20 Best Songs for Family Slideshows & Videos

Ode to my Family – The Cranberries

“Ode to my Family” was launched at the end of 1994. It was the second single from the album “No Need to Argue” by the Cranberries. It reached middle chart positions in several European countries.

The main theme of the song is the conflict in the family between letting go and giving support. It shows the turmoil of the children, who on the one hand are grateful for the freedom granted. On the other hand, they also regret the sometimes lack of security in the family.

A Song for Mama – Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men reached number one on the R&B charts and number 7 on the Billboard 100 with “A Song for Mama” in 1997. The song is a unique homage to the mother and her nourishing and unconditional love.

The lyrics describe them as irreplaceable. Nobody can ever take their place. She was and still is there for her boys, drives them, and is responsible for taking them this far. The declaration of love culminates in the statement that she will always be the caring woman, that she was for them when they were still children.

Dear Mama – 2Pac

In 1995, a year before his violent death, the hip-hop artist 2Pac released the song “Dear Mama”. It climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart in the United States, where it stayed for five weeks.

In it, he describes his love, appreciation, and respect for his mother. This is all the more remarkable since you cannot exactly call your childhood easy and problem-free.

He grew up in a poor family and his mother was heavily addicted to cocaine. That doesn't seem to have hurt his love for her. In his lyrics, he celebrates her strength and her willingness to make sacrifices for him and his siblings at any time.

The Best Day – Taylor Swift

The song “The Best Day” was released by Taylor Swift in 2008 and reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It is originally a country ballad by George Faith from 2000. In it, he tells the childhood and adolescence of a child from the perspective of the father. 

The central metaphor of the story is the father's memory of his son to celebrate special key experiences as the “best day of life”. Taylor Swift converts the story to the mother-daughter relationship. 

In individual stations, she describes special events and opportunities that she was able to experience with her mom. She thanks her again and again for her positive influence on her development.

Mama – Spice Girls

“Mama” was produced for the girl group's debut album Spice, which was released in 1996.

It's a pop ballad that deals with the difficulties in relationships between daughters and mothers. In 1997, the song was released as a double A-side on a single along with “Who Do You Think You Are”.

It was very successful commercially and reached number one on the UK charts. It also landed in the top ten hit lists in many European countries. The lyrics are designed as a retrospective from the perspective of a daughter. 

In it, she describes that from today's point of view she can understand the behavior of her mother at that time and realizes that every action was driven by mother's love.

Ring Off – Beyoncé

“Ring Off” is a bonus song in the 2013 reissued version of their fifth studio album “Beyoncé Platinum Edition”. The reggae ballad was released as a single on Hitradio in Italy and the USA in 2014 and reached lower chart positions in several countries.

The song addresses the end of the marriage of Beyoncé's parents. It is in the form of a letter written as encouragement to her mother. In it, she lets her know how proud she is of her that she has found a new, right path after the difficult time of separation and many self-reproaches.

Papa was a Rolling Stone – Temptation

This song was originally written for The Undisputed Truth. Their version, published in 1971, had only moderate success. The new arrangement by the Temptations in 1972 finally made the song a world hit.

The story begins with the son's memories of his father who had just passed away. It is designed as a fictional dialogue with the mother. In it, the boy tries to find out whether the stories about his papa, whom he never met, are true. The answer to all of his questions always ends in the paternal phrase “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”.

My Fathers Eyes – Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton's “My Fathers Eyes” was released in 1998 as a single. It reached top chart positions in the US and was awarded two Grammys. The song is influenced by two profound developments in Clapton's life. 

On the one hand, he describes how much he regrets never having met his father. He would have loved to have made his acquaintance. But it is also aimed at his son Conor, who died at the age of four. Clapton describes the parallels he sees when he looks into the eyes of his father and son.

Father and Son – Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens released “Father and Son” as a single in 1971. The song was particularly successful in Europe and reached top chart positions. In it, he describes the generational conflict between father and son during the Russian Revolution. The arrangement of the song is particularly remarkable. Stevens sings the boy part, an octave higher than the part in which the father has his say.

Father of Mine – Everclear

Everclear released “Father of Mine” in November 1998 and hit the top four of the charts. The song is autobiographical because the father of lead singer Art Alexakis left the family when he was a boy. In the song, he consciously processes his experiences back then and frees himself from his emotional burdens.

Top Songs For Family Slideshows, Final Thoughts

You don't choose your family but, at least, you can choose your music. The songs that deal with relationships with parents, family, mother, and father are all very emotional. This doesn't always mean positive feelings. In particular, the autobiographical stories that deal with family and fathers shed light on negative experiences and their processing. It is noticeable that the songs about mothers almost all have a positive tenor, which is characterized by love, gratitude, and respect.

Still, there is no denying the importance of the family in our lives, and these 20 best family songs for slideshows show this theme.