Randy Travis

May 6th, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Playlist: 12 Country Songs For Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 10th is the day that we take time out to pay tribute to that very special woman in our life, Mom. Country artists have always had a knack for writing and recording songs that deal with the impact a mother can make on their lives. Some of these songs definitely pull at the heartstrings a bit, but these dozen songs of the best illustrate how the bond between mother and child can extend for a lifetime.

1. Hank Williams – “I Dreamed About Mama Last Night” (1951)
Nobody was better at writing a mournful ballad than Hank Williams, and this tear-jerker about a mother who has passed on was one of the best examples of his amazing songwriting abilities.
2. Merle Haggard – “Mama Tried” (1968)
It’s no secret that Merle Haggard spent a few years behind bars at San Quentin. But that’s not the way his mother intended his life to be, as Haggard sings about the path that she tried to out him on (instead of the one he chose) in one of his early classics.
3. Cal Smith – “Country Bumpkin” (1974)
Though this classic CMA winner (which is also the all-time favorite song of Garth Brooks) details the relationship between a woman and her husband, the second verse can not be ignored. In it, she gives birth to her child, creating an instant bond between mother and son that lasts all the way through to the end of her life—which incidentially, is what happens in the final verse.
4. Melba Montgomery – “No Charge” (1974)
Whether as a duet partner of George Jones, solo artist, or songwriter, Melba Montgomery has always been one of Nashville’s most admired female talents. This 1974 hit, about the debt to their mothers that a child will never repay, is one that will still bring a tear to the eye.
5. Jimmy Dean – “I.O.U.” (1976)
His success on television was due in part to his ability to connect with audiences, and this recitation proved to be one of his last big hits-—though one that you will hear this week on many stations still. The song, which is reminiscent of the Montgomery classic listed above, echoes the sentiment that we all owe a debt to our mothers that we can never repay. And just like the mother in “No Charge,” she would never ask us to, saying the debt is paid in full!
6. C.W. McCall – “Roses For Mama” (1977)
Say the name C.W. McCall, and most will think of the trucking anthem “Convoy.” Still, McCall enjoyed another Top 5 smash not too long after with one of the saddest “Mama” songs of all-time.
7. Kenny Rogers – “The Son Of Hickory Holler’s Tramp” (1977)
Kenny Rogers was not the artist to enjoy a hit with this song (Johnny Darrell and Johnny Russell both sang successful renditions.) But Rogers’ recording off his self-titled album for United Artists is my favorite version of this song about a mother who might have been looked down upon for what she had to do but loved by her children even more because of it.
8. The Judds – “The Sweetest Gift” (1987)
This song, about the last visit a condemned prisoner receives from his mother, has been around for years. In my opinion, I think Naomi and Wynonna’s Kentucky harmonies helped to make this version of their more enduring performances.
9. Glen Campbell & Steve Wariner – “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle” (1987)
One of the most popular “Mama” songs of all-time, this one paired up Wariner with the man who strongly influenced him. The words of this one ring true 23 years after its release.
10. Ricky Skaggs – “Thanks Again” (1988)
You could take these lyrics to be a thank you to both mothers and fathers, and that’s okay. Maybe this will make the Fathers’ Day list, as well. It should!
11. Rick Trevino – “Looking For The Light” (1994)
Tim Mensy, who wrote this song, is one of Nashville’s underrated geniuses. This song was not a major hit by any stretch, but it’s guaranteed to tug at your heart, with beautiful lyrics about how just knowing that mom is there—even after you have moved—is reassurance that all is right in the world.
12. Randy Travis – “Angels” (2004)
I’m biased, because this song was one of the songs played at my mother’s funeral of my mother a few years ag0. This song will stop you in your tracks and make you think about whether mothers are just ordinary people or sent from above. The lyrics speak of someone who is by your side no matter what, waits up late at night until you are safely home, and is always there for you.
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