Get Your Tissues Handy! 40 Best Mother's Day Songs to Celebrate Your Mom

It takes a truly gifted songwriter and singer to encapsulate a mother's love and the impact it has on us all, but these tunes manage to do just that. This Mother's Day, make a playlist full of songs about moms for the woman that raised you, letting her know how much you love her. Here's a launchpad with 40 of the best songs for and about mothers, with some also about missing your mom when she's not around. We're not crying, you're crying!

Best Songs About Moms for Mother's Day

Boyz II Men, "A Song for Mama"

"A Song for Mama" was written for the 1997 film Soul Food and served as the movie's main theme song. It was Boyz II Men's last top 10 single to date, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B charts. Not only are the group's signature harmonies to die for in this track, but the lyrics are so simple, so pure and so sweet that they'll make you and Mom misty: "You were there for me to love and care for me / When skies were gray / Whenever I was down / You were always there to comfort me / And no one else can be / What you have been to me you will always be / You will always be the girl / In my life for all times / Mama, Mama you know I love you / Mama, Mama you're the queen of my heart / Your love is like tears from the stars, yes it is / Mama I just want you to know lovin' you is like food to my soul."

Sugarland, "Mother"

It's hard to narrow down a lyric to this Sugarland song to point out because it's all so sweet, sentimental and heartwarming, but this particular passage about tough love is beautiful: "When you fail her, when you're afraid / And crying in the careless mess you've made / She'll make you clean it up yourself / And offer you a little help / And dry your weary eyes when you let her / But she'll look at you and know you can do better."

Related: The Best Mother's Day Quotes

Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, "The Sweetest Gift"

"The Sweetest Gift" was written in 1942, but it's Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris' 1972 cover that's most famous, and with good reason: Those voices! The song, written by J.B. Coats, is about a mother visiting her "erring but precious" son in prison, loving him unconditionally.

The Beatles, "Julia"

John Lennon wrote The Beatles' classic "Julia" about his own mother, Julia Lennon, who passed away in 1958 when she was just 44 years old.

Brandi Carlile, "The Mother"

Brandi Carlile captures the struggle of balancing one's own identity, needs and desires as an individual with the role of motherhood. Added bonus? The music video was filmed with an all-female crew.

Beyoncé, "Blue"

From Beyoncé's self-titled album, the song "Blue" is an ode to her first-born daughter, Blue Ivy, who she and husband Jay-Z welcomed after suffering a miscarriage.

Glen Campbell and Steve Wariner, "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle"

This country-rock crossover classic from Glen Campbell pairs vivid imagery of a newborn son ("He got here red, wrinkled and scared and cryin'") with a sweet tribute to the efforts moms put in: "There ought to be a hall of fame for mamas / Creation's most unique and precious pearls / And heaven help us always to remember / That the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."

The Shirelles, "Mama Said"

This girl group classic reminds us that, yep, mama's always right—especially about bad days.

2Pac, "Dear Mama"

Tupac Shakur wrote a compelling and heart-wrenching rap for his beloved single mother, Afeni, detailing his life growing up in poverty and Afeni's own struggles with addiction.

Meghan Trainor, "Mom"

Meghan Trainor features an adorable recorded phone call with her mom on this cute and catchy track from her sophomore album, Thank You.

Related: 60 Sweet Instagram Captions That Celebrate Your Mom on Mother's Day

Kacey Musgraves, "Mother"

Kacey Musgraves praises her own mother's empathy as well as showcases her own on "Mother," in which she coos, "I'm just sitting here thinking 'bout the time that's slipping / And missing my mother, mother / And she's probably sitting there / Thinking 'bout the time that's slipping / And missing her mother, mother."

Carrie Underwood, "Mama's Song"

Carrie Underwood sings this sweet song about assuring your mama—on your wedding day—that your husband will take care of you (and that you can take care of yourself), but that she'll never be replaced in your heart.

Spice Girls, "Mama"

The Spice Girls helped co-write this track from their debut album, Spice. In their book Real Life: Real Spice: The Official Story, Mel B said, "We wrote 'Mama' when I was going through a bad phase with my mum. The sentiments are really that your mum's probably the best friend that you've got. Whether she's an over-protective mother or a bit of a landmine, she probably knows you better than yourself in some ways."

Mel C added, "Mama's all about how you're such a cow to your mum when you're going through that rebellious teenage stage. Then when you get a bit older, you realize that whatever she was doing, she was only doing it for your own good. And you think: 'God, I was really horrible.'"

Kanye West, "Hey Mama"

Kanye West was incredibly close to his late mother, Donda. In "Hey Mama," he recalls their early struggles together and raps to her, "It don't gotta be mother's day, or your birthday, for me to just call and say / Hey mama, I want to scream so loud for you / 'Cause I'm so proud of you, let me tell you what I'm about to do / You know I love you so, I'll never let you go / I wrote this song just so you know no matter where you go I'm a love you."

Merle Haggard, "Mama Tried"

Let's face it: No matter how wonderful a mother is, sometimes her kid just doesn't turn out the best. In "Mama Tried," Merle Haggard assures Mama that it's not her fault she's got a bit of a wayward son.

Ray Charles, "Mother"

Ray Charles' voice shines in this ode to a mother who's passed but lives on forever in his heart.

Martina McBride, "In My Daughter's Eyes"

Martina McBride reveals in "In My Daughter's Eyes" that your mom isn't just your hero; you're also hers.

Earth, Wind & Fire, "Mom"

Known for their dance hits, Earth, Wind & Fire slow it down a bit in this mid-tempo tune that maintains a bit of their signature funk even in the lyrics: "In my life / I've always dug her."