Songs For Mama: Mother’s Day Playlist

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Mother’s Day is here, and we think music should be part of your celebration of Mom. So here’s a playlist to properly get you started. 

1. “Dear Mama” – Tupac

Released in 1995, “Dear Mama” is considered by critics to be one of the best rap songs of all time.

2. “Grandma’s Hands” – Bill Withers

Withers penned this ode to his grandmothers in 1971.

3. “Hey Ma” – Chance The Rapper

“Hey Ma,” dedicated to Chance’s own mother, was released in 2012. 

4. “Superwoman” – Alicia Keys

Keys’ “Superwoman” certainly applies to every mom we know.

5. “A Song for Mama” – Boyz II Men

Originally written as the theme song for the 1997 movie Soul Food, “A Song for Mama” has become a Mother’s Day classic.

6. “Hey Mama” – Kanye West

West penned this dedication to his mother in 2005. He was devastated when she died after complications from surgery in 2007.

7. “Mama’s Pearl” – Jackson 5

This Jackson 5 song was a top-five single for Motown. It wasn’t exactly dedicated to Mom, since it encouraged Mama’s Pearl to let down her curls and give love a whirl!

8. “Mama Used To Say” – Junior

British R&B singer Junior released this pop hit in 1982 with sage wisdom from Mama about how to live his life.

9. “A Mother’s Love” – B.B. King

Blues legend King released this song on his 40th album in 2003.

10. “Look What You’ve Done” – Drake

Drake released this tribute to his mother and grandmother in 2011. The song ends with a voicemail from his grandmother, expressing how she felt about him.