These authentic songs about motherhood, fatherhood, and parenthood in general will fill up your soul with wisdom and validation. From Beyoncé and Adele to Paul Simon and John Legend, these artists have been through the joys and struggles of parenting, and have drawn on that real-life experience to inspire their songwriting.
You can put on this soothing and empowering playlist whenever you get a moment to yourself — in the car after a chaotic school drop-off, or when the kids finally get to bed after a long day. But if your kids are around when you listen, don’t worry — these songs are appropriate for kids to hear, too!
“PROTECTOR” by Beyoncé
I will lead you down that road if you lose your way
Born to be your protector
Even though I know someday you’re gonna shine on your own
I will be your projector
With an adorable introduction by Beyoncé’s youngest daughter, Rumi, this song from Cowboy Carter serves as both a lullaby for kids and a mantra for parents about their important role in their little ones’ lives.
“Hormones” by Tracey Thorn
Yours are just kickin’ in, mine are just checkin’ out
You’re at the beginning of this tunnel, and I’m just comin’ out
And either way these days we’re not as in control as we think
You’re stampin’ up the stairs, I’m cryin’ at the kitchen sink
This song by British singer-songwriter Tracey Thorn (formerly of the band Everything but the Girl) is a touching, relatable account of going through a hormonal rollercoaster as a middle-aged mother at the same time that her teenage daughter goes through intense changes and moods of her own.
“The Mother” by Brandi Carlile
The first things that she took from me were selfishness and sleep
She broke a thousand heirlooms I was never meant to keep
She filled my life with color, cancelled plans and trashed my car
But none of that is ever who we are
Alternative country star Brandi Carlile sings a gorgeous ode to her daughter Evangeline, while weaving in some of the challenges of parenting. She references being a nonbiological mother (her partner gave birth to their kids) and illustrates the strength of their family bond even if they are at odds with societal norms.
“Daughter” by Peter Blegvad, performed by Loudon Wainwright III
Everything I say
She takes to heart
Everything she takes
She takes apart
This humorous take on parenting was popularized by folk singer Loudon Wainwright III after he recorded it for the movie Knocked Up. The original songwriter Peter Blegvad revealed that the song, which he wrote when his daughter was three, is “about unconditional commitment to the task of raising a child, but it’s also about the vanity and narcissism of the parent.”
“To Zion” by Ms. Lauryn Hill ft. Carlos Santana
“Look at your career,” they said
“Lauryn, baby, use your head”
But instead I chose to use my heart
This track off of the classic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was written about the birth of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s son, Zion. After retelling the story of her decision to have a baby, she sings about her son being the absolute joy of her world, with religious and spiritual themes.
“Young Lion” by Sade
With such a heavy burden
You had to carry all on your own
Forgive me, son
I should’ve known
Sade’s long career continues with this 2024 emotional ode to her son, who came out as transgender over a decade ago. She sings an honest apology to Izaak that she wishes she could have done more to support him, but ultimately the song is an uplifting tribute to his shining spirit as a young man.
“Gracie” by Ben Folds
One day you’re gonna want to go
I hope we taught you everything you need to know
Gracie girl
In this gracefully simple song, Ben Folds opens up about the profound meaning of being a dad, while recounting some of the little moments of parenthood, like his daughter falling asleep in his arms while watching TV.
“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
I never thought through love we’d be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn’t she lovely, made from love
This famous, catchy 1976 song about the moment that Stevie Wonder’s daughter, Aisha, was born, radiates pure happiness and positivity.
“Sweetest Devotion” by Adele
I find it funny that you’re the only
One I never looked for
There is something in your loving
That tears down my walls
This feel-good love song from the Grammy-winning album 25 is actually about Adele’s love for her son, Angelo. In it, Adele belts out earnest lyrics about how having a child opened up her capacity for eternal devotion.
“Right By You (for Luna)” by John Legend
Will you think like me? Will you have your mother’s fire?
Maybe the way we are will not be how you’re wired
Will we do right by you? Will we you have what you require
To make your days on this Earth not so dire?
John Legend opens up about his worries for the future in this ballad dedicated to his daughter, Luna. He’s honest about the weight of fatherhood and being alive in these times, but ultimately, he promises, “I will be there.”
“Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon
I’m gonna stand guard
Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever
And never leave ’til I leave you
With a sweet dream in your head
Paul Simon wrote this song for The Wild Thornberrys Movie when his daughter, Lulu, was seven years old. The comforting lyrics reassure his daughter (or the listener) of her father’s enduring love even through challenges like scary dreams, and they look ahead to her bright future.
“Too Hard” by Kurt Vile
I will promise to do my very best
To do my very best for you
And that won’t be
Too hard
This is one of the most honest songs about parenting on this list, as Kurt Vile (formerly of the band The War on Drugs) opens up about the difficulties of trying not to party “too hard,” and trying to be a better person and dad.
“Your Daddy Loves You (For Gia Louise)” by Gil Scott-Heron
Me and your mama had some problems
A whole lotta things on our minds
But lately when we look at you
We know that we’ve been wasting time
Nearly all the time
Gil Scott-Heron was a poet, musician, and activist who is considered an early influence on hip hop. The vulnerable lyrics of this song written for his daughter Gia are both a confession and an affirmation of love, underscoring how having a child can help simplify the meaning of life.
“Here for You” by Neil Young
Yes I miss you
But I never want to hold you down
You might say I’m here for you
I’ll always be here for you
Neil Young wrote this song for his daughter, Amber, when she was 21 years old and in her final year of college. It’s a poignant reminder for parents of young adults that letting go is sometimes the truest form of love.
“Blue” by Beyoncé
Each day I feel so blessed to be looking at you
‘Cause when you open your eyes, I feel alive
My heart beats so damn quick when you say my name
When I’m holding you tight, I’m so alive
Beyoncé wrote this song for her first child, Blue Ivy, whose toddler giggles grace the end of the track. It captures the pure joy of those little everyday moments of having a family, and the feeling of wanting their connection to last forever.
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