31 Best Country Songs About Moms

If you have seen this more general collection of songs about moms, you know how many tracks pay tribute to motherhood. But country music fans might want a playlist specific to the genre. So, let’s check out some of the best country songs about moms!

“No Charge” by Melba Montgomery

Song Year: 1974

First in this list of country songs about moms is Melba Montgomery’s “No Charge.” Country music songwriter Harlan Howard wrote the track, and Montgomery released it in 1974 on an album of the same name.

The song topped the charts in the United States and Canada and even hit number 39 on popular music charts. The lyrics center around the debt a son owes to his mother.

“Mother” by Sugarland

Song Year: 2018

Released in 2018 on the album Bigger, Sugarland’s “Mother” is a celebration of mothers and how they keep the family together. Sugarland member Kristian Bush released the song to honor his mother after she passed away. The specific release day would have been her 73rd birthday.

“It’s Your Song” by Garth Brooks

Song Year: 1998

Benita Hill and Pam Wolfe wrote the track “It’s Your Song,” and Garth Brooks released it in 1998 as a single for the album Double Live. The song performed well on country charts in the US and Canada and hit number 62 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Musically, the track is a ballad with a medium tempo and lyrics that pay tribute to Brooks’ mother.

“The Best Day” by Taylor Swift

Song Year: 2008

Released in 2008 on her second album Fearless, Taylor Swift’s “The Best Day” is a relaxing song that tributes parents, especially mothers. Swift released it on Mother’s Day, and the lyrics mainly thank her mother for raising her. The music uses gentle acoustic accompaniment, and the lyrics are touching.

“He Gets That From Me” by Reba McEntire

Song Year: 2004

Reba McEntire released the song “He Gets That From Me” as the third single for her 2004 album Room to Breathe. The lyrics center around the narrator reflecting on her baby’s characteristics and how they come from her. The track hit number seven on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and 59 on their Hot 100 chart.

“Mother” by Kacey Musgraves

Song Year: 2018

Released in 2018 on the album Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves' “Mother” is a short and touching reflection on the emotions of missing your mother. With a gentle accompaniment of soft piano and Musgraves’ delicate singing tone, this song will put you in a relaxing mood of appreciating your mother.  

“I'm a Survivor” by Reba McEntire

Song Year: 2001

Next is another track from Reba McEntire, this time “I’m a Survivor” from her 2001 compilation album Greatest Hits Volume III: I'm a Survivor. The music is delicate, and the lyrics tell a story about a premature baby who survives. More generally, the track celebrates the strength of women and mothers.

The track reached the number three spot on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and 49 on the Hot 100 chart.

“Mother Like Mine” by The Band Perry

Song Year: 2013

The Band Perry released the track “Mother Like Mine” on the 2013 album Pioneer. Even with a full band of musical accompaniment—including drums—the song maintains a soft and reflective texture. The lyrics reflect how much better the world would be if all mothers could be as impressive as the narrator's mom.

“I.O.U.” by Jimmy Dean

Song Year: 1976

Jimmy Dean and Larry Markes co-wrote the track “I.O.U.,” and Dean released it in 1976 on an album of the same name. The track features almost no singing, as it harkens back to the recitation style of older artists. The lyrics reflect what the narrator owes to his mother after all of her sacrifices.

“You Can't Lose Me” by Faith Hill

Song Year: 1996

Thom McHugh and Trey Bruce wrote the track “You Can’t Lose Me,” and Faith Hill released it on her 1996 album It Matters to Me. The music is powerful, and the lyrics are about a mother having unconditional love for her daughter. The song hit the number six spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and topped the Country Tracks chart in Canada.

“Mama's Song” by Carrie Underwood

Song Year: 2010

Carrie Underwood released “Mamma’s Song” on her 2010 album Play On. The country ballad, featuring Underwood’s powerful vocals, is about a daughter encouraging her mother to stop worrying and let her go. The song received a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance at the 2012 Grammys.

“Lullaby” by The Chicks

Song Year: 2006

From the 2006 album Taking the Long Way, “Lullaby” by The Chicks is a soft and touching song about a mother’s love. With gentle singing and faint accompaniment of acoustic guitar, this song musically feels like a lullaby. The lyrics center around a mother reflecting on loving her child forever.

“Hey Mama” by Michael Tyler

Song Year: 2017

Michael Tyler released the track “Hey Mama” on his 2017 album 317. A familiar theme in this collection of best country songs about moms, this track is another soft acoustic ballad with touching lyrics that pay tribute to motherhood. Tyler’s passionate voice sings to his mother about finding a woman who he thinks he will marry.

“Angel From Montgomery” by Bonnie Raitt

Song Year: 1974

John Prine originally wrote the track “Angel From Montgomery,” but this particular cover by Bonnie Raitt gave the song its biggest success. Released on her 1974 album Streetlights, the music is upbeat and has lyrics that tell a story about an old woman searching for courage and reflecting on her life.

“Roses for Mama” by C.W. McCall

Song Year: 1977

Next, C.W. McCall’s “Roses for Mama,” is another track in the recitation style, with lyrics all about paying tribute to your mother on her birthday. As is common in these recitation tracks, the story is extensive and involves a touching account of a young boy who lost his mother.

