10 Songs About Motherly Love That Can Make Even the Toughest People Emotional

There are numerous touching songs that celebrate the love and sacrifices of mothers. These melodies have the power to make us feel both appreciative and nostalgic, sometimes even making us grab the phone and give our mom a call. Because there aren't enough ways to express to our mothers how much we love or miss them, we decided to select a few songs that you can listen to in their honor.

Let It Be by The Beatles

• About: Let It Be is an iconic song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. It serves as a message of hope and reassurance during challenging times, with lyrics inspired by McCartney's dream of his late mother, Mary, offering him words of comfort. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special in 1971 for featuring in the documentary of the same name.
• Standout lyrics:
  "When I find myself in times of trouble
  Mother Mary comes to me
  Speaking words of wisdom
  Let it be"
• On YouTube: Let It Be

Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA

• About: This poignant ballad by ABBA was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The song reflects on the bittersweet experience of watching one's child grow up and feeling the fleeting nature of time slipping away. While it didn't win any major awards, it remains one of ABBA's most beloved tracks. It was featured in the 2008 movie Mamma Mia! with Meryl Streep taking on the vocals.
• Standout lyrics:
  "Slipping through my fingers all the time
  Do I really see what's in her mind?
  Each time I think I'm close to knowing
  She keeps on growing"
• On YouTube: Slipping Through My Fingers

Mama Liked the Roses by Elvis Presley

• About: This touching ballad recorded by Elvis Presley was written by Johnny Christopher, who also co-wrote Presley's hit Always on My Mind. The song reflects on the emotional connection between a son and his late mother.
• Standout lyrics:
  "Oh, mama liked the roses in such a special way
  We bring them every Mother's Day
  And put them on her grave"
• On YouTube: Mama Liked the Roses

The Mother by Brandi Carlile

• About: The Mother was written by Brandi Carlile, along with Phil and Tim Hanseroth. The song celebrates the joys and challenges of motherhood, and it was inspired by the birth of the singer's first child, Evangeline. While the track itself didn't win any awards, it received critical acclaim for its poignant lyrics and Carlile's soul-stirring vocals, and the album it's featured on won a Grammy for Best Americana Album.
• Standout lyrics:
  "The New York streets are as busy as they always used to be
  But I am the mother of Evangeline"
• On YouTube: The Mother

In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride

• About: Performed by Martina McBride and written by James T. Slater, In My Daughter's Eyes reflects on the profound love and admiration a mother feels for her daughter, highlighting the beauty and innocence seen through a parent's perspective. The ballad has garnered critical acclaim, even being described as "nothing short of breathtaking," for its emotional resonance and McBride's heartfelt delivery, becoming a cherished anthem for mothers and daughters alike.
• Standout lyrics:
  "In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero
  I am strong and wise and I know no fear
  But the truth is plain to see
  She was sent to rescue me"
• On YouTube: In My Daughter's Eyes

Mama's Song by Carrie Underwood

• About: Mama's Song was performed and written by Carrie Underwood, along with Kara DioGuardi, Marti Frederiksen and Luke Laird. The song expresses a daughter's gratitude and reassurance to her mother as she embarks on a new chapter in her life, getting married. The emotional lyrics and delivery earned it the nomination for Best Country Solo Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards.
• Standout lyrics:
  "Mama, you taught me to do the right things
  So, now you have to let your baby fly
  You've given me everything that I will need
  To make it through this crazy thing called life"
• On YouTube: Mama's Song

The Wish by Bruce Springsteen

• About: Bruce Springsteen wrote The Wish himself, inspired by his mother, Adele Springsteen. The poignant track starts by telling the story of how Adele bought the singer a guitar, despite the family's financial struggles.
• Standout lyrics:
  "If Pa's eyes were windows into a world so deadly and true
  You couldn't stop me from looking, but you kept me from crawlin' through
  And if it's a funny old world, Ma, where a little boy's wishes come true
  Well, I got a few left in my pocket and a special one just for you"
• On YouTube: The Wish

Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton

• About: Coat of Many Colors is a poignant country song written and performed by Dolly Parton. It recounts a childhood memory of Parton's mother stitching together a coat from rags, symbolizing love and sacrifice despite financial hardship. Through the years, it has become one of Parton's signature songs, celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and enduring message of resilience and familial love.
• Standout lyrics:
  "My coat of many colors that my mama made for me
  Made only from rags but I wore it so proudly
  Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be
  In my coat of many colors my mama made for me"
• On YouTube: Coat of Many Colors

Mother by Kacey Musgraves

• About: Mother is a heartfelt song by Kacey Musgraves, written by Kacey Musgraves, Ian Fitchuk, and Daniel Tashian. Although it's considerably short (only 1:18 minutes long), the track is a poignant tribute to the unconditional love of a mother and how the singer herself was longing for her mom while living a long distance away.
• Standout lyrics:
  "I'm just sitting here
  Thinking 'bout the time that's slipping
  And missing my mother"
• On YouTube: Mother

The Best Day by Taylor Swift

• About: The Best Day was written solely by Taylor Swift herself. It pays tribute to her relationship with her mother and reminisces about cherished memories from her childhood, particularly how her mother stood by her when she had trouble making friends in middle school. The music video is a montage of homemade videos from the singer's childhood.
• Standout lyrics:
  "I know you were on my side even when I was wrong
  And I love you for giving me your eyes
  For staying back and watching me shine
  And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say
  That I had the best day with you today"
• On YouTube: The Best Day

Everyone knows motherhood has its challenges, but sometimes it doesn't get talked about enough, especially when the mothers are celebrities. People tend to think it's easier then. Serena Williams proves otherwise by being vocal about her own struggles as a mother. In an interview, she candidly talked about a near-death experience and postpartum depression. Read her story here.