Mother’s Day; Muttertag; Hari Ibu; Lễ Vu-Lan; Dia de la Madre; Mata Tirtha Aunshie. A day to celebrate the women who brought us into the world. Women have a unique bond between them and none so strong, so complicated, so potentially rare and beautiful as that of mother and daughter. So this year, if you are still lucky enough to have your mother in your life, play her these songs, write her a letter, tell her all the things a Hallmark card can’t. And if you are a mother, congratulations – you are amazing!

The playlist is available to listen to on Spotify or watch the videos on Youtube.

Yes, My Darling Daughter – Sandie Shaw

Tea dance, click fingers, shoulder shimmy music. Not sure if my mama would tell me to say ‘yes’ quite as often as this one does but it was a different time.

Mother Dear – The Divine Comedy

A beautiful song from a son to a mother he loves deeply. It’s about realising that your mother is a person in their own right. When you’ve got a good one, boy you are lucky. Mum’s are fantastic sometimes. And they make sacrifices. We’ll never know how many. Oh and they’re handy if you get arrested apparently.

Mama Said – The Shirelles

Mama said there’d be days like this. But there’s no need to worry – one day someone will look at you the way she looks at you now.

Take Your Mama – Scissor Sisters

Because mother’s need to let their hair down too. Upbeat and brilliant. You can’t not dance to this.

Hey Mama – Kanye West

Love is….buying your mother a Jaguar? If so, my mother will just have to wait. Kanye says thankyou to his for putting him first and sings loud how proud he is of her.

Song My Mother Used To Sing – Dennis Brown

Reggae wonderment.

Slipping Through My Fingers – Abba

A song from a mother to a daughter. For all of you who are mothers yourselves and for those of you who aren’t, a peek into one of the fears mamas have: Losing us daughters into the big wide world.

A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men

Wooo. I paused on this one I have to say. This list was forty songs strong and when whittled, this B II M nearly copped it. But actually, cheese aside, it is a real tribute to the wonder of a wonderful mother. These are mama’s boys through and through and true as true. And oh the harmonies. Get your fathers, husbands, sons to mime along.

Mother Mother – The Veronicas

Mother, EVERYTHING’S FINE! Never better. A song about telling your ma what she needs to hear in order for her to be able to sleep soundly at night.

Mother’s Journey – Yann Tiersen

Every playlist in the world should have Yann Tiersen on it. He is a genius, a gentle genius. He reaches deep inside you and fixes or stirs trouble. Either way you’re changed. A short but sweet wordless song for the classical mother.

Pass In Time – Beth Orton

For the mothers we’ve lost and miss.

Maman Bonheur – Tino Rossi

Tino and the kids singing about the different and wonderful ways our mothers care for us every day; from drying our tears to singing in the kitchen. French, old world, innocent and pretty as a picture. Like winding up a music box.

That Was Your Mother – Paul Simon

This song is to honour the woman your mother was before you were a twinkle of an idea. Because mums are ladies too, full of fun and conversation and with a penchant for the odd glass of red.

Harper Valley PTA – Dolly Parton

An anthem. A hymn to feisty, proud single mothers. And, well it’s Dolly isn’t it. Enough said. A classic.

Que Sera, Sera – Doris Day

When I was just a little girl I asked my mother what shall I be? Will I be famous? Will I be pretty? And the answer…? What will be will be. A soothing response of a song, with a swing and sway melody. Thankyou mummy!