Top 10+ Best Country Songs About Sons with Full Lyrics That Will Bring You Tears

Sally Polly May 25, 2022 | 05:49

There are many wonderful songs about the relationship between mother-son and father-son, and these 10+ best songs in the article below will make you go all emotional and tear up at the end.

Top 10+ Best Country Songs About Sons That Will Bring You Tears

If you're ever trying to find the words that perfectly encompass your relationship with your son, this list of sweet and sentimental son songs should help you out. Some of these are hits that would make any best country songs list, while others might be a pleasant new find for you. Either way, when you listen to this special playlist with your son, be prepared to laugh, bond over your favorited shared memories, and maybe shed a tear or two. Who knows, you might even find a tearjerker to add to your shortlist of mother-son wedding songs!

Here are the 10 best country songs about sons that are lovely and emotional.

List of top 10+ best country songs about sons that will bring you tears

1. "Anything Like Me" by Brad Paisley

2. "The Sweetest Gift" by Trisha Yearwood

3. "Watching You" by Rodney Atkins

4. “He Gets That From Me” By Reba McEntire

5. “Boy” By Lee Brice

6. ”Little Lion Man” By Mumford & Sons

7. "My Boy" by Elvie Shane

8. "Then They Do" by Trace Adkins

9. "Ain't Even Met You Yet" by Chris Lane

10. "That's My Job" by Conway Twitty

What are the best country songs about sons, with videos and full lyrics?

1. "Anything Like Me" by Brad Paisley

"Anything Like Me" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Brad Paisley. Originally included on his 2009 album American Saturday Night, the song was released in August 2010 as the lead-off single from his compilation album Hits Alive. Paisley wrote this song with Dave Turnbull and Chris DuBois.

The song is from the perspective of an anxious father-to-be who discovers that he and his wife will soon have a son, and instantly begins fretting over what will happen if his son is like he was when he was young. He envisions his son climbing a tree too tall, riding his bike too fast, and trying to melt a Tonka truck with a magnifying glass. As the song nears its end, he slowly becomes more optimistic, concluding that "there's worse folks to be like".

Lyrics

I remember sayin' I don't care either way

Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok

Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen

And said Ya see that thing right there well ya know what that means

And I started wonderin' who he was gonna be

And I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me

He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride his bike to fast

End up every summer wearin' somethin' in a cast

He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass in a window down the street

He's gonna get in trouble oh he's gonna get in fights

I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep

It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my pay back if he's anything like me

I can see him right now knees all skinned up

With a magnifying glass tryin' to melt the Tonka truck

Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on

That'll be his first love til his first love comes along

He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens

And heaven help him if he's anything like me

He'll probably stay out to late and drive his car to fast

Get a speedin' ticket he'll pay for mowin' grass

He's gonna get caught skippin' class and be grounded for a week

He's gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights

I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep

It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my pay back if he's anything like me

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way

Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day

He's gonna hug his momma he's gonna shake my hand

He's gonna act like he can't wait to leave

But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out

If he's anything like me there's worse folks to be like

Aw he'll be alright if he's anything like me

2. "The Sweetest Gift" by Trisha Yearwood

The Sweetest Gift is the fourth studio album (and first Christmas album) by country singer Trisha Yearwood.

Yearwood sings a mixture of familiar traditional and popular material, along with more recent compositions such as "It Wasn't His Child" and "There's a New Kid in Town". Two of its tracks managed to achieve positions near the lower end of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart: "It Wasn't His Child" peaked at #60, and "Reindeer Boogie" at #63. The album rose to the #17 position in the Country Albums chart. A re-release of the album in 2000 has a different album cover, a promotional photograph taken during the Real Live Woman promotional period.

The album was a given a positive review by Allmusic, receiving 4 out of 5 stars.

