tunedforyou

Mother son dance songs for the wedding

31 songs · Updated 27 September 2026

The mother son dance is often the quietest moment of the evening. She has been waiting for it for years, he is trying not to look at the guests, and the song has to carry both of them.

Below are real songs that work for it, grouped by feel. For each we note the tempo, roughly how long it runs and where to fade it, so the dance ends while everyone is still smiling.

Slow and tender

Hold hands, sway, talk quietly. These are easy for anyone.

  1. 1

    A Song for Mama — Boyz II Men, 1997

    Slow R&B made for thanking a mother. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 5 minSpotify YouTube
  2. 2

    You Raise Me Up — Josh Groban, 2003

    Starts very quiet and builds. Fade after the first big chorus if you want it short.

    about 5 minSpotify YouTube
  3. 3

    What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong, 1967

    Slow and warm, barely over two minutes. Play it whole.

    about 2.5 minSpotify YouTube
  4. 4

    Because You Loved Me — Celine Dion, 1996

    Slow ballad with a grateful feel. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 4.5 minSpotify YouTube
  5. 5

    Wind Beneath My Wings — Bette Midler, 1988

    Soft start, big finish. Fade after the chorus where the drums come in.

    about 5 minSpotify YouTube
  6. 6

    In My Life — The Beatles, 1965

    Slow and looking back. Short enough that no fade is needed.

    about 2.5 minSpotify YouTube
  7. 7

    Landslide — Fleetwood Mac, 1975

    Quiet guitar, about getting older. Slow; plays well in full.

    about 3.5 minSpotify YouTube
  8. 8

    Unforgettable — Nat King Cole, 1951

    Gentle, old-fashioned and short. Mothers of a certain age will know every word.

    about 3 minSpotify YouTube
  9. 9

    You'll Be in My Heart — Phil Collins, 1999

    From Tarzan, about protecting a child. Mid-slow; fade after the second chorus.

    about 4.5 minSpotify YouTube
  10. 10

    Somewhere Over the Rainbow — Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, 1993

    Ukulele and a light bounce. Fade when the tune comes round again.

    about 5 minSpotify YouTube

Mid-tempo and warm

  1. 11

    Simple Man — Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1973

    A mother's advice to her son. Slow rock; fade before the long guitar outro.

    about 6 minSpotify YouTube
  2. 12

    The Wonder of You — Elvis Presley, 1970

    Easy sway with a big live sound. Short; play it whole.

    about 2.5 minSpotify YouTube
  3. 13

    You Are the Sunshine of My Life — Stevie Wonder, 1972

    Light and happy. Good if you want smiles rather than tears.

    about 3 minSpotify YouTube
  4. 14

    Stand by Me — Ben E. King, 1961

    Steady walking pace everyone knows. Short and safe.

    about 3 minSpotify YouTube
  5. 15

    Forever Young — Rod Stewart, 1988

    Mid-tempo with a folk swing. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 4 minSpotify YouTube
  6. 16

    Have I Told You Lately — Van Morrison, 1989

    Slow and grateful. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 4.5 minSpotify YouTube
  7. 17

    You've Got a Friend — James Taylor, 1971

    Gentle acoustic sway. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 4.5 minSpotify YouTube
  8. 18

    Lean on Me — Bill Withers, 1972

    Steady and simple, with a clap-along lift at the end. Plays well in full.

    about 4.5 minSpotify YouTube

Or have one written about the two of you

Tell us what she did for you, the lunches, the lifts, the things she said at the right moment, and TunedForYou writes and records a song around those stories. It is yours alone, and it plays like any other song on the day.

One we made, to hear what it sounds like

A Mother's Love
2:59
mothers daycountryfemale

A Mother's Love

For Mom From The Kids

"A mother's love is like no other No one in this world like you, mother You dried our tears, you held us close You're the one we love the most..."

Write our mother son song

You tell us about them, we write and sing it, and you hear a preview before you decide.

