36 Birthday Songs for Mom, from a Daughter or a Son

What is a good song to dedicate to my mom on her birthday?

"A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men is the most popular song to dedicate to a mother, and "Mama's Song" by Carrie Underwood and "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift are favorites from daughters. From a son, "Dear Mama" by 2Pac is the classic. To celebrate rather than get emotional, play "Dancing Queen" by ABBA or "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang and get her dancing.

Songs to dedicate to Mom on her birthday

1. "A Song for Mama", Boyz II Men: the classic thank-you to a mother.
2. "Mama's Song", Carrie Underwood: a daughter reassuring her mom.
3. "The Best Day", Taylor Swift: childhood memories with Mom, written as a surprise for her own mother.
4. "Mother Like Mine", The Band Perry: gratitude for the mom who shaped you.
5. "Mom", Meghan Trainor: playful, with her own mother's voice on the track.
6. "Mama", Spice Girls: a 90s apology and thank-you.
7. "Because You Loved Me", Celine Dion: for the woman who believed in you.
8. "Wind Beneath My Wings", Bette Midler: for the one who carried you.
9. "You Raise Me Up", Josh Groban: lifting her up for once.
10. "Coat of Many Colors", Dolly Parton: about a mother's love that made a poor family rich.
11. "Sadie", The Spinners: a soul tribute to a mother.
12. "The Perfect Fan", Backstreet Boys: for the mom who cheered from the front row.
13. "Don't Forget to Remember Me", Carrie Underwood: for a mom whose kids have left home.

Birthday songs for Mom from a son

14. "Dear Mama", 2Pac: the most famous song a son ever wrote for his mother.
15. "Hey Mama", Kanye West: an upbeat thank-you to his mom.
16. "Simple Man", Lynyrd Skynyrd: a mother's advice, remembered by her son.
17. "I'll Always Love My Mama", The Intruders: a Philly soul classic.

Upbeat songs for Mom's birthday party

18. "Birthday", The Beatles: the rock and roll birthday anthem.
19. "Happy Birthday", Stevie Wonder: the joyful alternative to the usual tune.
20. "Celebration", Kool & The Gang: gets every generation dancing.
21. "Dancing Queen", ABBA: for the mom who still owns the dance floor.
22. "Mamma Mia", ABBA: the pun every mom expects, in the best way.
23. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody", Whitney Houston: pure joy.
24. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: instant good mood.
25. "September", Earth, Wind & Fire: perfect for a fall birthday, great any time.
26. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", Cyndi Lauper: for a girls' night birthday.
27. "Respect", Aretha Franklin: give her what she deserves.
28. "9 to 5", Dolly Parton: for the hardest-working mom you know.
29. "Good as Hell", Lizzo: a confidence boost for a modern mom.

Classic songs for an older mom's birthday

30. "You Are My Sunshine": the song she may have sung to you.
31. "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong: gratitude for a long life.
32. "Unforgettable", Nat King Cole: a classic way to say she is one of a kind.
33. "Stand by Me", Ben E. King: for the woman who always stood by you.
34. "My Girl", The Temptations: a sweet song she probably danced to.
35. "Rockin' Robin", Bobby Day: a fun 1950s singalong.
36. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: a blessing for the years ahead.

Songs for Mom's 50th, 60th, 70th or 80th birthday

For a milestone birthday, play the music from the years she was a teenager. For a 50th, that means late 80s and 90s pop; for a 60th, 70s and 80s hits like "Dancing Queen" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"; for a 70th, 60s and 70s soul and rock like "My Girl" and "Respect"; for an 80th, 1950s and early 60s songs like "Rockin' Robin" and "Stand by Me". A playlist of "her" decade turns the party into a trip down memory lane. Ideas for the day itself are in our guide to the best birthday gift for Mom.

Songs for a birthday video or Instagram story

For a short clip, choose a song with a strong chorus in the first 30 seconds: "A Song for Mama", "Mom" by Meghan Trainor, "Dancing Queen" and "The Best Day" all work. For a longer slideshow, start with childhood photos over "The Best Day" and end with recent photos over "A Song for Mama". Three songs cover about 150 photos.

Songs for Mom's birthday in heaven

If your mom has passed, her birthday can be one of the hardest days of the year. Many families play her favorite song, or a song like "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran or "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan, and share a memory together. More ideas are in our list of songs about losing your mom.

Songs about moms for every occasion

For a wedding dance, see our mother-son dance songs and mother-daughter songs. For songs about being a mom, see our songs about motherhood.

A happy birthday song written for your mom

Every song above was written for someone else. A personalized birthday song is about her: her name, the way she always answers the phone, the trips, the kitchen, the things only your family knows. It plays in minutes from a link, so you can send it in the morning or play it when the cake comes out. See our guide to a personalized birthday song for Mom.

How to create a birthday song for your mom

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, country, acoustic, soul and more.
2. Add her name, or what you call her.
3. Share three memories and what you love most about her.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page you can send her and the lyrics as a PDF.

Make her birthday song the one she plays all year: create a song and hear four previews for free.