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Song lists

Mother son dance songs

Fifty songs for the groom and his mom, sorted by mood from tearjerker to switch-up, with the length of every track so you can plan the dance with your DJ.

Updated · by the discodiscdoll studio

Short answer

A good mother son dance song says thank you without needing a speech. Favourites include A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men, Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd, My Wish by Rascal Flatts and Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw. Most mother son dances last 2½ to 3½ minutes, so pick a song you can fade to that length.

These mother son dance songs are sorted by the feeling you want in the room, from the ones that set off the whole family to the ones that end with the groomsmen joining in. Every track was checked against a real music catalogue, and each shows its studio length, because how long a song runs matters more for this dance than for almost any other. If you’re planning the bride’s side too, see our father daughter dance songs.

What are the most emotional mother son dance songs?

The most emotional mother son dance songs are A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men, Because You Loved Me by Céline Dion and Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) by The Chicks, slow thank-you songs that tend to set off the parents’ table. Expect the photographer to come in close for these.

  1. 01A Song for MamaBoyz II Men · 1997 · 5:03A straight thank-you to mothers, carried by close four-part harmony. Expect tissues at the parents’ table.
  2. 02Simple ManLynyrd Skynyrd · 1973 · 5:55A mother’s advice to her son over a slow Southern rock build. The album cut is long, so plan a fade after the second chorus.
  3. 03Because You Loved MeCéline Dion · 1996 · 4:33A thank-you to the person who stood behind you. Sweeping and very easy to sway to.
  4. 04There You'll BeFaith Hill · 2001 · 3:42About carrying someone with you wherever you go next. Soft verses that open into a full chorus.
  5. 05HeroMariah Carey · 1993 · 4:17About finding strength in yourself, sung to someone you raised to have it.
  6. 06You'll Be in My HeartPhil Collins · 1999 · 4:19The Tarzan song: a promise of protection that reads just as well from the son’s side now.
  7. 07The PrayerCéline Dion · 1998 · 4:30The duet with Andrea Bocelli, sung like a blessing for the road ahead. Grand and slow.
  8. 08Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)Billy Joel · 1993 · 3:30A parent’s promise to always be there, on quiet piano. Gentle enough to talk through.
  9. 09Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)The Chicks · 2002 · 4:42A bedtime blessing sung to a little boy. Played at his wedding, it lands hard.

What is a sweet song for a mother son dance?

Child of Mine by Carole King, Little Wonders by Rob Thomas and Sweet Baby James by James Taylor are sweet mother son dance songs that feel warm rather than sad. They suit a mom who would rather smile through the dance than cry through it.

  1. 10Child of MineCarole King · 1970 · 4:03Unhurried and warm, about letting a child become whoever they are.
  2. 11Kind and GenerousNatalie Merchant · 1998 · 4:01A plain, glowing thank-you with a hook the room can hum along to. Mid-tempo and easy.
  3. 12Little WondersRob Thomas · 2007 · 3:45About the small moments that end up mattering most. Warm without being sad.
  4. 13Sweet Baby JamesJames Taylor · 1970 · 2:51A cowboy lullaby in waltz time, so it sways on its own.
  5. 14O-o-h ChildThe Five Stairsteps · 1970 · 3:13Gentle soul that promises things will get easier. For the mom who got you through the hard years.
  6. 15Forever YoungBob Dylan · 1974 · 4:54A list of wishes for a child’s whole life, sung like a blessing.
  7. 16Teach Your ChildrenCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young · 1970 · 2:53Pedal steel and harmonies about what passes between generations. Light enough to smile through.
  8. 17Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)John Lennon · 1980 · 4:03A lullaby to a son with soft steel drums. Short and tender.

What are classic mother son wedding songs?

Classic mother son wedding songs include Wonderful World by Sam Cooke (2:06), Moon River by Andy Williams (2:45) and Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler (4:53). Older songs tend to be short, which makes them easy dances: many finish before anyone has time to feel self-conscious.

