The mother and son dance is often one of the most tender and touching traditions of the wedding reception. As such, a great mother son wedding song often contains sentimental lyrics and a slow tempo so that the groom and his mother can enjoy the moment.
Here are some sweet songs that capture perfectly the emotion of the mother and son dance. (For brides who wish to share a mother and daughter dance with their mom, see this list for a few suggestions.)
1. Dixie Chicks: "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)"
No mother can make it through this song with dry eyes -- it's that emotional, with lots of references to childhood nostalgia (including "Goodnight Moon," Superman, and bedtime prayers) that will be familiar to virtually anyone.
2. Roberta Flack: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
While originally written by Ewan MacColl for his soon-to-be wife, Flack's version is slower and more sentimental. The song has been covered by a variety of artists, including Johnny Mathis, Celine Dion, Mel Torme and others, so there is sure to be one that Mom enjoys.
3. Eva Cassidy: Songbird
A gentle melody and lyrics that are sweet without being overly sappy make this a wonderful choice for many mothers and sons.
4. Lee Ann Womack: "I Hope You Dance"
This song became an extremely popular choice for mother and son dances circa 2000-2001, when it swept the various country music awards shows, and remains familiar to most who hear it. The lyrics perfectly describe a mother's wishes for her son as he grows.
5. Jason Mraz: The Rainbow Connection
Practically everyone is familiar with Kermit the Frog's classic from 1979's "The Muppet Movie," and many grooms today may recall singing it with their moms. Many artists have covered the song, but Mraz's gentle, almost beachy version is among the best.