Top 10 Best Mother/Son Wedding Dance Songs
#10: “Sweetest Devotion” (2015) Adele
If you're a mom searching for the perfect mother son dance song, might we suggest this number from Adele's "25" album? The British songstress sings about her love for her boy Angelo, and the meaning he's brought to her life. You can even hear little Angelo at the top and end of the song if you listen closely. The lyrics will take you back to the first time you set sights on your kid. They’ll surely remind you of the explosion of love you felt that has never subsided. It's a beautiful melody and a fitting declaration of a mother's love that's certain to tug on all of your guests' heartstrings.
#9: “The Best Day” (2008) Taylor Swift
Top 20 Best Father/Daughter Wedding Dance Songs
Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more upbeat that pays tribute to your loving and supportive mother. Well, Taylor Swift’s got you covered. Featured on her “Fearless” album, Swift penned this gentle country song in honor of her mom. It’s about the times they’ve spent together and how her mom has always been there to lift her up. It’s so pure and heartfelt that it’ll undoubtedly leave you, your mother, and your guests teary-eyed. The singer also praises her father and brother. So, while the father-son or sibling dance hasn’t quite become mainstream yet, it’s a great way to show you’re thinking about them too.
#8: “Sweet Child o' Mine” (1999) Luna
Izzo Blues Coalition - Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson Cover)
Your guests would likely be surprised if Guns N' Roses started blasting over this special moment — or maybe that’s totally your vibe. In that case, you do you. But we had Luna’s stripped back, soft and sentimental cover in mind. The mellow melody draws attention to the lyrics, which could easily be about a parent-child dynamic. We’d also argue that it’s a little easier to dance to this version without ending up with whiplash on your big day. Plus, it’s just a little different from the songs you’d typically hear. But if you want something midtempo, between the rock song and gentle ballad, Sheryl Crow’s version should hit the spot.
#7: “The Wish” (1998) Bruce Springsteen
Top 10 Father/Daughter Wedding Dance Songs
This track is a good option if you’re in the mood for something sentimental. Springsteen reportedly wrote it about his mother, Adele, who bought him a guitar even though the family was strapped for cash. We’d recommend listening closely to the lyrics, as they’re a stunning ode to a deserving mom. He even mentions how she encouraged him to propose to his girlfriend at one point. And the track ends with Springsteen telling her how special she is to him. If you can’t think of the right words to describe what your mom means to you, let Springsteen do the talking, or singing. You just focus on whisking her around the dance floor!
#6: “The One Thing” (2014) Shakira
Top 10 Best Dance Songs of All Time
Your little boy is all grown up and about to embark on a new chapter with the love of his life. What better way to celebrate that than with an uptempo song reminding him that he’s the light of your life? The track is about her son Milan, and her love shines through the rhythm. Any mom will relate to the lyrics, which effortlessly capture what it means to raise a child. The song is a stirring celebration of the parent-child relationship set to a bubbly and captivating melody. Your guests will be toe-tapping along while wiping tears from their eyes.
#5: “My Wish” (2006) Rascal Flatts
Top 20 Best Wedding Songs of All Time
There’s no love comparable to a mother’s, and this song illustrates that perfectly. With a slow and sweet melody that practically calls you to the dance floor, the earnest lyrics are about wanting the best for a loved one. You can almost imagine your mom saying these exact words, and chances are that at some point, she probably has. Just picture it now, mother and son gracefully gliding around the dance floor to this moving and heartfelt number. Your eyes are welling up already, aren’t they? And you’re probably not the only one. It’s hardly a surprise that “My Wish” has become such a popular choice for these intimate moments.
#4: “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1972) Stevie Wonder
Top 10 Modern Wedding Songs
What’s a wedding party without a little Stevie Wonder? This tune, arguably the jazziest we’ve mentioned so far, is perfect for mothers and sons looking for something lively to dance to. The lyrics mention the sunshine of your life, the apple of your eye, and staying forever in that person’s heart. So we can’t think of a more fitting sentiment to define the mother son dance. Rather than delicately floating around the dance floor, we envision more brisk twirling and maybe one or two choreographed surprises. The song is about being with the person you love unconditionally, so you might as well have some fun with it.
#3: “You'll Be in My Heart” (1999) Phil Collins
Top 20 Best Dance Songs of the 80s
This Academy Award-winning track was initially written as a lullaby for Collins’ daughter, Lily. Straight from the heart and totally breathtaking, “You’ll Be in My Heart” manages to be total fire while still striking us in the feels. The tune’s magnetic, and the lyrics describe an incomparable love that only a parent can understand. Probably best known from Disney’s “Tarzan,” it also celebrates all kinds of families. Its message, at least in the movie, is that you don’t have to share genetics to be a loving parent. Given its universal narrative and mesmerizing melody, we can’t think of a better song to celebrate love and family.
#2: “93 Million Miles” (2012) Jason Mraz
Top 10 Classic Wedding Songs
Found on Mraz’s “Love Is a Four Letter Word” album, this song celebrates the notion that “home is where the heart is.” It seems like for the songwriters – and anyone who chooses to dance to this number – their heart is their mom. Indeed, it’s a beautiful piece from a loving son to a mother and father. It details how no matter where life takes you, your parents will always be there waiting with open arms. Who could possibly resist such meaningful lyrics? Plus, the melody will make you want to stop whatever you’re doing and give your mom a great big hug. It’s sweet, touching, and the perfect tribute. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “God Made You Beautiful” (2013), Beyoncé There’s Nothing Stronger Than a Mother’s Love “I Got You” (2015), Ciara Your Mom’s Got You on the Dance Floor and in Life “Dear Mama” (1995), 2Pac Surprise Your Guests with Some Sentimental 2Pac in Your Setlist “Unforgettable” (1991), Natalie & Nat King Cole A Father Daughter Duet Perfect for a Mother Son Dance “Thank You Mom” (2000), Good Charlotte You’re Never Too Old to Rock Out with Your Mom
#1: “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” (1980) John Lennon
Top 10 Hauntingly Beautiful Heartbreak Songs
If you're looking for a song that will make you and your mom hug each other even closer, might we suggest this tearjerker by John Lennon? Reportedly written for his son Sean, the song follows a comforting dad describing the utmost joys of fatherhood. It also details the feelings that come with watching your child grow up, which seems pretty appropriate for a wedding. Sure, it's written from a father's perspective, but it's nothing moms can't relate to. If you're a Beatles fan, "In My Life" would also be a great choice. However, Lennon's moving melody and stirring lyrics will create a memory that will keep you welling up way into your golden years.
