Wedding Music Help

Mother–Son Wedding Dance Songs

Songs for the mother-son dance — heartfelt, fun and everything in between. Plus a full list of general parent dance songs.

The mother-son dance honours one of the most important transitions in the groom's life — from his family of origin to his new family. It's also one of the most tender and tear-inducing moments of the reception. Whether the relationship between a groom and his mother is deep and emotional or fun and playful, there's a perfect song to capture it.

The key is to match the song to the actual relationship — not to what a mother-son dance is supposed to feel like. A fun, lighthearted song for a fun, lighthearted relationship is infinitely more moving than a generic ballad that doesn't reflect either of them.

Tip: Consider combining the father-daughter and mother-son dances. Both sets start dancing at the same time to one song, and then halfway through (or at the end) the partners swap — the bride dances with her new father-in-law and the groom with his new mother-in-law. This is inclusive, efficient, and often very moving.

Mother–Son Wedding Dance Songs

Heartfelt songs for the dance between a groom and his mother.

SongArtistWhy It Works
A Song for MamaBoyz II MenDeeply heartfelt R&B tribute to mothers
All To YouDJ KeoBeautiful and tender
I Hope You DanceLee Ann WomackUplifting and hopeful — works perfectly here
Child of MineCarole KingTender and timeless
My WishRascal FlattsA parent's hopes for their child
Thank You MomGood CharlotteHeartfelt punk-pop tribute
Loves Me Like a RockPaul SimonWarm and nostalgic
Ordinary MiracleSarah McLachlanBeautiful and moving
Sweet Child O' MineSheryl CrowGentle version of the rock classic
Beautiful BoyJohn LennonJohn Lennon's love letter to his son
I'll Always Love My MamaThe IntrudersClassic soul tribute
MamaThe Spice GirlsFun and nostalgic — great for a lighthearted moment
The Perfect FanBackstreet BoysHeartfelt pop tribute to mothers
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)Dixie ChicksAchingly tender
You and Me Against the WorldHelen ReddyClassic and moving
In My Mother's EyesWillie NelsonCountry classic
Beautiful BoyJohn LennonTimeless parental love

General Family & Parent Dance Songs

Songs that work for any parent dance — or for a combined parents dance including all four parents.

  • Miracle — Celine Dion
  • If I Could — Celine Dion
  • The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Roberta Flack or George Michael
  • Forever Young — Rod Stewart
  • Forever Young — Alphaville
  • Greatest Love of All — Whitney Houston
  • Hero — Mariah Carey
  • In My Life — The Beatles
  • I Turn to You — Christina Aguilera
  • I Just Called to Say I Love You — Stevie Wonder
  • I Hope You Dance — Lee Ann Womack
  • Close to You — The Carpenters
  • Because You Loved Me — Celine Dion
  • Blessed — Elton John
  • Memories — Elvis Presley
  • Stand by Me — Ben E. King
  • Sunrise Sunset — Fiddler on the Roof
  • There You'll Be — Faith Hill
  • Through the Years — Kenny Rogers
  • Unforgettable — Nat King Cole
  • What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong
  • Wind Beneath My Wings — Bette Midler
  • You Are the Sunshine of My Life — Stevie Wonder
  • You Raise Me Up — Josh Groban or Westlife
  • You've Got a Friend — James Taylor
  • We Are Family — Sister Sledge