Nothing in this world is more precious than the bond between a parent and their child. For some people, their kids are their whole life and they like to express this love as well. For this reason, I have curated a list of the 50 best songs about sons so you can share these lovely ballads with them and make their day.
In this article, you will find songs dedicated by mothers to their sons as well as by fathers to their sons. I hope that you find yourself the best song that describes your sons perfectly so you can take away something new from this.
Here are the 50 bests songs about sons, listed:
- Beautiful Boy
- A Song for My Son
- Father and Son
- Anything Like Me
- A New Day Has Come
- Monsters
- Baby Mine
- With Arms Wide Open
- Lullaby for Wyatt
- Tears in Heaven
- Simple Man
- Carry on Wayward Son
- My Little Love
- Child of Mine
- I Hope You Dance
- Circus Left Town
- Hey Jude
- Watching You
- Father’s Son
- Mother
- You’re Gonna Miss This
- He Gets That From Me
- Just the Two of Us
- Cat’s in the Cradle
- Love Without End, Amen
- Kooks
- Sail To The Moon
- Like Father, Like Son
- My Boy
- Believe
- You
- No Son of Mine
- I’ll Stand by You
- When You Need Me
- Son of a Preacher Man
- Mama Said
- The Man You’ve Become
- You
- Father, Son
- Speechless
- I Got You
- Letter To My Son (Call Yoru Father)
- My Boy
- My Wish
- Daddy
- You’ll Be In My Heart
- To Zion
- 93 Million Miles
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- You Will Always Be My Son
1. Beautiful Boy
This song by John Lennon is a beautiful track that he wrote for his son, Sean, and it sends a message of love and hope. The song gained popularity recently on TikTok, with people posting the men in their lives as appreciation.
The lyrics of the song are lovely and blend perfectly with the soft guitar riffs. The song is loved by many and even Celine Dion covered the song later on.
2. A Song for My Son
This song by Mikki Viereck is very popular and you must have heard it at weddings during mother-son dances. This song honors the loving bond between a mother and her son but in a non-Freudian way, don’t worry!
The mother wishes her son good luck on the journey ahead in life, displaying her pride over the man he has become. The song has been covered by many others over the decades.
3. Father and Son
This hit by Cat Stevens is a very different song about the father and son relationship. It touches upon the generational gap and how it creates complexities in the communication between a father and his son.
The simple guitar in the background blends seamlessly with the singer’s vocals as he gives various advice to his son. The father urges his child to become independent and find a lovely girl to marry.
4. Anything Like Me
The next song on our list is a wholesome song by Brad Paisley who ponders upon what it’s going to be like to be a father. He wonders what the child will be like if he or she will be anything like him.
The song chartered #1 on Billboard’s US Hot Country Songs in 2010. I would highly recommend you to check this song out as it captures the anticipation of being a parent marvelously.
5. A New Day Has Come
Of course, the queen, Celine Dion, had to be on this list or else it would feel empty to me. This song celebrates rebirth and hope, feelings Celine had after the birth of her son.
The lyrics “the world thought I had it all but I was waiting for you” really show the nurturing emotions of a mother. I would suggest you give this 3 times platinum song a listen, you will not regret it.
6. Monsters
This song by James Blunt is less of a tribute to a son and more of a tribute from a son to his father. The singer reflects on the love he has for his father and the passage of time that brutally takes away people close to you, from you.
This song is very emotional and moving, if you have recently lost a loved one then I recommend you do not listen to it. The song went silver in the UK which shows how many people’s hearts it touched.
7. Baby Mine
This song was originally Frank Churchill and Ned Washington and was later covered by many other artists. The song was featured in the movie “Dumbo” and was sung by the mother elephant for her son.
She expresses her love, affection, and reassurance for her son. The gentle and soothing vocals mixed with the slow tune make this song incredibly heartwarming and give birth to a feeling of maternal care.
8. With Arms Wide Open
If you want a heartfelt song that will have you in complete awe with possibly tears streaming down your face then this one by Creed is for you. The song conveys the overwhelming feeling of finding out that you are going to be a father.
The high notes, the minimal instruments, all of it display a feeling of vulnerability that comes with fatherhood. The song went two times platinum in the US and hit #1 on many charts.
9. Lullaby for Wyatt
Sheryl Crow is the singer and songwriter of the song Lullaby for Wyatt and it’s a touching piece she dedicated to her adopted son, Wyatt Steven. The song expresses the feelings of joy, love, and care Sheryl feels after becoming a mother.
