The 31 Best Songs About Family That'll Have You In Your Feels
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There's nothing like turning to your favorite people for support during tough times or celebrating your accomplishments alongside loved ones. While some are lucky enough to confide in their blood-related family, others may turn to a circle of friends that have grown to become family over the years. Whether you just made your big move to college or want a reason to celebrate togetherness, spinning songs about family will give you the same warm, fuzzy feeling that a hug does. No matter the occasion, these tracks will serve as a sentimental soundtrack to celebrate special moments with your loved ones.
Missing your parents? Press play on "The Best Day (Taylor's Version)" or Kacey Musgraves' "Mother." Or, if you want to celebrate the chosen family you've fallen in with during Pride month, play Rina Sawayama and Elton John's powerful ballad, "Chosen Family."
This list is full of tracks that celebrate family, songs that send heartfelt messages to parents and siblings, and heartbreaking lyrics that even dive into complex family dynamics. Ahead, find 31 of the best songs about family that will have you in your feelings — so make sure to grab some tissues before giving them a spin.
Sister Sledge - "We Are Family"
Ofc, we're kicking off this list with Sister Sledge's classic "We Are Family."
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Stevie Wonder - "Isn't She Lovely"
Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" is a heartfelt tune about his newborn daughter after she was born in 1975.
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Jonas Brothers - "Little Bird"
The JoBros penned and dedicated a precious song for their daughters on their latest release.
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Diddy - Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey - "I'm Coming Home"
There's no better feeling than accomplishing one of your goals and sharing your successes with your family.
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Phil Collins - "You'll Be in My Heart"
Phil Collins went hard for Disney's Tarzan soundtrack in the '90s, and he wrote this ballad for his daughter, Lily Collins (yep, our girl from Emily in Paris).
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Taylor Swift - "The Best Day (Taylor's Version)"
Taylor Swift wrote this song about her mom, Andrea, and their inseparable bond. The singer also gives shoutouts to her brother and father during the bridge.
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fun. - "The Gambler"
This track from fun.'s 2009 album, Aim + Ignite, details how lead singer Nate Ruess' parents met and fell in love.
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Avicii - "Hey Brother"
Avicii's upbeat song is the perfect addition to any playlist for your favorite brother.
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Maisie Peters - "Brooklyn"
Maisie Peters penned this sweet song for her twin sister, Ellen, on her debut album.
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Rina Sawayama & Elton John - "Chosen Family"
Not everyone has the privilege of turning to their blood-related family for support, which is why the concept of chosen families is so important — especially for queer folks who might not be immediately accepted by their parents or siblings.
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Phoebe Bridgers - "Kyoto"
Phoebe Bridgers' "Kyoto" is a certified banger, but the inspiration behind the song might surprise you. The musician has been open about her relationship with her late father throughout her discography, and this song lets out the frustration she had felt with him ahead of his passing.
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Greyson Chance - "West Texas"
This song dives into Greyson's meaningful relationship with his mom, who has shown him tough love over the years.
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Ariana Grande - "My Everything"
While this song can be listened to from a romantic perspective, Ariana has dedicated it to her late grandfather on numerous occasions. During her 2015 Honeymoon Tour, she played a voice recording of him encouraging her to follow her dreams.
"Music — you want to do something in music? Go ahead and do it," he tells her in the recording. "Don't be afraid of it. There's so much music; you gotta work on it. Don't let them challenge you; don't let them intimidate you. Do your thing, that's the only way to do it."
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The 1975 - "She Lays Down"
The 1975 frontman Matty Healy penned "She Lays Down" about his mom's battle with postpartum depression. In an interview with The Mirror, Matty's mom Denise Welch said, "I didn't know he was going to write it. He wanted it to be completed before I heard. It's tough for me to listen to because it's so heartfelt."
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2Pac - "Dear Mama"
This track highlights 2Pac's tumultuous yet loving relationship with his mother.
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BTS - "Begin"
"Begin" is a solo track by Jungkook on BTS' 2016 album, Wings. The K-pop song is an ode to his bandmates, who have become family over the years.
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The Pretenders - "I'll Stand By You"
The Pretenders' '80s ballad serves as a reminder that we'll stick by and protect our family no matter what they might be going through.
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Melanie Martinez - "Dollhouse"
Melanie Martinez's 2014 single, "Dollhouse," paints the picture of a not-so-perfect family.
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P!nk - "Family Portrait"
P!nk's "Family Portrait" is another heartbreaking track that dives into the complexities of family dynamics.
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Conan Gray - "Family Line"
This track on Conan's sophomore album Superache is a heartbreaking account of his family dynamic. In an interview with Paper Magazine, Conan opened up about how difficult it was to write the song and discuss it. "The very fact that it’s uncomfortable for me to talk about it is the reason I have to talk about it," he said. "It’s better to feel something than to just live your whole life hiding from feeling anything."
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Adele - "My Little Love"
Adele includes a recording of her speaking with her son in this song about motherhood.
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Lady Gaga - "The Edge of Glory"
While Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory" is a triumphant power ballad, quality time with her family during a tough time is what inspired her to write it. In a 2012 interview with Oprah, Gaga revealed that on the night her grandfather passed away, she sat at the piano and penned the song alongside her dad.
Gaga said, "I said to my dad, 'You know, don't be sad. He's on the edge of the most glorious moment in life, when you realize you won.'"
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Kelly Clarkson - "Piece by Piece"
Kelly's song, "Piece by Piece" tells the story of how she'll never abandon her children the way her estranged father left her when she was a kid.
“A lot of the reason why I wrote ‘Piece by Piece’ was I didn’t realize the gravity of the situation until I had a child of my own, and until I experienced love like I do with [ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock] on the daily,” Kelly said in 2015 interview with the Huffington Post. “I guess you don’t realize something is missing until you feel it. I can’t imagine walking away from my little girl. I can’t imagine not having that love anymore. I didn’t know it was missing because I never had it. It was a revelation and that’s why I wrote that song. I think a lot of people go through that.”
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Carrie Underwood - "All-American Girl"
This cute country tells the tale of a father who had hoped for a baby boy but grew to adore his daughter.
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Demi Lovato - "For the Love of a Daughter"
Co-written with the former lead singer of The Academy Is..., Demi Lovato's "For the Love of a Daughter" is a heartbreaking account of their strained relationship with their father who suffered from substance abuse.
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Kacey Musgraves - "Mother"
This short track off of Kacey's Grammy-winning album Golden Hour is a love letter to her mom, who lives far away from her.
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Billy Ray Cyrus - "Ready, Set, Don't Go"
This heartfelt song is an ode to his daughter, Miley Cyrus, and how he let her flourish when she catapulted into superstardom as Hannah Montana at a young age.
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Katy Perry - "What Makes a Woman"
Katy penned this powerful ballad for her daughter, Daisy Bloom, on her 2020 album Smile.
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Taylor Swift - "Never Grow Up"
Taylor is the queen of writing tear-jerking family songs, and "Never Grow Up" is a prime example. While most kids rush to grow up, this track reminds us that it's okay to have compassion for your parents, who are also growing up.
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Lee Ann Womack - "I Hope You Dance"
This song can be dedicated to anyone you care deeply about, but "I Hope You Dance" hits harder when you think of it as a song from your parents.
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Céline Dion - "Because You Loved Me"
The reigning queen of power ballads, Céline Dion, graced us with this song that brings on the waterworks in the '90s. We're only strong because of the family that lifts us up with their love and support.
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