43 Best Country Songs About Family
Love country music nearly as much as your family? You’re not along, and many musicians have written songs combining two of many people’s biggest loves.
But with so many out there, we’ve filtered through them to give you the best country songs about family. Enjoy.
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“Daddy Sang Bass” by Johnny Cash
Song Year: 1968
Country music legend Johnny Cash hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with this song written by Carl Perkins.
He sings about hard times when he was little but how his family played gospel music and believed their faith would get them through anything together.
“Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard
Song Year: 1968
Country legend Merle Haggard also hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1968 with the song he wrote about a mother trying to raise her son right.
The song gives the mother credit for trying hard with him, even though he still went down the wrong path despite her best efforts.
“The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert
Song Year: 2010
One of the best country songs about family deals with a nostalgic trip back to a childhood home and the memories there. The tune was Miranda Lambert's first #1 hit.
The track sold over a million copies and is one of her most popular songs.
“Remember When” by Alan Jackson
Song Year: 2003
One of Alan Jackson's many #1 hits, this song is a beautiful look at family life from when he met his wife and went on to raise kids and keep the family together.
It's a poignant song about looking back at a happy, successful life through all its stages.
“I Called Mama” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2020
In this sad song, the singer gets a call about a friend who's died, and his first instinct is to call home.
The untimely death makes him realize what's important, and he vows not to wait so long without keeping in touch with his parents.
“I.O.U.” by Jimmy Dean
Song Year: 1976
In this spoken-word recording that was Jimmy Dean's first charting song in a decade, an orchestra plays in the background of his homage to his mom.
Dean explains everything he owes his mother and ends with his voice breaking when he tells her he loves her.
“Daddy's Hands” by Holly Dunn
Song Year: 1986
This sweet tribute to Dunn's father earned her two Grammy Award nominations and a #7 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
She sings about how he used his hands to work and support his family and to discipline or comfort her when she needed it.
“He Didn't Have To Be” by Brad Paisley
Song Year: 1999
This song became Brad Paisley's first #1 hit. It's one of the best country songs about family and a boy's love for the man who married his single mom and became an involved and loving step-father.
That love led him to want a family of his own, and he sings about wanting to live up to his step-father's wonderful example.
“He Gets That From Me” by Reba McIntyre
Song Year: 2004
This top-ten hit from country superstar Reba McIntyre starts by mentioning many of the behaviors and mannerisms her son got from her.
It turns poignant when she sings about the things he gets from his father, whom he mentions in prayer because he's already passed on.
“Family Tree” by Caylee Hammack
Song Year: 2020
This track is one of the country songs about family that doesn't try to gloss over flaws, like relatives in jail, burned food, and having to sell things to get by.
The point of this fun country tune is that love for your family members is more important than any of those things.
“You Can't Lose Me” by Faith Hill
Song Year: 1996
This song hit #1 on the RPM county chart in Canada and #6 in the US.
It's a beautiful song about mothers and daughters, with lyrics that explain how unconditional a mother's love can be. It ends with the reverse sentiment about how a mother can't lose a daughter, no matter what.
“Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” by The Judds
Song Year: 1986
In this song by the superstar mother and daughter duo The Judds, they sing to a grandfather and ask about the good old days.
The song's theme is that the world's a little crazy, and they want to hear about when families prayed together, ate dinner together, and life felt a little kinder.
“Mom” by Garth Brooks
Song Year: 2014
This poignant tune is one of the sweetest country songs about family and moms.
In the song, an unborn child talks to God and learns that someone who will love them unconditionally, their mom, is waiting on earth.
“You're Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins
Song Year: 2008
Adkins' #1 hit is about three moments in a girl's life when she's unhappy and wishing for something else.
Someone tells her she will miss what's happening in her life each time, so she should look around and cherish it before it's gone.
“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” by Glen Campbell and Steve Wariner
Song Year: 1987
Glen Campbell's top-ten hit is a lovely tribute to mothers everywhere, starting with the birth of a son.
