Mother-Figure & Child Dance Songs (Mom & Son)

To be more inclusive, I renamed the mother-son dance at weddings the mother-figure and child dance.

mom and son dancing at wedding
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

If you are just getting started trying to figure out what song you want played, discover the songs below based on the type of relationship you have had in your life.

Quick Tips

When picking out the song to dance the mother-son wedding dance, you must consider the following 3 factors:

1. Does the song have a special meaning to both of you?
2. Does the song’s meaning describe your relationship?
3. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the style of dance that fits best?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for the mother-son dance. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s brides. Besides the relationship type between the mother and groom, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.

Check out this custom song!

Dance With Me, Baby – Toni Becker

Favorite Lyrics: “Looking at you takes my breath away / from the moment your life began / to this strong and handsome man / On your wedding day”

The song is a love sentiment from a mother to her son. “Dance With Me, Baby” expresses all the love and emotion that a mom feels for her son as they dance for all that was and all that’s yet to be.

Dance Songs by Relationship

Celebrating Friendship

Music has a way of capturing all kinds of love, and this collection explores the beautiful bond between parents and children who are also best friends.

  • You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
  • You’re My Best Friend – Queen
  • In My Life – Beatles

Celebrating Love for Child

These songs capture the love and joy a parent feels on their child’s special day, a celebration for both of them!

  • Dance With Me, Baby – Toni Becker (See song details)
  • No Matter What – Calum Scott
  • Everything – Matthew John
  • Boy – Caleb and Kelsey
  • He’s Her Life – Waylon Nihipali
  • You’re Gonna Be (Always Loved by Me) – Reba Mcentire
  • Mama’s Hand – Queen Naija

Celebrating Love for Mother-Figure

Heartfelt songs celebrating the unwavering love for a parent, seen through the eyes of a child getting married.

  • Mother – Michael Bublé
  • All To You – Scott Keo
  • I Love You Mom – Jackson Nance
  • A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men
  • I Love This Dance – Caleb Beachy

Putting Mother-Figure in High Regard

Not all heroes wear capes. This playlist explores the powerful connection between a child and a mother figure who inspires and loves unconditionally.

  • superhuman – Bishop Briggs
  • My Hero – Westlife
  • Perfect Fan – Backstreet Boys
  • Hero – Mariah Carey
  • Mama Ain’t Jesus – Jordan Rowe, Lainey Wilson

Celebrating Being There For Each Other

These songs capture the essence of love, celebrating the journey of two people caring for each other and growing stronger together.

  • Call My Name – Lukas Graham
  • One Call Away – Charlie Puth
  • You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
  • There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
  • I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
  • Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Unexpected & Fun Songs

Looking for an energetic twist on traditional wedding music? These songs deliver a dose of fun and joy that fit perfectly into the celebration.

  • Sorry Mom – The Band CAMINO
  • Mama – Lunchmoney Lewis
  • Your Mama Don’t Dance – Loggins & Messina
  • Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon
  • I’ll Always Love My Mama – Intruders

Dedication To Child For The Future

As your child embarks on their new adventure in marriage, these songs send heartfelt wishes for a future filled with love and happiness.

  • Forever Young – Rod Stewart
  • Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
  • My Wish – Rascal Flatts
  • Simple Man – Shinedown
  • Days Like This – Van Morrison

Songs for Every Relationship

Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and these songs celebrate love and connection without limitations.

  • What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
  • Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  • I’m Happy Just To Dance With You – Beatles
  • Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Songs For A Single Mom

Hey single moms who raise your child all by yourself. These are for you!

  • Mama Was Daddy Too – Tainted Lyric
  • Mother – Pink Floyd

Dance with Stepmom

Stepmoms need to be represented too. Here are the most popular.

  • Blended Family (What You Do For Love) – Alicia Keys feat. A$AP Rocky
  • Step by Step – Brandon Davis
  • My Boy – Elvie Shane

Dance with Mother-In-Law

Sometimes in-laws are included in the formal dances. These are perfect selections.

