The Best 18 Mother & Son Wedding Dance Songs

Mothers and their sons share a unique and instinctual bond, one that transcends space, time and all other relationships; a never ending, unbreakable and exquisite kind of love. A bond that begins during pregnancy with anticipation and dreams, one which continues to build throughout childhood, with an ever growing love and devotion, a love that remains even after a son marries and leaves home, taking with him that eternal bond between mother and son.

When a son finds that one and only, special someone, and it comes time for him to marry, the bond between mother and son will change, new dreams will be fulfilled and the former relationship, though it will never lessen, will be redefined.

His marriage will be a rite of passage, a time when he becomes a husband, hopefully a father, and matures as a man.

If you are looking for mother and son wedding dance songs that will honor this infinite and irreplaceable bond between mother and son, yet acknowledge this major transition in his life, you have come to the right place.

Having three sons who are individually, and at different ages, reaching manhood, and finding myself giving a lot of the thought to that special day, I have gathered together an eclectic menagerie, including classic oldies from Kenny Rodgers' “Through the Years”, to a new emotionally inspirational song by Garth Brooks, called “Mom”, along with an array of other great songs spanning both years and styles. All of these songs underscore those special feelings and are bound to touch your heart and even make you cry (tissues are optional). Each helps to celebrate the rite of passage that is the marriage and wedding day; a bittersweet moment for a mother and son celebrating their past, acknowledging and paying tribute to the future and the changes in store for both.

Here then, is a collection of my choices of the best mother and son dance songs:

I fell in love with this song even before knowing the backstory. Singer songwriter Radney Foster wrote this song for his young son after learning his ex-wife would be moving from the U.S. to Europe and taking their son. While far apart, the young boy listened to his father's song on a cassette tape every night.

This song encapsulates the magical kind of love that lives between a parent and a son.

Lyrics to watch for:

God bless mommy and matchbox cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen, " wherever we are
And I love you

"I Wish You Love" has a gentle melody and sound similar to that of Micheal Buble. Although technically written as a 'break up' song it has a beautiful sound and touches on good wishes that can apply to both mother and son.

Lyrics to watch for:

And I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love

A masterfully written, one of a kind song, which celebrates Motherhood with a tender soothing melody and deeply touching lyric. This is a personal song for country music star Garth Brooks who wrote it to celebrate his high regard for his own mom.

Lyrics to watch for:

A loving angel tender tough and strong
Come on child it's time to meet your mom

And when she's talking to you make sure you listen close
She's gonna teach you everything you'll ever need to know

This song will undoubtedly touch your heart, it is about a love so strong from a mother to her child. Origionally part of the score to the movie "Dumbo" this song is a sure fire tear jerker.

Lyrics to watch for:

you're so precious to me,
Sweet as can be, baby of mine.

This song is a real classic and for good reason, Kenny Rogers' distinctive voice tenderly reminds us that our love remains strong "through the years."

Lyrics to watch for:

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you

The sweetest days I've found
I've found with you

Here comes another classic that manages to cross the generational divide. It is a catchy tune that reminds us that good relationships involve loyalty through thick and thin, which certainly applies to mothers and their sons.

Lyrics to watch for:

If the sky, that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

93 Million Miles (which is the distance between the Earth and the Sun) is a great choice for a mother and son dance song. It is a heartfelt and vibrant song which cleverly uses the distance of the earth to the sun as a metaphor about distance and love.

Lyrics to watch for:

Oh, my my how beautiful, oh my beautiful mother
She told me,

"Son in life you’re gonna go far, and if you do it right you’ll love where you are
Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come home"

With a gentle pop and country music sound, Lee Ann Wormick shares a positive, heartfelt and emotional wish for a child about appreciating life and making the most of it.

Lyrics to watch for:

Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone

May you never take one single breath for granted

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

With her one-of-a-kind sound, Sarah McLachlan sings about how miraculous life is and how these miracles are everywhere, everyday. It is a song meant to remind us of the beauty and wonder of life. This harkens to a quote by Theodore Roosevelt who once said "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground."

Lyrics to watch for:

When you wake up everyday
Please don't throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
'Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

With its simple and touching lyrics this favorite song, written in 1939, has stood the test of time. This song works so well because it goes straight to the heart. This sweetest of versions is sung by Elizabeth Mitchell, along with a talented young boy.

Lyrics to watch for:

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away

This well loved classic, originally sung by Marvin Gay, has been covered by many artists including Kenny Rogers, Micheal Bubble and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Here, James Taylor sings his popular cover of a song about a sweet kind of love, which certainly includes the love between a mother and a son. With a smooth catchy sound, this song is easy to cherish.

Willie Nelson's distinctive voice and musicality makes for a beautiful rendition of this song about honoring a mother for all that she is and does.

Lyrics to watch for:

God's gift sent from above
One true unselfish love
I found in my mother's eyes

A feel good, catchy classic that everyone can adore, by none other than the Beatles with a message of undying love, no matter what, no matter when.

Lyrics to watch for:

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart

Words of this powerful duet are written from the vantage point of the child toward the parent. The song is a prayer put to music. In the prayer the child wishes that the parent will guide the child through the trials and tribulations of life. "The Prayer" was originally sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Botticelli and has been covered numerous times, yet this cover remains my favorite. The melody and lyrics will remain with you long after the last note ends. "The Prayer" won the Golden Globe for Best Song in 1999.

Lyrics to watch for:

I pray you'll be our eyes and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer when we lose our way

The song, 'Forever Young,' written and originally sung by Rod Stewart, is about wishing the best for your child. The cast of the TV show glee put a fresh spin on these heartfelt lyrics that will resonate with both mother and son.

Lyrics to watch for:

May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young

With his distinctive sound, Phil Collins sings about remaining in the heart of those you love, no matter what. It is a song about feeling safe, because no matter what, you are loved.

Lyrics to watch for:

This bond between us
Can't be broken

you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

No matter what, a mother will be there for her son. "Lean on Me" is an 'oldie but goodie,' updated here by the cast of Glee, about being there for those you love, even when times get tough. This popular song has a beat and lyrics that make everyone want to sing along.

Lyrics to watch for:

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load

Here Dolly Parton shares the stage with Vince Gill in a duet about undying love. The love between a mother and son will be for "always" and this duet beautifully expresses this sentiment. While Whitney Houston's version of this song received a great deal of attention, it was originally written and sung by Dolly Parton.

Lyrics to watch for:

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this I wish you love