The song is about how she gave him everything he needed and taught him well and how mothers don't get enough credit for their work.
“Mama's Song” by Carrie Underwood
Song Year: 2010
This song earned Underwood a Grammy Award nomination for her performance on the award show in 2010.
She tells her mother that she doesn't have to worry about her because she taught her right. She's marrying a man who treats her well, and she's grateful to her mom for raising her with great values.
“Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait
Song Year: 1990
This song was the first time George Strait had a #1 hit that lasted more than one week.
Many country songs about family focus on fatherhood. This tune shows that a dad's love is without end and gets passed down through the generations.
“Meanwhile Back at Mama's” by Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
Song Year: 2014
Tim McGraw and his wife Faith Hill sing this sweet song about how a man grows up and can't wait to leave his small hometown.
By the end, he realizes he misses his home and family and moves back with his new lady to enjoy a slower-paced life and the people he loves.
“He Walked on Water” by Randy Travis
Song Year: 1990
This song about a great-grandfather peaked at #2 in the US. Travis sings about the man he thought walked on water despite any flaws.
It's a sweet song about idolizing an older family member and keeping their memory alive after they're gone.
“Coal Miner's Daughter” by Loretta Lynn
Song Year: 1970
This autobiographical song is about Loretta Lynn's childhood growing up poor as a coal miner's daughter.
The lyrics talk about how hard her parents worked and how much they sacrificed to raise their family. She sings about how proud she is to come from the family she did and the values they held dear.
“No Charge” by Melba Montgomery
Song Year: 1974
This 1970s song about a little boy giving his mother an itemized bill for everything he does around the house was a #1 hit for Montgomery.
She speaks much of the lyrics, but when the mother points out everything she did for the son at no charge, she sings that list in this song about motherhood.
“Don't Forget To Remember Me” by Carrie Underwood
Song Year: 2006
This track is one of the sweet country songs about family between a mother and a daughter when the daughter graduates high school.
The mother reminds the daughter to remember her as she leaves home and moves on with her life.
“My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar
Song Year: 2003
This #1 song by Lonestar is one of the country songs about family and how the people you love are more important than anything material.
When given the choice of anything majestic, the singer's favorite view is what he sees when standing on his front porch and looking into his home where his wife and kids are waiting for him.
“Family Tradition” by Hank Williams, Jr.
Song Year: 1979
This autobiographical song is about how drinking and brawling is a Williams family tradition, even though his musical style differs from Hank Williams' music.
Drug and alcohol abuse was an issue with Hank Williams, Jr. and his father, and this song is one of his most popular tracks.
“In My Daughter's Eyes” by Martina McBride
Song Year: 2003
This beautiful song is about how a daughter sees her mother as a hero and larger than life.
McBride explains that the daughter is her hero because she changed her mother's life when she was born. It's a lovely tribute to love and respect between mothers and daughters.
Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings
Song Year: 1978
Country legends Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings won a Grammy Award for this song's performance in 1979.
The song implores mothers to guide their kids to do almost anything but grow up as cowboys who won't stay home.
“That's My Job” by Conway Twitty
Song Year: 1987
This top-ten hit by superstar Conway Twitty is about a boy dreaming that his father died and being upset.
The song points out that the father spends his whole life keeping the son safe and ensuring everything is okay, even when the boy is a rebellious teen.
“Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
Song Year: 1971
Dolly Parton's song about her mother's love hit #4 on the Country Songs chart. She explains that her family was so poor she didn't have a coat, so her mother made one from a box of rags.
Despite being teased, she was proud of how her mother had sewn the coat, especially for her.
“In My Arms” by Mark Wills
Song Year: 2000
Mark Wills' beautiful song “In My Arms” is about a father's first night with his newborn baby.
He imagines all the ways he'll protect the child through life's milestones, from bandaging scraped knees to a first date and walking her down the aisle on her wedding day.