  • The Good Ones – Gabby Barrett
  • I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
  • Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
  • Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw

Dance with Grandma

Want to include your grandma in the mother-figure dance? These songs can be mixed in nicely whether she has her own dance or cuts in.

  • Mamaw’s House – Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen
  • Grandma’s Garden – Zac Brown
  • Grandma’s Hands – Bill Withers
  • You’ll Be in My Heart – Brent Morgan

Dance with Sister

Did your sister play the role of parent in your life? Did she care for you when growing up? Here are a few wonderful hits to play.

  • Brothers & Sisters – Coldplay
  • Come Dancing – Kinks
  • Rainbow Connection – JJ Heller

New Tracks DJs Need to Know

  1. Journey of You and I – Kodi Lee (Singer-Songwriter – 2024)
  2. Sun/Son – Jhené Aiko (Soul – 2024)
  3. Mom Like You – Cade Thompson (Christian – 2023)
  4. Boy Mama – Jason Blaine (Country – 2023)
  5. Growing Up Raising You – Gabby Barrett (Country – 2023)
  6. Perfect Day – Al Green (R&B – 2023)
  7. Mama’s Do – The Dryes (Country – 2023)
  8. Raised Up Right – Riley Green (Country – 2023)
  9. Mother’s Love – Soul Payn (R&B – 2023)
  10. “Can She Have This Dance” by Drew Baldridge (Country – 2023)

Tip

It’s a good idea to listen to the lyrics and select a love song or a special song that tells your story.

Groom and mom dance at reception
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

Song Ideas by Genre

Indie

  • Sorry Mom – The Band CAMINO
  • I Love This Dance – Caleb Beachy
  • House of Gold – 21 Pilots
  • You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor

Pop

  • A Song For My Son – Mikki Viereck
  • All To You – Scott Keo
  • Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
  • Blessed – Elton John
  • Call My Name – Lukas Graham
  • Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks
  • Everything – Matthew John
  • Forever Young – Rod Stewart
  • God Only Knows – Beach Boys
  • Halo – Beyonce
  • Mama – Lunchmoney Lewis
  • Mother – Michael Bublé
  • My Hero – Westlife
  • Never Alone – Jim Brickman feat. Lady A
  • No Matter What – Calum Scott
  • Perfect Fan – Backstreet Boys
  • superhuman – Bishop Briggs
  • Sweetest Devotion – Adele
  • Thank You – Dido
  • The Man You’ve Become – Molly Pasutti
  • The One Thing – Shakira
  • What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
  • You Will Always Be My Son – Caleb and Kelsey
  • You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
  • Your Song – Elton John

Christian

  • Boy – Caleb and Kelsey
  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Alan Jackson
  • Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
  • I Will Be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman

Country

  • Growing Up Raising You – Gabby Barrett
  • He’s Her Life – Waylon Nihipali
  • I Love You Mom – Jackson Nance
  • She’s Magic – Mike Parker
  • Tell Me Twice – Chayce Beckham
  • Son Of A – Dillon Carmichael
  • Mama Ain’t Jesus – Jordan Rowe, Lainey Wilson
  • Mama’s Boy – Ryan Griffin
  • That’s What Mamas Are For – Chris Lane
  • Mama Was Daddy Too – Tainted Lyric
  • Mommas – Swon Brothers
  • I Called Mama – Tim McGraw
  • Mothers & Sons – Paul Bogart
  • Mothers – Thomas Finchum
  • Her Little Man – Jami Grooms
  • Mama’s Boy – Heidi Raye
  • Mother – Sugarland
  • Boy – Lee Brice
  • Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  • Mom – Garth Brooks
  • That’s What Mamas Do – Jason Matthews
  • Don’t Blink – Kenny Chesney
  • My Wish – Rascal Flatts
  • You’re Gonna Be (Always Loved by Me) – Reba Mcentire
  • He Gets That From Me – Reba McEntire
  • Then They Do – Trace Adkins
  • Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) – The Chicks
  • There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
  • I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
  • Mama – B. J. Thomas
  • You Are My Sunshine – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
  • What I Never Knew I Always Wanted – Carrie Underwood
  • If I Didn’t Have You – Thompson Square
  • Mother Like Mine – The Band Perry
  • The Best Day – Taylor Swift
  • God’s Been Good to Me – Keith Urban
  • Angels – Randy Travis
  • The Baby – Blake Shelton
  • In My Life – Johnny Cash
  • Just to See You Smile – Tim McGraw

