[2026] Western songs expressing gratitude to parents: classic tracks dedicated to fathers and mothers

How do you express those feelings of gratitude that are usually too embarrassing to put into words?We all have moments—Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries—when we want to say “thank you” to our parents.At times like these, classic Western songs might speak on your behalf.In this article, we introduce heartwarming Western tracks themed around love and gratitude for fathers and mothers.From songs with straightforward lyrics that hit home to melodies that gently stay by your side, we’ve gathered pieces you’ll want to listen to while thinking of someone special.Be sure to read to the end!

Playlist

[2026] Western songs expressing gratitude to parents: classic tracks dedicated to fathers and mothers
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Dear Mama2Pac		2Pac, a classic song singing deep love for his mother
2	Like My FatherJ-AX		Jax’s song of gratitude, depicting family love
3	The NightsAvicii		A musician who lives life to the fullest
4	OlderSasha Alex Sloan		A heartfelt song that sings of family love and vulnerability
5	A Song for MamaBoyz II Men		Boyz II Men's song of love for their mother
6	Hey MamaKanye West		A song of gratitude to Kanye West’s mother
7	Mom (feat. Kelli Trainor)Meghan Trainor		A classic song in which Meghan sings about her love for her mother
8	Catch Me in the AirRina Sawayama		A heartwarming piece of music that expresses gratitude to my mother
9	The Best DayTaylor Swift		A love song for Taylor Swift's mother
10	Things Dads DoThomas Rhett		A heartwarming parent-child song that sings of a father's love
11	The Perfect FanBackstreet Boys		"The Perfect Fan" A ballad of gratitude to a mother
12	Look What You’ve DoneDrake		Drake’s masterpiece of family love from Toronto
13	Those Boots (Deddy’s Song)Lainey Wilson		A heartwarming song that sings of love for one’s father
14	I’ll Be There (feat. Phonte)Mac Miller		A classic song that sings of deep love and gratitude to one’s mother
15	MamaSpice Girls		The Spice Girls’ classic song of love for mothers
16	Dear Mom & DadUs The Duo		A song by Us The Duo that sings about parental love
17	Not A Day Goes ByLonestar		A classic song that sings of deep loss and longing for love
18	Right HereJeremy Camp		A moving song about family love and bonds
19	All This TimeBRITT NICOLE		A moving song that sings of love and bonds with family
20	MamasAnne Wilson, Hillary Scott		A heartwarming song depicting the bond between a mother and child
21	Never Grow UpTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift's iconic tracks
22	I Turn To YouChristina Aguilera		R&B ballad, used in the film “Space Jam”
23	HourglassMindy Gledhill		A warm parent–child love truck, an hourglass life
24	You Raise Me UpJosh Groban		A Song of Gratitude, Dedicated to the Victims of Columbia
25	I’ll Be ThereJosh Turner		A heartwarming country song about family bonds
26	Butterfly Fly AwayMiley Cyrus & Billy Ray Cyrus		A father-daughter song depicting the love and gratitude of parenting
27	All-American GirlCarrie Underwood		A moving classic that portrays the bond between a father and his daughter
28	Someday (I Will Understand)Britney Spears		A hit ballad sung from a woman's perspective about pregnancy
29	With Arms Wide OpenCreed		A moving song that sings of love for one’s father
30	Watching YouRodney Atkins		A father and son who sing of parental love and responsibility
31	100 BagsStormzy		A moving song by Stormzy filled with love for his mother
32	You Can’t Lose MeFaith Hill		Faith Hill’s hit song, the music video with the white dress
33	Sarah’s SongSissel		A famous song about motherhood by Sissel
34	A Long And Sad GoodbyeLenny Kravitz		A Lenny Kravitz song filled with love for his father
35	Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)Dixie Chicks		A moving song about love for a son
36	Ain’t My Daddy’s TownJosh Abbott Band		A moving piece of music by a man who lost his father
37	Brave For YouThe xx		A song by The xx filled with feelings for my parents
38	He Didn’t Have To BeBrad Paisley		A Love Song from a Single Mother's Son
39	I Love You Always ForeverDonna Lewis		A love song, a popular track in America
40	6 WeeksJames Morrison		A sad song mourning the death of one's father, a six-week period of mourning
41	Simple ManLynyrd Skynyrd		A Southern rock classic that portrays the bond between a mother and her son
42	Loves Me Like A RockPaul Simon		Paul Simon's classic song that sings of a mother's love
43	I Thank YouZZ Top		How about a good old American rock tune…
44	Dance Like Yo DaddyMeghan Trainor		Megan Trainor's Father's Day song
45	Thank YouSly & The Family Stone		When you say “thank you,” what kind of music do y...
46	Thank You FriendsBig Star		“Thank You …” by Big Star
47	Papa Come Quick (Jody & Chico)Bonnie Raitt		A moving song that sings of love for Dad
48	Turn To YouJustin Bieber		A song filled with gratitude to my mother and a resolve to support her
49	Turn To You (Mother’s Day Dedication)Justin Bieber		Pop star Jasti, who struts the globe…
50	MamaJonas Blue		A heartwarming song depicting the bond between a mother and child
51	MotherMichael Bublé		A heartwarming ballad that sings of gratitude to a mother
52	MotherSugarland		A beloved song that gently sings of gratitude to one’s mother
