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: Classic Western Songs About Mothers (31–40)
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.
The Best DayTaylor Swift
The gently soothing, country-tinged “The Best Day” is a song released in 2008 by Canadian-born singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
It is included on the acclaimed album Fearless.
“The Best Day” was written for her mother, Andrea Swift, who has supported her throughout her career.
Looking back on memories from her childhood, Taylor sings her gratitude to her mom.
It’s said that Andrea would burst into tears every time she heard the song, so they even had to leave it off the setlist during tours.
It’s a song that lets you feel the strong bond between mother and daughter.
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.
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.
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.
Thinking of Mother: 10 Classic Western Songs About Mothers (41–50)
The MotherBrandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is a singer-songwriter with three Grammy Awards to her name.
“The Mother,” the lead single from her 2019 album By The Way, I Forgive You, is a song that celebrates the beauty of mothers who devote everything to their children and families.
Its simple, country-tinged arrangement centered on acoustic guitar reflects the unadorned beauty of mothers and perfectly captures the song’s world.
It’s a masterpiece that makes you want to thank all the moms who, despite their busy and demanding days, still give so much love.
Dear Mama2Pac
A 1995 single by American hip-hop artist Tupac.
The song expresses his love and respect for his mother, Afeni Shakur, who gave birth to him a month after being released from prison.
It was selected by Rolling Stone for its list of “The Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.”