude, and nostalgia through unforgettable melodies. Although the repertoire dedicated to mothers is usually more extensive, great icons of Spanish-language music have immortalized profound lyrics that pay tribute to the father figure.

From ballads and rancheras to pop and bachata, we present a selection of five essential songs to honor the “old man” on his day.

1. “My Old Man” – Piero

It is, without a doubt, the quintessential classic of Spanish-language music dedicated to fatherhood. Released in 1969 by the Italian-Argentine singer-songwriter Piero, this ballad portrays with infinite tenderness the passage of time in a father’s body and gait. Its famous line: “He’s a good guy, my old man, who walks alone and waiting, he has the long sadness of having walked so much,” continues to move entire generations and is a pillar of Latin American musical identity.

2. “When I wanted to be big” – Alejandro Fernández

Immortalized by “El Potrillo”—and performed on memorable stages alongside his father, the legendary Vicente Fernández—this gem of ranchera music addresses maturity and the reflection of children as they grow up. The lyrics describe how, in childhood, we long for the future, only to realize later that time takes its toll on our parents’ health. It is a call to embrace and cherish them in the present.

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3. “To my father” – José Luis Perales

The master of the Spanish romantic ballad wrote this beautiful and subtle piece as a thank you to the man who gave him life. With his characteristic poetic style, Perales describes a hardworking father, with worn hands and a noble gaze, who guided his steps during his youth. It is a perfect song to express gratitude for the silent sacrifices of parenting.

4. “Friend” – Roberto Carlos

Although the Brazilian giant Roberto Carlos originally composed it with a deep friendship in mind, millions of people in the Spanish-speaking world adopted the Spanish version to dedicate it to their parents. Its lyrics highlight values such as loyalty, support during difficult times, and the certainty of having an unconditional guide throughout life, turning it into a poem set to music.

5. “The one who praises my lament” – Anthony Santos

For the Dominican public, classic bachata is a must at this celebration. “El Mayimbe” performs this emotional track that recounts, with rawness and feeling, the pain of losing a father. With its characteristic “amargue,” the song has become an anthem to remember the legacy of those who are no longer with us, especially during Father’s Day.