Lyrics

One day a mother went to prison

To see and eering but precious son

She told the warden

How much she loved him

It did not matter what he had done

She did not bring to him

A parole or pardon free

She brought no silver

(Brought no gold)

No pomp nor style

(Longed to see)

It was a halo bright

Sent down from heaven's light

The sweetest gift

A mother's smile

She left a smile

You can remember

She's gone to heaven

From heartaches free

Those walls around you

Could never change her

You were her baby

And ere will be

She did not bring to him

A parole or pardon free

She brought no silver

(Brought no gold)

No pomp nor style

(Longed to see)

It was a halo bright

Sent down from heaven's light

The sweetest gift

A mother's smile

3. "Watching You" by Rodney Atkins

"Watching You" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Rodney Atkins. It was released in September 2006 as the second single from the album If You're Going Through Hell. The single became his second number-one single on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart. It was named the number-one song of 2007 on Billboard's year-end chart. The song was written by Atkins, Steve Dean, and Brian Gene White.

The song was inspired by Atkins's son, Elijah. After having found out that Elijah had been singing Atkins's 2006 hit "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)" to his teachers, he then had to explain to his son that it "might not be appropriate for him to be singing that in school."

Lyrics

Driving through town just my boy and me

With a happy meal in his booster seat

Knowing that he couldn't have the toy

'Till his nuggets were gone

Green traffic light turned straight to red

I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath

His fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap

Well then my four year old said a four letter word

That started with "s" and I was concerned

So I said son now now where did you learn to talk like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool

I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are

We got cowboy boots and camo pants

Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad

I wanna do everything you do

So I've been watching you

We got back home and I went to the barn

I bowed my head and I prayed real hard

Said lord please help me help my stupid self

Then this side of bedtime later that night

Turning on my son's scooby doo nightlight

He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees

He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands

And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend

And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool

I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are

We like fixing things and holding mama's hand

Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad

I wanna do everything you do

So I've been watching you

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug

Said my little bear is growing up

And he said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do

Cause I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool

I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are

By then I'll be as strong as superman

We'll be just alike, hey won't we dad

When I can do everything you do

Cause I've been watching you

4. “He Gets That From Me” By Reba McEntire

"He Gets That from Me" is a song written by Phillip White and Steven Dale Jones, and recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire. It was released in August 2004 as the third single from her album Room to Breathe. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in February 2005.

Lyrics

His early morning attitude,

You have to drag him outta bed,

Only frosted flakes will do,

He gets that from me

Yeah he gets that from me

His curly hair and his knobby knees,

The way the sun brings those freckles out,

Talkin' talk never miss a beat,

Yeah he gets that from me,

He gets that from me

He looks at me with those big brown eyes,

He's got me in the palm of his hands,

And I swear sometimes,

It's just like you're here again,

He smiles that little crooked smile,

There's no denying he's your child,

Without him I don't know what I'd do,

He gets that from you,

Oh he gets that from you

How he loves your old guitar,

Yeah he's taught himself today,

He melts my heart,

Tells me he loves me every day,

And cracks a joke at the perfect time,

Makes me laugh when I want to cry,

That boy is everything to me,

He gets that from you,

He gets that from you

Last night I heard him pray,

Lord help me and momma make it through,

And tell daddy we'll be ok,

He said he sure misses you,

He sure misses you,

He really misses you,

He gets that from me

5. “Boy” By Lee Brice

"Boy" is a song written by Nicolle Galyon and Jon Nite and recorded by American country music singer Lee Brice. It was released in June 2017 as the lead single to Brice's self-titled fourth studio album.

Before Brice recorded the song, he had performed it in concert. He told The Boot that he chose to release it a single because whenever he performed it in concert, fans would hold up pictures of their sons. The song is about emotions expressed by a father to his son.

