Rock Mother Son Songs: Trending Hits for a Wedding Dance

The mother-son dance at wedding receptions is a special moment for a mother and her love for her son. For rock fans, it can be not easy to find songs that fit both your music likings and what your Mom will dance to.

Below you will discover a great variety of rock mother-son songs from pop-rock to hard rock, including fast and slow tempos.

Mother and song rock songs

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of rock songs for the mother and son dance. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s couples.

  1. “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
  2. “Days Like This” by Van Morrison (1995)
    • “Days Like This” by Dermot Kennedy
  3. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac (1975)
  4. “In My Life” by the Beatles (1965)
  5. “Simple Man [Acoustic]” by Shinedown (2003)
  6. “Teach Your Children” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1969)
  7. “Sweet Child ‘O Mine” by Guns ‘N’ Roses (1987)
  8. “Do I Make You Proud” by Taylor Hicks (2006)
  9. “Thank You, Mom” by Good Charlotte (2000)
  10. “Forever Young” by The Pretenders (1994)

93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz

Released in 2012 on the album Love Is A Four Letter Word

A song that tells you that home is where you are – Earth is 93 million miles from the sun and you can always come back home.

Lyrics to know:

Oh, my beautiful mother
She told me, son in life you’re gonna go far
If you do it right you’ll love where you are

Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks

Released in 2006 on the album Taylor Hicks

From the American Idol winner, a song from a child to a parent asking if they make them proud.

Lyrics to know:

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

Simple Man (Acoustic) – Shinedown

Released in 2003 on the album Leave A Whisper

An acoustic cover of the Lynyrd Skynrd song. A song about taking life as it comes and being who you are – a message from a mom to her son.

Lyrics to know:

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

Letter To My Mother – Edwin McCain

Released in 2001 on the album Far from Over

A song from the voice of a son letting his mother know that he loves her. The song describes a mom that is no longer there as an adult but he is thankful to his mom for giving him life.

Lyrics to know:

I love you, Mama
But I want to tell her too
Is that her little boy still loves you

Thank You, Mom – Good Charlotte

Released in 2000 on the album Good Charlotte

A song is a dedication from a child to his mom letting her know that he is thankful for the way he raised her and he loves her.

Lyrics to know:

You were there to let us know that we’d get through
You showed me how to be a man
You taught me how to understand the things people do
You showed me how to love my God

Thank You for Loving Me – Bon Jovi

Released in 2000 on the album Crush

A song letting someone know that because of how they took you under their wing and supported you you were able to survive and thanking them for loving you.

Lyrics to know:

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn’t see

With Arms Wide Open – Creed

Released in 1999 on the album Human Clay

The song is from the perspective of a parent that you will love your child and show them the world.

Lyrics to know:

I’ll show you love
I’ll show you everything
With arms wide open

When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen

Released in 1998 on the album Tracks

A song about being there for someone in a time of need.

Lyrics to know:

If you miss me, I’ll be there
To brush the sunlight from your hair
I’ll be there to guide you when trouble walks beside you
If you need me I’ll be there

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Sheryl Crow

Released in 1998 on the album The Globe Sessions

A slower cover of the song made famous by Guns ‘N’ Roses. Even though the song is about a lover, many take the song lyrics literally and take it to be about a parent-child relationship.

Lyrics to know:

And now and then when I see his face
It takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I’d probably break down and cry

Days Like This – Van Morrison

Released in 1995 on the album Days Like This

A song about how every day will not be perfect but to focus on the good days. It even mentions his mom talking to him.

Lyrics to know:

When no one’s in a hurry there’ll be days like this
When you don’t get betrayed by that old Judas kiss
Oh my mama told me there’ll be days like this

Wildflowers – Tom Petty

Released in 1994 on the album Wildflowers

Lyrically the song could be interpreted as a song from a parent to a child that they should go out and explore the world and that you are proud of them.

Lyrics to know:

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

Forever Young – The Pretenders

Released in 1994 on the album Last of the Independents

The song was originally released by Rod Stewart. The song was written as a dedication from Stewart to his kids.

Lyrics to know:

May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
And may you stay
Forever young

I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders

Released in 1994 on the album Last of the Independents

A song about being there for someone in a time of need and protecting them.

Lyrics to know:

And when, when the night falls on you, baby,
You’re feeling all alone, you’re wandering on your own,
I’ll stand by you

Mama, I’m Coming Home – Ozzy Osbourne

Released in 1991 on the album No More Tears

The song is about getting your life straightened out and leaving all the craziness behind.

