Mothering Songs

Here are some mothering songs that acknowledge the ambiguity, the tiredness, the choices and the responsibility of mothering, and how it can distance you from your former friends and your former life. Considering mothering is universal, and the fact that songs can be about anything, there seems to be a disproportionate number of songs about rappers' bling compared to songs about mothering. I'm interested in how mothering is compatible with producing creative work. When Tom Waits was asked how parenthood impacted on his art he replied 'It makes it harder to find the ashtrays.' A mother wouldn't say that. For a woman, being a parent makes it so much harder to be an artist. I feel better knowing these songs exist. Some of these I discovered through Mampalooza - they put out compilation Cds. You'll be able to hear most of them on youtube.

Eat For Two - 10,000 Maniacs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNemS0BFLjY

To Zion - Lauryn Hill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktgHNJ4RmIY

To a Child - Laura Nyro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-LkmjjsDyw&feature=related

Child of Mine - Carole King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JswrTIuct0

If I Didn't Have You to Wake Up To - Carole King


Nayib's Song (I Am Here For You) - Gloria Estefan

All Babies - Sinead O'Connor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19KmAlLS8WA

My Darling Child - Sinead O'Connor


Little Stars - Lisa Miller*


I Love You a Thousand Dollars - Lisa Miller*

Unglamorous - Lori McKenna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWyKLBK6Uz0&feature=PlayList&p=BAEBEF49E6B1FAEF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=48

Mom is Not My Real Name - Tina De Varon

Stop the Mail - Tina De Varon

I'm Gonna be an Engineer - Peggy Seeger

Oh No! I Burnt the Dinner Again - The Mothers

Punkymums - The Mothers

Eat Your Damn Spaghetti - Housewives on Prozac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5verARmGwj4

Mommy, Mommy, Mommy - Sue Fabisch

Multi Taskin' Mama - Krist 'Funky Mama' Eyler

Kray 2 the Z - Nancy Lombardo


(some lyrics and commentary to follow)

If you know of any others, I love for you to share with me. What songs about mothering speak about your experience?