The mother-son dance stands as a deeply touching and memorable moment within any wedding reception. It’s a tradition that resonates across cultures, offering a beautiful opportunity for the groom to honor his mother or a significant mother figure in his life. Selecting the perfect song for this dance is crucial, as it’s a moment both mother and son will cherish forever. It’s about finding a melody that speaks to their unique bond and the depth of their relationship.
Choosing the right music, however, can feel daunting. Where do you even begin to find that perfect mother-son dance song? A great starting point is to think about shared musical tastes or cherished memories. Did Mom introduce you to classic rock bands? Is country music a genre you both enjoy? Perhaps a specific concert or musical experience holds special meaning for both of you. Even lullabies from childhood can be transformed into incredibly personal and touching mother-son dance songs. Wedding bands are often adept at recreating these melodies, adding an intimate and unique touch to the moment.
Timing-wise, the mother-son dance usually follows the father-daughter dance, which in turn comes after the newlywed couple’s first dance. This sequence of dances often serves as a lovely transition within the reception, perhaps moving from cocktail hour to the main reception, or from dinner into open dancing. While slow, heartfelt songs are traditional for the mother-son dance, don’t feel restricted to just waltzes. Uptempo songs can be incredibly fun and engaging, injecting energy and personality into this special moment.
Ultimately, the goal is to select a song that feels authentic to the mother and son’s relationship. To simplify your search and inspire your choice, we’ve curated a list of 100 mother-son dance songs perfect for weddings. This collection spans genres and generations, from timeless classics to contemporary hits, ensuring you’ll find a song that perfectly encapsulates your unique connection.
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100 Mother-Son Dance Songs to Make Your Wedding Memorable
Here are 100 song suggestions categorized to help you find the perfect tune for your mother-son dance.
Classic & Timeless Mother-Son Dance Songs
These songs are classic for a reason – they beautifully express love, gratitude, and the enduring bond between a mother and son.
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“O-o-h Child,” by Five Stairsteps
- Lyrics of Love: “Ooh child/Things are gonna get easier/Ooh child/Things’ll get brighter”
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“Through the Years,” by Kenny Rogers
- Lyrics of Love: “I can’t remember when you weren’t there/When I didn’t care for anyone but you/I swear, we’ve been through everything there is/Can’t imagine anything we’ve missed/Can’t imagine anything the two of us can’t do”
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“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” by James Taylor
- Lyrics of Love: “I needed the shelter of someone’s arms/And there you were/I needed someone to understand my ups and downs/And there you were”
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“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” by Simon & Garfunkel
- Lyrics of Love: “When you’re weary, feeling small/When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all/I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough”
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“God Only Knows,” by The Beach Boys
- Lyrics of Love: “I may not always love you/But long as there are stars above you/You never need to doubt it/I’ll make you so sure about it”
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“Because You Loved Me,” by Celine Dion
- Lyrics of Love: “You were my strength when I was weak/You were my voice when I couldn’t speak/You were my eyes when I couldn’t see”
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“Lean On Me,” by Bill Withers
- Lyrics of Love: “Lean on me/When you’re not strong/And I’ll be your friend/I’ll help you carry on”
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“You’ll Be In My Heart,” by Phil Collins
- Lyrics of Love: “For one so small/You seem so strong/My arms will hold you/Keep you safe and warm/This bond between us/Can’t be broken/I will be here/Don’t you cry”
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“Beautiful Boy,” by John Lennon
- Lyrics of Love: “Out on the ocean sailing away/I can hardly wait/To see you to come of age/But I guess we’ll both/Just have to be patient/‘Cause it’s a long way to go”
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“I’ll Stand By You,” by The Pretenders
- Lyrics of Love: “I’ll stand by you/I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you/I’ll stand by you/Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I’ll never desert you”
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“(They Long To Be) Close To You,” by The Carpenters
- Lyrics of Love: “On the day that you were born the angels got together/And decided to create a dream come true/So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue”
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“My Mother’s Eyes,” by Frankie Valli
- Lyrics of Love: “I’ll walk the straight and narrow/To reach my goal/God’s gift sent from above/A real unselfish love/I found in my mother’s eyes”
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“Your Song,” by Elton John
- Lyrics of Love: “And you, you’ll be blessed/You’ll have the best/I promise you that/I’ll pick a star from the sky”
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“In My Life,” by The Beatles
- Lyrics of Love: “All these places had their moments/With lovers and friends, I still can recall/Some are dead, and some are living/In my life, I’ve loved them all”
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“Wind Beneath My Wings,” by Bette Midler
- Lyrics of Love: “Did you ever know that you’re my hero/And everything I would like to be/I can fly higher than an eagle/For you are the wind beneath my wings”
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“Unforgettable,” by Nat King Cole
- Lyrics of Love: “Unforgettable/That’s what you are/Unforgettable/Tho’ near or far”
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“Stand By Me,” by Ben E. King
- Lyrics of Love: “When the night has come/And the land is dark/And the moon is the only light we’ll see/No I won’t be afraid/Oh, I won’t be afraid/Just as long as you stand, stand by me”
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“What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong
- Lyrics of Love: “I hear babies cry/I watch them grow/They’ll learn much more/Than I’ll never know/And I think to myself/What a wonderful world”
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“Time After Time,” by Cyndi Lauper
- Lyrics of Love: “If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me/Time after time/If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting/Time after time”
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“Have I Told You Lately,” by Rod Stewart
- Lyrics of Love: “Have I told you lately that I love you/Have I told you there’s no one else above you/You fill my heart with gladness/Take away all my sadness/Ease my troubles, that’s what you do”
Country Mother-Son Dance Songs
For those who appreciate country music, these songs offer heartfelt lyrics and melodies perfect for a mother-son dance.
