A parent's love for a child is like a seed: it begins with the anticipation of birth and continues to develop and strengthen throughout the years. Becoming a parent involves a metamorphosis, where self-interest takes a back seat to selfless love and unconditional devotion. Once you become a parent there is no going back to independence: you are forever connected to another soul.

Parents often discover these feelings of love and devotion are far greater than they could have ever imagined.

Here is a collection of songs that express the immense feelings of parental love. From a timeless bedtime lullaby written and sung by Billy Joel, to a song of inspiration and thankfulness upon the gift of a child by Celine Dion, each song may have a different vantage point but they all express this selfless, awe-inspiring experience of being a parent.

Album: Tim McGraw Reflected: Greatest Hits Vol. 2.

Year: 2006

Part of the soundtrack to the movie "Flicka", this country song touches on a father's love for his little girl. Although he wants the best for his daughter, he admits that at times she has him wrapped around her finger. He wants his daughter to grow up and not be afraid to take on the world, while at the same time, he realizes that he will always see her as his little girl. This sweet ode to a father's love for his daughter reached #3 on the Billboard Country chart and #35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrics to watch for:

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world.
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.

Album: Songs in the Key of Life

Year: 1976

This catchy song about the heavenly beauty of a baby girl might grab you on the first beat and never let you go. It is a timeless classic, written and sung by a living legend. Stevie Wonder wrote the song to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha, and the outro contains some actual recordings of father and daughter playing together. In this song, Stevie Wonder perfectly captures the essence and emotion of loving a lovely, beautiful, heaven sent daughter.

Lyrics to watch for:

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious

I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love

Album: Me and My Gang

Year: 2006

Written by the song-writing powerhouse of Jeffrey Steele and Steve Robson, this song was written for Steele's 13 year-old daughter, Justine. The song expresses a wish that her "dreams stay big" and "worries stay small." Steele himself puts it best:

I was just thinking about how crazy the world is right now for a kid to grow up in. I started writing it like I wanted her to know whatever she did in life, somebody was thinking about her all the time. Someone was always behind her no matter what.

What seems like a departing message for a child leaving home also works as a reminder for us all about being true to yourself, being a kind human being, and hopefully finding a soul mate to make life complete.

Lyrics to watch for:

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small.

Album: Made in England

Year: 1995

This song is about a dream of a child, a child that has not been born yet. While at this time in his life, Elton John never desired to have children, lyricist Bernie Taupin penned these words expressing his own wish to have a child before he was too old. Taupin knew that his child would be "blessed" with his love and devotion.

Lyrics to watch for:

I need you before I'm too old
To have and to hold
To walk with you and watch you grow
And know that you're blessed

Album: Double Fantasy

Year: 1980

The song was written for his son Sean, his only child with Yoko Ono. It begins with the singer comforting the child from a nightmare and turns into a passionate and heartfelt expression of the love and joy that he has for his son. The song expresses optimism for his son's future. The famous quote, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." comes from this song. In 2004 Celine Dion also released a version of this song.

Lyrics to watch for:

Out on the ocean sailing away,
I can hardly wait,
To see you to come of age

Life is just what happens to you,
While you're busy making other plans

Album: Kissing Kelley

Year: 2010

Beginning with the early years and continuing through college, the song "Red Robin" touches on the tender moments and the building of trust between a father and daughter. A gentle voice softly tells of a strong bond that will be there no matter how far apart they are:

Though I won’t always be here

This you surely know

That I’ll quietly spot you

Anywhere you go

Not surprisingly, it is one of the most popular song choices at weddings for the father/daughter dance.

Album: Songs for Silverman

Year: 2008

Singer-songwriter Ben Folds had already written a song for his son Louie, "Still Fighting It," and knew he couldn't leave his daughter Gracie out. Describing the process of writing the song, he told an interviewer:

"I write songs for a very small audience. In that case it was for one. A lot of times it's for no one; it's for me. Everyone has similar experiences, so I don't really write to the universal. 'Gracie' is a good example of that. It's just for Gracie. The first line is, 'I saw you when you came out.' That's a pretty graphic line for a kid, but I knew she'd think that is funny."

Speaking of the unique bond a father can have with his daughter, Ben Folds gently and tenderly expresses his feelings for his daughter, Gracie. With a simple melody and an inviting lyrics, Ben Folds reveals the respect and responsibility he feels towards his daughter as she grows.

Lyrics to watch for:

One day you're gonna want to go
I hope we taught you everything you need to know
Gracie girl

And there will always be a part of me
Nobody else is ever gonna see but you and me
My little girl

Album: Home at Last

Year: 2007

This song focuses on the mixed feelings of a father about the prospect of his daughter leaving home. Billy Ray Cyrus wrote it when his daughter Miley moved to LA to jumpstart her acting career. The song was both a commercial and critical success, reaching #85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was later re-released as a duet with his daughter, Miley, who at age 14 was enjoying her first musical success as well. The duet version peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrics to watch for:

I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life
As ready as I've ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win

She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that
open road
Baby get ready
Get set
Don't go

Album: River of Dreams

Year: 1993

This frequently covered song was written about Joel's own daughter, Alexa Rey. A master of lyric and melody, Billy Joel easily expresses the simple yet profound relationship between a parent and child in this bedtime lullaby. This timeless and memorable song encapsulates the message of endless wishes and unconditional love that is felt by a parent for his child. As with other Billy Joel songs, this song manages to capture and combine both the mystical beauty and finite reality of life.

In 2004, Joel published a children's book based on the song, titled Goodnight My Angel (A Lullabye).

Lyrics to watch for:

Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

You'll always be a part of me

Album: A New Day Has Come

Year: 2002

Celine Dion recorded this song after taking some time off to have and raise her son, Rene-Charles Dion Angelil. In this song, Dion shares her amazement at the miracle of having a new child. The thrill that comes with the birth of a child and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of becoming a parent is expressed in this uplifting song.

The song was both a commercial and critical success, with critics praising Dion's restrained vocal performance and reaching #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's hard not to feel Dion's joy at being parent when listening to this song.

Lyrics to watch for:

Hush now I see a light in your eyes
All in the eyes of a boy

I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love

Album: Martina

Year: 2003

“In My Daughter’s Eyes” tells the story of a mother rediscovering “what life is all about through [her] daughter’s eyes.” While we expect that typically the parent hands down lessons to the child, this song reveals that the child offers life lessons to the parent as well. Lessons in equality, peace, strength and perseverance are reciprocal gifts between mother and child.

Lyrics to watch for:

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

Album: Sons of the Desert

Year: 2000

With lessons about keeping perspective, a sense of wonder, living life to the fullest and never giving up, this song offers a message that is appropriate for a child or a friend.

Lyrics to watch for:

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.