Mother’s Day Playlist: 10 Songs About Mom

emilytan | April 26, 2012 6:00 am

What would we do without our mom? Whether she’s offering comfort via some milk and cookies, or cheering from the sidelines of the state championships, she’s always by your side — even when you don’t come home with the first-place trophy. So for all her grace and patience and hard work and most importantly LOVE, we’ve whipped up this playlist of 10 songs to celebrate the amazing woman she is.

Kicking things off up top is Christina Aguilera‘s emotional ballad and chart-topping 2000 hit, “I Turn to You.” While the song can apply to anyone who’s been there for you, no one has the strength and will to be there till the end like your mom — making this the perfect song to show your appreciation. Just make sure to be ready with some Kleenex.

Beyoncé, “Run The World (Girls)” Beyoncé’s empowerment anthem isn’t the most obvious way to say “Thanks, Mom.” But with lyrics like “Boy you know you love it / How we’re smart enough to make these millions / Strong enough to bare the children / Then get back to business”, “Run The World” toasts mama’s strength and savvy — and give her a reason to shake her groove thing. Because come May 13, we expect Mrs. Sean Carter and baby Blue Ivy will be doing just that.

Alicia Keys, “Superwoman” For the mom who not only works the 9 to 5 but also makes sure she’s home in time to help her kids with their math homework while putting dinner on the table, Alicia Keys’ “Superwoman” is the perfect song for her. A mother herself, Alicia sings: “This is for all the mothers fighting / For better days to come / And all my women / All my women sitting here trying / To come home before the sun.”

Kanye West, “Hey Mama” While some people, including President Obama, think Kanye West is a bit of a jerk, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a soft side. And this can’t be any truer than on Kanye’s track “Hey Mama,” which he dedicates to his mom, who died in November 2007. For those who want to commemorate their late mother’s memory or show her that they’re grateful for their love despite the mistakes, here’s your soundtrack.

Tupac Shakur, “Dear Mama” Another rapper with a tough exterior but a soft heart (especially for mom) is Tupac. His track, “Dear Mama” is as real as a Mother’s Day song can get. Sample rhyme: “But now the road got rough, you’re alone / You’re tryin’ to raise two bad kids on your own / And there’s no way I can pay you back / But my plan is to show you that I understand / You are appreciated.” And if Mom still doesn’t get it, maybe you can get a Tupac hologram to perform it for her.

Spice Girls, “Mama” Nothing says “girl power” like the Spice Girls. And they extended that message to their “mums” on the 1997 ballad “Mama.” The Spice Girls have taken the words out of our mouths when they sing, “I didn’t want to hear it then bu t /I’m not ashamed to say it now / Every little thing you said and did was right for me.” It’ll show your mom that even though she used to embarrass you back in high school when she showed old baby pictures to your prom date, no one could ever replace her.

Taylor Swift, “The Best Day” Sure Taylor Swift is known best her for honest country-pop breakup songs, but “The Best Day” shows that she can also sing about something other than a bad boyfriend. This song is the perfect way to thank the woman that raised you for sticking by you, especially when you were getting over a broken heart.

Christina Aguilera, “Oh Mother” Even though Christina Aguilera will be receiving props for pushing out a kid of our own this Mother’s Day, that doesn’t mean that she’s forgotten the woman who made it all possible. Her song “Oh Mother” from the 2006 album, Back to Basics, is a thank-you letter to the lady that gave her life — a song you can borrow to tell your mom the same thing.

Blake Shelton, “The Baby” Xtina isn’t the only Voice coach who made our list. Country crooner Blake Shelton makes the cut with his super sweet ode to mama ‘The Baby.” Post this song on the Facebook wall of any mom who still refers to her grown-up son or daughter as “my baby.”

Boyz II Men, “A Song for Mama” This list just doesn’t seem complete without the Boyz II Men ballad, “A Song for Mama.” Originally the theme song for 1997 film, Soul Food, the tune’s Mother’s Day appropriateness is right there in the title. The Boyz sing: “Mama you’re the queen of my heart / Your love is like / Tears from the stars / Mama, I just want you to know / Lovin’ you is like good to my soul”, which is enough to make Mom forget about her annual breakfast in bed and reach out for a big hug instead.

What big Mother’s Day ideas to have you planned for this year? Tell us in the comments below, or on Twitter and Facebook.