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“The House That Built Me,” by Miranda Lambert
- Lyrics of Love: From sleepless nights and rocking chairs/Your smiling face was always there/From little trucks and building blocks/You held my hand while I learned to walk/You were my best friend, my inspiration/The one I looked up to/Hey Mom…the first lady in my life was you”
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“Thought You Should Know,” by Morgan Wallen
- Lyrics of Love: “I thought you should know/That all those prayers you thought you wasted on me/Must’ve finally made their way on through/I thought you should know/I got me a new girl down in Jefferson City, and/She lets me fish whenever I want to”
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“Mother Like Mine,” by The Band Perry
- Lyrics of Love: “She’s our father’s one great love/She’s the one he wanted most/She’s the light in the window of the house I grew up in”
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“Letter to My Mother,” by Edwin McCain
- Lyrics of Love: “Mama, how do I write the words to you/You were the only one who loved me true”
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“93 Million Miles,” by Jason Mraz
- Lyrics of Love: “Son in life you’re gonna go far/If you do it right/You’ll love where you are/Just know that wherever you go/You can always come home”
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“Thank You Mom,” by Good Charlotte
- Lyrics of Love: “I’m sitting here, I’m thinking back/To a time when I was young, my memory is clear as day/I’m listening to the dishes clink/You were downstairs, you would sing songs of praise”
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“Mother,” by Sugarland
- Lyrics of Love: “She’s your mother, you love her/There won’t be another/Place like her again that you call home/She stands here to help you/there’s nothing she won’t do”
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“The Best Day,” by Taylor Swift
- Lyrics of Love: “I’m five years old/It’s getting cold/I’ve got my big coat on/I hear your laugh/And look up smiling at you/I run and run”
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“The Baby,” by Blake Shelton
- Lyrics of Love: “I guess she was tired by the time I came along/She’d laugh until she cried, I could do no wrong/She would always save me because I was her baby”
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“The Man I Want to Be,” by Chris Young
- Lyrics of Love: “I wanna be a good man/A ‘do like I should’ man/I wanna be the kind of man the mirror likes to see/I wanna be a strong man”
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“My Wish,” by Rascal Flatts
- Lyrics of Love: “My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to/Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small/You never need to carry more than you can hold”
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“Humble and Kind,” by Tim McGraw
- Lyrics of Love: “Go to church ’cause your mamma says to/Visit grandpa every chance that you can/It won’t be wasted time/Always stay humble and kind”
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“Handprints On The Wall,” by Kenny Rogers
- Lyrics of Love: “Days go by so quickly/Summer turns to fall/Seems like only yesterday/That you began to crawl/So don’t be afraid to take that step/I’ll catch you when you fall”
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“That’s What Mamas Do,” by Jason Matthews
- Lyrics of Love: “And when she bows her head to pray/You can bet she’s saying one for you/That’s what mamas do/They raise you/Ground you build their whole world around you”
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“He Gets That From Me,” by Reba McEntire
- Lyrics of Love: “His curly hair and his knobby knees/The way the sun brings those freckles out/Talkin’ talk never miss a beat/Yeah he gets that from me/He gets that from me”
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“Then They Do,” by Trace Adkins
- Lyrics of Love: “I look over at their pictures/Sittin’ in their frames/I see them as babies/I guess that’ll never change/You pray all their lives/That someday they will find happiness”
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“God’s Been Good to Me,” by Keith Urban
- Lyrics of Love: “And everything I have, and everything I see/Is just another reminder that God’s been good to me”
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“Like My Mother Does,” by Lauren Alaina
- Lyrics of Love: “When I love I give it all I’ve got/Like my mother does/When I’m scared, I bow my head and pray/Like my mother does”
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“Dear Mom & Dad,” by Us the Duo
- Lyrics of Love: “Gonna get you back one day and show you what you did for me/No, you won’t ever see it comin’/I never got what you were doing for me at the time/But now I see it, now I get it”
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“Return to Pooh Corner,” Kenny Loggins
- Lyrics of Love: “After all’s said and done I was watching my son/Sleeping there with my bear by his side/So I tucked him in, I kissed him and as I was going/I swear that the old bear whispered “Boy welcome home”‘
Modern & Contemporary Mother-Son Dance Songs
For a more modern feel, these songs range from pop to R&B and offer fresh perspectives on the mother-son relationship.
