Ah, Valentine’s Day. Or do you call it Galentine’s Day? Or do you, like me, call it Russell Stover’s Day? Whatever you call it and however you celebrate it, we welcome a day that’s dedicated to telling the people we love that, well, we love them. And there’s no reason the love we’re expressing gratitude for has to be limited to romantic love. There are so many other relationships that deserve the attention of our affections — friends, parents, grandparents, and of course, kids.
Speaking of, did you know that some of the most beautiful, poignant, and loving love songs were written by musicians about their children? From Beyoncé to The Chicks to Machine Gun Kelly (and so many in between) these artists have all released love songs that they wrote for and about their children. So sweet, right?
Check out our list of celebrities who’ve written songs about their kids, and take a listen to discover new gems and rediscover forgotten favorites.
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Stevie Wonder — “Isn’t She Lovely”
It’s darn near impossible to top this one. It’s the standard-bearer. A stunning outpouring of unconditional love. Written after the birth of his first child, daughter Aisha, and featured on his iconic “Songs in the Key of Life” album, “Isn’t She Lovely” opens with the unmistakable sounds of a baby cooing. And it’s not just any baby, it’s the song’s namesake making her, well, everything debut.
Alanis Morissette — “Ablaze”
If you don’t immediately think of maternal love songs when you hear the name Alanis Morissette, you’re not alone. After all, this is the woman who told us in no uncertain terms that “You Oughta Know” when she released “Jagged Little Pill” in 1996. But man, you need to hear “Ablaze” and watch the video (featuring her husband and cute kids). Each verse is a distinct individual description of and wish-list for her three children, with the chorus tying in the overarching sentiment that her “mission is to keep the light in your eyes ablaze.” It’s just so beautiful. Friendly heads up that you should have tissues at the ready because you will need them — this song hits straight to the heart.
Machine Gun Kelly — “Play This When I’m Gone”
You may know Machine Gun Kelly, aka Colson Baker, more for his relationship with Megan Fox, but he’s also dad to daughter Cassie, and he wrote a heartbreaking song to her, which he first shared with her via text message. “Play This When I’m Gone” lists his wishes for her life in case he’s not able to be there (due to his depression and anxiety). It’s not only a beautiful song, it’s brave.
Beyoncé — “Blue”
Can you imagine being Blue Ivy Carter and listening to “Blue” when you’re an angsty teenager or when you’re an old woman and feeling anything other than pure love for your mother, who happens to be Beyoncé?
Adele — “Sweetest Devotion”
The closing track to her 3rd album, 25, is all about Angelo, her then 3-year-old son. With lyrics that feel like they are about romantic love (“You’re my light, you’re my darkness…you’re my hope, you’re my despair. You’re my scope, everything, everywhere) her immense talent as a songwriter has never been more evident. In what might be a nod to Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” we can hear little sounds from her wee babe as well. Honestly, listening to “Sweetest Devotion” now is just making us itch for new music from Adele, which rumor has it, will be coming this year!
Brandi Carlile — “The Mother”
What you lose and what you gain when you decide to become a parent — that sums up what “The Mother” is about. The song begins with a lament, “Welcome to the end of being alone inside your mind. Tethered to another and you’re worried all the time,” but it quickly pivots to absolute adoration with, “You’re nothing short of magical and beautiful to me.” Carlile, an immensely talented Grammy-winning singer-songwriter hits home with her graceful, honest description of motherhood in a song for the ages, written for her first child, daughter Evangeline.
The Chicks — “Young Man”
Upon release in the spring of 2020, The Chicks’ “Gaslighter” earned itself a spot on the Best Breakup Albums of All Time list as singer Natalie Maines laid bare all the agony and hurt from her divorce. But the album also included a gorgeous song for her sons (no longer the little boys of “Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)” and “Lil’ Jack Slade”) called “Young Man” in which she explains as best she can the demise of their parents’ marriage and the faith she has in how she raised them to be strong men. With lyrics like “you’re of me not mine, walk your own crooked line…take the best parts of him, as your own life begins, leave the bad news behind you” it’s clear that the love she feels for her sons runs deep and true.
Pink — “Run”
Not that we know her personally, but we totally get the best badass-mama vibes from Pink, and those feelings shine through her song “Run,” which was written for her daughter, Willow Sage. This power ballad is meant to encourage and support Willow’s dreams and to remind her that she can always “run back to my arms” when she needs to. Clearly, Pink is the best mama bear.
John Lennon — “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)”
Sometimes it’s the simplest of lyrics that pack the strongest punch. “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy),” John Lennon’s ode to his second child, Sean Ono Lennon, is a lovely little lullaby. If you close your eyes tight enough, you can almost imagine John singing it while putting Sean down for a nap or to sleep at night.
DJ Khaled “I Love you So Much”
You can feel the joy and pride and love radiating through the speakers on this song, DJ Khaled’s 2017 single “I Love You So Much,” featuring Chance the Rapper, about his new baby boy.
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