48 of the Best Mother-Son Dance Songs—Plus, How to Choose a Tune for Your Own Meaningful Moment with Mom
With the right song, the mother-son dance at your wedding can be one of the most touching, joyful parts of the day. Choose wrong, however, and this cherished parent-child moment can be dull and lackluster, or—even worse—memorable for all the wrong reasons. Avoid any awkwardness with these tips from expert wedding planners who've heard it all: the good, the bad, and the (weirdly) romantic.
Related: The Sweetest Mother-Son Dance Photos from Real Weddings
Choose a Meaningful Mother-Son Dance Song
"It is easy to fall into the trap of picking a song that makes the audience happy, but your parent dance song should be one that reminds you of your parent, of happy times, of childhood, and of the special bond you share together," says Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events. "Think of your happiest memories with your parent, find the song that makes you both smile, and don't worry if it is not slow or traditional. If it makes you both happy go for it!"
Opt for a Fun, Upbeat Hit
This is not the time to lean into the idea that the groom is leaving his family. "A great mother-son dance is clever—maybe a bit humorous—and never, ever maudlin or mournful," says Marcy Blum of Marcy Blum Events. "The idea that this person is 'losing' their child is one that can really put a pall on the festivities."
Ultimately, the mood should be celebratory and festive, so save the tears for the toasts. "This is a time for rejoicing!" says Alia Wilson of Firefly Events. "I usually guide families to bring in more of the sentimental moments, if they wish, into their speeches, and let this moment be a bit more about the joy."
Select a Song with an Appropriate Message
Songs that celebrate the love between a mother and son—without drifting into romance—are better choices than those that tend toward the passionate. "I would leave anything that could easily be read as romantic off the table. Like so many things in life, you know it when you see it—or in this case, hear it!" says Wilson.
Instead, look for mid-tempo classics to keep the party moving. "I think emotional, slow songs might be best reserved for the newly married couple," says Wilson. "Make sure it's a song that you both feel familiar with and are comfortable dancing to." (One firm rule from all our experts: Skip anything with explicit lyrics and unsavory references.)
Make It Personal
Don't hesitate to infuse your own personality into this moment—even if you choose a well-known song. "One of our grooms started his mother-son dance with a popular slow song, 'A Song for Mama' by Boyz II Men, and then had the DJ switch it up to a line dance called 'Bikers Shuffle' that he and his mom love dancing to," says Yodit Gebreyes Endale of Favored by Yodit. "It was so fun and personal and everyone loved it because it really set the tone for the party. Any song that brings smiles as the groom and mother of the groom take the dance floor is a win in my book."
Related: When Should the Parent Dances Take Place During the Wedding Reception?
The Best 48 Songs for a Perfect Mother-Son Dance
We asked our experts to recommend their favorite mother-son dance songs in a broad range of categories—the classics, the uptempo, the sentimental, and the unexpected—and genres, and then turned to the pros at Apple Music to rank their popularity over the last year. Let one of these vetted hits inspire your own dance-floor debut with Mom.
"Landslide," by Fleetwood Mac
"Stand By Me," Ben E. King
"Time After Time," by Cyndi Lauper
"Dear Mama," by 2Pac
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow," by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
"Home," by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
"Lovely Day," by Bill Withers
"In My Life," by The Beatles
"What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong
"Respect," by Aretha Franklin
"I Hope You Dance," by Lee Ann Womack
"I Want to Hold Your Hand," by The Beatles
"Just to See You Smile," by Tim McGraw
"You're My Best Friend," by Queen
"Get the Party Started," by P!nk
"Dancing In the Moonlight," by King Harvest
"Hero," by Mariah Carey
"My Wish," by Rascal Flatts
"Raspberry Beret," by Prince
"Born to Be Wild," by Steppenwolf
"It Takes Two," by Rob Base
"A Song for Mama," by Boyz II Men
"Forever Young," by Rod Stewart
"You Raise Me Up," by Josh Groban
"Two of Us," by The Beatles
"How Sweet It Is," by James Taylor
"You Are the Sunshine of My Life," by Stevie Wonder
"You've Got a Friend," by Carole King
"Teach Your Children," by Crosby Still and Nash
"Days Like This," by Van Morrison
"Three Times a Lady," by The Commodores
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," by Cyndi Lauper
"Have I Told You Lately," by Van Morrison
"Mom," by Meghan Trainor (feat. Kelli Trainor)
"Loves Me Like a Rock," by Paul Simon
"Nothing Can Change This Love," by Sam Cooke
"Take Your Mama," by Scissor Sisters
"Your Song," by Alessandro Safina & Ewan McGregor
"That's How Strong My Love Is," by Otis Redding
"You Are My Sunshine," by Johnny Cash
"Because You Loved Me," by Céline Dion
"Born At the Right Time," by Paul Simon
"I'll Always Love My Mama," by The Intruders
"Someone to Watch Over Me," by Amy Winehouse
"I'll Be There for You," by Boyce Avenue
"A Mother's Love," by Kem
"Sweet Child O' Mine," by Luna
"Higher and Higher," by Jackie Wilson