  1. 18Wonderful WorldSam Cooke · 1960 · 2:06Bouncy and modest. Good if mom would rather dance than cry.
  2. 19Moon RiverAndy Williams · 1962 · 2:45A slow waltz for the mom who loves the old films.
  3. 20Times of Your LifePaul Anka · 1975 · 3:13Looks back at the memories you keep. Made for a dance in front of a photo slideshow.
  4. 21UnforgettableNat King Cole · 1951 · 3:19Velvet and short, easy to lead even if neither of you dances.
  5. 22Over the RainbowJudy Garland · 1939 · 2:47The Wizard of Oz original, wistful and hopeful.
  6. 23Wind Beneath My WingsBette Midler · 1988 · 4:53The big thank-you ballad, for the mom who held everything up.
  7. 24MamaConnie Francis · 1960 · 3:55A tender early-60s ballad sung to a mother, with a lush old-fashioned arrangement.
  8. 25Stand by MeBen E. King · 1961 · 2:54A promise that holds whatever comes, with a bass line everyone knows.
  9. 26In My LifeThe Beatles · 1965 · 2:25Looking back on the people who shaped you. Under two and a half minutes, so no edit needed.

What are good country mother son dance songs?

Good country mother son dance songs are My Wish by Rascal Flatts, Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw and I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack, three slow, clean songs about what a parent hopes for a grown child. Country ballads also have a steady beat, which helps if neither of you has danced in years.

  1. 27What a Difference You've Made in My LifeRonnie Milsap · 1977 · 4:01Gentle countrypolitan gratitude at a steady, swayable pace.
  2. 28My WishRascal Flatts · 2006 · 4:08A list of hopes for someone heading out into life. A mother-son staple.
  3. 29I Hope You DanceLee Ann Womack · 2000 · 4:54Encouragement to take chances, with a title made for the dance floor.
  4. 30Humble and KindTim McGraw · 2016 · 4:17A parent’s advice for living decently. Slow, warm and much requested.
  5. 31BoyLee Brice · 2017 · 3:18A parent’s-eye view of a boy growing into a man. Gruff, tender and short.
  6. 32Mama Don't Forget to Pray for MeDiamond Rio · 1991 · 4:12A son far from home asking his mother for her prayers. Good if faith runs through your family.
  7. 33Lucky ManMontgomery Gentry · 2006 · 3:17Counting blessings instead of complaints. Gratitude without the tears.
  8. 34Thank God for KidsThe Oak Ridge Boys · 1982 · 2:34Warm, old-fashioned harmony about the joy children bring.

What is a fun, upbeat mother son dance song?

Shout by The Isley Brothers, Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry and Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson are fun mother son dance songs that get the whole room involved. They also work as the second half of a switch-up: start slow, then surprise everyone.

  1. 35Johnny B. GoodeChuck Berry · 1958 · 2:42Rock and roll where it’s mom who believes the boy will make it. A classic switch-up.
  2. 36Mama SaidThe Shirelles · 1961 · 2:08Girl-group pop about a mother’s advice. Bright and short.
  3. 37I'll Always Love My MamaThe Intruders · 1973 · 6:37Philly soul built for dancing, all about mama. Long, so plan an edit.
  4. 38Twist and ShoutThe Beatles · 1963 · 2:33For the moment you drop the formal dance and pull the room in.
  5. 39ShoutThe Isley Brothers · 1959 · 4:40The full-room singalong. Start it and the whole family joins.
  6. 40Uptown FunkMark Ronson · 2014 · 4:30The modern switch-up favourite, with Bruno Mars on vocals.
  7. 41Can't Stop the Feeling!Justin Timberlake · 2016 · 3:56Family-friendly pop that suits every age in the room.
  8. 42FootlooseKenny Loggins · 1984 · 3:46For the pair who rehearsed a routine and want to show it off.
  9. 43HappyPharrell Williams · 2013 · 3:53Bouncy, clean and impossible to fumble.
  10. 44Rock Around the ClockBill Haley & His Comets · 1954 · 2:10Short and swingy, for a mom who grew up on rock and roll.

What are modern mother son dance songs?

Modern mother son dance songs include Count on Me by Bruno Mars, Stand by You by Rachel Platten and Rise Up by Andra Day, all released since 2010. They suit younger parents and grooms who want a song they both actually listen to.

