Thinking of my mother. Classic Western songs about mothers.
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!
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Thinking of Mother: Western Music Classics About Mothers (21–30)
The Perfect FanBackstreet Boys
A soft rock piano medley that sings of love and gratitude to a mother.
It is included on the American vocal group Backstreet Boys’ million-selling 1999 album Millennium.
The song was created with participation from member Brian Littrell.
SuperwomanAlicia Keys
This is a song by Alicia Keys about a powerful mom who works from nine in the morning to five in the evening and helps her kids with their homework while preparing dinner.
The music video features women with beautiful strength and also includes actress Jada Pinkett Smith and her son Jaden.
Tie your mother downQueen
This is the opening track of Queen’s fifth studio album, A Day at the Races, released in 1976.
Written and composed by Brian May, it’s a hard rock number built around his signature, striking guitar riff, and is known as one of Queen’s most rock-driven songs.
As the rather menacing title suggests, the lyrics vent frustration toward “you,” someone with strict, stubborn parents—quite provocative for the time.
It’s fascinating in many ways to think that May, who has a background as an astronomer and even taught at a middle school, penned these lyrics.
Mama’s HandQueen Naija
She’s still relatively unknown in Japan, but she’s a 1995-born R&B/soul singer-songwriter who seems poised for a major breakthrough.
This track is included on her self-titled major-label debut EP released in 2018.
She first gained recognition through her YouTube channel and has a background as a contestant on the popular audition show American Idol.
The song is about her only son, whom she had at a young age, making it a deeply personal piece for her.
Your mother should knowThe Beatles
It’s a track featured in the 1967 film Magical Mystery Tour and included on the soundtrack of the same name.
Led by Paul McCartney, it rides a light, upbeat rhythm, showcasing a quintessentially Paul catchy melody and exquisite vocal harmonies.
According to Paul, it’s “about the generation gap and a daughter who can’t understand her mother’s feelings,” and the lyrics indeed ring true—when you’re young, relationships with your mother can feel just like this.
Mama’s songCarrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is an American country singer known for her powerful, resonant voice.
This song expresses gratitude for a mother’s prayers.
It’s striking how she sings to her mother, telling her, “You don’t need to worry about me.”
Mama SaidMetallica
Even when tasked with crafting a simple American ballad anchored by acoustic guitar, Metallica are top-tier.
Released in 1996, this song appears on the acclaimed album Load, which stepped away from a heavy metal sound and moved closer to alternative rock.
James Hetfield’s vocals, appealingly conveying introspective and complex emotions as he addresses his mother with a measured intensity, along with the country-tinged arrangement, are richly expressive and showcase the band’s remarkable range.