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The connection between a mother and her child is truly sacred.
And even though most mothers look forward to their son’s wedding, we can’t deny that watching their son get married is a bitter-sweet event.
The dance between mother and son is a nostalgic custom that gives the groom and his mom a chance to say their goodbyes as the groom sets off to start a new life with his wife.
Usually, when choosing a song for this special moment, you should go for tunes that describe a mother’s love and relationship with her child.
However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Depending on their personalities, you can go for a more upbeat and fun song or a personal favorite of the groom’s mother.
In all, what is most important is that both mother and son have a memorable time on the dancefloor.
Some songs on this list contain lyrics that will leave both mother and son and everyone in the room teary-eyed as they croon about the beautiful bond that they both share.
Others are upbeat and fun songs that will lighten up the moment and leave both mother and son breathless with excitement.
Best of all, this list spans different years. We’re talking classics from before the 1990s, popular songs from the 2000s, and of course, the more recent and modern vibes.
Classic Mother and Son Dance Songs
The mother and son wedding dance is a tradition that has been passed down for generations, and over time, several talented artists have written songs that embody the unique relationship between a mother and her son.
This list contains ageless classics capable of moving people to tears even now.
- I Wish You Love by Dean Martin, Lee Herschberg
- Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel) by Billy Joel
- Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel
- Turn Around by Harry Belafonte
- A Song For My Mama by Boyz II Men
- You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker
- God Only Knows by Beach Boys
- I Look To You by Whitney Houston
- All You Need Is Love by The Beatles
- The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston
- The First Lady by Paul Todd
- Roots And Wings by Anne Murray
- I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song by Jim Croce
- My Love, My Life by ABBA
- Moon River by Frank Sinatra
- Three Times a Lady by The Commodores
- Unforgettable by Natalie Cole (feat Nat King Cole)
Pop Mother and Son Dance Songs
Our pop mother and dance songs list boasts of crowd favorites like Perfect Fan by Backstreetboys and Mama by Spice Girls.
The tunes are catchy, the choruses memorable, but most importantly, the lyrics are poignant.
- Take Your Mama by Scissor Sisters
- Loves Me Like A Rock by Paul Simon
- Queen Of My Heart by Westlife
- Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
- For Your Babies by Simply Red
- Mama Said by The Shirelles
- Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
- Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
- Forever Young by Rod Stewart
- Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
- Hero by Mariah Carey
- Can’t Smile Without You by Barry Manilow
- The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
- 93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz
- Count On Me by Bruno Mars
- (They Long To Be) Close To You by Carpenters
- Find Your Wings by Mark Harris
- Your Song by Elton John
- Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
- One Thing by Shakira
- I Turn To You by Christina Aguilera
- Forever Young by Alphaville
- Baby Mine by Bette Midler
- Never Alone by Lady Antebellum
- No Matter What by Calum Scott
- How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
- There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
- The Perfect Fan by Backstreet Boys
- I’m Your Angel by R.Kelly, Celine Dion
- Kind And Generous by Natalie Merchant
- Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon And Garfunkel
- Dancing Queen by Abba
- Blessed by Elton John
- My Darling by Wilco
- Child Of Mine by Carole King
- I’ll Remember by Madonna
- Mama by Spice Girls
- Like My Mother Does by Lauren Alaina
- Thank You For Being A Friend by Andrew Gold
- Hold Up A Light by Take That
Country Mother and Son Dance Songs
Country songs are popular for their heartwarming lyrics and smooth progressions.
The songs on our list are as touching as they are uplifting with lyrics that perfectly capture the relationship between a mother and her son and the bitter-sweet feeling of seeing them settle down.
- The Baby by Blake Shelton
- Thank You Mom by Ron Dunivan
- In My Mother’s Eyes by Willie Nelson
- I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Wommack and Sons of The Desert
- Angels by Randy Travis
- Beautiful Boy by Ben Harper
- I Will Be There For You by Jessica Andrews
- Her Little Man by Jami Grooms
- My Wish by Rascal Flatts
- Wildflowers by Tom Petty
- Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) by The Chicks
- All To You by Scott Keo
- I Cross My Heart by George Strait
- Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney
- You’re Gonna Be by Reba McEntire
- Mama’s Song by Carrie Underwood
- Through The Years by Kenny Rogers
- What I Never Knew I Always Wanted by Carrie Underwood
- My Only Child by The Highwomen, Brandy Carlile, Natalie Hemby
- The Man You Have Become by No Limitz
- Longer by Dan Fogelberg
- Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
- The Best Part of Me by Lee Brice
- Twenty Years Late by David St Romain
- The Wish by Bruce Springsteen
Rock Mother And Son Dance
Here’s a compilation of great mother and son dance songs for the rock and roll duo.
- Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu by Johnny rivers
- Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
- Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds
- The Final Countdown by Europe
- Sunny by Bryan Adams
- In My Life by The Beatles
- Love Is A Verb by John Mayer
- Letter to My Mother by Edwin McCain
- Sweet Child O Mine by Sheryl Crow
- Simple Man by Shinedown
- I Will by Matchbox Twenty
- Ordinary Miracle by Sarah Mclachlan
- She Is Love by Parachute
- Higher Love by Steve Winwood
- Mother by Pink Floyd
- Mother And Child Reunion by Paul Simon
Upbeat Songs For Mother and Son To Groove
The mother and son dance doesn’t have to be slow and emotional. Depending on the kind of relationship they share, they could opt for a more upbeat danceable tune.
