22 Songs From A Mother To Her Son

The bond between mother and son is something special, that transcends time, culture, and musical genres. Many artists have written songs about the relationship they have with their mothers. Here are the top songs from mother to son that you can play for your daily serving of motherly love.

1. “Mama Said” by Lukas Graham

Song Year: 2015

The narrator in Graham’s pop song, “Mama Said” tells a timeless childhood story about a mother reassuring her children. The mother in the song would tell her children to not listen to naysayers and continue to act with good morals. Graham then sings that those who made fun of him are now the same people buying tickets to his concerts.

The mother and father in the song raised the children to act correctly without going tit for tat against the naysayers and finger pointers. The song also tells sons (and daughters) that it’s best to listen to your parents.

2. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo'ole

Song Year: 1990

When I was young, my mother would sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ to me whenever I got upset or scared. She admittedly doesn’t have Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s famous voice, but every time I hear him sing about the dreams you can achieve in the sight of a rainbow, I think of her.

Mothers want their sons to reach their desired goals no matter how high they have to soar. To all the sons out there, close your eyes and envision rainbows as you keep working towards your goal.

3. “93 Million Miles” by Jason Mraz

Song Year: 2012

Jason Mraz muses about her mother telling him that he will go far in his life as he works hard to achieve his dreams. She also tells him that if he ever had to come home during his adult life, her doors would always be open.

Even if you’re 93 million miles away, your momma is never out of reach – and it’s never too late to come home to her.

4. “The One Thing” by Shakira

Song Year: 2014

Shakira thinks about how her life seemed empty before reflecting on how she changed her life for the better after she gave birth to her son, Milan. The song tells the story of a sad, broken, and directionless woman who doesn’t know where she’s going or what she’s doing until her life is changed by her firstborn child.

Shakira wrote this song for her first son, Milan. It’s an upbeat, energetic song just like him. Having him brought purpose and joy into her life, so if you’re a mom with an uplifting connection to your son, then you’ll love this song.

5. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban

Song Year: 2003

If you’re a mom, raising your child might feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle. Josh Groban touches on how a mother feels when things in her life are getting to her. Sure, you could interpret the song to be about relying on God, but it’s not a leap to read it as the challenges that a mother faces and overcomes with the help of her children. Everyone needs support and Josh Groban shows that people cannot succeed in life without the aid of others.

This song can be for anyone just besides mothers to their sons because it does not specify a maternal bond with a son. It can relate to couples, siblings, and best friends as well.

6. “Boy” by Lee Brice

Song Year: 2017

Lee Brice artfully melodizes how a song will act as he grows up in his hit single, “Boy.” Mothers may feel that their sons will get into trouble because of their naturally headstrong and independent nature.

When you listen, think about the conflict you might have experienced in your own life.The narrator proudly acknowledges that their son will be an innovative person and a rebel who is trying to test every limit he can. There is something bittersweet about how the narrator acknowledges that their son is growing up while stil wishing he was a little boy.

7. “You Will Always Be My Son” by Anthem Lights

Song Year: 2018

Anthem Lights opens up the song with the song narrator peering down at his son and seeing how physically alike they are. The narrator fears that their son may make the same mistakes as them.

However, a mother listening to this song can acknowledge that no matter what happens as her son grows up, no matter the mistakes, he will always be her son. This is a quintessential coming-of-age song that parents fear accepting their children growing up, but then they finally do.

8. “I Say A Little Prayer” by Arethra Franklin

Song Year: 1967

Arethra Franklin sings about a mother’s important desire to pray for their son when she wakes up in the morning. The song narrator proclaims that even before she puts on her makeup and before she rises from bed, she says a prayer for this person she loves in her life. While the song does not directly mention the word, “son”, a mother can play this song for her son and he will get the picture of how he feels.

9. “Watching You” by Rodney Atkins

Song Year: 2006

A mother listening to “Watching You” by Rodney Atkins will smile at the opening lyrics of riding on the streets as the son in the song eats his Happy Meal from McDonald’s. Later in the song, it is eluded that son says a four-letter swear word.

The song narrator asks how he learned to say a word such as that one and he professes that he has been watching his parent. This is a reminder to always watch how you act in front of your children because they pick up on everything.

10. “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers

Song Year: 1972

Funk hit, “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers is a hit song you see everywhere from commercials to hearing it in supermarkets. Withers shows a message from mothers to sons to rely on them when they need them most. Life will always throw you challenges, but you can always confide in your mother when things get tough! She will always be there for you, no matter what.

Not everyone can handle life by themselves as help is essential to get through challenges. A mother showing a son this song can show him that she will always be there for him.

11. “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart

Song Year: 1988

“Forever Young” is a prayer from a parent to a child that they are brave through the challenges they face even as they stay as young as they can for as long as possible. The prayer continues hoping that the child will not love in vain, be moral, and treat people as they treat them with respect and dignity.

The symbolism of the song’s allusion to flying away pertains to a child moving out. The parent hopes that the child has learned enough from them to implement in their life so that they are ready for the real world. Every parent hopes that they have raised their children to become successful in their lives and use what they have taught them to achieve what their hearts set out to do.