13 of the biggest songs written about mothers 💗
Happy Mother's Day!
March is the month for women, with International Women's Day on 8th March, Women's History Month, throughout the whole month, and of course Mother's Day on Sunday 10th March, this is the month to celebrate the women in our lives.
From ABBA to Queen, it seems that mothers have had a big influence on their children's songwriting. This Mother's Day, we're taking a look at some of the biggest songs inspired by musicians' mums!
There are songs for every mood and season, with artists drawing inspiration from their own lives and experiences and even paying tribute to their mothers! From sweet tributes to sharing their words of wisdom, here are some iconic songs inspired by mums.
Check out these songs about mothers:
Spice Girls - 'Mama'
The idea for this song came from Mel B who felt it would be great if each Spice Girl contributed thoughts about their own mums for the lyrics. It went on to become the band's fourth Number 1 hit, in 1997.
Watch 'Mama' by Spice Girls on YouTube
Dolly Parton – ‘Coat Of Many Colours’
This Country classic was inspired by Dolly's mother Avie Lee Owens and tells the story of how she stitched together a coat for her daughter out of rags given to the family. Dolly said she was on tour when the song came to her and as she had no paper, wrote it on the back of a dry cleaning receipt.
Watch 'Coat Of Many Colours' by Dolly Parton on YouTube
Paul Simon – ‘Love Me Like A Rock’
This track was the second single from the famous singer-songwriter's third studio album, 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon', and is said to be about a mother's love. In the song, Paul sings "My momma loves me".
Watch 'Love Me Like A Rock' by Paul Simon on YouTube
Kate Bush – ‘Mother Stands For Comfort’
Featured on Kate Bush's 'Hounds Of Love' album, 'Mother Stands For Comfort' is about a mother's willingness to protect her child. In an interview, she explained: "It's about a mother and her strong maternal, protective instincts, but it's dealing with a son who's committed a bad crime. And to her, her instincts overrule what's right or wrong."
Listen to 'Mother Stands For Comfort' by Kate Bush on YouTube
George Michael - 'Mother's Pride'
A track on George's epic 'Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1' – this heartbreaking ballad is sung with such tenderness and sensitivity it's almost impossible not to feel emotion when listening to it...George at his absolute finest.
Listen to 'Mother's Pride' by George Michael on YouTube
The Beatles – ‘Let It Be’
Sir Paul McCartney said he had the idea for the now-famous Beatles track after a dream he had about his mother Mary, who passed away when he was just 14-years-old, during the difficult period of recording the 'White Album', where there was friction between the band members. He said his mother told him to just 'let it be'.
He also penned the track 'Your Mother Should Know' with John Lennon about respecting a mother's life experience.
Listen to 'Let It Be' by The Beatles on YouTube
Billy Joel – ‘Rosalinda’s Eyes’
'Rosalinda's Eyes' was inspired by Billy Joel's mother Rosalind Nyman Joel. The tribute to his mother, who raised her son alone after divorcing his father, was included on his 1978 '52nd Street' album.
Listen to 'Rosalinda's Eyes' by Billy Joel on YouTube
Carole King – ‘Where You Lead, I Will Follow’
Although not strictly about mums, the song took on a new meaning when it was used as the theme for the popular US series Gilmore Girls which portrays the life of a mother and daughter.
Watch 'Where You Lead, I Will Follow'' by Carole King on YouTube
ABBA - 'Slipping Through My Fingers'
Best known for its poignant appearance in Mamma Mia, this song is about a child growing up too fast and 'slipping through her mum's fingers'. It originally appeared on ABBA's last studio album 'The Visitors' in 1981.
The group also mentioned mothers in their hit tracks 'Does Your Mother Know' and of course 'Mamma Mia'.
Listen to 'Slipping Through My Fingers' by ABBA on YouTube
Queen – ‘Tie Your Mother Down’
Written by Queen guitarist Brian May, 'Tie Your Mother Down' was performed at every Queen live concert after its release in 1976.
Freddie Mercury also addressed his mother in the story that plays out in 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and again in their song 'Mother Love' which was the last song sung by the lead singer before he sadly passed away in 1991.
Watch 'Tie Your Mother Down' by Queen on YouTube
Elton John – ‘Your Song’
'Your Song' was written by Elton John and his friend and co-writer Bernie Taupin. Bernie said that the lyrics were written at the kitchen table of Elton's mother Sheila's London apartment.
Watch 'Your Song' by Elton John on YouTube
Commodores - 'Three Times a Lady'
'Three Times a Lady' was Commodores' first big hit in 1978, and Lionel Richie wrote the song after attending his parents' wedding anniversary party and hearing his father speak about his love and appreciation for his mother. He used the inspiration to write about his appreciation for his own wife and his mother.
Watch 'Three Times a Lady' by Commodores on YouTube
Boyz II Men - 'A Song For Mama'
Back in 1997, Boyz II Men released their hit 'A Song For Mama', the song was on the soundtrack for Soul Food, and according to American journalist Larry Flick: "It's a tear-tugging ode to mothers."
Watch 'A Song For Mama' by Boyz II Men on YouTube.
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