“One's on the Way” by Loretta Lynn
Song Year: 1970
Loretta Lynn was one of the first ladies of country music in the 70s with songs like this about everyday life and the importance of family.
She sings about all the mundane irritations in life. Lynn says her kids, including the one on the way, are more important than the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and stardom.
“It's Your Song” by Garth Brooks
Song Year: 1998
This top-ten single from Garth Brooks' live Double Live album is one of the country songs about family that honors mothers.
He sings that his mother's song led him to where he is and guided him throughout his life. His love for his mom comes through as his voice breaks, and he becomes emotional.
“Family” by Rodney Atkins
Song Year: 2011
This Rodney Atkins hit is about a 4th of July family reunion with plenty of characters that drink, fight, laugh, and speak their minds.
The track honors families with lots of personalities and reminds the listener that you love your family even when they're annoying and difficult.
“Thank God for Kids” by The Oak Ridge Boys
Song Year: 1982
The Oak Ridge Boys stayed on the Country Songs chart for 16 weeks in 1982 when they released this song about how kids make life better.
The 1980s were the heyday of this group's career, with many country songs about family, faith, and children like this one.
“Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man” by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
Song Year: 1970
In the earliest years of Dolly Parton's career, she sang on several duet albums with Porter Wagoner. This song about a preaching father came from their fifth album and hit #7 on the country chart.
They earned a Grammy Award nomination for their performance of this song honoring a faithful father.
“Seein' My Father in Me” by Paul Overstreet
Song Year: 1990
This song is about how a man sees his father in himself while raising his kids and how his kids will be like him.
The track hit #2 on the country chart and was one of Paul Overstreet's most popular songs.
“Mama Knows” by Shenandoah
Song Year: 1988
Country group Shenandoah reached #5 on the Country Songs chart with this song about a mother's intuition.
Whether a kid's sneaking a cigarette or falling in love for the first time, mothers know more about what's going on with their kids than they sometimes realize.
“Song for Dad” by Keith Urban
Song Year: 2002
This sweet tribute to fathers is one of the country songs about family where the singer sees his father in his actions and words.
It's also about how with age, it's easier to see the things parents do for their kids that might not be obvious when you're younger.
“My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2006
This song about a father's love for a daughter hit #3 on the US country chart and appeared in the 2006 film Flicka.
No matter how old the narrator's daughter gets, she'll always be her father's little girl in this sweet song.
“Just Fishin'” by Trace Adkins
Song Year: 2011
The last top-ten hit for Trace Adkins was this song about a father taking his daughter fishing.
The daughter sees it as just a fishing trip, but the father knows it's more than that because some of the most important moments in life are in the little moments like that.
“Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle
Song Year: 1997
Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas wrote this song for Carlisle's daughter's 16th birthday.
It's a beautiful song about all the small moments between a father and daughter he'll cherish for the rest of his life.
“Family Man” by Craig Campbell
Song Year: 2010
This song was Craig Campbell's first single from his debut album. It's about how he's willing to work hard and do whatever it takes because of his intense love for his family.
“There Goes My Life” by Kenny Chesney
Song Year: 2003
A teenager discovers he'll be a father in this Kenny Chesney hit that spent seven weeks at #1 on the country chart.
At first, he feels like his life is over, but after the baby comes, he realizes that he loves his wife and child more than anything else.
“Things Dads Do” by Thomas Rhett
Song Year: 2021
Thomas Rhett wrote this song with his father Rhett Atkins, released on Father’s Day. It’s all about the things dads do, like giving you the keys to your first hand-me-down truck or becoming your best man for your wedding.
Top Country Songs About Family, Final Thoughts
Most songs here stress how love for a family lasts a lifetime, is unconditional, and changes as children get older and understand more about life, usually because they're raising their own families.
Whether you like country songs about family that focus on mothers, fathers, or couples and their children, you can find tunes to enjoy in this list.
