This week, we’re taking a hard-earned break from devouring the internet whole and spewing the best new music at our readers. Instead, we’re taking some time to honor 50% of the population that is responsible for creating the insufferable people who still make music in this economy: Dads. Because we know the last thing your dad will want to hear on his special day is that new hardcore band you’ve been listening to, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Dad Rock anthems. When the old man is having trouble getting his Bluetooth to work even though you’ve explained it to him, like, a thousand fucking times, save the day by bumping these jams at the cookout.
Bruce Springsteen “Thunder Road”
Your dad hasn’t been able to ride his motorcycle very often since his sciatic nerve became problematic, which is great because Springsteen mostly sings about driving a beat-up car during this track. Climb in with him as ‘Thunder Road’ speeds you down dusty highways filled with lofty dreams of freedom and hope. Ideals your father ultimately had to abandon to pay your way through art school. Don’t worry if you see a single tear roll down his cheek during this track. It’s probably just the pollen.
The Clash “Rock The Casbah”
Believe it or not, but your old man used to be a bit of a ‘punker’ himself back in the seventies. Of course, you know that means he owned a jean jacket and liked one of the Clash’s most commercially successful singles. Still, him bringing it up is one of his weird little ways of relating to you, so it’s best to just lean into it. Pop this one on and try not to bring up politics or the fact that, contrary to your dad’s belief, the band is singing the Sanskrit word ‘sharif’ instead of cheekily pronouncing ‘sheriff’ in the chorus.
Jackson Browne “Runnin’ On Empty”
Your dad was probably literally 17 in 1965 and subsequently 21 in 1969, so this song is basically his biography. This might feel like a depressing song to throw on, with all its themes of wasted youth and whatnot, but chances are your paternal figure wouldn’t trade the family he has built over the years for anything in the world. Except, of course, his younger waistline, financial freedom, and the ability to travel the open road without care or responsibility.
Steely Dan “Reelin’ In The Years”
The writer who recommended this absolute classic claims that he doesn’t really listen to Steely Dan, but we all know he’s lying. He’s a literal dad, and loving Steely Dan comes with the designation. Also, are we supposed to pretend that hearing the silky main riff in this song doesn’t immediately make one a lifelong fan of the band? We know who isn’t pretending, and it’s your father, who has been ‘reelin’ in the years’ since before you were even born.
Thin Lizzy “The Boys Are Back In Town”
‘Oh heck yeah! You breaking out the Lizz?’ your dad may gleefully exclaim when this one barrels out of the Bluetooth speaker you bought him for Christmas but just took out of the box before the barbeque. It’s best to line this one up as he finishes his third White Claw (he likes those now because that’s what the ‘kids are into’). That way he’ll be fully committed to playing air guitar throughout the whole bridge. Queue it up with his fourth hard seltzer and he might even sing it!
Creedence Clearwater Revival “Fortunate Son”
Even though your dad probably voted for both H.W. and W., he sure does love this scathing protest anthem from everyone’s favorite California Bayou dwellers, CCR. Like many of his generation, he might find the song a bit more patriotic than it actually is. It’s understandable considering how many war movies it has soundtracked in addition to John Fogerty’s unintelligible drawl. Still, arguments about unjustified conflicts are best left for Thanksgiving.
Rupert Holmes “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”
Perhaps one of the most Dad-Rock-worthy songs we’ve been spinning this week, ‘Escape’ tells the goofiest story of rekindling a long stale love we’ve ever heard. Relationships are tough, and no one understands it more than your pa and Rupert Holmes. Boundaries are important to set in any relationship, so be firm but kind when you inevitably have to stop the man who raised you from explaining in gruesome detail how he and your mother have recently been getting into role-play.
Eagles “Take It Easy”
This song is full of all sorts of useless advice that your father has probably given you over the years. Stressed about work? ‘Take it easy.’ Your anxiety has been getting worse in an increasingly hellish capitalist society? ‘Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy.’ Absolute nothing-burgers coming from a man lucky enough to be born into a world where a minimum-wage job could land him a house. Still, it’s probably not his fault you’re not successful (his words), so let him have a little fun. It’s nice out and no one likes a downer.