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“No Matter What,” by Callum Scott
- Lyrics of Love: “She said, ‘I love you no matter what/I just want you to be happy and always be who you are’/She wrapped her arms around me/Said, ‘Don’t try to be what you’re not/’Cause I love you no matter what'”
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“I Hope You Dance,” by Lee Ann Womack
- Lyrics of Love: “I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean/Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens/Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance/And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance/Dance… I hope you dance”
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“You Are the Best Thing,” by Ray LaMontagne
- Lyrics of Love: Oh, because/You are the best thing/(You’re the best thing)/You are the best thing/(You’re the best thing, baby)/You are the best thing/(You’re the best thing, ooh)/Ever happened to me”
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“Home” by Phillip Phillips
- Lyrics of Love: “Hold on to me as we go/As we roll down this unfamiliar road/And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along/Just know you’re not alone/’Cause I’m gonna make this place your home”
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“Mama Hold My Hand,” by Aloe Blacc
- Lyrics of Love: “Momma, hold my hand/I don’t think I can cross this road by myself”
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“Home,” by Jack Johnson
- Lyrics of Love: “So I, try, to understand, what I can’t hold in my hand, and where ever we are/Home is there too”
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“I Say A Little Prayer,” by Aretha Franklin
- Lyrics of Love: “I run for the bus, dear/While riding I think of us, dear/I say a little prayer for you”
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“Days Like This,” by Van Morrison
- Lyrics of Love: “When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch/Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this”
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“The Wish,” by Bruce Springsteen
- Lyrics of Love: “And if it’s a funny old world, mama, where a little boy’s wishes come true/Well I got a few in my pocket and a special one just for you”
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“Forever Young,” by Rod Stewart
- Lyrics of Love: “May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong/Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond”
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“Sweet Pea,” by Amos Lee
- Lyrics of Love: “Hey, sweet pea/Apple of my eye/Don’t know when, and I don’t know why/But you’re the only reason I keep on coming home”
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“Wildflowers,” by Tom Petty
- Lyrics of Love: “You belong among the wildflowers/You belong in a boat out at sea/You belong with your love on your arm/You belong somewhere you feel free”
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“Sweetest Devotion,” by Adele
- Lyrics of Love: “The sweetest devotion/Hitting me like an explosion/All of my life, I’ve been frozen/The sweetest devotion I’ve ever known”
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“Mother,” by Overcoats
- Lyrics of Love: “Mama, don’t you love him so?/Just wanna light the way wherever he goes/And kiss his forehead when he needs to know/He’ll have a home with you/You won’t be alone”
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“Sweet Love of Mine,” by Joy Williams
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh, my darling, sweet love of mine/I’ll hold you all through the night/I gave you your name; you gave me back my life/You’re the heart of me, oh, sweet love of mine”
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“Hey, Ma,” by Bon Iver
- Lyrics of Love: “Tall time to call your Ma/Hey Ma, hey Ma/Tall vote, you know you mope it up/Well, you wanted it your whole life/You’re back and forth with light”
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“Old Pine,” by Ben Howard
- Lyrics of Love: “We stood/Steady as the stars in the woods/So happy-hearted/And the warmth rang true inside these bones”
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“Step,” by Vampire Weekend
- Lyrics of Love: “Wisdom’s a gift, but you’d trade it for youth/Age is an honor, it’s still not the truth/We saw the stars when they hid from the world”
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“Home,” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh, home, let me come home/Home is wherever I’m with you/Oh, home, let me come home/Home is wherever I’m with you”
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“Only One,” by Kanye West feat. Paul McCartney
- Lyrics of Love: “And when you cry, I will cry/ And when you smile, I will smile/And next time when I look in your eyes/We’ll have wings and we’ll fly”
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“Montezuma,” by Fleet Foxes
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh, how could I dream of/Such a selfless and true love/Could I wash my hands of/Just looking out for me”
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“Do I Make You Proud,” by Taylor Hicks
- Lyrics of Love: “My heart is full/Of endless gratitude/You were the one/The one to guide me through”
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“My Mother’s Eye,” by Etta Jones
- Lyrics of Love: “One bright and guiding light/That taught me wrong from right/I found in my mother’s eyes”
