Save a dance for Mom. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most sentimental and heartfelt choices for a mother/son wedding dance.
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00:00Now and then when I see his face, it takes me away to that special place.
00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the
00:11most sentimental and heartfelt choices for a mother-son wedding dance.
00:16In my life, I'll love them all.
00:21Number 20.
00:22My Love, My Life.
00:24ABBA.
00:24So now we go separate ways.
00:30Songs often go through a long creative process,
00:34including many edits, before they reach their final destination.
00:38My Love, My Life was one of those songs for ABBA,
00:41a tune that initially featured the title Monsieur, Monsieur.
00:44We're glad songwriters Benny Anderson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Stieg Andersson
00:50ended up on this title, however.
00:52Since My Love, My Life possesses a certain memorable honesty.
00:56Like reflections of your mind, my love, my life.
01:03Agnetha Felskog's lead vocals are tender and true,
01:07perfect for this song that signifies change and metamorphosis.
01:11There's that tinge of ABBA melancholy to the proceedings, sure.
01:15But My Love, My Life is also a hopeful tune of letting go for a new beginning.
01:20Number 19.
01:22Somewhere Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World.
01:25Israel Kamakawiwole.
01:27Someday you wish upon a star, wake up where the clouds are far behind.
01:35A truly good song can be translated into any language
01:38and be performed with any instrument.
01:41Israel's Kamakawiwole performs beautifully,
01:44Israel's Kamakawiwole proved this back in 1990 with this medley of two all-timers,
01:53Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.
01:57High above the chimney top, that's where you'll find me, oh.
02:05Kamakawiwole makes both songs his own,
02:08utilizing a humble ukulele as an instrument of percussion and counter-melody.
02:13It's the singer's voice that's the star of the show, however,
02:16creating a sincere performance with tons of warmth.
02:30Kamakawiwole switches the lyrics around, but nothing feels taken away quality-wise,
02:36and the quiet beauty of these tunes make it a perfectly heartfelt choice for a wedding dance.
02:41Number 18.
02:42I'll Stand By You.
02:44The Pretenders.
02:53A wedding is an emotional day for just about everyone,
02:56and many people desperately want to make sure that everything is perfect for this special occasion.
03:01I'll Stand By You at least ensures that this mother-son dance will be a lock,
03:05since this song by Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders
03:08is a certified classic from the group's early 90s catalog.
03:13One of the best things about I'll Stand By You is that it's gender-neutral,
03:23and able to serve just as well for a father-daughter dance as well.
03:27The message of loyalty and honor, even in the face of troubled times,
03:31is a sentiment that we can all get behind.
03:34The 1980s may have been a decade of flashy decadence,
03:37but there were also moments of grand, melodic brilliance.
03:40This is made evident by Rod Stewart's Forever Young,
03:43a late-hit era for the rock legend, and a group of young people who
03:47were inspired by Rod Stewart's music.
03:49Rod Stewart's song, Forever Young, is a classic of the 80s,
03:52but it's not the only song that's been a hit.
03:55Rod Stewart's song, Forever Young, is a classic of the 80s,
03:58but it's not the only song that's been a hit.
04:00a late-hit era for the rock legend,
04:03and a great choice for a mother-son wedding dance.
04:12The song's accompanying music video features Stewart singing to a cute young child,
04:17and singing songs about a parent's hope for the future.
04:20These dreams of a youngster growing up to be faithful, brave, and true
04:25will probably mean a lot to a mother who's watching her son starting a family of his own.
04:29Stewart's vocals soar with power and strength,
04:32while the polished 80s production lend Forever Young a formidable sonic punch.
04:47The world of punk rock, even that of the poppier variety,
04:51isn't normally a place where one might seek out heartfelt sentimentality.
04:55Yet, Good Charlotte bucked that trend back in 2000
04:58with this straightforward song with a simple message.
05:06Thank You, Mom is the sort of song that would fit in great at a non-traditional wedding,
05:11one with a relaxed and loose vibe.
05:13Good Charlotte doesn't rock out with any sort of snotty punk feeling,
05:17but instead turn in an alt-rock ballad with vocal harmonies and an acoustic bass.
05:22The lyrics ring true, however,
05:24and will likely make any mom with musical children smile to themselves with joy.
05:41Family values have always been an intrinsic part of country music,
05:45and Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind feels like a song that was tailor-made for sentimental occasions.
05:51It's a full-blown power ballad with a strong message from a parent to their child.
06:06The lessons that we pass on to our kids, even as they age,
06:10will always remain with them, and McGraw drives this point home.
