Ten Mother's Day Songs

For those of us whose musical tastes have a little more of a beat than The Carpenters or Celine Dion, there have to be ten songs out there to show appreciation for our Moms on Mothers Day that don't make us feel like we're swimming in syrup, aren't there?

Well rock and roll Moms, you're in luck, 'cause here are ten Mothers Day songs, that while they show appreciation for all you've done for us, don't make us nauseous. Here they are:

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On
This song is especially appropriate for the occasion of Mothers Day since Marvin Gaye died defending his own Mother back in the early 80's. The song is not really about Mothers per se, it's more anti-Viet Nam War and addressing problems in the 70's, but the lyrics and Gaye's situation make this a good Mothers Day song. The tune even opens with the words Mother, Mother.

One line goes: Mother, Mother, everyone thinks we're wrong, but who are they to judge us, just because our hair is long, you know we've got to find a way to get some understanding here today.

Elvis Presley: That's Alright, Mama
"The King" had an especially close relationship with his Mother and this was Elvis' first recording in Memphis' Sun Records studio. That's alright now Mama, anyway you wanna do.

Three Dog Night: Mama Told Me Not To Come
This song was penned by Newman. No, not the obese, obnoxious postal worker Newman from Seinfeld, but Randy Newman pre-I Love L.A. About a man in the 60's going to a wild party and getting a little more than he bargained for, the song was covered by Three Dog Night making a name for Randy Newman as a songwriter.

The lyrics are a little reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe in a way. The radio is blastin' someone's knockin' at the door, I'm lookin' at my girlfriend, she's passed out on the floor, I've seen so many things I ain't never seen before, don't know what it is, I don't wanna see no more, mama told me not to come, she said "that ain't the way to have fun, son".

What makes this a Mother's Day song? What is a mother's job after all if not to warn their child of such dangers?

Motherless Children: Eric Clapton
Ok, so the title doesn't make sense for Mothers Day, maybe at first glance, but there is a line in this Carter family written tune that goes: there's some things a Father can't understand, nobody loves you like your mother can. I shudder to think of what would have happened to me if not for my Mom in my formative years. That's the point of the song. If your Mother is alive, be thankful.

Mother And Child Reunion: Paul Simon
Well I would not give you false hope on this strange and mournful day, but the mother and child reunion is only a motion away.

The lyrics are a little ambiguous, but they sound like a nice tribute to Mom anyway. One of the first mainstream pop songs to feature a reggae beat.

In My Life: The Beatles
There are places I remember, in my life though some have changed, some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain..

Who in our lives is more of a constant than our Mothers? Girl friends and friends have come and gone, but Mom is the main connection in my life to childhood, how about yours?

Momma: Bob Seger
From the Beautiful Loser album before Seger made it big, this song is so much like my own childhood it hit home from the first time I heard it in the 70's.

I was the baby brother, I was the quiet other, and I remember Mother so well, I was the little stranger, I never was in danger, I could have had a manger, pray tell, Oh how she could control me, when I was bad she'd scold me, and I'd cry, but Momma she never told me a lie.

Have I Told You Lately: Van Morrison/Rod Stewart
Either version is good, but the song was written by Morrison. I am the only family member who inherited Mom's blue eyes. When Mom is happy, her eyes light up in such a way as to reinforce the lyric: you fill my heart will gladness, you take away all my sadness, ease my troubles that's what you do.

A Song For Mama: Boyz II Men
and you always took up for me when everyone was downin' me, you always did understand. Says it all, doesn't it?
Some of us have been fortunate enough to find good spouses, but no one loves us quite like our Mothers.

Squeezebox: The Who
Mama's got a squeezebox she wears on her chest, and when Daddy comes home, he never gets no rest, 'cause she's playin' all night, and the music's alright, mama's got a squeezebox, daddy never sleeps at night.

After all this schmaltzy stuff, you need something more catchy to lighten the mood a bit, eh?

On this Mothers Day, whether your mom is still alive or not, hopefully she is, appreciate all she did for you in your life. My sisters and I recently had to make the difficult decision to put our Mother in a nursing home.

With Alzheimers disease, and after at least three seizures, Mom can no longer remember to take all her meds and the doctors say she can't live on her own any longer, requiring 24 hour care, which we cannot provide.

She still remembers us and is adjusting to her new environment and we can rest easier knowing that she is in good hands in a nice facility. We are thankful to still have Mom around for another Mothers Day. Enjoy these Mothers Day songs and if you were fortunate to have a good mother, pay tribute to her on Sunday.