Parenting Theme Songs and Songs for Parents
If you’re new to parenting, or have always wanted to know what the best song about parenting is, this column is for you. Without further ado, the top 10 songs for parents.
That stack of bills, overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
All days it feels like this.
There Goes My Life - Kenny Chesney. This list is heavy on late 90s/00s country but those writers were in a groove.
A couple years of up all night
Getcha’ Some - Toby Keith. If you know me, and didn’t know this song, you will forever hear it playing in your head when you see me from now on. Catchy early 2000s country tune with multifaceted lyrics about having kids. It also has the undisputed best nickname for kids: tricycle motors.
Cat’s in the Cradle - Harry Chapin. I’m not crying, you're crying. Sniff.
From my Front Porch Looking In - Lonestar. “There’s a carrot top who can barely walk with a sippy cup of milk.” That line always made my mom smile and I didn't quite get why until the house was invaded by sippy cups of milk five years ago.
Just Another Day in Paradise - Phil Vassar. Some days it feels like this:
The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringingThat stack of bills, overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
All days it feels like this.
There Goes My Life - Kenny Chesney. This list is heavy on late 90s/00s country but those writers were in a groove.
And a few thousand diapers later
That mistake he thought he made
That mistake he thought he made
Covers up the refrigerator
Baby Shark Doo Doo Doo - Pinkfong. If I didn’t put this in here someone would have complained. If you have kids it’s nearly impossible for you not to have come across (i.e., been bombarded with) this ditty about an innocuous family of sharks. It is truly the worst song...ever. But that sums up 95% of the music you hear from kids shows so it’s going on the list. I’m sorry. Doo doo doo...
Gracie - Ben Folds. I don’t have a daughter but Folds’ lyrics and sweet piano accompaniment give perhaps the slightest taste of what that would be like.
Louisiana Saturday Night - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. When you have (lots) of kids you can’t always go out and have a good time. This classic is about bringing the good times to you. Louisiana style.
Hey you get down the fiddle and you get down the bow
Kick off your shoes and throw 'em on the floor,
Dance in the kitchen till morning light,
Louisiana Saturday night.
Fifteen kids in the front porch light,
Louisiana Saturday night.
Not a bad line for a guy who also sings about his sexy tractor (although he didn’t write either of those songs).
Teach Your Children Well - CSN&Y. Graham Nash surely didn’t anticipate all the ways this song would be understood or interpreted when he wrote it, but this one line hits home for many over many generations:
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
Teach Your Children Well - CSN&Y. Graham Nash surely didn’t anticipate all the ways this song would be understood or interpreted when he wrote it, but this one line hits home for many over many generations:
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
Baby Shark Doo Doo Doo - Pinkfong. If I didn’t put this in here someone would have complained. If you have kids it’s nearly impossible for you not to have come across (i.e., been bombarded with) this ditty about an innocuous family of sharks. It is truly the worst song...ever. But that sums up 95% of the music you hear from kids shows so it’s going on the list. I’m sorry. Doo doo doo...
Gracie - Ben Folds. I don’t have a daughter but Folds’ lyrics and sweet piano accompaniment give perhaps the slightest taste of what that would be like.
Louisiana Saturday Night - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. When you have (lots) of kids you can’t always go out and have a good time. This classic is about bringing the good times to you. Louisiana style.
Kick off your shoes and throw 'em on the floor,
Dance in the kitchen till morning light,
Louisiana Saturday night.
Fifteen kids in the front porch light,
Louisiana Saturday night.
A Love Without End, Amen - George Strait. You tell ‘em, King George:
Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
He said daddies don't just love their children every now and then
It's a love without end, amen
It's a love without end, amen
When I became a father in the spring of '81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end
I took my daddy's secret and passed it on to him
Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
He said daddies don't just love their children every now and then
It's a love without end, amen
It's a love without end, amen
When I became a father in the spring of '81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end
I took my daddy's secret and passed it on to him