Parents do so much for us, and many musicians have created songs about the special relationship between a mother or father and their child. Here are the best country songs about parents. Be ready to get emotional with these relatable hits; I certainly did!
1. “Song for Dad” by Keith Urban
Song Year: 2002
Keith Urban dedicated this sweet and reflective song to his father. In the lyrics, he sings about how he’s been noticing that he talks and acts the way his father did. He reflects on how his father treated his mother and him as a child, saying he was always kind and loving. This helped Keith become the respectable man he is today.
2. “Mom” by Country Studio Crew
Song Year: 2014
This unique song paints a picture of a baby getting ready to be born and how they’re scared to enter the world. But God assures them that someone wonderful, warm, and loving is waiting for them: their mom. It’s about how mothers love and adore their babies the moment they enter the world and give them unconditional love. Life can be scary, but everything is easier when you have a caring and loving mother.
3. “Things Dads Do” by Thomas Rhett
Song Year: 2021
This sentimental and moving song is about a child singing about the annoying and kind things dads tend to do to their children. From telling them to mow the lawn to sharing a beer to becoming a loving grandfather. Rhett sings about how these things can seem unnecessary and annoying until you become a dad.
4. “The Best Day (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2008
In this song, Taylor Swift sings about how hard it can be to be a kid, whether you’re five or 15, but how your mom will always be there to make you feel better. She tells the stories of a few tough days at school and how her mom would always turn the day around for her and make her feel loved. She says even though she was heartbroken a few hours ago, but now feels like she had the best day!
5. “parent song“ by Jeremy Zucker, Chelsea Cutler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNH5z_tK_sg
Song Year: 2021
This song is from the perspective of a child who’s moved away and talks to their parent, telling them how they miss and love them. The child sometimes gets annoyed with phone calls from their parent, but they say they’re sorry if they ever hurt their parent’s feelings and appreciate everything they do.
6. “Got It From My Mama“ by Honey County
Song Year: 2021
The lyrics talk about all the things the narrator’s mother gave to them, from a pair of jeans to the ability to hold their liquor to the freckles on their face and more. It’s a sweet song that highlights how much parents give to their children, purposefully and accidentally. The lyrics also talk about how you can always turn to your mom whenever you need support or a shoulder to cry on because she knows best.
7. “Heart to Heart“ by Toby Keith
Song Year: 1999
Toby Keith sings about a difficult child in this song who doesn’t treat his mother well. Nevertheless, his mother still loves him immensely and would do anything for him. The song is about the unconditional love a parent gives their child, even when they’re being selfish and behaving badly. It’s about the power of a loving parent and a firm hand.
8. “Daddy’s Hands“ by Holly Dun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOAjAWToYMI
Song Year: 1986
This darling song is about how comforted and safe Holly Dunn always felt in her father’s arms. When she had nightmares, he’d pray with her and she remembers his hands. She also remembers how he’d hold her mom’s hand and how he could be soft and sweet or firm and strong when he needed to be. It’s about the duality of fathers and how they can be tender and kind but can also be stoic and stern.
9. “Daddy Sang Bass“ by Johnny Cash
Song Year: 1968
Johnny Cash sings about his upbringing in this song, talking about how his family didn’t have much, but his parents always brought them together and lifted their spirits with family music sessions. His dad sang bass and his mom sang tenor, and these adorable singing sessions kept the family close together and happy, even when things were tough.
10. “Mama Tried“ by Merle Haggard
Song Year: 1968
This song is a little bit about women’s intuition, as Merle Haggard sings about his wild and reckless side and how his mother always knew he was going to be a troublemaker. She tried her best to make him a good, respectable man, but she also saw the restlessness in him. In the lyrics, the narrator admits that he ruined his own life and screwed up, despite his mom trying her best to save him.
11. “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle“ by Glen Campbell and Steve Wariner
Song Year: 1993
Another song about how children can always depend on their mothers for love and support, this tune is a tribute to all moms. The lyrics talk about how there should be a hall of fame for all the wonderful and dedicated mothers of the world who raise their children to be kind and caring, but never seem to get the recognition they deserve.
12. “I Called Mama” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2020
This simple and repetitive country song tells a quick story about the narrator receiving bad news, presumably about someone dying, and after reflecting for a while, he gives his mom a call. He realizes how much he loves her and how she’s always been his rock, so he vows to himself that he’ll call her more often just to tell her he loves her.
13. “He Didn’t Have To Be” by Brad Paisley
Song Year: 1999
This emotional song is a little different than the others on the list. In the lyrics, Brad Paisley sings about the man who raised him, his stepfather. He says he wishes he could be half the man and wonderful father that his stepdad was to him, highlighting how amazing and impactful a kind and caring stepparent can be, which often goes unacknowledged in music and life.
14. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Loretta Lynn
Song Year: 1971
Loretta Lynn has a tough childhood in poverty, but in this song, she sings about how while there may have been a lack of money in their household, there was an excess of love. Both her father and mother worked hard to ensure all eight children had everything they needed and loved them more than anything. Loretta sings about how she’s proud of where she came from and, thanks to her parents, wouldn’t wish for any other childhood.
15. “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s” by Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
Song Year: 2014
This powerful song is about how material things mean nothing when you think about how important family is. The narrator starts the song singing about how he has a truck he can’t afford and how life moves so fast that sometimes he feels like he can’t keep up. But when he goes back home and his mom opens the door and welcomes him, he feels safe and warm. He realizes that’s the life he wants and decides to leave the big city to be close to his mother.
16. “Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man” by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
Song Year: 1970
As the title implies, this song is about the narrator’s father who was a preacher. In the song, the narrator praises their father for being such a respectable and generous man, preaching the word of God and teaching people to be kind, but never asking for anything in return. Even when things for rough, everything always seemed to work out because their father believed they would.
17. “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
Song Year: 1971
Another lovely Dolly Parton song, this tune is about her mother who always looked out for her and poured love into her. Growing up, their family didn’t have a lot of money, but her mom was thrifty and resourceful, always using what they had to ensure her daughter had everything she needed, like a coat made from rags. Her mother would tell stories and teach her to be proud of where she comes from, and always made Dolly feel rich even though they were poor.
Top Country Songs About Parents, Final Thoughts
Children often don’t appreciate all their parents do for them, which is normal. But when you get older and reflect on your life, you often realize how your parents sacrificed so much so you could have everything. In all of these country songs about parents, the artists talk about how much they admire and appreciate their parents and are endlessly grateful for having them, even if they don’t show it all the time.