Image by Kristen Marie Parker. Keep scrolling to see our favorite mother-son dance songs

We’ll be the first to admit that emotional groom moments make us cry like nobody is watching, and the mother-son dance is no exception. The mother-son dance is more than just a tradition. It’s a way for the groom to thank his mother—the first love of his life—for raising him. With this in mind, we’ve curated a mother-son dance songs playlist fit for unique weddings—full of everything from sentimental classics and old school dance songs to tear-jerker new hits and music fit for any country wedding songs.

With the right music and a trusted photographer, these touching mother-son dance moments will be captured memories that will last long beyond the wedding day. As a bonus, we’ve included our favorite lyrics for every song. If listening to the options in search of the one is more your speed, then tune in to the Spotify playlist at the bottom of this post and get your planning notepad ready.

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   Image by The Times We Have.

2. Country Mother Son Dance Songs

   Mother Like Mine – The Band Perry

   Oh the wars would all be over / ‘Cause she’d raise us all as friends / Tonight would be easier / And our dreams would all be deeper / If the world had a mother like mine

   My Wish – The Rascal Flatts

   My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to / Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small / You never need to carry more than you can hold / And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to / I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too

   Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw

   Go to church ’cause your mamma says to / Visit grandpa every chance that you can / It won’t be wasted time / Always stay humble and kind

   You Are My Sunshine – Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton

   You are my sunshine, my only sunshine / You make me happy when skies are grey / You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you / Please don’t take my sunshine away

   Don’t Blink — Kenny Chesney

   Don’t blink / Just like that you’re six years old and you take a nap and you / Wake up and you’re twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife / Don’t blink / You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

   He Gets That From Me — Reba McEntire

   His curly hair and his knobby knees / The way the sun brings those freckles out / Talkin’ talk never miss a beat / Yeah he gets that from me / He gets that from me

3. What I Never Knew I Always Wanted — Carrie Underwood

4. Never pictured myself singing lullabies / Sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of the night / In the quiet, in the dark / You’re stealing every bit of my heart with your daddy’s eyes / What a sweet surprise

5. Mother Like Mine — The Band Perry

6. ‘Cause she’d raise us all as friends / And no one would ever wonder if somebody wanted them / Tonight would be easier / And our dreams would all be deeper / If the world had a mother like mine
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9. There You’ll Be – Faith Hill

   In my dreams, I’ll always see you soar above the sky / In my heart, there will always be a place for you, for all my life / I’ll keep a part of you with me / And everywhere I am, there you’ll be

   I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

   I hope you never lose your sense of wonder / You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger / May you never take one single breath for granted / God forbid love ever leave you empty handed / I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean / Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

10. Mom — Garth Brooks

11. ‘Cause there’s someone down there waiting whose only goal in life / Is making sure you’re always gonna be alright / A loving angel tender, tough and strong / It’s almost time to go and meet your mom.

12. Then They Do – Trace Atkins

    Then they do / And that’s how it is / It’s just quiet in the morning / Can’t believe how much you miss / All they do / And all they did / You want all the dreams they’ve dreamed of to come true / Then they do.

    Godspeed – The Chicks

    Godspeed little man / Sweet Dreams little man / Oh, my love will fly to you each night on angel’s wings / Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)

    Never Alone – Lady A

    May your tears come from laughing, you find friends worth having / As every year passes, they mean more than gold / May you win and stay humble, smile more than grumble / And know when you stumble, you’re never alone

    Like Jesus Does – Eric Church

    All the crazy in my dreams / Both my broken wings / Every single piece of everything I am / Yeah, she knows the man I ain’t / She forgives me when I can’t / The devil, man, no, he don’t stand a chance / ‘Cause she loves me like Jesus does

    Mother – Sugarland

    She’s your mother, you love her / There won’t be another / place like her again that you call home / She stands here to help you / there’s nothing she won’t do / As long as she’s alive / you’re not alone / you’ve got each other / That’s your mother

    Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

    The one they picks, the one you’ll know by. / Don’t you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry / So just look at them and sigh / And know they love you.

Image by The Portos.

1. R&B Mother Son Dance Songs

   A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men 

   Mama, Mama you know I love you (You know I love you) / Mama, Mama you’re the queen of my heart / Your love is like tears from the stars, yes it is

   Hero – Mariah Carey

   And then a hero comes along / With the strength to carry on / And you cast your fears aside / And you know you can survive / So when you feel like hope is gone / Look inside you and be strong

Image by Kaoverii Silva.

