A lovely family song

Thinking of my mother. Classic Western songs about mothers.

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

As the saying “a mother’s strength” suggests, mothers are truly remarkable.

It’s no different for musicians, of course, and there are countless songs around the world that take mothers as their theme.

In this article, we’ll feature classic Western songs about mothers, spanning genres and eras.

You’ll find songs filled with love for beloved mothers, as well as tracks that explore the sometimes complex parent-child relationship—offering many different forms of “songs for mothers.”

We also touch on the lyrical content in our reviews, so if you want to understand the meaning behind the songs, this is a must-read!

Thinking of my mother. Classic Western songs about mothers (81–90)

Coat of Many ColorsDolly Parton

Dolly Parton – Coat Of Many Colors

Coat of Many ColorsDolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a classic singer-songwriter who represents country pop.

If you’re in your 50s or 60s, you might remember that she was once quite popular in Japan, so you may already know her.

Among her songs, one I especially recommend about mothers is Coat of Many Colors.

It tells a heartwarming story about how her mother gave her some fabric and used it to make her a coat, expressing both the episode and her gratitude toward her mother.

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Mama liked the rosesElvis Presley

Elvis Presley-Mama Liked The Roses(With Lyrics)

Mama liked the rosesElvis Presley

Elvis Presley, a figure who represents American rock.

At the same time, he’s also known for his quiet renditions of gospel songs.

This track is a ballad that expresses heartfelt emotions toward his mother.

It’s a song where the dramatic background chorus also deserves attention.

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JuliaThe Beatles

Julia (Remastered 2009)

JuliaThe Beatles

The Beatles’ classic “Julia.” It’s said that the song’s title, Julia, is the name of John Lennon’s mother, and the song expresses his love for her.

However, rather than simply portraying feelings for his mother, the lyrics seem to subtly overlap the figures of Yoko Ono and his mother.

Because the content is abstract, I encourage you to interpret it in whatever way makes the most sense to you.

Although it’s a simple track with just acoustic guitar and vocals, one of its highlights is how the melody achieves a profound depth.

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Hey MamaKanye West

Hey Mama

Hey MamaKanye West

This song by Kanye West, a rapper from Chicago, is a fun track with a catchy chorus.

He sings to his mother, and the rap sections in between are really cool.

You can feel how proud he is of his mom throughout the song.

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Ring OffBeyoncé

Beyoncé – ”Ring Off” (Subtitulado En Español)

Ring OffBeyoncé

This song is included in the deluxe limited box set of Beyoncé’s hugely successful 2014 release, Beyoncé, by the globally popular artist.

It features a pleasant medium-tempo groove that skillfully fuses light dancehall reggae rhythms with elements of dubstep.

However, the lyrics are about Beyoncé’s divorced parents.

The heartfelt love she shows as a daughter, standing by her wounded mother, is deeply moving.

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In conclusion

We’ve featured classic Western songs about mothers from a wide range of genres.

It’s heartwarming that even tough-looking rappers sometimes have tracks that basically say they love their moms.

And it’s not just songs overflowing with affection—there are also pieces that frankly express feelings shaped by complicated relationships with their mothers.

It can be fascinating to look into what artists were thinking and feeling when they wrote songs about their moms!