Sheryl outdid herself in my eyes with this lovely masterpiece. The gentle guitar and her soothing vocals show her love for her son.
10. Tears in Heaven
This song by Eric Clapton is a heartwrenching tribute to his son, Connor, who tragically passed away at a very young age. The tender melody, the agony and pain in Eric’s voice is enough to bring tears to anyone’s eyes.
The song ranked high on many charts and went platinum in the United States. I recommend you listen to this song, only if you are ready to shed a few tears.
11. Simple Man
This song is by Lynyrd Skynyrd which was released in 1973. The song is a letter of advice from a mother to her son on various topics and how it will help him with things in life.
The mother encourages her son to remain true to himself and to always be honest. The vibe of this song is very beautiful and I urge you all to check it out.
12. Carry on Wayward Son
The song is less about a parent and their son and more about personal growth and resilience, how one should not give up after facing a hardship. Regardless, you can still send this song to your son, whether it’s after they lose their football match or get a bad grade in science.
The song went 4 times platinum in the US and it might be because of the strong guitar riffs and the overall rock nature of the song.
13. My Little Love
This emotional song by Adele is about her and her nine-year-old son, Angelo, having a conversation about her divorce with his father, Simon Konecki. The song has a recording of the conversation she has with her son in which she also expresses her gratitude towards her ex for giving her Angelo.
Adele talked about it in an interview and how she wanted to explain things to her son so that he wouldn’t hate her in the future. If you relate to any part of this, my heart goes out to you and to any mother who has felt this.
14. Child of Mine
Carole King is the mastermind behind this lovely song which was featured on her album, “Writer”. The song is about a mother’s love and hope for her child and the life they will live.
The singer wishes for a bright and amazing future for her offspring and this song I believe showcases the sentiments of every mother in the world. I recommend you listen to this soft song, it is very precious and deserves more hype.
15. I Hope You Dance
This upbeat song by Lee Ann Womack is on this list because of the message it conveys. It is a hopeful song that encourages sons and daughters to always embrace life’s opportunities.
The optimistic vibe of this song made it a hit that led it to be played at graduations, weddings, and other events. The song won a Grammy award in 2001 for Best Country Song.
16. Circus Left Town
This song is another gut-wrenching sad ballad by Eric Clapton. It tells the story of past love and uses the metaphor of a circus leaving town to convey this sense of sadness and longing.
The past love that is lost is pointing towards the son that Eric lost, making this song tenfold more heartbreaking. This song portrays the feelings of grief in a way never done before and perhaps that’s why the song was on top of many charts.
17. Hey Jude
Hey Jude is by the Beatles and was written by Paul McCartney. This song was written for John Lennon’s son, Julian, during the divorce of his parents.
McCartney wanted to show his love and support for the young fellow whose parents were going through a tough separation. The lyrics encourage Julian to not let the problems in his life bring him down and to take control of his life.
18. Watching You
This country music hit by Rodney Atkins is about the father-son relationship and the influence a father has on his son’s behavior. The song highlights the mimicking trait in children, where they always want to be like their parents by copying their actions.
The song ranked #1 on Billboard’s US Hot Country Songs in 2006 and rightfully so!
19. Father’s Son
This heartwrenching song by Celeste is about absent fathers so if you have similar problems in life then I suggest you stay away from this song. The song expresses children’s desire for their parent’s approval and attention.
The singer reflects thinking maybe she is like her father but then she rejects the thought by saying “I am nothing like you”. It’s a powerful song, one that made me truly sad about my father.
20. Mother
We discussed daddy issues of a son, now it’s time we talk about mommy issues of a son. This one by Pink Floyd is an emotional number about a controlling mother and her son.
The protagonist, Pink, has abandonment issues which are shown in this song. The themes of this song convey a deep desire for maternal love and care.
21. You’re Gonna Miss This
This song by Trace Adkins is about different stages of life and how time flies, in the context of parenthood and raising children. The song is about stopping and appreciating moments in life because “you’re gonna miss this” in the future and it’s very true.
You can dedicate this song to your son when you feel like they want to grow up too quickly, which is a feeling all kids go through. The song charted #1 on Billboards US Hot Country Songs in 2008.
22. He Gets That From Me
This song by Reba McEntire is a lovely tribute from a mother to her son who has the qualities of his late father. The song beautifully describes how these characteristics will take forward his father’s legacy.