  1. 45Count on MeBruno Mars · 2010 · 3:17A ukulele-light promise to be there. Sweet without being heavy.
  2. 46Stand by YouRachel Platten · 2015 · 3:39An anthem about showing up for each other that builds to a big finish.
  3. 47I LivedOneRepublic · 2014 · 3:54About living fully. Upbeat enough to end a slow dance on a high.
  4. 48Rise UpAndra Day · 2015 · 4:13A soul ballad about getting back up. For the mom who carried you through.
  5. 49Remember MeMiguel · 2017 · 2:44The Coco song, about being remembered across distance, sung softly.
  6. 50You SayLauren Daigle · 2018 · 4:34A modern faith ballad about being seen kindly by someone who loves you.

For more songs about mothers, from birthdays to Mother’s Day, see our list of songs for mom.

How long should a mother son dance be?

A mother son dance should usually last 2½ to 3½ minutes, which is about one verse and two choruses of most songs. That’s long enough for photos and short enough that guests stay with you. Here’s how to get there:

If the song runsWhat to doExample
Under 3 minutesPlay it wholeIn My Life (2:25), Wonderful World (2:06)
3 to 4½ minutesFade after the last chorus, or play it wholeLittle Wonders (3:45), Humble and Kind (4:17)
Over 4½ minutesAgree a fade point with the DJSimple Man (5:55), A Song for Mama (5:03)
Two songsHave the DJ cut one track: slow, then upbeatMy Wish into Shout
  • Pick the fade point yourselves. Listen through, note the timestamp where you’d like it to end (for example, “fade at 3:10”), and send it to the DJ in writing. Ask them to fade over about ten seconds rather than stopping dead.
  • Practise once or twice. Not lessons, just a run-through in the kitchen. Agree who leads, and where the turn or the hug goes.
  • Invite people in, if you like. Some pairs ask the DJ to call other mothers and sons to the floor halfway through, which takes the pressure off.
  • Check the version. Ask for the studio recording, not a live take, and confirm clean versions for the upbeat songs. Uptown Funk, for example, is also listed in versions flagged explicit on streaming services.

Putting together the rest of the day’s music? See our first dance songs and wedding entrance songs.

How do you make a CD of the wedding songs for mom?

A CD of the wedding’s songs makes a lasting keepsake for the mother of the groom: put your mother son dance song on it with the processional, the first dance and the last dance, and it plays in any car or kitchen stereo. One 80-minute disc holds about 18 to 22 songs.

  • Check it fits. Our guide to how many songs fit on a CD has the math, and the playlist length calculator totals your list in seconds.
  • Order it like the day. Aisle, first dance, parent dances, party, send-off. Our guide to making a mixtape covers sequencing.
  • Print a tracklist. The free CD case template makes a jewel case insert; write which moment each song was for.
  • Use files you can burn. Spotify and Apple Music downloads are copy-protected and won’t burn, so buy the tracks or use songs you own.

Short on time after the wedding? We’ll burn your wedding playlist to a custom CD, with a photo from the day as the cover, and post it to you or straight to mom.

Questions people ask

What is the most popular mother son dance song?

Mother son dance songs that come up again and again include A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men, Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd, My Wish by Rascal Flatts, I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack and Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw. The best mother son dance song is still the one that sounds like your mom.

How long should a mother son dance be?

A mother son dance usually lasts 2½ to 3½ minutes, about one verse and two choruses of most songs. A longer song such as Simple Man (5:55) still works if the DJ fades it out at a point you agree on beforehand.

When does the mother son dance happen at a wedding?

The mother son dance usually happens at the reception after the couple's first dance, often straight after the father daughter dance. Some couples combine the two into one parent dance; the order is up to the couple and the DJ.

Can a mother son dance be upbeat?

Yes, a mother son dance can be upbeat. A popular format is a slow song for about 90 seconds that switches to something like Shout by The Isley Brothers or Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson, cut together as one track by the DJ.

What is a good country song for a mother son dance?

Good country songs for a mother son dance are My Wish by Rascal Flatts, Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw and I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. All three are slow, clean and about the hopes a parent has for a grown child.

What can I give my mom to remember the wedding dance?

A CD of the wedding's dance songs is a simple keepsake for a mother of the groom. One 80-minute CD holds about 18 to 22 songs, enough for the processional, first dance, parent dances and last dance, and it plays in her car or kitchen stereo.