06:14Mothers and sons from all walks of life can likely relate to the story Humble and Kind is telling.
06:20Slow dancing with tears in their eyes as life transitions from one setting to another.
06:43Soul music, by its very nature, can be a raw and expressive style of music.
06:48Lean on Me by Bill Withers is one of those tunes that's not trying to dazzle you with
06:53complex arrangements or show off musical performances. Instead, the song's simple
06:58and direct hook is one of repetition, while the lyrics encourage togetherness and remaining close.
07:10The electric piano instantly pins Lean on Me firmly in that warm,
07:14analog sound of the early 1970s, and this is a great thing. The backing orchestration
07:21highlights Withers' gritty and real-sounding vocals. The man may be a jazz, funk, and soul
07:27legend, but Lean on Me remains a global phenomenon that can be sung between parents,
07:31children, and siblings alike.
07:3313. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
07:53It's tough for just about anyone to top Louis Armstrong's original recording of
07:58What a Wonderful World. The jazz legend's raw and accented vocals are immediately distinctive,
08:04while the soft orchestrations lift up What a Wonderful World to an almost heavenly state of
08:09grace. This is a song of idealism, a place where we want to be when things are down,
08:20and a state of mind we all seek out as human beings. There's just no other way to say it.
08:26What a Wonderful World is one of those perfect songs that stands
08:29defiant in the face of cynicism and negative vibes the world over.
08:4312. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
08:50Tears are commonplace at most weddings. There are usually tears of joy, sure,
08:55but nuptials just tend to have this effect. Unforgettable doesn't make holding back these
08:59tears any easier, especially if the scene is a mother dancing with her son.
09:16This is a song from the old school, but sometimes also the best school, since it represents honest
09:22feelings on the happiest of days. Sure, some weddings may go for a quicker song to shake
09:27things up a bit, but we feel that a little nostalgia goes a long way, and Unforgettable
09:32is a classic that we think stands the test of time. 11. My Little Man – Ozzy Osbourne
09:52Believe it or not, Ozzy Osbourne has actually recorded multiple songs for his children.
09:57Amy was composed with Ozzy's daughter in mind, while My Little Man talks about how
10:01Osbourne wants to ensure safety and security for his young son Jack.
10:14The tune eschews preconceptions about heavy metal and its subject matter,
10:18with My Little Man existing as yet another example of the Ozzy Camp's underrated ballad
10:24composition. This song would be perfect for the mother whose son grew up to be a rock star,
10:29a tune that underlines how much parents continue to care about their kids, right to the very end.
10:3410. Sweetest Devotion – Adele If you're a mom searching for the perfect
10:49mother-son dance song, might we suggest this number from Adele's 25 album? The British
10:55songstress sings about her love for her boy Angelo, and the meaning he's brought to her life.
11:04You can even hear little Angelo at the top and end of the song if you listen closely.
11:10The lyrics will take you back to the first time you set your sights on your kid.
11:19They'll surely remind you of the explosion of love you felt that has never subsided.
11:24It's a beautiful melody and a fitting declaration of a mother's love
11:28that's certain to tug on all of your guests' heartstrings.
11:349. The Best Day – Taylor Swift Perhaps you're looking for something
11:43a little more upbeat that pays tribute to your loving and supportive mother.
11:52Well, Taylor Swift's got you covered. Featured on her Fearless album, Swift penned this gentle
11:58country song in honor of her mom. It's about the times they've spent together and how her mom has
12:03always been there to lift her up. It's so pure and heartfelt that it'll undoubtedly leave you,
12:15your mother, and your guests teary-eyed. The singer also praises her father and brother.
12:26So while the father-son or sibling dance hasn't quite become mainstream yet,
12:31it's a great way to show you're thinking about them too.
12:418. Sweet Child of Mine – Luna Your guests would likely be surprised
12:46if Guns N' Roses started blasting over this special moment.
12:50Or maybe that's totally your vibe. In that case, you do you.
12:54But we had Luna's stripped-back, soft, and sentimental cover in mind.
13:07The mellow melody draws attention to the lyrics, which could easily be about a parent-child
13:12dynamic. We'd also argue that it's a little easier to dance to this version without ending
13:17up with whiplash on your big day. But it's a great way to show you're thinking about
13:22on your big day. Plus, it's just a little different from the songs you'd typically hear.
13:33If you want something mid-tempo, between the rock song and gentle ballad,
13:37Sheryl Crow's version should hit the spot.