Check out our list of fast songs perfect for the pair who love to get down on the dance floor.
Extra Tip? Consider throwing in a choreographed dance to add some spice to it.
- Get The Party Started by P!Nk
- Jump Around by House Of Pain
- Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti And Spearhead, Cherine Tanya
- You’ll Be In My Heart by Phill Collins
- Walking On Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves
- Oh, Mother Of Mine by The Temptations
- Dear Mom and Dad by Us the Duo
- Hey Mama by Kanye West
- High Tide Or Low Tide by Bob Marley and The Wailers
- Son Of Man by Phil Collins
- You Can’t Hurry Love by Diana Ross And The Supremes
- Step By Step by Whitney Houston
- Mama by Lunchmoney Lewis
- You’re My Best Friend by Queen
- Then They Do by Trace Adkins
- God’s Been Good To Me by Keith Urban
- The Twist by Chubby Checker
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by James Taylor
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
- Just To See You Smile by Tim McGraw
Latest Mother and Son Dance Songs
Here’s a list of mother and son dance songs released in the past five years.
- Slow Down by Nichole Nordeman
- Wish I Knew You by The Revivalists
- Rescue by Lauren Daigle
- Mothers And Sons by Paul Bogart
- Mother by Kacey Musgraves
- Hand To Hold by Jj Heller
- Nobody’s Love by Maroon 5
- Mother by Sugarland
- Call My Name by Lukas Graham
- Love Me Like I Am by For King And Country
- MOM by Daniyel
- House Of Gold by Twenty One Pilots
- Mom by Donna Taggart
- I’ll Let You Go by Jessica Allossery
- Son of A by Dillion Carmichael
- Days Like This by Dermot Kennedy
- Learning To Let You Go by Jj Heller
- Ezra by Becca Vanderbeck
- I Love This Dance by Caleb Beachy
- Small Bump by Ed Sheeran
- Hummingbird by Tyler Burkum
- Boy by Caleb and Kelsey
- It Was You by Parker Millsap
- My Hero by Westlife
- Two High by Moon Taxi
- King Of The Lost Boys by Sara Bareilles
- Mum’s Sunshine, Daddy’s Rain by Drew Holcomb And The Neighbours
- I Called Mama by Tim McGraw
- Mom by Meghan Trainor, Kelli Trainor
- I Can’t Live Without My Mother’s Love by Sun Kil Moon
- Mama Said by Luke Graham
- Mama’s Boy by Ryan Griffin
- Times Like This by Mat Kearney (feat Devon Gillifillia)
- My Little Boy by Chris Jasper
- Humble And Kind by Tim McGraw
- All On Me by Devin Dawson
- You’ll Be In My Heart by Brent Morgan
Unconventional Mother and Son Dance Songs
- You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry
- Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
- Cha Cha Slide by Dj Casper
- Hey Ya! by Outkast
- Mama by Adekunle Gold
- Three Little Birds by Bob Marley And The Wailers
- Evacuate The Dancefloor by Cascada
- Where I Come From by Montgomery Gentry
- Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
- Little Secrets by Passion Pit
- Another Night by Real Mccoy
- All The Stars by Kendric Lamar, Sza
Other Great Mother and Son Dance Songs
- I’ll Be There by Jackson 5
- How You’ve Grown by 10,000 Maniacs
- Dear Mama by 2pac
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Goban
- A Mother’s Prayer by K Michelle
- Like Jesus Does by Eric Church
- A Mother’s A Love by MAJOR
- Here Comes The Sun Again by M. Ward
- I’ll Always Love My Mama by The Intruders
- Stand by Me by Ben E. King
- Mama by BJ Thomas
- Do I Make You Proud by Taylor Hicks
- Good Idea by JJ Heller
- Let Them Be Little by Billy Dean
- Home by Jack Johnson
- Mom by Lucero
- Only One by Kanye West (feat Paul McCartney)
- Oh! My Mama by Alela Diane
- God Made You Beautiful by Beyonce
- Thank You Mom by Good Charlotte
- Thank You For Loving Me by Bon Jovi
- Mother by Overcoats
- Lean On Me by Bill Withers
- I Got You by Ciara
- Old Pine by Ben Howard
- Turn To You by Justin Beiber
- Go On by Jack Johnson
- Mama Hold My Hand by Aloe Blacc
- I’ll Always Be Your Mom by Aimee Zimmermann
- Mother Like Mine by The Band Perry
- Love Something by Blessing Offor
- Everything by Matthew John
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack
- Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John
- I’ll Be There by Mac Miller (feat Phonte)
- Sweetest Devotion by Adele
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mother-Son Dance
Is the mother-son dance compulsory at a wedding?
Although not compulsory, the mother-son dance is an emotional part of the wedding reception.
This dance is a sweet and often tear-jerking tradition that allows the groom to recognize and honor his mother or mother figure on his special day.
How long should a parent-child dance last?
The mother and son dance should not be too long else it might end up feeling like an eternity on the dance floor and or even get a little awkward.
We suggest that it lasts at least 90 seconds and at most 3 minutes. Its always best to keep the moment short, simple, and sweet for a lasting impression.
If the song of your choice happens to exceed this time frame, you should consider asking your wedding DJ to create a shorter mix or fade it off so that the moment doesn’t come to an abrupt end.
Final Thoughts
The mother-son dance is one of the most emotional parts of a wedding. To make it memorable, you want to pick a song that best describes the mother-son bond they share.
Hope our list helps!