Mothers have inspired hundreds of great songs over the years, from classic tributes to humorous takes on family life. They can be about gratitude, love, challenges, and everything in between, showing just how many ways artists have tried to honor (or sometimes criticize) the women who raised them.
Whether they’re about good moms, struggling single mothers, or the complicated relationships between parents and children, these songs show the many different sides of motherhood.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Mothers Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Mothers
1. “A Song for Mama” – Boyz II Men
Lyric Sample: “Mama, mama, you’re the queen of my heart.”
This R&B classic is a tribute from a son to his mother, acknowledging her sacrifices and unconditional love. It’s been one of the most popular songs about mothers for years, and it’s often played at weddings during mother-son dances.
2. “Slipping Through My Fingers” – ABBA
Lyric Sample: “Each time I think I’m close to knowing, she keeps on growing.”
“Slipping Through My Fingers” is about a mother who watches her daughter grow up and become independent. It describes the feeling of time passing too quickly and the bittersweet nature of parenthood.
Related: “Slipping Through My Fingers” Song Meaning
3. “Dear Mama” – 2Pac
Lyric Sample: “You just workin’ with the scraps you was given, and Mama made miracles every Thanksgivin’.”
2Pac shows his love for his single mom, acknowledging her struggles and mistakes while honoring her strength. It’s a son’s love for a mother who did her best in a difficult situation.
4. “Thought You Should Know” – Morgan Wallen
Lyric Sample: “Yeah, I’m still proud of where I came from, still your only damn son.”
Wallen’s song is a modern thank-you note to his mother, updating her on his life and recognizing her influence.
5. “The Perfect Fan” – Backstreet Boys
Lyric Sample: “You showed me when I was young just how to grow.”
The Backstreet Boys thank the original supporters who cheered before anyone else. It’s a great one for anyone looking for songs about great moms who set the foundation.
6. “Mama Said” – The Shirelles
Lyric Sample: “Mama said there’ll be days like this.”
This 1960s hit celebrates a mother’s simple but wise advice about life’s ups and downs. It’s one of the catchiest early songs about moms.
7. “You Can’t Hurry Love” – The Supremes
Lyric Sample: “She said love don’t come easy, it’s a game of give and take.”
This classic Motown hit tells a story about a mom’s advice to her daughter about having patience with love. Her mom encourages her to take her time and not rush into a relationship.
8. “Coat of Many Colors” – Dolly Parton
Lyric Sample: “Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be.”
This country song is about a mother’s love and ingenuity. She sewed a coat from rags, and even though Dolly was teased for it, her mom’s love made it feel like a treasure.
9. “Let It Be” – The Beatles
Lyric Sample: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”
Paul McCartney sings about a dream he had of his mother, Mary, who died when he was young. She appears to him in a vision and offers comfort and advice during a difficult time.
Related: “Let It Be” Song Meaning
10. “Mama Tried” – Merle Haggard
Lyric Sample: “No one could steer me right, but Mama tried.”
“Mama Tried” is about a rebellious son who acknowledges his mother’s efforts to raise him right. He takes responsibility for his choices and admits that, despite her best efforts, he ended up in trouble.
Related: Best Songs About Prison
11. “Hey Mama” – Kanye West
Lyric Sample: “This little light of mine, I’m finna let it shine.”
West runs through childhood memories, his mother’s sacrifices, and promises to give back everything she gave. The song is written like a thank-you letter, full of specific moments and future plans.
12. “The Best Day” – Taylor Swift
Lyric Sample: “Don’t know if Snow White’s house is near or far away, but I know I had the best day with you today.”
Swift remembers childhood moments with her mom, from pumpkin patches to long car rides that made bad days feel better.
13. “Mama Liked the Roses” – Elvis Presley
Lyric Sample: “And mama liked the roses, she grew them in the yard.”
“Mama Liked the Roses” is a tribute to a mother’s memory. Elvis sings about the small things she loved, like roses, and the bigger lessons she taught her children, like how to live and pray.
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Lyric Sample: “Mother, do you think they’ll drop the bomb?”
From Pink Floyd’s rock opera “The Wall,” “Mother” is about a boy’s unhealthy reliance on his overprotective mother. It’s a conversation between the boy, Pink, and his mother, showing his isolation and fear.
15. “Somebody’s Hero” – Jamie O’Neal
Lyric Sample: “Giving all her love to her was her life’s ambition.”
O’Neal sings about how mothers are heroes in their own way, even if they don’t always feel like it. It’s about the little things a mother does that make a huge difference in her children’s lives.
16. “Mama” – Spice Girls
Lyric Sample: “I never thought you would become the friend I never had.”
This pop ballad is a simple thank you from the Spice Girls to their mothers, acknowledging that as they grew up, they came to appreciate all the hard work and love.
17. “Mama’s Song” – Carrie Underwood
Lyric Sample: “He treats your little girl like a real man should.”
Underwood sings to her mother, reassuring her that she’s found a good man and is ready to start her own family. It’s about a daughter leaving the nest but still holding onto the lessons her mother taught her.
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18. “Mother” – John Lennon
Lyric Sample: “Mother, you had me, but I never had you.”
In “Mother,” Lennon sings about being abandoned by his parents as a child. It’s a unique look at the lasting impact of a bad parent-child relationship.
19. “I’ll Always Love My Mama” – The Intruders
Lyric Sample: “How Mama used to clean somebody else’s house, just to buy me a new pair of shoes.”
This soul hit is about a son who remembers and values his mother’s hard work. He acknowledges her sacrifices and says that he appreciates everything she did for him.