13:457. The Wish – Bruce Springsteen This track is a good option if you're in
13:50the mood for something sentimental. Springsteen reportedly wrote it about his mother Adele,
14:00who bought him a guitar even though the family was strapped for cash.
14:08We'd recommend listening closely to the lyrics, as they're a stunning ode to a deserving mom.
14:14He even mentions how she encouraged him to propose to his girlfriend at one point.
14:30And the track ends with Springsteen telling her how special she is to him.
14:34If you can't think of the right words to describe what your mom means to you,
14:37let Springsteen do the talking or singing. You just focus on whisking her around the dance floor.
14:446. The One Thing – Shakira Your little boy is all grown up and
14:58about to embark on a new chapter with the love of his life. What better way to celebrate that
15:08than with an up-tempo song reminding him that he's the light of your life? The track is about
15:13her son Milan, and her love shines through the rhythm. Any mom will relate to the lyrics,
15:24which effortlessly capture what it means to raise a child.
15:33The song is a stirring celebration of the parent-child relationship set to a bubbly
15:38and captivating melody. Your guests will be toe-tapping along while wiping tears from their
15:43eyes. 5. My Wish – Rascal Flatts
15:52There's no love comparable to a mother's, and this song illustrates that perfectly. With a slow
15:58and sweet melody that practically calls you to the dance floor, the earnest lyrics are about
16:02wanting the best for a loved one. You can almost imagine your mom saying these exact words,
16:14and chances are that at some point, she probably has.
16:25Just picture it now, mother and son gracefully gliding around the dance floor to this moving
16:29and heartfelt number. Your eyes are welling up already, aren't they? And you're probably not
16:41the only one. It's hardly a surprise that My Wish has become such a popular choice for these
16:46intimate moments. 4. You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie
16:57Wonder What's a wedding party without a little Stevie Wonder? This tune, arguably the jazziest
17:05we've mentioned so far, is perfect for mothers and sons looking for something lively to dance to.
17:15The lyrics mention the sunshine of your life, the apple of your eye, and staying forever in
17:19that person's heart. So we can't think of a more fitting sentiment to define the mother-son dance.
17:28Rather than delicately floating around the dance floor,
17:32we envision more brisk twirling and maybe one or two choreographed surprises.
17:43The song is about being with the person you love unconditionally,
17:46so you might as well have some fun with it. 3. You'll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins
17:58This Academy Award-winning track was initially written as a lullaby for Collins' daughter Lily.
18:02Straight from the heart and totally breathtaking,
18:05You'll Be in My Heart manages to be total fire while still striking us in the feels.
18:14The tune's magnetic, and the lyrics describe an incomparable love that only a parent can understand.
18:28Probably best known from Disney's Tarzan, it also celebrates all kinds of families.
18:34Its message, at least in the movie, is that you don't have to share genetics to be a loving parent.
18:39Given its universal narrative and mesmerizing melody,
18:42we can't think of a better song to celebrate love and family.
18:452. 93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
18:57Found on Mraz's Love is a Four Letter Word album,
19:00this song celebrates the notion that home is where the heart is. It seems like for the songwriters,
19:04and anyone who chooses to dance to this number, their heart is their mom.
19:16Indeed, it's a beautiful piece from a loving son to a mother and father.
19:19It details how no matter where life takes you,
19:22your parents will always be there waiting with open arms.
19:32Who could possibly resist such meaningful lyrics?
19:35Plus, the melody will make you want to stop whatever you're doing and give your mom a great big hug.
19:39It's sweet, touching, and the perfect tribute.
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20:091. Beautiful Boy, Darling Boy – John Lennon
20:13If you're looking for a song that will make you and your mom hug each other even closer,
20:17might we suggest this tearjerker by John Lennon?
20:282. Beautiful Boy, Darling Boy – John Lennon
20:33Reportedly written for his son Sean,
20:35the song follows a comforting dad describing the utmost joys of fatherhood.
20:47It also details the feelings that come with watching your child grow up,
20:50which seems pretty appropriate for a wedding.
20:59Sure, it's written from a father's perspective, but it's nothing moms can't relate to.
21:04If you're a Beatles fan, In My Life would also be a great choice.
21:16However, Lennon's moving melody and stirring lyrics will create a memory
21:20that will keep you welling up way into your golden years.
21:293. Beautiful Boy, Darling Boy – John Lennon
21:31Do you prefer traditional wedding songs or shaking things up? Let us know in the comments.
21:42Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from MsMojo,
21:46and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
21:584. Beautiful Boy, Darling Boy – John Lennon