Lyrics to know:

I’ve seen your face a hundred times
Every day we’ve been apart
I don’t care about the sunshine, yeah
‘Cause mama, mama, I’m coming home

Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

Released in 1991 on the album Metallica

The song is about a special bond between two people and that no matter what happens they will always have each other.

Lyrics to know:

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Your Mama Don’t Dance – Poison

Released in 1988 on the album Open Up and Say… Ahh!

The song is about a kid who lives a sheltered life and it is time to party!

Lyrics to know:

Your mama don’t dance and your daddy don’t rock and roll
When evening rolls around and it’s time to go to town, where do you go?
To rock and roll

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

Released in 1987 on the album Appetite for Destruction

Even though the song is about a lover, many take the song lyrics literally and take it to be about a parent-child relationship.

Lyrics to know:

And now and then when I see his face
It takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I’d probably break down and cry

You’re My Best Friend – Queen

Released in 1979 on the album Live Killers

A special song between a mom and her son that has a special love and friendship.

Lyrics to know:

You’re my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you

Dog and Butterfly – Heart

Released in 1978 on the album Dog & Butterfly

A song about the innocence of youth and the feeling of being free and trying to obtain your dreams.

Lyrics to know:

We’re getting older the world’s getting colder
For the life of me, I don’t know the reason why
Maybe it’s livin’ making us give in
Hearts rolling in taken back on the tide
We’re balanced together ocean upon the sky

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

Released in 1977 on the album Slowhand

Typically a love song between a couple. However, this song could be interpreted as a special dedication to your mom and how beautiful she is.

Lyrics to know:

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize how much I love you

Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel

Released in 1977 on the album The Stranger

A song about loving someone for who they are and how amazing they are.

Lyrics to know:

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change ’cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are

Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

Released in 1975 on the album Fleetwood Mac

Even though the song was written about Stevie Nick’s relationship with her father, it could also be your relationship with your mother.

Lyrics to know:

Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Tip

If you are here you must love rock music. See a list of rock music for your wedding ceremony and reception.

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

Released in 1974 on the album I Can Stand a Little Rain

A song that could be played for a mother from a child to remind her that you think she is beautiful and a wonderful person.

Lyrics to know:

You are so wonderful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me

Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Released in 1973 on the album (Pronounced ‘Lih-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)

A song about taking life as it comes and being who you are – a message from a mom to her son.

Lyrics to know:

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

Your Mama Don’t Dance – Loggins & Messina

Released in 1972 on the album Loggins and Messina

The song is about a kid who lives a sheltered life and it is time to party!

Lyrics to know:

Your mama don’t dance and your daddy don’t rock and roll
When evening rolls around and it’s time to go to town, where do you go?
To rock and roll

Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Released in 1970 on the album Déjà Vu

The song describes being happy and loving letting both parent and child be who they are without trying to fix what is not broken.

Lyrics to know:

Teach your parents well,
Their children’s hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick, the one you’ll know by

Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles

Released in 1969 on the album Abbey Road

The song can be interesting as a new beginning and for the hope of what is to come.

Lyrics to know:

Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Tip

See a complete list of popular mother son dance songs by genre.

Sweet Thing – Van Morrison

Released in 1968 on the album Astral Weeks

The song is about a feeling you have for another and how they take away all of your pain.

Lyrics to know:

And I will raise my hand up
Into the nighttime sky
And count the stars
That’s shining in your eye

Your Mother Should Know – The Beatles

Released in 1967 on the album Magical Mystery Tour

The song is a tribute to mothers and to realize that she does know more than you think.

Lyrics to know:

Let’s all get up and dance to a song
That was a hit before your mother was born
Though she was born a long long time ago
Your mother should know

With A Girl Like You – The Troggs

Released in 1966 on the album From Nowhere

A song about a guy being so infatuated with a girl across that room that he is afraid to ask to dance.

Lyrics to know:

So before this dance has reached the end,
To you across the floor my love I’ll send,
I just hope and pray that I’ll find a way to say
Can I dance with you

I’m Happy Just To Dance With You – The Beatles

Released in 1964 on the album A Hard Day’s Night

If you are looking for a mid-tempo non-lovey song to dance to with your mother, then this fits.

Lyrics to know:

Just to dance with you
Is everything I need
Before this dance is through
I think I’ll love you, too

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Do you have a favorite rock mother and son dance song? Please share your song below in the comments.

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Beth
Beth
2 years ago

Looking for a mother-son song that starts out slow and ends rocking and rolling. Or two songs that could be played to start slow and then end upbeat.

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
2 years ago
Reply to  Beth

Hi Beth, I would suggest speaking to your DJ and combining 2 songs that are special to you of your choosing. Hope this helps.