Jim Croce “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)”
Remember when we said you should save the Thin Lizzy track for your dad’s third drink? You might need to save this one for your sixth or seventh. No one gets to the core of your pop’s swollen heart quite like the musical stylings of the mustachioed Jim Croce. Within the first few seconds of this track, things will surely get misty. Your dad will almost certainly tell you that while he loves your mother, he can’t help but think about how life could have been if things worked out with that summer fling in college.
Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young “Teach Your Children”
Like the song says, ‘the parent’s hell will slowly go by,’ which is a reality your dad has long mentioned in turbulent times. This song is ultimately about bridging generational gaps and mending misunderstandings between child and parent. Dads eat this shit up. Even though yours will likely use this track as an excuse to talk about how much harder his generation had it, you’ll at least have a soothing backdrop while attempting not to roll your eyes and ‘ruin the family get-together.’
After reforming, Brett Detar and Joshua Fielder released this album consisting of one new song and an acoustic/folk/orchestral “reimagining” of many TJT classics. It’s a great listen for diehard fans who want to hear a softer version of songs they love. In general, however, it’s only just okay. And since it’s full of beloved songs, that’s not the best endorsement. It doesn’t ruin the songs at least. It sounds more like a YouTuber doing genre-swap videos. Alex Melton could have crushed this is all I’m saying. The beginning of the video for “We’re at the Top of the World” is pretty sweet though. I won’t spoil it, so definitely check it out. “A Dream Away” showcases how well-written some of these songs are. Personally, my biggest takeaway from this record is that I’m dying for an entire album of different versions of “If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?”
Eternally beloved by some, bitterly hated by others. This is Juliana Theory’s most controversial record. It’s likely due to the combination of its ’90s alt-rock influence and the fact that TJT’s third record had to follow up two melodic emo albums that were way ahead of their time. “Do You Believe Me” is an undeniable hit regardless, and the album has grown on many fans over the years. Unfortunately, a lot of tracks on this record really feel phoned in. It’s almost as if the band felt like they were at the top of the world and coasted after the success of that super poppy song from “Emotion is Dead.”
Talk about a fucking sleeper hit album. The Juliana Theory figured out the perfect mix of emo and alternative rock on “Deadbeat Sweetheart.” The energy and raw sound of a band rocking out in one room are captured beautifully on this record. Unfortunately, this was in the twilight of the band’s stint in mainstream relevancy so the record didn’t get the chance it deserved. Fortunately, they didn’t “reimagine” any of these gut-punch masterpieces as toothless, whimpering acoustic tracks on their latest album. Don’t get me wrong, toothless and whimpering are great qualities for an acoustic emo track, just not for these songs. If you were a Juliana Theory fan who passed over this one, go back and give it another chance. Especially songs like “Shotgun Serenade,” “Leave Like a Ghost (Drive Away),” and “My Heart is a Soldier.”
This album is far more influential than it gets credit for. Often, 2000s emo/pop punk bands will cite The Get Up Kids and A New Found Glory (back when they had the “A” in their name) as early influences. One listen to “Understand This Is A Dream” and it’s clear TJT has a place in the Mount Rushmore of bands that inspired the soundtrack to many teens’ 2000s. The fourth spot goes to “I hate myself” by the way. The songs are pretty pitchy and recorded a little loose, which is PERFECT for the genre mix on this album. The slower tracks helped lay the blueprint for the exact type of “emo ballad” that you can still hear in emo and emo-adjacent genres to this day. Check out any early Juliana Theory live recordings you can find to hear these songs at their absolute best.
So… who’s ready to cry? “Emotion Is Dead” is a non-stop emotional campfire singalong over catchy melodies and earworm hooks. It incorporates even more elements into their sound that countless 2000s emo bands would adopt such as carefully placed screams. TJT plays with structure, harmony, and time signature on this record, with a pop sensibility that nearly no bands in their genre could match at the time. While it would seem to be a cruel fate that the bands this record helped inspire would vastly eclipse TJT in a few short years, at least the band can rest easy knowing their importance in helping shape a mainstream musical revolution that would eventually make “alternative” music the norm. Ya know, or they can rehash their old stuff and tour as half a band. Either way.