20. “Mother Mother” – Tracy Bonham
Lyric Sample: “I’m hungry, I’m dirty, I’m losin’ my mind, everything’s fine!”
This ’90s rock song is a tense phone call between a daughter and her mother. The daughter claims to be okay, but she’s in a frantic state, masking her need for help behind a facade of “everything’s fine.”
21. “The Baby” – Blake Shelton
Lyric Sample: “She said I don’t care if you’re 80, you’ll always be my baby.”
“The Baby” tells the story of a boy growing up and the mother who always sees him as her little one, no matter his age. It spans from childhood to adulthood, showing a mother’s constant love and the son’s journey to her side as she passes away.
22. “Mother” – Ashanti
Lyric Sample: “And you would be right there to take all of my fear away.”
In this 2000s R&B track, Ashanti thanks her mother for helping her throughout childhood and adulthood. It’s about how she supported her daughter through heartbreak, challenges, and everyday life.
23. “Thank You Mom” – Good Charlotte
Lyric Sample: “Said I thank you, I’ll always thank you, more than you will know.”
“Thank You Mom” is about a mother being everything to her sons. They thank her for being there during difficult times and for teaching them how to live and love.
24. “Mother Stands for Comfort” – Kate Bush
Lyric Sample: “Mother stands for comfort, mother will hide the murderer.”
This is a unique one. “Mother Stands for Comfort” is about a complicated relationship between an adult child and their mother. The mother offers refuge and support, even in the face of her child’s worst mistakes.
25. “Ring Off” – Beyoncé
Lyric Sample: “So tired of the lies and tryin’, fightin’, cryin’, took that ring off.”
Beyoncé celebrates her mother’s strength after her divorce. She praises her mom for taking control of her life and finding happiness after a difficult time.
26. “She Didn’t Have Time” – Terri Clark
Lyric Sample: “She could’ve cried, but she didn’t have time.”
This country ballad tells the story of a single mother who keeps moving forward after being left by her partner. Instead of dwelling on heartbreak, she pours her energy into raising her daughter.
27. “Mother’s Little Helper” – The Rolling Stones
Lyric Sample: “Mother needs something today to calm her down.”
This 1960s satirical rock track is about the rising dependence on tranquilizers among housewives coping with domestic pressures. It portrays the pills as an easy escape from boredom and stress, while also warning of the darker consequences of addiction.
28. “Mama Don’t Forget to Pray for Me” – Diamond Rio
Lyric Sample: “I hate to call so late, but I didn’t have a choice.”
The 1990s country tune is about a man who is far from home, moving quickly through life, and asks his mom to pray for him. He relies on his mother’s care and support even after he starts handling most things on his own.
29. “Mama” – Il Divo
Lyric Sample: “Forgive me for the words unsaid, for the times I forgot.”
In this operatic pop ballad, a son gives a long-overdue thank you to his mom. He apologizes for the tears he caused and for not seeing that she had dreams of her own.
30. “No Man’s Land” – John Michael Montgomery
Lyric Sample: “She’s gonna be okay, gonna find a way, living in no man’s land.”
“No Man’s Land” is about the life of a single mother. Montgomery details her financial and emotional struggles, but also celebrates the resilience and strength that keep her going.
31. “Turn to You (Mother’s Day Dedication)” – Justin Bieber
Lyric Sample: “So when you’re lost and you’re tired, when you’re broken in two, let my love take you higher.”
Justin Bieber dedicated this song to his single mom, thanking her for raising him and always being there for him.
32. “Mama Used to Say” – Junior
Lyric Sample: “Mama used to say, ‘Don’t you rush to get old.’”
In this early ’80s funk track, a mother passes on advice about avoiding the pitfalls of growing up too fast. It’s a reminder that mom’s tips can stay with you long into adulthood.
33. “Mother” – Sugarland
Lyric Sample: “There won’t be another place like her again you call home.”
“Mother” lists the everyday ways a mom shows care, from fixing things to offering unconditional support. It’s about how a mother’s love can guide you through struggles and still be a safe place to return to.
34. “Hey Ma” – Chance the Rapper
Lyric Sample: “Hey ma, hey ma, I know I never did behave a lot, never got good grades a lot.”
Chance the Rapper gives his mom a shout-out in this hip-hop track, mixing funny childhood memories with gratitude for the support she gave. It’s also a nod to the other women in his life who looked out for him like family.
35. “Bye Mom” – Chris Janson
Lyric Sample: “And I know that you’ll be right there to pick me up.”
This 2020s country tune turns simple goodbyes into a story of growing up and the lasting care of a mother. Janson remembers playful childhood moments and how his mom’s love stayed with him through it all.
36. “Like My Mother Does” – Lauren Alaina
Lyric Sample: “When I’m weak and unpretty, I know I’m beautiful and strong.”
In “Like My Mother Does,” Lauren Alaina recognizes that her mother’s strength, kindness, and faith have shaped the person she has become.
37. “Mother Like Mine” – The Band Perry
Lyric Sample: “There’s no safer place I’ve found than the shoulder of her white night gown.”
“Mother Like Mine” is about a mother who keeps her children safe and comforts them when they need it. She’s described as someone who handles daily responsibilities and supports her kids through both good times and struggles.
Related: Funeral Songs for Mom
Conclusion
No two mothers are the same, and these songs show the different ways they leave their mark on the people around them. Together, they give us the wide range of experiences that come with being a mom and having a mom.
For more family-related themed lists, check out Songs About Fathers, Songs About Daughters, and Songs About Sisters.
