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 Mother: 10 Classic Western Songs About Mothers (41–50)

Look What You’ve DoneDrake

Drake – Look What You’ve Done (Take Care)

Look What You've DoneDrake

A song from Canadian hip-hop artist Drake’s 2011 album Take Care.

It expresses his gratitude to his mother for helping him become the man he is today.

The album won a Grammy Award.

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Thinking of my mother. Classic Western songs about mothers (51–60)

Simple ManLynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Simple Man (Audio)

Simple ManLynyrd Skynyrd

It’s a Southern rock classic that engraves a mother’s heartfelt message in your soul.

Released in 1973 on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s landmark album (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), the song gently yet powerfully portrays the deep bond between mother and child.

Carrying a mother’s life lessons to her son on a warm melody and weighty guitar sound, it has been loved across generations.

Chosen as the theme for History Channel’s documentary series Mountain Men, its universal message continues to resonate with many.

It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you stand at life’s crossroads or want to reflect on the bonds you share with those you love.

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MamaJonas Blue

Jonas Blue – Mama ft. William Singe

MamaJonas Blue

This is a tropical house-style track that gently embraces the bond between mother and child.

Crafted by UK-born DJ Jonas Blue, the song channels nostalgia for youthful, innocent days through a heartwarming melody.

Released in May 2017, it sparked a major global response, reaching the top 10 in the charts of over 20 countries.

Featured on the album “Blue,” the track is distinguished by the clear, pure vocals of Australian singer William Singe.

It’s perfect as background music for Mother’s Day while reminiscing about cherished memories.

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Save it pretty mamaLouis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong – Save It Pretty Mamma For Me – Chicago, 05.12. 1928

Save it pretty mamaLouis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, who is also famous as a jazz trumpeter.

This song opens with trumpet, and midway through, Louis’s richly expressive singing joins in, making it a delightful track to listen to.

It’s a piece that highlights his playing, which makes the instrument sound as if it’s singing.

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Mother of MineNeil Reid

Neil Reid – Mother of Mine – Opportunity Knocks – 20-12-1971

Mother of MineNeil Reid

Neil Reid, a prodigious child singer whose adult-level vocal ability captivated the world at the time.

“Mother of Mine” is a beloved Mother’s Day classic, a gentle waltz that expresses a straightforward love for one’s mother.

In Japan, it’s known by the title “Mama ni Sasageru Shi” and is often heard around Mother’s Day.

The song conveys the desire to repay, now as an adult, the love a mother has given.

Its poignant melody is a tear-inducing masterpiece.

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Mamma SaidThe Shirelles

Mama Said

Mamma SaidThe Shirelles

The Shirelles, known as a female R&B group from the 1960s.

This song, with its strikingly dramatic melody, cheerfully sings about “what Mama said.” It’s a track where the vocals and chorus harmonies truly shine.

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Mother’s DaughterMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus – Mother’s Daughter (Official Video)

Mother's DaughterMiley Cyrus

This is an ambitious work by American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus that powerfully portrays the twists and turns of a mother–daughter relationship.

She proudly sings about how the source of her own strength and independence lies in her mother, conveying a universal message that celebrates the bonds between women.

Featured on the May 2019 EP “She Is Coming,” the track stands out for its ambitious sound, rooted in pop while fusing elements of rock, trap, and R&B.

The music video, which also features her mother Tish Cyrus, won Best Art Direction and Best Editing at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.

It’s a recommended song for those who want to reflect deeply on parental love and trust, or reaffirm their bonds with family.

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