Top 20 Best Mother's Day Songs
#20: “Mom” (2016) Meghan Trainor feat. Kelli Trainor
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Kelli Trainor allegedly told her daughter not to “worry ‘bout [her] size.” But listeners can actually hear the Trainor matriarch’s voice in “Mom.” Sung to a jazzy beat, Meghan Trainor’s ode to her mother is simple yet catchy. As she told the BBC, she was inspired to create it while brushing her teeth. The idea was to have something fit for a Mother’s Day card song. And the loving conversation between mother and daughter that appears about halfway through the track really drives the whole thing home. If you ever forget Mother’s Day, make like Trainor and write your mother figure into her own tribute song.
#19: "You Can't Lose Me" (1995) Faith Hill
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Taken from Faith Hill’s “It Matters to Me” album, this country song is a decidedly upbeat tribute to mothers everywhere. The lyrics are quite deep, chronicling a mother-daughter relationship through the years, and seemingly reflecting how Hill’s mom has encouraged her to take risks. Unsurprisingly, the track was a hit in the United States. The music video, which puts different generations of ladies in the beachy spotlight, is sure to hit you right in the feels. Both the song and its video celebrate the unbreakable bonds and unconditional love many moms and kids share, making them perfect for a celebration.
#18: “Chinese” (2009) Lily Allen
Lily Allen’s 2009 track “Chinese” is a dreamy number. The name comes from the simplest of ideas: sitting at home, enjoying a meal you ordered. However, the song also has a deeper meaning. The narrative follows a young woman making the commute home, longing to arrive so she can be in a loved one’s comforting presence. It’s a straightforward premise. But it’s also one that people of any age can relate to when they’ve had a hard day and just want to see their mom. The lyrics don’t specify who she’s singing about, but that doesn’t change the fact that the track is a perfect homage to the women who raise us.
#17: “Mom” (2014) Garth Brooks
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There’s a reason why it took Garth Brooks nearly a month to record “Mom” for his “Man Against Machine” album. Simply put, it’s a work of art. The lyrics depict a talk between an unborn child and God, discussing the future the kid will have. When that conversation leads into a description of the baby’s mother, an avalanche of emotions washes over us. The singer feels the same way, saying on “Good Morning America” that the moment always makes him emotional. Brooks loves “Mom” so much that he wishes he’d written it, but it’s actually a cover of a Bonnie Tyler song penned by Wynn Varble and Don Sampson.
#16: “Mother” (2018) Sugarland
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Perfectly demonstrating the true soul of country music, “Mother” is a ballad from duo Sugarland. The song is about a mother’s role in a child’s life, but it explores that concept in the deepest sense possible. The mother in the song loves their children for who they are, no matter who they love. She wants them to be happy, and will do anything in her power to help them. It’s not a relationship that hinges on anything, which is a powerful thing. The song is a melodic celebration that might just make you shed a tear or two, and make you want to call the person the lyrics make you think of.
#15: “Oh Mother” (2006) Christina Aguilera
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There are many people who had to rely primarily on their mothers growing up. Christina Aguilera was among them. And despite the immense amount of success she’s had in her career, she’s never forgotten her roots. Her appreciation for everything her mother did was poured into this moving track, that feels like a heartfelt thank you. The song also addresses their difficult home life before her parents’ split, and her father’s violence. It’s a serious piece that’s sure to touch your heart. The track is a powerful tribute that acknowledges the difficulties faced by single parents, while applauding their immense strength and resilience.
#14: “Two of Us” (2019) Louis Tomlinson
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Mother's Day can be a bittersweet occasion for the many folks who have lost their mom. Still, it can be an opportunity to celebrate the woman that was. This Louis Tomlinson track is perfect for that, as he specifically co-wrote and recorded it to honor his own mom. By his own admission, it was a song that he had wanted to create for a while. His mother Johannah Deakin (joHANNAH) sadly passed away in 2016. The pain of his loss surges through “Two of Us,” making for a poignant listening experience. It was also the first song Tomlinson released from his debut solo studio album “Walls”, making it feel all the more important.
#13: “Oh, Mother of Mine” (1961) The Temptations
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The Temptations were renowned for their harmonies and timing. And “Oh, Mother of Mine” is arguably among their most distinct and in-sync numbers. It was released rather early in the course of their career, so it’s already a pretty meaningful piece of work in that regard. But it’s the lyrics that cut through the gorgeous harmonies that say the most here. The song’s message, to trust your mom and take her advice, will definitely resonate with many people out there. After all, if the members of The Temptations had ignored theirs, we doubt they’d have made it as far as they did!
#12: “Mama Liked the Roses” (1970) Elvis Presley
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Mamas everywhere benefited from this legendary track, sung by The King Elvis Presley. “Mama Liked the Roses” may not spring to mind as quickly as some of his other ballads, but it’s just as special and noteworthy. The song was written by Johnny Christopher. But although it didn’t come directly from The King’s pen, it reminds listeners of how close he apparently was with his mom Gladys. She unfortunately passed away in 1958, over a decade before the track’s creation. It’s not the first song the late Presley seemingly devoted to her, with “That's Someone You Never Forget” released just a few years after her death.
#11: “Coat of Many Colors” (1971) Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a legend in the country music scene. If we’re being honest, her icon status transcends genre. But even she’s never forgotten where she comes from. And she let us all know it in 1971. Rooted in real events, the track sees Parton describing a “coat of many colors” that her mother put together for her. It started as a box of rags, but she took someone else’s rubbish and turned it into something beautiful with her bare hands. The story is so meaningful that the whole album shares its name with this song. It also inspired the “Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors” TV Movie, which came out in 2015.
