Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Releases Heartfelt New Song “Your Dad

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is expanding his multi-hyphenate career into music, releasing the touching acoustic pop ballad “Your Dad.” Co-written with 2023 American Idol winner Iam Tongi, the song drops as part of the companion album Moana: Voices Across the Ocean, celebrating the live-action reboot of Moana.

Here is the kicker, though—while Hollywood usually measures success by box office returns and streaming hours, Johnson insists this particular creative pivot comes with zero corporate anxiety. It is simply a heartfelt audio letter to his daughters, marking a distinct shift for one of the planet’s most bankable movie stars.

The Bottom Line

• The Project: Dwayne Johnson co-wrote and sings the new acoustic track “Your Dad,” featured on the Moana: Voices Across the Ocean companion album via Rolling Stone.
• The Collaborator: The track was crafted alongside 2023 American Idol champion Iam Tongi, who originally penned a rough version of the song for his own family.
• The Musical Vision: Johnson cites deep roots in classic country and soul, noting aspirations to explore a musical lane blending influences like Sam Cooke and Merle Haggard.

Inside the Studio: How ‘Your Dad’ Came Together

For millions of moviegoers, Johnson’s singing voice is already cemented in global pop culture via the Lin-Manuel Miranda-penned anthem “You’re Welcome” from the 2016 animated hit Moana, which racked up billions of streams. But stepping away from his animated demigod persona, Johnson wanted something grounded and deeply personal for the companion project tied to the live-action adaptation.

Working alongside his wife Lauren Hashian, plus co-producers Tiana Nonosina Liufau and Kayla Fa’amaligi, Johnson reached out to Iam Tongi to collaborate. But the song took an unexpected emotional turn during the writing process. Tongi sent back a demo titled “My Dad,” written about his late father and addressed to his own future children. When Johnson heard it, he was moved to tears.

Because Johnson shared a complicated relationship with his own late father, professional wrestler Rocky Johnson, he asked to rework the song’s perspective. The final product shifted entirely toward Johnson’s three daughters: Simone Alexandra, Jasmine Lia, and Tiana Gia. In the track, Johnson sings in a gentle, whispery tone over acoustic guitar strings, delivering lines like, “Now you go move those mountains / And sail across the oceans.”

From Professional Wrestling Rings to Nashville Roots

While the cultural footprint of blockbusters like action features has defined Johnson’s adult life, music was actually an early anchor. Growing up in a Polynesian family where singing and ceremonial dancing were constants, Johnson soaked up heavy influences from Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, George Jones, and Willie Nelson. In a striking piece of music history, Nelson even gifted Johnson one of only 100 replica models of his legendary Martin “Trigger” guitar.

Photo: rollingstone.com

Long before headlining major studio slates, a teenage Johnson lived in Nashville and unsuccessfully tried to sneak into bars on Broad Street to grab a microphone. But the math tells a different story today: rather than chasing radio charts or opening-weekend box office grosses, Johnson views his musical exploration as an unpressured creative outlet. Johnson maintains that “Your Dad” belongs first and foremost to his family.

Music Evolution and Studio Credits At a Glance

Project / Track	Year	Collaborator / Writer	Context
“It Doesn’t Matter”	2000	Wyclef Jean	Provided shouted catchphrases and hype ad-libs.
“You’re Welcome”	2016	Lin-Manuel Miranda	Voiced as Maui for the original animated Moana feature.
“Face Off”	2020	Tech N9ne	Contributed rap-flow structure and guest vocals.
“Your Dad”		Iam Tongi	Acoustic girl-dad ballad for the live-action Moana companion album.

The Broader Cultural Aftershocks of Celebrity Crossovers

The accompanying music video, populated by home movies of Johnson interacting with his children, leans into the modern creator economy where authenticity drives fan engagement.