This song is beautiful and tragic at the same time and I would suggest you give it a listen.
23. Just the Two of Us
This song is by Bill Withers and was co-written with Ralph MacDonald and William Salter. The song celebrates the beautiful bond between a parent and their child.
The main message of the song is to spend quality time with each other. The soft melody and lyrics make it a sweet song that was also recently popularized on TikTok as well.
24. Cat’s in the Cradle
Harry Chapin released this song in 1974 and it is a very nostalgic song for me. The song is about a father who is too preoccupied all his life for his son only to realise years later that the son turned out exactly like him.
The song is a reminder for parents to spend time with loved ones and always be there for their kids because they will grow up in the blink of an eye.
25. Love Without End, Amen
This is a country song by singer George Strait and in this track, he expresses a father’s unconditional love for his son that never falters no matter what happens. It’s a lovely song that encapsulates the bond of a father and son beautifully.
The song ranked #1 on Billboard’s US Hot Country Songs in 2020. I suggest you check it out, it will brighten up your mood!
26. Kooks
David Bowie released this song in 1971 and it’s about his son, Duncan Jones. The song celebrates the joy of raising children and how amazing parenthood is.
The lyrics are lighthearted and playful, touching upon the innocence shared between a father and son. I would recommend you to check out this joyful track, it will make your day, especially if you have a son and can relate to it!
27. Sail To The Moon
Radiohead’s hit, Sail to the Moon, is a hauntingly beautiful song and that’s the only way I can explain it. The piano in it is exceedingly lovely but has a dark twist to it.
The song itself is open to interpretation but Thom Yorke wrote it for his son, to teach him right from wrong. He teaches him to keep a clear mind always and many other lovely lyrics are open to anyone’s interpretation of this song.
28. Like Father, Like Son
This song is by Struggle Jennings and it touches upon the problems in a father-son relationship. The lyrics convey the message that most of the time, son inherits the qualities and characteristics of their fathers.
The lyrics are very heart touching and I would recommend you to listen to this one. It is a masterpiece that highlights the impact of family history on one’s choices in life.
29. My Boy
Elvis Presley may not be my favorite person on this planet, but this heartfelt song that depicts the pride a father feels for his son for personal growth in life is beautiful. It is a lovely expression of parental love.
The song also shows a father’s anticipation for what the next step of his child will be. The song did quite well on the charts and I suggest you check it out.
30. Believe
This song by Mumford & Sons, as the name suggests, has topics of growth, and self-discovery. While it is not directly about sons, you can dedicate it to them so that it can give them advice on how to be on their own.
The song peaked at #1 on Billboard’s US Rock Airplay in 2015, making it a huge hit in many countries.
31. You
If you are a father who is exceedingly proud of his son for his growth and achievements then this song is for you. Chris Young sings about the hopes and dreams a father has for his son’s future.
It is a very touching song and the sweet melody of it makes it even more emotional. The song did well on the charts and even peaked at #1 on a few.
32. No Son of Mine
No Son of Mine is a song by Genesis which was released in 1991. The song is about dysfunctional families, mainly a rebellious son who rejects his father’s authority at every step.
The song perfectly describes the generational gap between parents and children and the different ways they have personal transformation. The song topped many charts back in the day and I suggest you give it a listen to see what the hype is about.
33. I’ll Stand By You
This song by The Pretenders conveys the love, affection, and support a parent has for their child as their kids embark on life’s journey. This song isn’t necessarily about songs, but it shows that a parent will always stand by their children no matter what.
The sweet melody and the vocals of the singer make it a favorite of mine on this list. I recommend you check it out as it is a beautiful song.
34. When You Need Me
Just like the previous song, this one is also about support and love, perhaps of a parent for their offspring. The song conveys the message that when you need me, I will always be there for you and that is a beautiful way to remind anyone of your support.
The song is by Bruce Springsteen and I urge you to check this masterpiece out, it will make your day. Make sure to forward it to your son to make their day as well!
35. Son of a Preacher Man
This song is a bit different from the others on this list as it is about a son but with a twist. It is by Dusty Springfield who sings about a boy who becomes the object of affection of another boy, who happens to be the preacher’s son.
This is about forbidden love between two gay sons and the jazzy beat of this song makes it even more interesting. The song was very popular back in the day and I understand why.