53	Mama, I’m Coming HomeOzzy Osbourne		A classic song that sings of love and gratitude for family
54	Thank You For Loving The BluesB.B. King		A song of gratitude that heals the heart through the power of music
55	Wind Beneath My WingsBette Midler		A classic filled with gratitude, loved by many
56	Oh MotherChristina Aguilera		A moving song that sings of love and gratitude for one’s mother
57	Thank You For…Daryl Hall & John Oates		The classic song that expresses gratitude, “Thank You For…”
58	Love Without End, AmenGeorge Strait		A classic song about parent-child love, number one on the charts
59	ThankfulJonny Lang ft. Michael McDonald		A moving song that turns feelings of gratitude into sound
60	Teenage DaughtersMartina McBride		A moving song about love for a daughter and growth
61	DaysThe Kinks		“Days” is a classic song that expresses gratitude.
62	MommaBob Seger		Bob Seger's classic song that sings gratitude to his mother
63	God’s PlanDrake		Drake visualizes his love for his mother and does charity
64	GratefulMeddy		A heartwarming song that sings of gratitude
65	I Love My MommaSnoop Dogg		A song in which Snoop Dogg sings his love for his mother over an R&B melody.
66	In My LifeThe Beatles		The Beatles’ classic “In My Life” sings of gratitude
67	Letter 2 My Unborn2Pac		A classic by 2Pac, a masterpiece like a letter to his child
68	A Mother’s LoveAretha Franklin		A love song to her mother by Aretha, the Queen of Music
69	MotherAshanti		A classic song filled with deep love and gratitude for my mother
70	DaddyBeyoncé		Love for my father, deep feelings infused into music
71	Daddy LessonsBeyoncé featuring Dixie Chicks		Singing about a complicated relationship with Beyoncé’s father
72	Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Billy Joel		A love song from father to daughter, a beautiful song of love
73	Thank You For Loving MeBon Jovi		America’s quintessential monster band, Bon…
74	Mama’s SongCarrie Underwood		My marriage has been decided, and all the gratitude I feel toward my mother up to now...
75	MomEarth, Wind & Fire		A love song to mother by an African band
76	Thank You MamaElton John		"Thank You Mama" is Elt...
77	Father Of MineEverclear		A growth song of a single-father family by Everclear
78	Thank You MomGood Charlotte		When you want to express gratitude to your mother, you can say, 'Than…'
79	Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag (Part 1)James Brown		James Brown's funky classic
80	New DayJAY Z, Kanye West		Jay-Z and Kanye’s classic
81	Thanks A LotJohnny Cash		The timeless charisma of Johnny C...
82	Hey MammaKanye West		A heartwarming song that weaves love and memories for my mother
83	Only OneKanye West ft. Paul McCartney		A song of Kanye’s love for his daughter and mother
84	Song For DadKeith Urban		Keith Urban, the music of family love
85	Sun Of Jean ft. Mum, DadLoyle Carner		A moving work by a British hip-hop artist
86	Papa Don’t PreachMadonna		Madonna’s acclaimed song with a social message
87	Mother and Child ReunionPaul Simon		Paul Simon's famous song filled with gratitude to his mother
88	Papa Loves MamboPerry Como		Perry Como’s classic song “Papa Loves Mambo”
89	Isn’t She LovelyStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder’s classic, A Father’s Love
90	Mother Like MineThe Band Perry		A country-pop band formed by siblings
91	Thank You LoveThe Doobie Brothers		A song about my feelings for the precious person who taught me what “love” is…
92	Thanks To You.The Flaming Lips		As an unconventional piece imbued with a sense of gratitude…
93	Daddy’s SonTrey Pendley		A moving song that portrays the bond with one’s father
94	DadTyler Wood		A heartwarming song filled with gratitude to my father, “Dad.”
95	Just the Two of UsWill Smith		Will Smith’s Song of Fatherly Love
96	Letterback number		The thirteenth studio albu… released in 2015
97	Ten thousand thanksfumika		Shot to fame through a collaboration with Tekken’s “Pendulum”...
98	Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		With the word “thank you,” which is also the title of the song...
99	Thank youSMAP		Thank you—those simple words can be surprisingly hard to say...
100	Thank youikimonogakari		As the title of the song “Arigatou” (Thank You) suggests, this song is…
101	Thank YouMKTO		An approach to the problems of the world and a skewer aimed at the previous generation...
102	Cats In The CradleHarry Chapin		A classic song that portrays the bond of time between father and son
103	I’m Already ThereLonestar		A song that connects hearts even when far apart
104	Do I Make You Proud?Taylor Hicks		A No. 1 hit song filled with gratitude for family
105	Forever YoungRod Stewart		A timeless masterpiece that sings of the love between parent and child, moving across generations
106	Song Of My FatherUrban Rescue		A piece that listens to the voice of God and feels the joy of the soul
107	Cat Stevens – Father & SonYusuf		A timeless song that resonates across generations of fathers and children
108	Teach Your ChildrenCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young		Nash’s masterpiece born from his relationship with his father
109	Baby GirlSugarland		A song that celebrates family bonds and the joys of life
110	You’re Gonna Miss ThisTrace Adkins		Sing about parental love and precious moments in life