Life
LISTEN: The ultimate Mother’s Day playlist to show your deepest love and gratitude to her
By NICK GARCIA
May 11, 2025
You may already have that bouquet, cake, designer bag, jewelry, or envelope of cash at the ready, but you can also count on priceless gifts to bring joy to the moms and mother figures in your life—for one, a thoughtful playlist that shows your deepest love and gratitude to them.
Here are PhilSTAR L!fe’s chosen songs for our mama, mommy, nanay, lola, and other maternal figures who make our respective worlds a better place.
Good as Hell by Lizzo
This song oozes with confidence and soul. The sax, the piano, the snaps, the drums. It gives images of a hair toss, nails, a swimsuit, even a bottle of tequila, moreso a fine ass. There’s a misconception that after a certain number of years, mothers shouldn’t glam up anymore. But no. Mothers are good as hell forever, and they can awra to their heart’s content.
Mama Wanna Mambo by Meghan Trainor
For the mom who always has the sultry, snappy moves on the dance floor, this can be her song. Know that she possesses that Latina heat, and she can definitely “keep it hot or keep it tropical.” Alternatively, the workout girlie in her ought to add this to her gym playlist.
Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
Your mother can be that girlboss—ambitious, assertive, and adamant. Her work ethic may sometimes spill over at home, and you may think that she’s tough on you. But at the end of the day, rest assured that she cares about you and wants a bright future for you, always. Hence, she’s working so hard, right? Girls like her run the world, after all.
Confident by Demi Lovato
The song starts with an arresting trumpet, followed by synthesizers and finger snaps as Lovato says, “Are you ready?” She’d then sing about being the “boss right now” and how she makes her “own choice.” Women have long been thought of as submissive, weak, and inferior. But not this singer. Certainly not your mother. She’s confident, and it’s out of the question—as the song goes—whether something’s wrong with it.
Let It Be by The Beatles
This song, originally dedicated to Paul McCartney’s late mother, Mary, remembers her as someone who’s “speaking words of wisdom” when he finds himself in times of trouble or darkness. Whether in memory of someone’s mom or not, the message remains: She shines a bright light in her child’s life as someone who reminds them that amid whatever difficulty, they can simply “let it be.”
Mapa by SB19
This song not only brings out the inner Gen Z and P-popper in your mother but also makes her feel so appreciated. Here, the singer talks about greatly missing his mama, who he says always prioritizes him. He tells her to rest, as it’s his turn to be of service to her now. Even the papa verse applies to her, as it shows the singer’s gratitude for the guidance.
The Perfect Fan by Backstreet Boys
This song is the ultimate reverence to mothers, attesting to their supportive and caring nature toward their children. Here, a proud son acknowledges that through his mother’s guidance since he was young, he’s in a good place now and will always be grateful for “the perfect fan” that is her.
Mom by Earth, Wind & Fire
This song isn’t lyrics-heavy, but it talks about the singer’s mom, who he says gave him words, peace, and thoughts of love. He asserts that in his life, he has always dug, cared, and needed her. The funky and jazzy instrumentation calls for a dance with your mom.
The Best Day by Taylor Swift
This song is originally for Swift’s mother, Andrea. She recalls her childhood days of yore and how her mother made them all memorable and magical. “But I know I had the best day with you today,” Swift sings in the chorus. The same can be said for your mother, not just today but tomorrow and the next one after that.
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
Sometimes, a good ol’ tearjerker is necessary, given the relevance and meaning of the song’s lyrics. This song couldn’t be more perfect for them as it looks up to a hero in the singer’s life and everything the singer likes to be. The singer uses the metaphor of the wind beneath her wings to describe someone who lets her “fly so high against the sky.” It goes without saying that it’s mom.
You by The Carpenters
This song, though it doesn’t directly mention mothers, is a heartfelt ode to a certain “you” who makes the singer happy “when everything else turns to gray.” That “you” is “one of the few things worth remembering,” to the point that she asks, “How could anyone mean more to me than you.” And that “you” could definitely be your mother.
A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
This song points out that the singer’s mama is the one who taught and gave him everything in life. She’s always there for him, especially “when skies were gray.” Ultimately, he declares that she’ll always be the girl in his life, and that loving her is like food to his soul, as she’s also the food to his soul.
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
This song, though originally about Sheeran’s late grandmother as written from the point of view of his mother, is a powerful tribute to any maternal figure who passed on. While it surely tugs at the heartstrings and may even make listeners cry, it vividly depicts heartwarming memories that serve as a source of comfort. At the end, it offers hope as the maternal figure, according to the singer, is taken back by God, who said, “Hallelujah, you’re home.”
Honarable Mentions By Me:
My Mother’s Eyes by Bette Midler
My Mother’s Eyes” is a touching choice for Mother’s Day, capturing the essence of a mother’s love and perspective. For a mother, it could be a meaningful way to celebrate her vibrant, giving spirit and the profound impact she’s had on your life. Happy Mother’s Day to her!
Mary by Bette Midler
In summary, Bette Midler’s live performance of Patty Griffin’s “Mary” during the Divine Miss Millennium tour, though unrecorded, was a powerful moment that resonates with Mother’s Day through its themes of maternal love and sacrifice.
No Jestering by Bette Midler
Mother’s Day celebrates the bond between mothers and children, often highlighting love, guidance, and sometimes the playful tension when children assert their independence. “No Jestering” captures this dynamic through its narrative of a daughter respectfully but firmly defying her mother’s advice for the sake of love. While not explicitly about maternal love like “Mary” or “Wind Beneath My Wings,” the song’s mother-daughter dialogue offers a lighthearted lens for Mother’s Day, reflecting the push-and-pull of generational wisdom and youthful passion.