36. Mama Said
This song is by The Shirelles and before I tell you anything, I’m going to recommend you to check it out. The funky and jazzy beat of this song along with the harmonies make it the perfect song.
The song is about advice a mother gives to her children. She gives them her guidance in life and lessons on how to handle things. It is one of my favorites on this song as it has a nostalgic feeling to it.
37. The Man You’ve Become
You may already know this song as it is an iconic mother-son dance song for weddings. It is by No Limitz and the song conveys a sense of pride for the son, acknowledging the man he has become over the years.
It is a sweet song and I recommend you listen to this song. And perhaps even add it to your wedding list for a mother-son waltz.
38. You
Another song is named You But by another artist. This one is by Selah Sue and I love this song dearly because of the soothing and comforting vibe it has. The instrumentals are just lovely along with the soft, sweet vocals of the singer.
The song is about a mother who expresses her love for her children, singing “You are all I need”. I suggest you check out this song, it will not disappoint you.
39. Father, Son
This soft melodious track is by Peter Gabriel, who dedicates it to his son as he sings about the struggles in a father-son relationship. It touches upon the aspect of the generational gap and how communication can be tough.
40. Speechless
Alicia Keys is the mastermind behind this song that she wrote about her newborn son, Egypt. She talks about the feeling of becoming and mother and how the overwhelming feeling can make you speechless.
The song didn’t do very well on the charts and in my opinion, it’s very underrated.
41. I Got You
Ciara wrote this song about one of her sons, or maybe all of them. It expresses the deep maternal love and care a mother has for her son and the fact that she will be with him through everything.
The harmonizing is extraordinary in this song and I suggest you check it out.
42. Letter To My Son (Call Your Father)
Rapper DMX wrote this song for her son but it is not a confession of love he has for him. Rather it is about the complex relationship he has with his son and how he has a desire to reconcile with him.
There is a sense of regret in the rapper’s voice as he spits lyric after lyric and I recommend you to not listen to this song if your father never apologized to you.
43. My Boy
This song by Elvis Shane has a very different story behind it. Elvis reportedly wrote this song after he saw a social media post about a father that said “I don’t have a stepson, I have a son that was born before I met him”.
The song expresses the love and pride a father has for his son and it is a very sweet song.
44. My Wish
When you listen to this song by Rascal Flatts, it sounds like a letter a parent would give to their child on graduation day. The parents seem to be wishing that their son’s dreams and goals come true.
45. Daddy
This song by Coldplay was written by Chris Martin on tour when he was away from his family for a long time. The song is about a son and his absent father and it is very emotional so I recommend you think twice before listening to this.
46. You’ll Be In My Heart
If you have seen the movie Tarzan, then you most definitely have heard of this song by Phil Collins. It expresses the love a mother has for her son and it’s so heart-touching, I remember shedding a few tears when I first heard it.
47. To Zion
If you want a song that shows the reality of having a son then you should check this one out by Lauryn Hill. it talks about the challenges of motherhood and how a mother decided to put her son before her career.
Tlauryn did not plan the pregnancy, which can be seen in the lyrics. And people told her to think about her career but she chose to listen to her heart and have her son instead.
48. 93 Million Miles
In this song by Jason Marz, the singer recalls the words of her mother that she said to him. She tells her son that wherever he goes, he can always come home and that is a lovely way to show your support to your children.
49. Sweet Child O’ Mine
This song is from the movie, Captain Fantastic, in which a father decides to raise his 6 children in the wilderness, alone. It shows the feelings of love, care, and support in familial bonds.
I recommend you listen to this tender and sweet song.
50. You Will Always Be My Son
This song by Anthem Lights is a classic father-son song. The singer tells his son in the song that no matter what, he will always be his child. It’s a cute way to show your love and support for your son as it is important to remind them.
FAQs
What song can a mother dedicate to her son?
There are many songs you can choose from to dedicate to your son. Some of them are “To Zion”, “You”, “Ill Stand By You”, “I Got You”, “He Gets That From Me”, and “I Hope You Dance”.
How did Eric Clapton lose his son?
The singer lost his 4-year-old son, Connor, in 1991 in a very tragic way as he fell from the 53rd window of a New York City apartment that belonged to a friend of Connor’s mother.
What is the best song that a father can dedicate to his son?
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) by John Lennon is the best choice when it comes to dedicating a song to your son. It captures the love a father has for his son beautifully.