From Retro to Relevant: Dad Rock’s New Era Here for Father’s Day

Last updated on July 3rd, 2024 at 11:17 am

Almost Father’s Day, and what better way to honour than playing the ideal dad rock mix to your kids’ dismay on your next road trip? 

Recently created by Regtransfers, the private number plate company, the nostalgic yet contemporary Spotify mix “Ultimate Dad Rock Driving Playlist for Father’s Day” may surprise many. Let’s first define “Dad Rock” before we go into the fresh music that will astound younger Dads.

Older generations—especially fathers—have long used the term “dad rock” to characterise music they like. It usually consists of classic rock music, marked by guitars, real drumming, and a simple rock ambiance.

Every generation usually criticises the music of the one before it, only to have their own tastes become the next “dad rock.” Previously considered edgy and bold, now one finds affection in what was.

Adopting “dad rock” as a badge of distinction, many fathers—including even grandfathers—indicate music with enduring appeal. Dad rock CD and playlist popularity shows a growing regard for this musical genre.

But with a new age of Dads comes a new generation of “Dad Rock,” which will make some of the Dads out there feel old! These are some highlights of the terrifying songs that now go under ‘Dad Rock’.

‘Dad Rock’ Tracks You Didn’t Know Were Now ‘Dad Rock’.

Though it has been around for more than 20 years, Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” might appear too recent for dad rock. The mix includes Blur’s “Song 2” and Green Day’s “American Idiot,” which show that early 2000s tracks are now dad rock mainstays.

Should you be rocking to Oasis’ “Morning Glory” or Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Can’t Stop,” you may be startled to see that these songs are now dubbed dad rock. Other unexpected selections show how dad rock’s boundaries have stretched: Kaiser Chiefs’ “Oh My God” and Garbage’s “Stupid Girl.”

Both the 2000s anthems “Chelsea Dagger” from The Fratellis and “All the Small Things” from Blink-182 have found a place in the dad rock hall of fame. On the list also include Sum 41’s “In Too Deep” and Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal,” which show that the early 2000s were turning points for what is now known as dad rock.

More recently, artists like The Killers’ “Somebody Told Me” and the Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly” have shaped the standards. Not overlooked are the contemporary dad rock songs “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” from Fall Out Boy and “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy),” from The Offspring.

The humorous addition is Bowling for Soup’s “The Girl All The Bad Guys Want,” while Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a timeless classic. “Numb” by Linkin Park closes the performance and shows how dad rock terrain has progressed from nu-metal.

The term “Dad Rock” originated where?

Originally, “dad rock” was used as a lighthearted fun at the music choices of older generations, mostly dads who refused to let go of their cherished 1970s and 1980s bands. Imagine a parent in old tour t-shirts and tattered jeans telling everybody who would listen, “They just don’t make music like they used to.”

Early in the 2000s, the phrase “Dad Rock” became well-known owing to internet forums and music writers who used it to define classic rock tunes older men still listened to. It was a play on the idea that your musical preferences freeze in time once you hit a certain age—usually around 20. Artists like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Eagles dominated the “Dad Rock” conversation in the 2000s.

Still, the meaning of the phrase changed with time. For many, what started as a very nasty moniker became into a badge of pride. Dads began to embrace the idea and boldly wear their “dad rock” designation like a medal. These were, after all, the tunes that defined their early years, supplied the soundtrack for their wild years, and then acted as a calming background to family life.

“Dad rock” has appeal in part because of its openness. It transcends a certain genre or historical era. Originally starting with ’60s and ’70s classic rock, it now includes ’80s heavy metal, ’90s grunge, and even early 2000s punk. Basically, the music you grew up with is now known as “dad rock,” assuming you are old enough to have children. Every generation has a different goal for us to pursue.

The nature of “Dad Rock”

Remember the tune you used to blast over your Ford Fiesta’s early 2000s speakers? Though it feels like a recent memory, it’s really “Dad Rock,” which can make you feel a bit older than you expected—but what if you welcome it?

Why not utilise your car time on Father’s Day to teach your family about what Dad listened to and the best part is They cannot whine for one day!