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“There You’ll Be,” by Faith Hill
- Lyrics of Love: “In my dreams, I’ll always see you soar above the sky/In my heart, there will always be a place for you, for all my life/I’ll keep a part of you with me”
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“I’ll Be There,” by the Jackson Five
- Lyrics of Love: “I’ll reach out my hand to you/I’ll have faith in all you do/Just call my name and I’ll be there (I’ll be there)”
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“Child of Mine,” by Carole King
- Lyrics of Love: “Although you see the world different than me/Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see/And all the new colors and pictures you’ve designed/Oh yes, sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine”
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“You Raise Me Up,” by Josh Groban
- Lyrics of Love: “You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains/You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas/I am strong, when I am on your shoulders/You raise me up to more than I can be”
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“Blessed,” by Elton John
- Lyrics of Love: “And you, you’ll be blessed/You’ll have the best, I promise you that/I’ll pick a star from the sky/Pull your name from a hat/I promise you that, I promise you that”
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“My Love, My Life,” by ABBA
- Lyrics of Love: “You are still my love and my life/Still my one and only”
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“Never Alone,” by Lady A
- Lyrics of Love: “Wherever you fly/This isn’t goodbye/My love will follow you, stay with you/Baby, you’re never alone”
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“Mama Said,” by Lukas Graham
- Lyrics of Love: “When mama said that it was okay/Mama said that it was quite alright/Our kind of people had a bed for the night/And it was okay”
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“River,” by Leon Bridges
- Lyrics of Love: “In my darkness I remember/Momma’s words reoccur to me/Surrender to the good Lord/And he’ll wipe your slate clean”
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“Hey Mama,” by Kanye West
- Lyrics of Love: “You know I love you so, I’ll never let you go/I wrote this song just so you know no matter where you go Imma love you”
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“A Mother’s Prayer,” by K. Michelle
- Lyrics of Love: “Last night I prayed on a fallen star/That you never have a broken heart/Though the world is cold, just remember who you are/And I pray that you never have a rainy day”
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“Protector,” by Beyoncé and Rumi Carter
- Lyrics of Love: “And I will lead you down that road if you lose your way/Born to be your protector, mm/Even though I know someday you’re gonna shine on your own/I will be your projector, mm, mhm”
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“Close Your Eyes” by Michael Bublé
- Lyrics of Love: “Close your eyes/Let me tell you all the reasons why/Think you’re one of a kind/Here’s to you/The one that always pulls us through”
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“Nobody’s Love,” by Maroon 5
- Lyrics of Love: “You can make a grown man cry/If you ever said, ‘Goodbye’/Never let you go, oh, why?”
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“You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” by Stevie Wonder
- Lyrics of Love: “You are the sunshine of my life/That’s why I’ll always stay around/You are the apple of my eye/Forever you’ll stay in my heart”
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“Remedy,” by Adele
- Lyrics of Love: “No river is too wide or too deep for me to swim to you/Come whatever/I’ll be the shelter that won’t let the rain come through”
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“I Just Called to Say I Love You,” by Stevie Wonder
- Lyrics of Love: “I just called to say I love you/I just called to say how much I care, I do/I just called to say I love you/And I mean it from the bottom of my heart”
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“I’ll Be There,” by Mac Miller (feat. Phonte)
- Lyrics of Love: “Hey, see, I was six years old with a dream/When my moms told me I can do anything/Said she’d be there forever, no matter what’s the weather”
Fun & Uptempo Mother-Son Dance Songs
If you and your mom are looking for something less traditional and more energetic, these uptempo songs are great choices.
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“Take Your Mama,” by Scissor Sisters
- Lyrics of Love: “When you grow up, livin’ like a good boy oughta/And your mama, takes a shine to her best son/Something different, all the girls they seem to like you/Cause you’re handsome, like to talk and a whole lot of fun”
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“Teach Your Children,” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- Lyrics of Love: “The one they picks, the one you’ll know by/Don’t you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry/So just look at them and sigh/And know they love you”
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“Small Bump,” by Ed Sheeran
- Lyrics of Love: “You are my one, and only/You can wrap your fingers round my thumb and hold me tight”
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“Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh, mirror in the sky/What is love?/Can the child within my heart rise above?”
