Father’s Day is almost coming, and what better way to celebrate than blasting the perfect dad rock mix to your kids’ dismay on your next road trip?
Regtransfers, the private number plate company recently prepared the “Ultimate Dad Rock Driving Playlist for Father’s Day,” a nostalgic but modern Spotify mix that will surprise many. Before we get into the new ‘Dad Rock’ music that will surprise younger Dads, let’s first define ‘Dad Rock’.
The phrase “dad rock” has long been used to describe music that older generations, especially fathers, love. Traditionally, it includes traditional rock music, which is distinguished by guitars, authentic drumming, and a plain rock atmosphere.
Each generation often criticises the music of the preceding one, only to have their own preferences become the next “dad rock.” What was previously deemed edgy and daring is now seen with fondness.
Many fathers, and even grandfathers, have adopted “dad rock” as a badge of honour, indicating music with lasting appeal. The surge in popularity of dad rock playlists and CDs demonstrates a rising respect for this musical genre.
However, with a new age of Dads comes a new generation of ‘Dad Rock’, which will make some of the Dads out there feel ancient! Following are some highlights of the frightening tunes that are now classed as ‘Dad Rock’.
‘Dad Rock’ Tracks You Didn’t Know Were Now ‘Dad Rock’.
Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” may seem too current for dad rock, although it has been around for more than 20 years. Green Day’s “American Idiot” and Blur’s “Song 2” are included in the mix, demonstrating that songs from the early 2000s are now dad rock standards.
If you were rocking out to Oasis’ “Morning Glory” or Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Can’t Stop,” you may be surprised to learn that these songs are now labelled dad rock. Other surprise choices are Kaiser Chiefs’ “Oh My God” and Garbage’s “Stupid Girl,” demonstrating how the borders of dad rock have stretched.
The Fratellis’ “Chelsea Dagger” and Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” were 2000s anthems, and both have earned a spot in the dad rock hall of fame. Sum 41’s “In Too Deep” and Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal” covers are also on the list, demonstrating that the early 2000s were watershed moments for what is now known as dad rock.
Even more current acts have made the criteria, like The Killers’ “Somebody Told Me” and the Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly.” Don’t forget about Fall Out Boy’s “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” or The Offspring’s “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy),” both of which are current dad rock anthems.
Bowling for Soup’s “The Girl All The Bad Guys Want” is a lighthearted addition, while Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a timeless classic. Linkin Park’s “Numb” wraps up the set, demonstrating how nu-metal has evolved into dad rock territory.
Where Did the Term ‘Dad Rock’ Come From?
Initially, “dad rock” was used as a playful joke at the music tastes of older generations, notably fathers who refused to let go of their beloved bands from the 1970s and 1980s. Imagine a father in worn jeans and an old tour t-shirt stating to anybody who would listen, “They just don’t make music like they used to.”
The term ‘Dad Rock’ gained popularity in the early 2000s, thanks to online forums and music journalists who used it to characterise classic rock songs that older men continued to support. It was a play on the concept that once you reach a particular age (usually about 20), your musical tastes become frozen in time. In the 2000s, artists like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Eagles were often at the centre of the ‘Dad Rock’ discussion.
However, the term’s implications shifted throughout time. What began as a rather disparaging nickname evolved into a badge of honour for many. Dads started to embrace the concept, proudly wearing their “dad rock” title like a medal. After all, these were the songs that characterised their youth, provided the music for their wild years, and subsequently served as a soothing backdrop to family life.
The charm of “dad rock” is its openness. It is not limited to a certain genre or period. While it may have begun with ’60s and ’70s classic rock, it has now extended to encompass ’80s heavy metal, ’90s grunge, and even early 2000s punk. Basically, if you’re old enough to have kids, the music you grew up with is now called “dad rock.” It’s a changing objective that changes with every generation.
The reality of ‘Dad Rock’
Remember that song you used to blast over the speakers of your Ford Fiesta in the early 2000s? As much as it seems like a recent memory, it’s now ‘Dad Rock’, which may make you feel a little older than you anticipated, but what if you embrace it?
This Father’s Day, why not utilise your vehicle time to educate your family about what Dad used to listen to, and the greatest part? They can’t complain for one day!