Today is “Father’s Day,” and as with most days songs come to mind.

A few songs that remind me of Father’s Day. First, perhaps the tough stuff. Because we must admit that being a Dad is not always a fond memory for anyone. This is perhaps not only one of the great songs of fatherhood, but just plain one of the best story-songs every written:

We do this song as a band, and I have the high honor of singing it. Full string section behind the core band…it’s awesome. And I sometimes play this live too, just in solo settings. I have never played this song where a man in the audience did not cry. Just saying.

Then, on the positive side of the ledger, perhaps the best-known song of my favorite singersongwriter, Dan Fogelberg:

As you may remember, last summer I was deeply honored to be a part of the “Fogelberg Weekend” in Peoria, Ill, where we got to honor Dan’s memory by playing music for his biggest fans, his childhood friends and even his mother and family. Saturday night’s show of that weekend featured a concert by Peoria All-Stars, playing Dan’s music in a great concert venue in the city there. But everyone wondered who would play “Leader of the Band.” When the time came, it clear: none of us would. Dan did. They showed a video of Dan doing the song that he wrote for his father, the Peoria High School band leader, who had given him so much.

What an incredible tribute to the love of a father.

But then, finally, there’s not just what we think about being a father –good, bad or ugly– there’s being one in the world today. And the best song about fatherhood, and manhood, that I’ve heard in years and years is Andy Gullahorn’s “More of a Man.”

I found all sorts of versions that weren’t very easy to hear, so please go here and click the “More of a Man” link.

Isn’t that an amazing song?

Happy Father’s Day, everybody.