13 Mother-Son Dance Songs to Play At Your Wedding
When people think of choosing music at weddings, their first thought is the first dance song. Then, the father-daughter dance. But what about the mother-son dance? It’s not exactly a confirmed tradition due to the complexities of family structures, but a mother-son dance is a beautiful way for a mother to have a moment of love with her son.
It’s a way for the son to thank his mother for all she has done for him, and it only feels appropriate to pick a meaningful song for the occasion. Unless you have a song in mind that is special to you both, we have found the 13 best mother-son dance songs to play at your wedding; ranging from soothing slow dances to fun rock tunes.
1. “God Only Knows” – Beach Boys
Listen or buy this song here.Possibly one of the cheeriest and loveliest songs to ever exist, “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys encompasses everything that a mother wants to say to her son and vice versa.
This song is about unconditional love regardless of whatever life throws in their way – the lyric “If you should ever leave me / Well, life would still go on, believe me” can symbolize a mother parting ways with her now-married son, and how she will love him fiercely still. Favorite Lyrics: “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”
2. “You’re My Best Friend” – Queen
Listen or buy this song here.What better way to express your love for your mother than by calling her your best friend? It’s the ultimate compliment. Queen’s song “You’re My Best Friend” is popular for first dances, but can also be used for mother-son dances because of its jolly tune and meaningful lyrics. The line “I’m happy at home / You’re my best friend” is a beautiful message from a son to his mother. Likewise, “I’ve been with you such a long time / You’re my sunshine” is a perfect line from a mother to her son!Favorite Lyrics: “Ooh, you make me live / Whenever this world is cruel to me / I got you to help me forgive”
3. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns n’ Roses
Listen or buy this song here.If your mom is a rock and roll fan, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is the perfect song to dance to with her. Who said all wedding dance songs need to be slow? Whilst this is technically a love song devoted to a romantic partner, the lyrics can easily be interpreted as a love song from a son to his mother. The lyrics “Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place / Where as a child I’d hide” encompasses everything that a mother can offer her child – a completely safe and secure place within her arms. Favorite Lyrics: “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”
4. “Sweetest Devotion” – Adele
Listen or buy this song here.Adele wrote this song for her son, which is what makes “Sweetest Devotion” a perfect mother-son dance at a wedding.
No words can explain the love a mother has for her son the moment he is born, and that moment can only ever be replicated when watching him marry his new partner. “The sweetest devotion / Hit me like an explosion” is a beautifully symbolic way to express the love a mother feels for her son in pivotal moments of their lives, such as a wedding. Favorite Lyrics: “I’ll forever be whatever you want me to be / I’d go under and all over for your clarity”
5. “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper
Listen or buy this song here.When it comes to classics that everyone knows the words to, you can’t not consider “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper.
This song is about providing a safe place filled with love regardless of whatever happens in life.
It’s about complete and unconditional love – the type of love that only happens between a mother and son. “If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me / Time after time,” says it all! Favorite Lyrics: “If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting / Time after time”
6. “My Girl” – The Temptations
Listen or buy this song here.We know this is technically a love song between romantic partners, but hear us out. A wedding isn’t a wedding without “My Girl”.
What better way for a son to thank his mother and express his admiration and love for her than through this soulful song?
This song is as sweet as it gets with its repetition of “Talking ‘bout my girl” – because you know it’s a beautiful relationship when a son’s eyes light up when talking about his mother. Favorite Lyrics: “I’ve got so much honey, the bees envy me / I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees”
7. “What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
Listen or buy this song here.You don’t need to go into great depth or research when it comes to this song.
The meaning of “What A Wonderful World” is all in the title – it’s about appreciating everything in the world and taking time to enjoy it with someone you love.
What a wonderful place the world is when you have your mother or son with you. Favorite Lyrics: “I see trees of green, red roses too / I see them bloom for me and for you”
8. “Here Comes The Sun” – The Beatles
Listen or buy this song here.Sometimes, a song doesn’t need a deep meaning to be played for your mother-son dance. If you enjoy a song, dance to it!
“Here Come The Sun” is a beautiful example of this as it exudes nothing but joy, sunshine, peace, and harmony.
It’s also one of the most well-known songs from The Beatles, so it’s likely to put everyone in a good mood. Favorite Lyrics: “Here comes the sun / And I say it’s all right”
9. “Your Song” – Elton John
Listen or buy this song here.No love ballad can ever amount to “Your Song” – and it doesn’t have to be exclusive to romantic partners!
If you struggle to put into words your love and respect for your mother or son, use the language of music to poetically express your feelings for you.
This song also has the most beautiful rhythm and melody that provides the perfect ambiance for a mother-son dance. Favorite Lyrics: “I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”
10. “The Greatest Love Of All” – Whitney Houston
Listen or buy this song here.Whitney Houston’s iconic cover of “The Greatest Love Of All” is about celebrating self-love.
Whilst this might seem like an odd choice for a mother-son dance, consider the way you view yourself because of your mother or son.
Either feel complete with the other and in turn, their relationship contributes to their self-love. The lyric “I believe the children are our future / Teach them well and let them lead the way” is fitting for a mother-son relationship, too. Favorite Lyrics: “Let the children’s laughter reminds us how we used to be”
11. “You’ll Be In My Heart” – Phil Collins
Listen or buy this song here.Alright, we had to put some sort of movie song in here. Every kid’s childhood started with Tarzan, after all.
Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart” is the perfect song for a mother-son dance, not only because of the pure nostalgia but also because of the meaning.
This song is about providing support and love to someone younger than you; “For one so small, you feel so strong” is the embodiment of a mother who still sees her son as a child in her eyes. Favorite Lyrics: “The bond between us can’t be broken / I will be here, don’t you cry”
12. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel
Listen or buy this song here.Nothing can match the love a mother has for a son, and vice versa.
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” can be interpreted as a mother’s endless support for her son, or as a son’s endless support for his mother.
It’s about providing a safe place regardless of life’s mishaps, just like a bridge over troubled water. Favorite Lyrics: “Oh, when darkness comes and pain is all around / Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down”
13. “I’ll Stand By You” – The Pretenders
Listen or buy this song here.This song speaks for itself. “I’ll Stand By You” is about providing a safe place for both a mother and a son regardless of what life throws at them.
It’s an incredibly moving song to listen to – and there won’t be a dry eye in the house once the dance has finished.
“Won’t let nobody hurt you” sums up the protective nature of a mother to her son beautifully. Favorite Lyrics: “Nothin’ you confess, could make me love you less / I’ll stand by you”