Lyrics

Boy, you're gonna know it all

You'll think you're ten feet tall

And run like you're bulletproof

And total a car or two

Boy, you're gonna hate this town

Wish you could burn it down

That fire in your eyes is twenty counties wide

But boy, you're gonna love seventeen

And boy, you'll do some stupid things

You're gonna drive and kiss

And throw a punch

And grow up way too fast

You're gonna drop the ball

Hit the wall

And break some hearts like glass

I know you will, 'cause you're a part of me

And a part of you will always be a boy

You're gonna be so stubborn

You get that from your mother

I already see it now, you weren't built for backing down

And boy, there'll be a small town nights

And you'll fall for her sky-blue eyes

And when she's in your hands

You'll think you're a man and not a boy

She'll make you lose your mind, boy

She'll be every reason why

You're gonna drive and kiss

And throw a punch

And grow up way too fast

You're gonna drop the ball

Hit the wall

And break some hearts like glass

I know you will, 'cause you're a part of me

And a part of you will always be my boy

It's 3am and I'd do anything to get you back to sleep

And that face will be the same one in the rear-view

The day I watch you leave

But boy, you're gonna come back home

You're gonna settle down

But you won't feel the way I'm feelin' now

Until you have a boy

He's gonna know it all

He'll think he's ten feet tall

And run like he's bulletproof

And total a car or two

6. "Little Lion Man” By Mumford & Sons

"Little Lion Man" is the debut single by English folk rock band Mumford & Sons. It was released as the lead single from their debut studio album, Sigh No More, on 11 August 2009 in the United Kingdom. The song had a positive commercial performance, charting in several countries and peaking within the top twenty in Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Ireland, and New Zealand. It is not given the Parental Advisory warning even though it has explicit lyrics.

The single was ranked first in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2009, an annual music poll run by Australian national radio station Triple J and described as the largest in the world. It would be the last song released by a British act to top the list until 2020, when Glass Animals won with "Heat Waves".

The song was nominated Grammy Award for Best Rock Song at the 13 February 2011.

In October 2011, NME placed it at number 43 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

Lyrics

Weep for yourself, my man

You'll never be what is in your heart

Weep, little lion man

You're not as brave as you were at the start

Rate yourself and rake yourself

Take all the courage you have left

And waste it on fixing all the problems

That you made in your own head

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

Didn't I, my-

Tremble for yourself, my man

You know that you have seen this all before

Tremble, little lion man

You'll never settle any of your scores

Your grace is wasted in your face

Your boldness stands alone among the wreck

Now learn from your mother or else

Spend your days biting your own neck

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

7. "My Boy" by Elvie Shane

"My Boy" is the debut single by American country music singer Elvie Shane. It was released to country radio on September 21, 2020, as the first single from his debut album Backslider, which was released on October 29, 2021. Shane wrote the song with Lee Starr, Nick Columbia and Russell Sutton, while Oscar Charles produced it.

Shane wrote "My Boy" in 2016, elaborating that it was "inspired by a Facebook post" sent to him that read "I don't have a step-son, I have a son that was born before I met him". Shane said: "I took that to a few of my friends, and I resonated with that being a step father myself, and 3 out of the 4 of us that wrote it could identify with the song somehow."

Lyrics

He ain't got my smile, that don't bother me a bit

He's got somebody else's eyes I'm seein' myself in

I'm holdin' onto every moment, God knows I've missed a few

The day we met, I knew I had some catchin' up to do

He ain't my blood, ain't got my name

But if he did, I'd feel the same

I wasn't there for his first steps

But I ain't missed a ball game yet

And that ain't ever gonna change

I could never walk away

Yeah, he's my son and that's my choice

He ain't my blood, but he's my, he's my boy

It hit me like a train, the first time he called me dad

In a three stick figure crayon picture with all of us holdin' hands

His mama said, "I understand if it's too soon for this"

I didn't let her finish, I took it to the kitchen and I stuck it on the fridge, yeah

He ain't my blood, ain't got my name

But if he did, I'd feel the same

I wasn't there for his first steps

But I ain't missed a ball game yet

And that ain't ever gonna change

I could never walk away

Yeah, he's my son and that's my choice

He ain't my blood, but he's my, he's my boy

He's Saturday morning cartoons

He's, "Hey, can I sleep in your room?"

He's bigger than the plans I had

He's makin' me a better man

He ain't my blood, ain't got my name

But if he did, I'd feel the same

I wasn't there for his first steps

But I ain't missed a ball game yet

And that ain't ever gonna change

I could never walk away

Yeah, he's my son and that's my choice

He ain't my blood, but he's my, he's my boy

Yeah, he's my, he's my boy

8. "Then They Do" by Trace Adkins

"Then They Do" is a song written by Jim Collins and Sunny Russ and recorded by American country music artist Trace Adkins. It was released in March 2003 as the first and only single from his compilation album Greatest Hits Collection, Vol. 1.

In the first verse, the protagonist describes a typical morning where his children are causing trouble on the way to school, and thinks things will be easier when the children grow up. Once the children have all gone off to college and gotten married, their parents realize that they have more time to themselves now that their children have accomplished their dreams, but their house and lives feel a lot emptier nonetheless.