1. Vintage Mother Son Dance Songs For Any Mom

   Unforgettable – Nat King Cole

   Unforgettable / In every way / And forever more (And forever more) / That’s how you’ll stay (That’s how you’ll stay)

   God Only Knows – The Beach Boys

   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 / God only knows what I’d be without you

   You Are The Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder

   You are the sunshine of my life / That’s why I’ll always be around / You are the apple of my eye / Forever you’ll stay in my heart

   Moon River – Frank Sinatra

   Moon river, wider than a mile / I’m crossing you in style some day / Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker / Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way

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3. I Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin

   I run for the bus, dear / While riding I think of us, dear / I say a little prayer for you / At work I just take time / And all through my coffee break-time / I say a little prayer for you

   What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

   It’s a wonderful world / I’m just walking on air / Talk of heaven on earth / I’ve got more than my share / Haven’t got a care / Happy all day through / It’s a wonderful world / Loving wonderful you

   My Mother’s Eyes – Frankie Valli

   Just like a wandering sparrow / One lonely soul / I’ll walk the straight and narrow / To reach my goal / God’s gift sent from above / A real unselfish love / I found in my mother’s eyes

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   Image by Valerie Thompson Photography.

2. Rock n’ Roll Mother Son Dance Songs

   Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd 

   And be a simple kind of man / Oh, be something you love and understand / Baby, be a simple kind of man / Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can

   You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins

   For one so small / You seem so strong / My arms will hold you / Keep you safe and warm / This bond between us / Can’t be broken / I will be here / Don’t you cry

   The Wish – Bruce Springsteen

   I remember in the morning, ma, hearing your alarm clock ring / I’d lie in bed and listen to you gettin’ ready for work / The sound of your makeup case on the sink / And the ladies at the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustlin’ skirts / And how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work

   Beautiful Boy – John Lennon

   Out on the ocean sailing away / I can hardly wait / To see you to come of age / But I guess we’ll both / Just have to be patient / ‘Cause it’s a long way to go

   Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel

   I wouldn’t leave you in times of trouble / We never could have come this far / I took the good times; I’ll take the bad times / I’ll take you just the way you are

   Blessed – Elton John

   And you, you’ll be blessed / You’ll have the best / I promise you that / I’ll pick a star from the sky

   Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks

   This is what we dream about / But the only question with me now / Is do I make you proud / Stronger than I’ve ever been now / Never been afraid of standing out / Do I make you proud

   I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song – Jim Croce

   Well, I know it’s kind of late / I hope I didn’t wake you / But what I’ve got to say can’t wait / I know you’d understand / ‘Cause every time I tried to tell you / The words just came out wrong / So I’ll have to say “I love you” in a song

   Letter to My Mother – Edwin McCain

   Mama, how do I write the words to you / You were the only one who loved me true

   Wildflowers – Tom Petty

   You belong among the wildflowers / You belong in a boat out at sea / You belong with your love on your arm / You belong somewhere you feel free

   I Will – Matchbox Twenty

   And if you go / Take a little piece of me / Hang it by the place you sleep / And dream of me / Don’t leave

   Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

   Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’ / ‘Cause I’ve built my life around you / But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I’m gettin’ older, too

   Your Song – Elton John

   I hope you don’t mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

Image by By Amy Lynn Photography.

1. Pop Mother Son Dance Songs

   How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding

   How long will I love you? / As long as stars are above you / And longer if I can / How long will I need you? / As long as the seasons need to / Follow their plan

   I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders

   I’ll stand by you / I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you / I’ll stand by you / Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I’ll never desert you / I’ll stand by you.

   Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

   You were my strength when I was weak / You were my voice when I couldn’t speak / You were my eyes when I couldn’t see / You saw the best there was in me / Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach / You gave me faith ’cause you believed / I’m everything I am / Because you loved me

   In My Life – The Beatles

   There are places I’ll remember / All my life, though some have changed / Some forever, not for better / Some have gone, and some remain / All these places had their moments / With lovers and friends, I still can recall / Some are dead, and some are living / In my life, I’ve loved them all

   You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban

   You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains / You raise me up to walk on stormy seas / I am strong when I am on your shoulders / You raise me up to more than I can be

   The Only Fan – Backstreet Boys

   You showed me / When I was young just how to grow / You showed me / Everything that I should know / You showed me / Just how to walk without your hands / ‘Cause mom you always were / The perfect fan

   Forever Young – Rod Stewart

   May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong / Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond / And may you never love in vain / And in my heart you will remain

   Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

   Listen baby, ain’t no mountain high / Ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough baby / If you need me call me no matter where you are / No matter how far, don’t worry baby / Just call my name I’ll be there in a hurry / You don’t have to worry

   Close to You – The Carpenters

   On the day that you were born the angels got together / And decided to create a dream come true / So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

   Take Your Mama – The Scissor Sisters

   When you grow up, livin’ like a good boy oughta / And your mama, takes a shine to her best son / Something different, all the girls they seem to like you / Cause you’re handsome, like to talk and a whole lot of fun

   No Matter What – Calum Scott

   She said, “I love you no matter what / I just want you to be happy and always be who you are” / She wrapped her arms around me / Said, “Don’t try to be what you’re not / ‘Cause I love you no matter what” / She loves me no matter what

   All You Need Is Love – The Beatles

   All you need is love / All you need is love / All you need is love, love / Love is all you need

Image by Sarah Joy Photo.

