Simon RushworthIt’s Mothers’ Day and for all the mothers that rock we’ve compiled a playlist to celebrate your big day. Enjoy!
BB King – Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
An absolute belter from the king of blues and some typically wise words. Available on the Indianola Mississippi Seeds album and released as a single in 1971.
UFO – Mother Mary
As the band calls time on its 50-year career this Phil Mogg/Michael Schenker/ Andrew Parker co-write seems particularly apt. From 1975’s Force It, you’ll also find a killer version on a three-track 1979 Doctor Doctor single.
Night Ranger – Mother Mayhem
Released 21 years ago (!) on the band’s Seven album, it’s a typically polished Night Ranger classic. ‘You mother me/You ooze affection/You smother me/With protection’ sings Jack Blades with a bucketful of emotion.
Danzig – Mother
Perhaps you shouldn’t add this to your mother’s Spotify playlist without fully absorbing the lyrics but Danzig’s highest charting single remains a timeless classic. A tirade against fascism, it’s the mother of all maternal rock anthems.
Queen – Tie Your Mother Down
If Freddie thinks it’s acceptable then why not? Brian May wrote the song and Mr Mercury delivered it with aplomb. Plucked from 1975’s A Day At The Races…Joe Elliott and Slash joined in to cover the track at 1992’s Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.
Iron Maiden – Mother Mercy
A deep cut from 2010’s The Final Frontier and more metal than your mother’s best Sunday cutlery. ‘Mother of Mercy/Angel of death desire/Mother of mercy/Taking my last breath of fire’ croons Bruce Dickinson. Lovely stuff.
Ozzy Osbourne – Mama, I’m Coming Home
Every mother’s favourite, The Prince Of Darkness showed his softer side on this made-for-MTV ballad. Once he’s back to full fitness this will be one of the bona fide highlights of the No More Tours 2 set.
Cradle Of Filth – Mother Of Abominations
Hewn from 2004’s classic Nymphetamine, any mother into extreme metal will love you for blasting this out as you serve up the Sunday roast. Dani Filth has never sounded more caring.
Pink Floyd – Mother
One of The Wall’s genuine triumphs, this song sounds more relevant than ever 40 years down the line. As opening lines go it’s tough to beat ‘Mother do you think they’ll drop the bomb?/Mother do you think they’ll like this song?/Mother do you think they’ll try to break my balls?’. Inspired.
Styx – Mother Dear
Some AOR goodness never goes amiss on Mothers’ Day and Styx do it better than most. Perhaps the proggiest track on 1975’s Equinox, John Curulewski and Dennis DeYoung share the vocals and share the glory.