Lyrics

In the early rush of morning

Trying to get the kids to school

One's hangin' on my shirt tail

The other's locked up in her room

And I'm yellin' up the stairs

"Stop worrying about your hair, you look fine"

Then they're fightin' in the back seat

And I'm playing referee

Now someone's gotta go

The moment that we leave

And everybody's late

I swear I can't wait 'til they grow up

Then they do

And that's how it is

It's just quiet in the morning

Can't believe how much you miss

All they do

And all they did

You want all the dreams they've dreamed of to come true

Then they do

Now the youngest is starting college

She'll be leaving in the fall

And Brianna's latest boyfriend

Called to ask if we could talk

And I've got the impression

That he's about the pop the question any day

I look over at their pictures

Sittin' in their frames

I see them as babies

I guess that'll never change

You pray all their lives

That someday they will find happiness

Then they do

And that's how it is

It's just quiet in the morning

Can't believe how much you miss

All they do

And all they did

You want all the dreams they've dreamed of to come true

Then they do

No more Monday PTAs

No more carpools or soccer games

Your work is done

Now you've got time that's all your own

You've been waiting for so long

For those days to come

Then they do

And that's how it is

It's just quiet in the morning

Can't believe how much you miss

All they do

And all they did

You want all the dreams they've dreamed of to come true

Then they do

Oh, and then they do

9. "Ain't Even Met You Yet" by Chris Lane

Christopher Eric Lane (born November 9, 1984) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has released one album as frontman of the Chris Lane Band, a second album, Girl Problems, and a third album, Laps Around the Sun. via Big Loud Records. Lane has charted seven singles on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, three of which went to No.1 ("Fix," "I Don't Know About You," and "Big, Big Plans.")

Lyrics

Hey buddy I couldn't sleep

And I know your mom would kill me

If I reached across this bed and turned that TV on

So I snuck to that upstairs room

That we painted carolina blue

Sat down in a rocking chair and stared at your name on the wall

And it just hit me all at once

In a couple of months

I'm gonna get to hold your hand

You're gonna make this ole boy your old man

I feel ready but I feel scared to death

All I know is I love you

And I ain't even met you yet

I wonder what your first words will be

I wonder if you'll look like me

I wonder what the dogs will think the day we bring you home

I'm gonna buy you your first glove

You're gonna earn that first truck

I feel ready but I feel scared to death

All I know is I love you

And I ain't even met you yet

Yeah I'm always gonna love you sometimes you'll wanna hate me

And just between us two sometimes momma's crazy

But we're just learning as we go

Yeah somewhere down that road

I'm gonna hand you your first beer

And I'm gonna cry when you pack up and leave here

I feel ready but I feel scared to death

Gonna say a little prayer, kiss your momma and go to bed

It's crazy how much I love you

And I ain't even met you yet

I ain't even met you yet

10. "That's My Job" by Conway Twitty

"That's My Job" is a song written by Gary Burr, and recorded by American country music artist Conway Twitty. It was released in November 1987 as the third single from the album Borderline. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Lyrics

I woke up crying late at night

When I was very young

I had dreamed my father

Had passed away and gone

My world revolved around him

I couldn't lie there anymore

So I made my way down the mirrored hall

And tapped upon his door

And I said "Daddy, I'm so afraid

How will I go on with you gone that way?

Don't want to cry anymore, so may I stay with you?"

And he said "That's my job

That's what I do

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

That's my job you see"

Later we barely got along

This teenage boy and he

Most of the fights it seems

Were over different dreams

We each held for me

He wanted knowledge and learning

I wanted to fly out west

Said, "I could make it out there

If I just had the fare

I got half, will you loan me the rest?"

And I said "Daddy, I'm so afraid

There's no guarantee in the plans

I've made and if I should fail

Who will pay my way back home?"

And he said "That's my job

That's what I do

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

That's my job you see"

Every person carves his spot

And fills the hole with light

And I pray someday I might

Light as bright as he

Woke up early one bright fall day

To spread the tragic news

After all my travel, I settled down

Within a mile or two

I make my living with words and rhyme

And all this tragedy

Should go into my head and out instead

As bits of poetry

But I say "Daddy, I'm so afraid

How will I go on with you gone this way?