Rock

  • Story Of Love – Bon Jovi
  • Days Like This – Dermot Kennedy
  • 93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
  • Simple Man – Shinedown
  • Sweet Child o’ Mine – Sheryl Crow
  • Days Like This – Van Morrison
  • Mother – Pink Floyd
  • You’re My Best Friend – Queen
  • Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
  • Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon
  • Your Mama Don’t Dance – Loggins & Messina
  • Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  • In My Life – Beatles
  • I’m Happy Just To Dance With You – Beatles
  • Letter To My Mother – Edwin McCain
  • Thank You, Mom – Good Charlotte
  • Thank You for Loving Me – Bon Jovi
  • With Arms Wide Open – Creed
  • When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen
  • Forever Young – The Pretenders
  • I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
  • Mama, I’m Coming Home – Ozzy Osbourne
  • Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
  • Your Mama Don’t Dance – Poison
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
  • Dog and Butterfly – Heart
  • Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
  • Sweet Thing – Van Morrison
  • Your Mother Should Know – The Beatles
  • With A Girl Like You – The Troggs

R&B

  • My Little Boy – Chris Jasper feat. Margie Jasper
  • Mama’s Hand – Queen Naija
  • Mother’s Love – KEM
  • A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men
  • Hero – Mariah Carey
  • Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
  • Three Times A Lady – Commodores
  • I’ll Always Love My Mama – Intruders
  • You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
  • I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
  • Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Do you have a favorite mother-figure dance song, not on my list? Please share it below so that we can add your song!

Fun Facts

Typically the groom or the mother of the groom will select the song for the mother-son dance.

At a typical wedding, there is no formal dance for the groom to dance with his new mother-in-law.

However, the groom can dance with her during the dancing part of the reception to signify their new family bond.

If the dance is important to the wedding couple, you could choose to have an in-law dance where the bride dances with her new father-in-law and the groom dances with his new mother-in-law.

See our list of in-law dance songs.

Families have complex relationships these days. That’s okay. Same-sex couples can choose to dance with the family member of their choice: mother, or mentor.

A better way for stepmothers is to have a second song. Estranged family members can have stand-ins. You can even dance with your in-laws if you wish for a sweet moment on your special day.

Grooms, if you have more than one mother in your life, there are options.

One can tap the other on the shoulder in the middle of the dance so you can dance with both of your moms. You may even want a sweet song for each.

Talk about it with your professional wedding planner or DJ.

No matter if the mom is the mother to one of the wedding couples or if she is the bride, many songs describe the love and bond between a mother and her son.

Just be sure to listen to the lyrics when selecting a song that describes your life journey with your son.

If one of the wedding couple’s parents is no longer living, you can adapt or skip the Mother-Son Dance.

This is an emotional decision, for sure. If your new spouse will dance with her father, then you’ll certainly want to have your time to shine.

Perhaps your mom passed away or you are estranged. If your mother isn’t alive, a common substitute is a mother figure.

Many of us have those people in our lives. Your sister or aunt would make a very nice gesture See our list of sister-brother songs.

If this dance is too painful because of a recent loss or estrangement, you can skip the Mother-Son Dance.

It’s your celebration. Talk to your wedding planner; they are experienced with this delicate relationship.

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