Soul Mother Son Dance Songs

Days Like This – Van Morrison

When it’s not always raining there’ll be days like this / When there’s no one complaining there’ll be days like this / When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch / Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this

I’ll Be There – Jackson 5

I’ll reach out my hand to you / I’ll have faith in all you do / Just call my name and I’ll be there (I’ll be there)

Lean on Me – Bill Withers

Lean on me, when you’re not strong / And I’ll be your friend / I’ll help you carry on / For it won’t be long / ‘Til I’m gonna need / Somebody to lean on

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

When the night has come / And the land is dark / And the moon is the only light we’ll see / No I won’t be afraid / Oh, I won’t be afraid / Just as long as you stand, stand by me

I’ll Always Love My Mama – The Intruder

I’ll always love my mama / She’s my favorite girl / You only get one, you only get one, yeah / I’ll always love my mama / She brought me in this world

Mama Hold My Hand – Aloe Blacc

When I was just a little boy / I would go to play / And I would wander so far from home / That I would lose my way / Then I call my Mama to help me / And she came right away / To help me get back home, where I wanna be

Image by Nicole Nero Studio.

Solo Singer/Songwriter Mother Son Dance Songs

Home – Jack Johnson

So I, try, to understand, what I can’t hold in my hand, and where ever we are / Home is there too / And if you, could try to find it too / Cause this place is overgrown into with works in bloom / Home is wherever we are, if there’s love there too

Kind & Generous – Natalie Merchant

You’ve been so kind and generous / I don’t know how you keep on giving / For your kindness I’m in debt to you / And I never could have come this far without you

Child of Mine – Carole King

You don’t need directions / You know which way to go / And I don’t want to hold you back / I just want to watch you grow / You’re the one who taught me / You don’t have to look behind

Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon

Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me / She get down on her knees and hug me / Oh, she loves me like a rock / She rock me like the rock of ages / And loves me

Over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high / There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby / Oh, somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue / Clouds high over the rainbow, makes all your dreams come true, ooh

93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz

Son in life you’re gonna go far / If you do it right / You’ll love where you are / Just know that wherever you go / You can always come home

A Mother’s Song – Daniel Kirkley

Be faithful and be true / Show love in all you do / Then you’ll know, just how / You make your mother proud

Home – Phillip Phillips

Hold on, to me as we go / As we roll down this unfamiliar road / And although this wave is stringing us along / Just know you’re not alone / ‘Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Old Pine – Ben Howard

We stood / Steady as the stars in the woods / So happy-hearted / And the warmth rang true inside these bones

Image by With Love and Embers.

Indie/Folk Mother Son Dance Songs

Time After Time – Iron and Wine

If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me / Time after time / If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting / Time after time

Here Comes The Sun Again – M. Ward

Kingdoms and queens they all bow down to you / Ranches and ranch hands are bowing too / And I’m takin’ off my straw hat for you, singin’ / Here comes the sun again

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor

I needed the shelter of someone’s arms and there you were / I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were / With sweet love and devotion

Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel

When you’re weary, feeling small / When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all / I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough

Mother – Overcoats 

Mama, don’t you love him so? / Just wanna light the way wherever he goes / And kiss his forehead when he needs to know / He’ll have a home with you / You won’t be alone

Sweet Love of Mine (Acoustic)  – Joy Williams

Oh, my darling, sweet love of mine / I’ll hold you all through the night / I gave you your name; you gave me back my life / You’re the heart of me, oh, sweet love of mine

Oh! My Mama – Alela Diane

Oh my Mama / She took my little hand and held on tight / Oh the Mamas / Give the waters of their wells / Oh the Mamas / Give the babies this very dirt we’re walking on

The mother-son dance closely rivals the father-daughter dance for our favorite scene of the evening. Whether you’ve chosen a sentimental slow dance or a new age pop jam, you can be confident that you and your guests will cherish this perfect moment between a mom and her son. Once you’ve got this song picked—or choices narrowed down—it’s time to pick your DJ and find the perfect outfit for your dance. We’ve gathered a carefully collected list of Junebug-approved DJs for you. Just be sure to give them this list of wedding reception songs that are guaranteed to keep your guests on the dance floor!

Lastly, don’t neglect a wedding photographer to document your mother-son dance, either. At Junebug Weddings, we’re here to help you find your dream vendor team and make sure every moment is picture-perfect.

Image by Vo Photo Co