Mother's Day, Vol. 2

I'm pleased to announce that a year later, my stance on moms being awesome has not changed - they're still incredibly rad. After the weirdest year of my (and everyone else's) life, I appreciate my mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother on a different level. Both my mom and my mother-in-law were essential in-person workers during the early stages of the pandemic and handled it incredibly well, and barely getting to see my grandparents for the better part of a year even though they live five minutes away made me acutely aware of how blessed I'd been to have them as ingrained in my life as I always have. So once again, this one goes out to the moms of all shapes, sizes, and stages, and I hope it's a post you enjoy.

Mama's Song by Carrie Underwood (written by C. Underwood, K. DioGuardi, L. Laird, M. Frederiksen)

Featured on Underwood's 2009 album Play On, this is such a sweet song about a daughter talking to her mom on her wedding day. This was a song that had to grow on me a little at the beginning because I found it kind of boring at first, but I've loved it more and more as Ii've gotten older.

Mama, you taught me to do the right things/So now, you have to let your baby fly/You’ve given me everything that I will need/To make it through this crazy thing called life/And I know you watched me grow up and only want what’s best for me/And I think I found the answer to your prayers/And he is good, so good/He treats your little girl like a real man should/He is good, so good/He makes promises he keeps, no, he’s never gonna leave/So don’t you worry about me/Don’t you worry about me

You're Having My Baby by Cory Monteith (written by P. Anka)

This Paul Anka cover featured on S1E10 (Ballad) of Glee with vocals by the late Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) is undoubtably one of the cringiest moments of the show's entire run, but at this point it's fairly iconic. The sentiment behind the song, both originally and on the show, is sweet, but the execution has always made me burst out laughing from being personally uncomfortable.

You’re having my baby/What a lovely way of saying how much you love me/You’re having my baby/What a lovely way of saying what you’re thinking of me/I can see it, your face is glowing/I can see it in your eyes, I’m happy knowing/That you’re having my baby/You’re the woman I love, and I love what it’s doing to ya/You’re having my baby/You’re a woman in love and I love what’s going through ya/The need inside you, I see it showing/Oh, the seed inside you, baby, do you feel it growing/Are you happy in knowing/That you’re having my baby

What Mama Say by Jason Mraz (written by J. Mraz, S. Skaarbek)

Featured on Mraz's 2010 EP Life is Good, this live recording was interesting and fun. I wasn't quite sure if I liked it right off the bat but the longer I went on the more okay with it I became.

Whatever mama say, you best do it/Whatever mama say, you best do it/Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama/Go wash your face and use some soap/Make your bed, and fold your clothes/Do your dishes, chew your food/Don’t talk back and don’t be rude/Take your shoes off at the door/Don’t track no mud along this floor/Don’t forget to take the garbage out/Don’t want no excuses anymore/Hug your sisters, cut the grass/Think you’re smart, not so fast/Take your fingers off the remote control/Because mama’s watching that/Do the dishes, feed the dog/Put out the cat and praise the Lord/It wouldn’t hurt you to go to church/Every once in a while/I’m just doing what my mama says/I’m gonna do

Everything Changes by Jessie Mueller, Keala Settle, Kimiko Glenn, & Waitress Original Broadway Cast Ensemble (written by S. Bareilles)

You bet your booty the Waitress soundtrack is making another appearance on a Mother's Day playlist. This Act 2 song after Jessie has given birth is really, really beautiful and gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.

Today’s a day like any other, but I am changed, I am a mother/Oh, in an instant/And who I was has disappeared, it doesn’t matter now, you’re here/So innocent/I was lost for you to find/And now I’m yours and you are mine/Two tiny hands, a pair of eyes, an unsung melody is mine/For safekeeping/And I will guard it with my life, I’d hang the moon for it to shine/On her sleeping/Starting here, and starting now/I can feel the heart of how/Everything changes/Oh, my heart’s at the wheel now/And all my mistakes, they make sense/When I turn them around

Hey Momma/Hit The Road Jack by Pentatonix (arranged by S. Hoying, M. Grassi, K. Maldonado, A. Kaplan, K. Olosula)

Featured on Pentatonix's 2013 EP PTX, Vol. II, this song has nothing to do with moms apart from the word "momma" being in the title and the lyrics but damn is this mashup still a bop. The blend of Black Eyed Peas with Ray Charles it not one that we knew we needed back then but we're sure glad we have it now.

All my gentlemen, let me see you/My independent women, let me see you/All my gentlemen, let me see you/My independent women, let me see you/Hey mama, I don’t want no drama/But the way you look be making me smile/Hey baby, I know you are a lady/But your moves, your dress, girl, I’m liking your style/I know that you don’t wanna be bothered/But baby, you make me wanna holler/You know that I am into you/What you got to say, what’s up/Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back/No more, no more, no more, no more/Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back no more/Don’t come back no more, hey, hey/Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back/No more, no more, no more, no more/Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back no more, hey

Mother Like Mine by The Band Perry (written by K. Perry, N. Perry, R. Perry)

Featured on The Band Perry's 2013 album Pioneer, I first heard this song a couple of years ago when we sang it during our Mother's Day service at church. It's a sweet, beautiful ode to the awesome moms out there who would do anything for their families.

She’s the sky that holds the clouds, she’s the lady of the house/A blind believer in all I dare to be/There’s no safer place I’ve found than the shoulder of her white nightgown/Oh, I’ve got the best and the worst of her in me/And I’d share her if I could/So the wars would all be over ‘cause she’d raise us all as friends/And no one would ever wonder if somebody wanted them/We’d walk on grass that’s greener, and our cares would all be freer/If the world had a mother like mine

She's in Love with the Boy by Trisha Yearwood (written by J. Ims)

Featured on Yearwood's 1991 self titled album, this song is a staple in classic country music and is still one of her best songs to date. Since it's Mother's Day, I'm focusing on the final verse of the song where Momma comes in clutch and reminds Daddy not to be a butthead about Katie and Tommy's relationship.

Her daddy’s waiting up ’til half past twelve when they come sneaking up the walk/He says, "Young lady, get on up to your room while me and Junior have a talk"/Momma breaks in, says, "Don’t lose your temper, it wasn’t very long ago/When you yourself was just a hayseed plowboy who didn’t have a row to hoe/My daddy said you wasn’t worth a lick/When it came to brains, you got the short end of the stick/But he was wrong and honey, you are, too/Katie looks at Tommy like I still look at you"/She’s in love with the boy/She’s in love with the boy/She’s in love with the boy/What’s meant to be will always find a way

Happy Mother's Day this coming weekend to all of you out there! I hope that you found some new (or at least new to you) music to enjoy. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!