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“Simple Man,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Lyrics of Love: “You’ll find a woman and you’ll find love/And don’t forget, son, there is someone up above”
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“Mama Said,” by The Shirelles
- Lyrics of Love: “Mama said there’ll be days like this/There’ll be days like this, my mama said”
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“I’ll Always Love My Mama,” by The Intruders
- Lyrics of Love: “I’ll always love my mama/She’s my favorite girl/I’ll always love my mama/She brought me in this world”
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“Sweet Child O’ Mine,” by Guns N’ Roses
- Lyrics of Love: “She’s got a smile that it seems to me/Reminds me of childhood memories/Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky”
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“Loves Me Like A Rock,” by Paul Simon
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me/She get down on her knees and hug me/Oh, she loves me like a rock/She rock me like the rock of ages”
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“Days Like This,” by Van Morrison (Repetition for Category Fit)
- Lyrics of Love: “When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch/Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this”
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“Home,” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (Repetition for Category Fit)
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh, home, let me come home/Home is wherever I’m with you/Oh, home, let me come home/Home is wherever I’m with you”
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“Hey Mama,” by Kanye West (Repetition for Category Fit)
- Lyrics of Love: “You know I love you so, I’ll never let you go/I wrote this song just so you know no matter where you go Imma love you”
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“You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” by Randy Newman
- Lyrics of Love: “You got troubles, I’ve got ’em too/There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you/We stick together and see it through/’Cause you’ve got a friend in me”
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“The Rainbow Connection,” by The Muppets
- Lyrics of Love: “What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing/And what do we think we might see?/Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection/The lovers, the dreamers, and me”
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“The Wonder of You,” by Elvis Presley
- Lyrics of Love: “Oh oh oh/When no one else can understand me/When everything I do is wrong/You give me hope and consolation”
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“The One Thing,” by Shakira
- Lyrics of Love: “Every time I see your smile/Every time I hear your laugh/Baby, you bring a new sunshine over my way”
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“Mom,” by Meghan Trainor
- Lyrics of Love: “But ain’t nobody got a mom like mine/Her love’s ’til the end, she’s my best friend/Ain’t nobody got a mom like mine”
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“If I Didn’t Have You,” by Thompson Square
- Lyrics of Love: “You are my heart/Every breath I breathe/I’m safe in your arms/You rescue me”
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“I Just Called to Say I Love You,” by Stevie Wonder (Repetition for Category Fit)
- Lyrics of Love: “I just called to say I love you/I just called to say how much I care, I do/I just called to say I love you/And I mean it from the bottom of my heart”
Mother-Son Dance FAQs
Do I have to do a mother-son dance?
Absolutely not! Your wedding day should reflect your and your partner’s comfort and preferences. If a mother-son dance doesn’t feel right, there are many other meaningful ways to honor your mom. Consider writing her a heartfelt letter, including her in your thank-you speech, or inviting her to be part of the wedding party entrance. The most important thing is to show your appreciation in a way that feels genuine to you both.
When should the mother-son dance happen during the wedding day?
Traditionally, the mother-son dance is placed after the couple’s first dance and the father-daughter dance. This sequence often serves as a lovely way to transition into the reception’s open dance floor. However, there are no set rules. You can schedule the mother-son dance at any point that fits your wedding day timeline. Some couples use these family dances to transition between different segments of the celebration, such as moving guests from cocktail hour to the reception hall, or signaling the shift from dinner to dancing.
What makes for a good mother-son dance song?
The best mother-son dance song is one that holds personal significance and resonates with your unique relationship. Think about songs that evoke shared memories, reflect inside jokes, or simply capture the essence of your bond. If you and your mother have a playful dynamic, an upbeat, fun song might be perfect. If you prefer a more sentimental approach, a song that brings back cherished childhood memories or expresses deep gratitude could be ideal. The key is choosing a song that feels authentic and meaningful to both of you.
Who picks the mother-son dance song at the wedding?
Traditionally, the groom takes the lead in choosing the mother-son dance song. This is a wonderful gesture, allowing him to select a song that truly represents their relationship or holds special meaning for them both. However, open communication is key! If your mother has a particular song in mind, or if you want to choose together, that’s perfectly acceptable and encouraged. Ultimately, the decision should be a collaborative one that honors both the groom and his mother and ensures the song feels right for this special moment.
