Father and Daughter

2002 single by Paul Simon

"Father and Daughter" is a song by American singer songwriter Paul Simon. The song, written for the animated family film The Wild Thornberrys Movie, was released as a single in October 2002. An alternate version later appeared on Simon's 11th solo album, Surprise (2006). When re released as a single in 2006, the song became a top 40 hit in the UK, giving Simon his most recent hit. The song is a ballad in which Simon expresses his love for his daughter, Lulu. "Father and Daughter" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

The song expresses the singer's hopes and dreams for his daughter. Simon wrote the song as an ode to his daughter, Lulu, who was seven at the time it was completed. Simon's son, Adrian, sings harmony on the song's choruses; he was 10 years old at the time of recording. He had heard his son singing along to it while driving and encouraged him to contribute to it. while Claudia Puig of USA Today dubbed it "classic Simon." Heather Phares of AllMusic felt it "mellow [and] amiable."

The music video for the song was directed by Wayne Isham and features Simon performing the song in a child's bedroom, intercut with clips from The Wild Thornberrys Movie, as well as live action clips of wild animals (which were used in the end credits of the film).

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref. (Reference)United StatesOctober 28, 2002Adult contemporary, hot adult contemporary, Adult album alternative, triple A radioJive Records, Jive, Nick Records, NickUnited KingdomMay 29, 2006CDWarner Bros.