#10: “Ring Off” (2014) Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s different family members have often been the subject of media attention. The star herself has also used her music to discuss personal topics, like her marriage, in the past. With this song, she puts her mother in the limelight. “Ring Off” has a bittersweet title, apparently referring to the 2011 divorce of her parents Matthew Knowles and Tina Knowles-Lawson. But we can only imagine that it raised her mother’s spirits in immeasurable ways. In fact, the whole song is centered around uplifting Lawson, and it does so incredibly effectively. The track feels decidedly positive and optimistic, so it’s the perfect motherly anthem.
#9: “Thank You Mom” (2000) Good Charlotte
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For a punk rock band, Good Charlotte is really quite adept at switching gears to give us something a little more warm and homey. This is something they proved quite early on in their career with “Thank You Mom,” which was released on their very first studio album. It was written by twins Benji and Joel Madden, and is said to honor their mother. The lyrics take an impactful trip down memory lane. Of course, they also give thanks to a mom who took on every role, going above and beyond to care for her children. The Madden brothers’ appreciation is obvious, and the song is nothing short of captivating.
#8: "The Best Day" (2008) Taylor Swift
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Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift wasted no time paying tribute to her parents, including “The Best Day” on only her second album. Swift was still quite young back then, but she was already spreading her wings. The song sheds light on her family life, and is quite a testament to her folks. Her mother Andrea is the focus of most of the lyrics, which chronicle how she guided Swift as she got older. The singer’s age changes throughout the track. But regardless of how old she is, her “best days” always involve Andrea. Be sure to keep tissues handy if you listen to this one with the mom in your life.
#7: “The Perfect Fan” (1999) Backstreet Boys
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Within one of the best-selling albums of all time lies one of the sweetest songs for all mothers out there. With “The Perfect Fan” the Backstreet Boys were able to pay tribute to the main women in their lives: their moms. In doing so, they made sure they’d be featured in everyone’s Mother’s Day playlists for years to come. We don’t need to tell you who the perfect fan the boys are talking about is. The song wasn’t one of “Millennium’s’” singles, but it definitely could’ve been. After all, it was released in 1999, but its message is just as relevant and revered today.
#6: “Hey Mama” (2005) Kanye West
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In the early days of his career, when he was still an up-and-coming artist, West was supported by his very doting mother Donda (dawn-duh). For album number two, West knew it was time to publicly honor her. And he did so beautifully with “Hey Mama,” which he originally wrote back in 2000. Each word lets the world know what a positive light she’s been in West’s life. Donda sadly passed away in 2007, roughly two years after the song was put out for all of us to enjoy. Thankfully, she saw her son perform the number to a live audience on “Oprah,” watching proudly from the front row.
#5: "Dear Mama" (1995) Tupac
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The late Tupac Shakur’s musical ode to his mother is eclectic, powerful and unique. “Dear Mama,” written by the rapper before he spent time in prison, was widely acclaimed. In fact, the Library of Congress inducted it into the National Recording Registry in 2009. Afeni and Tupac’s relationship wasn’t always an easy or straightforward one. And the song doesn’t shy away from that. But it also makes it clear that there was an immense amount of love and respect between them. Honest and full of candor, “Dear Mama” pays homage to mothers everywhere who struggle and sacrifice for their children.
#4:“A Song for Mama” (1997) Boyz II Men
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“A Song for Mama,” an R&B delight for any mom, came from the vocal harmony group Boyz II Men. The song may have been released in 1997, but its melody and lyrics are absolutely timeless. “A Song for Mama” was written and produced by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds for the movie “Soul Food” which he was also co-producing at the time. It performed well on the Billboard charts, and it’s easy to see why. We’ll never get tired of its soulful melody and lovely message. The song is full of appreciation for mothers, with descriptive lines that really make those sentiments felt. Top that, greeting card writers…
#3: "Tell Mama" (1967) Etta James
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In their most literal sense, this powerful song’s lyrics depict a mother looking to help her child. Many of us have experienced the comfort that comes with knowing there’s someone in your corner, who knows how to “make everything alright.” And it’s likely that numerous moms out there can relate to the sentiment and experience being described in this track. The late Etta James had a true gift, always conveying so much through her stellar voice and impeccable energy. Her talent is on full display in this 1967 number, and we have to think it made her kids extremely proud.
#2: “Mama’s Song” (2009) Carrie Underwood
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Country music singer and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is no stranger to singing about moms. “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” depicts the relationship between a young woman leaving home and her mom, who remains a fixture in her life. But it’s “Mama’s Song,” which was featured on Underwood’s “Play On” album, that really tugs at the heartstrings. The reflective ballad’s lyrics describe a woman who’s ready to get married, letting her mom know that she’s given her everything she needs to go her own way. “Mama’s Song” speaks directly to so many mothers and daughters alike, with Underwood’s subtle yet succinct delivery making it an unforgettable work.
#1: “Mama” (1996) Spice Girls
Though it was a chart success, the Spice Girls’ “Mama” is often overlooked. That’s a real shame, because it certainly stands as one of their most memorable numbers. Opting for a more naturalistic and acoustic vibe, the song is told through the perspective of a daughter. And it’s a poignant reminder of how much a mother truly does and represents. The loving lyrics move through the challenges mothers and children face as the latter rebels. But they also reaffirm that mothers are doing what they feel is right, and that they’re friends, too. The Spice Girls incorporated their own mothers into the music video, which made the whole thing that much more meaningful.