How can I come up with a song to say I love you?"

That's my job, That's what I do

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

That's my job you see

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

Other country songs about sons that will make you tear up

11. ”When You Need Me” By Bruce Springsteen

There’s are few things more reassuring to the offspring of a parent than knowing mom and dad have every intention of sticking around. “When You Need Me” by The Boss intends to drive that very message home.

This track was originally recorded in Springsteen 1987 but wasn’t released until 1994. Its arrangement ostensibly takes its influence from traditional Irish folk. It’s quite popular as a mother/son dance song at American weddings, however.

12. “You Had To Be There” By Tim McGraw

It’s safe to presume that “You Had To Be There” doesn’t draw from Tim McGraw’s personal life experience. At least not at this juncture. That’s because this song is about a boy discovering for the first time that his dad was sentenced to an extended stay in federal prison.

13. ”Like Father, Like Son” By The Game

Not all childhoods are born from a bed of roses, and The Game is set on reminding his audience of this in ”Like Father, Like Son.” Sampled Family Circle’s Shaft-era classic, “Mariya,” this song might be of particular interest to the diehard Buster Rhymes fan.

It’s a rare instance in which Busta is heard signing only over the catchy hook. ”Like Father, Like Son” is a choice selection for the dad who didn’t exactly take make the right turns in life and doesn’t want his son to repeat the same mistakes.

14. “Sail To The Moon” By Radiohead

This track is huge among Radiohead aficionados. More than a few fans have noted the tune’s rather keen similarities to early Pink Floyd, especially their Dark Side of the Moon album. Purportedly, it’s an ode Thom Yorke’s son Noah. The hook, or “arch,” of the song, as it were, is “pride comes before the fall.” If your son’s a deep thinker and a little emo, this might be the track on which to put him.

15. ”Father, Son” By Peter Gabriel

A rather elusive selection by Peter Gabriel, ”Father, Son” is about the father son-relationship and composed from the point of view of an adult son. Gabriel stated that he wasn’t especially close with his father until he reached old age and developed a disability. This somber and personal song is said to be about some form of physical therapy Gabriel was partaking in with his father. The experience renewed a close relationship between the father and son pair.

16. “Child Of Mine” By Carole King

With the two hooks so similar, you almost have to wonder if “Child of Mine” wasn’t the secret inspiration behind Axl Rose’s own “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” That wouldn’t be a surprise at all, given that Carole King is an indispensable songwriting talent that massively defined 1970s soft rock. King’s technical and flawless delivery here might account for one of the best tunes set to tape for putting down an irascible infant son.

17. "Tough Little Boys" by Gary Allan

"Tough Little Boys" is a song written by Harley Allen and Don Sampson and recorded by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released in June 2003 as the first single from Allan's 2003 album See If I Care. The song became Allan's second number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in October 2003.

18. ”Love Without End, Amen” By George Strait

“Love Without End, Amen,” is one of the best representations of early 90s country. Few songs about sons provide such a unique shifting in narrative perspective that begins with being a son to later becoming a father in mid-song. This multi-week No. 1 charting single was Straight’s biggest hit. And there’s no doubt as to why. “Love Without End, Amen” is well structured, even delving into the concept of unconditional love from the “theological father” in the third and final verse.

19. “Kooks” By David Bowie

A lot of us have “kookie” parents. It’s not only Beverley Owen from The Munsters. Evidently, David Bowie fancied himself as one dad among this group of kooks, which is why he wrote the song for his son Ducan Jones. Ironically this track, “Kooks,” sounds more like The Kinks. It’s a type of English rock sound we’re not entirely used to from Bowie. Nevertheless, if you’re starting to get the cues that your son finds you a tad strange, blowing the dust of this old Bowie record might not be a bad idea.

20. “Rufus Is A Tit Man” By Loudon Wainwright

Well, at the risk of appearing crass, we included this song because the title generally speaks for itself. This is one father’s reaction to watching his newborn son breastfeed. Loudon Wainwright was also a comedic actor, of course, appearing on a handful of M*A*S*H episodes. This was by far his biggest hit.