Released in 1977 on an album of the same name, the song hit the number two spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“In My Daughter's Eyes” by Martina McBride

Song Year: 2003

Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter James T. Slater wrote the track “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” and Martina McBride released it as a single for her 2003 album Martina. The lyrics reflect a mother seeing herself through her daughter’s eyes.The track hit the number four spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and 39 on its Hot 100 chart.

“Somebody's Hero” by Jamie O'Neal

Song Year: 2005

Jamie O’Neal released the track “Somebody’s Hero” as a single to her 2005 album Brave. This upbeat song has positive energy, and the lyrics center on a mother reflecting on her daughter and mother at the same time. The track reached the number three spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.

“Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson

Song Year: 1978

Ed Bruce and his wife Patsy wrote the track “Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” and they released their recording in 1975. But this 1978 recording by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson came out on the album Waylon & Willie. The lyrics are a conversation with mothers to discourage boys from living the cowboy life.

“Mama Knows” by Shenandoah

Song Year: 1988

Tim Mensy and Tony Haselden wrote the song “Mama Knows,” and the group Shenandoah released it as a single from their 1988 album The Road Not Taken. The music is relaxing, and the lyrics pay tribute to the unique wisdom of mothers. The track made it to the number five spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“Mom” by Garth Brooks

Song Year: 2014

Garth Brooks released the song “Mom” on his 2014 album Man Against Machine, and the track is a touching reflection on the unconditional love that mothers have for their children. The emotional lyrics and gentle musical accompaniment in this one might just bring tears to your eyes!

“I Called Mama” by Tim McGraw

Song Year: 2020

Lance Miller, Marv Green, and Jimmy Yeary wrote the song “I Called Mama,” and Tim McGraw released it in 2020 as a single from his album Here On Earth. The music takes the form of a ballad, with gentle acoustic accompaniment and lyrics about the narrator calling home on Mother’s Day.

“Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton

Song Year: 1971

Released in 1971 on an album of the same name, Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” is a song about the narrator’s mother making a jacket out of rags of various colors. The lyrics are also a reference to the biblical story of Joseph. The track eventually hit the number four spot on Billboard’s Country Singles chart.

“Mama Tried Song” by Merle Haggard

Song Year: 1968

Merle Haggard, along with American country band The Strangers, released “Mama Tried Song” in 1968 on the album Mama Tried. Despite the upbeat music, the lyrics reflect the trouble the narrator caused their mother by ending up in prison. As one of Haggard’s most popular tracks, it took the Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1999.

“Mama, He's Crazy” by The Judds

Song Year: 1984

Kenny O'Dell wrote the song “Mama, He’s Crazy,” and the mother-daughter country music duo The Judds originally released it on their 1984 album Wynonna & Naomi and later on their longer album Why Not Me. The track performed well on many charts and hit the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“Hot Mama” by Trace Adkins

Song Year: 2003

Casey Beathard and Tom Shapiro wrote the track “Hot Mama,” and Trace Adkins released it as the lead single for his sixth studio album Comin' On Strong in 2003. This is a fun song with upbeat music and lyrics about a husband complimenting his wife once the kids are asleep. The track hit the number 51 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

“The Baby” by Blake Shelton

Song Year: 2002

Released in 2002 on the album The Dreamer, Blake Shelton’s “The Baby” is an emotional song that reflects on memories of a mother and how she always views her children as babies. The emotional music and sad lyrics make this a touching song.

“Fancy” by Reba McEntire

Song Year: 1990

Bobbie Gentry originally wrote the song “Fancy” in 1969, and it performed well on the charts at the time. But this version, recorded by Reba McEntire for her 1990 Rumor Has It, became more popular. The track made it to the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Country Hits chart.

“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” by Glen Campbell and Steve Wariner

Song Year: 1987

Ted Harris wrote “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” and Glen Campbell and Steve Wariner released it as a single from their 1987 album Still Within the Sound of My Voice. This relaxing song reflects the heroic job of being a mother, especially concerning young children.

“Angels” by Randy Travis

Song Year: 2004

Released on the 2004 album Passing Through, Randy Travis’ “Angels” is another track that uses the recitation style common in country music. Eventually leading into singing, the lyrics reflect on whether angels exist, with the narrator claiming that mothers are angels.

“Like My Mother Does” by Lauren Alaina

Song Year: 2011

The American singer/songwriter Lauren Alaina released the track “Like My Mother Does” in 2011, after previous recordings by Kristy Lee Cook and Jesse Lee. But Alaina’s recording was the only one that hit the charts, reaching the number 36 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“Mama, Don’t Forget To Pray for Me” by Diamond Rio

Song Year: 1991

Larry Shell and Larry Cordle wrote “Mama, Don’t Forget To Pray for Me,” and Diamond Rio released it in 1991 on their debut studio album. With relaxing acoustic accompaniment, the lyrics are about the narrator struggling in life and asking his mother to send prayers to him.

Top Country Songs About Moms, Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many great country songs about mothers – the genre seems to love this theme. You can express gratitude towards mothers in many ways, and making a playlist of these songs is a perfect tribute.

And if you need some music suggestions to tribute to your father, check out this collection of the best songs about dads!