Country favourites

  1. 19

    I Hope You Dance — Lee Ann Womack, 2000

    A parent's hopes for a grown child. Slow; fade after the second chorus.

    about 5 minSpotify YouTube
  2. 20

    My Wish — Rascal Flatts, 2006

    Mid-tempo and hopeful. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 4 minSpotify YouTube
  3. 21

    Humble and Kind — Tim McGraw, 2016

    Advice from a parent, sung slow. Fade after the second chorus.

    about 4.5 minSpotify YouTube
  4. 22

    Mother Like Mine — The Band Perry, 2010

    Gentle and thankful. Short enough to play whole.

    about 4 minSpotify YouTube
  5. 23

    The Best Day — Taylor Swift, 2008

    A grown child remembering days with her mother. Gentle mid-tempo; fade after the third verse.

    about 4 minSpotify YouTube
  6. 24

    Mama's Song — Carrie Underwood, 2009

    Written about a wedding day and a mother letting go. Slow country sway.

    about 4 minSpotify YouTube

Upbeat to finish

Popular trick: start with something slow, then cut to one of these and invite the whole room.

  1. 25

    I'll Always Love My Mama — The Intruders, 1973

    Philly soul made for mothers. Fast and fun; cut in at the chorus.

    about 6.5 minSpotify YouTube
  2. 26

    Mama Said — The Shirelles, 1961

    Short and bouncy. Good for a quick playful switch.

    about 2 minSpotify YouTube
  3. 27

    Ain't No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, 1967

    Upbeat and joyful. Let it run and bring guests in.

    about 2.5 minSpotify YouTube
  4. 28

    Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours — Stevie Wonder, 1970

    Fast and bright. A clean handover to the party.

    about 2.5 minSpotify YouTube
  5. 29

    I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) — Whitney Houston, 1987

    For mums who love a dance floor. Cut in at the first chorus.

    about 3.5 minSpotify YouTube
  6. 30

    September — Earth, Wind & Fire, 1978

    Upbeat groove that pulls everyone in.

    about 3.5 minSpotify YouTube
  7. 31

    Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond, 1969

    Builds to a singalong. Bring the room in on the chorus.

    about 3.5 minSpotify YouTube

Before the dance

Aim for two to three minutes

Four minutes is a long time with everyone watching. Choose a fade point, usually after the second chorus, and tell the DJ before the reception starts.

Ask her what she wants

Many mothers have a song in mind already, sometimes one from his childhood. It is worth asking quietly before you choose one yourself.

Check the whole lyric

Some songs that sound right in the chorus are about romance or loss in the verses. Read the full words once before you commit.

Run it once at home

Play it in the kitchen and sway through it together. You will find the long instrumental sections and agree what to do with them.

Questions people ask

When is the mother son dance at a wedding?

Usually after the couple's first dance, often paired with the father daughter dance. Some couples have both pairs start together and swap partners for the last chorus.

How long should the mother son dance be?

Two to three minutes is plenty. Pick a song you love, then have the DJ fade it after the second chorus if it runs long.

What if the groom does not want a slow dance?

Start with thirty seconds of something slow, then switch to an upbeat track like I'll Always Love My Mama or September and invite everyone to join.

Can the song be from his childhood?

Yes, and it often means more. A lullaby she sang or a song from family car trips can be the best choice, even if it is not a typical wedding song.

What if his mother has passed away?

Some grooms dance with a grandmother, aunt or stepmother, or play a song in her memory with a photo on screen. There is no wrong way to include her.

Can we have a song written just for this dance?

Yes. TunedForYou writes a personal song from the stories you share, so every line is about her and him. You hear it before you decide to keep it.

More song lists

Looking for a song written just for them? Wedding songs made to order · A song for your mom · Mother's Day songs

Or have one written about the two of you

Their name, your stories, the things only the two of you would get. Written and sung for them.

Write our mother son song