20 Best Single Mom Songs To Help You Through Tough Times

Being a mom is one of the toughest jobs there is. Being a single mom and going at it alone can be even tougher.

There’s no one else to take care of the kids when the stomach flu runs through the house and both you and your children are taking turns with the trash can.

No one else is waking up with the baby at night. Sometimes, no one else is helping financially, which can just make it even more stressful. I’ve been there. I’m still there. 

Music is my go-to coping mechanism. It gives me life. I can’t even clean without music in the background.

On those really tough days, the perfect single mom songs give me strength. Here are some of my favorites. I hope you like them as much as I do!

1. Fighter by Christina Aguilera

This song isn’t about being a single mom, but it’s about how an ex-boyfriend made her stronger.

If you’re dealing with a break-up, found your way to single motherhood through lying and cheating, or just need to hear a powerful female voice, this song is what you’re looking for.

It will instantly help you find the strength that you need to make it through another day. 

After all of the fights and the lies
Guess you’re wanting to hold me
But that won’t work anymore (no more, aha, it’s over)
‘Cause if it wasn’t for all of your torture
I wouldn’t know how to be this way now and never back down
So I wanna say thank you
‘Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

2. Keep Ya Head Up by Tupac

I love every genre of music, but there is always something that stands out in the lyrics of Tupac’s songs. This song was written with single moms in mind.

If you’re going through some tough times and need a reminder to keep your head up or that there are better days coming, this rap song will give you the inspiration that you need to keep going. 

I give a holler to my sisters on welfare
Tupac cares, if don’t nobody else care
And uh, I know they like to beat ya down a lot
When you come around the block brothas clown a lot
But please don’t cry, dry your eyes, never let up
Forgive but don’t forget, girl keep your head up
And when he tells you you ain’t nuttin’ don’t believe him
And if he can’t learn to love you, you should leave him
‘Cause sista you don’t need him
And I ain’t tryin’ to gas ya up, I just call ’em how I see ’em

3. Baby Mama by Fantasia

This is another awesome song that was written specifically for single moms. It’s upbeat, the lyrics pinpoint exactly what it’s like to be a single mother.

Those days when you feel like no one understands, this one will always remind you that you’re not alone. 

4. Tougher Than A Man by Cowboy Crush

This song was written for single moms. It tells about the struggles of being a single mom. My favorite lyrics are in the chorus when they sing “she doesn’t know if she can, but she’s gonna be tougher than a man.”

If you’re going through it, this is one that you’ll relate to. It is a slow song, though, so beware of it bringing tears to your eyes. This is not the most upbeat song on the list. 

She gets the kids off to school
Off to work she flies
She stops for gas
Short on cash
Cards all maxed
She cries
She digs the change out of her purse

She never thought she’d be
A single mom at twenty-three
She don’t know if she can
But she’s gonna be
Tougher than a man

5. I’m A Survivor by Reba McEntire

She’s one of my favorite country singers, and it’s songs like this that are why.

This song tells the story of a woman that was born too soon, and the doctors expected her to not survive. Then, not only did she survive, but she also managed to raise her children with love as a single mother working two jobs. 

6. Superwoman by Alicia Keys

This slow song is about how hard it can be, but how you can do it. You’re a superwoman every day. If you need a reminder, just hit the play button. 

“For all the mothers fighting
For better days to come
And all my women, all my women sitting here trying
To come home before the sun
And all my sisters
Coming together
Say yes I will
Yes I can”

7. She Didn’t Have Time by Terri Clark

This song is about a woman that finds her strength because she doesn’t have time for the tears. She simply doesn’t have time for things because she’s got a baby to raise.

I think every single mom can relate to this one. It’s for when you’re in the mood for a song that makes sense. One that says exactly how you’re feeling like a single mom. It’s slow and has a bit of a sad tune to it, so be prepared for that before you listen to it. 

8. Independent Women Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child

When you’re a single mom, you don’t get to be dependent on a man to be your back up. You take care of yourself and your children. Yeah, that can be rough.

On the other hand, it can be empowering and you should be proud of every single thing that you’ve accomplished as a single mom. This song isn’t about moms, but it is a spectacular female empowerment song. 

9. Never Give Up by Avant

This one isn’t about mothers or even parenthood, but I love some of the lyrics. I enjoy how he sings about finding the strength to keep going. He tells you to never give up the fight. Some of them will definitely resonate with you if you’re a single mom. 

The world we live has so many obstacles, you can’t control or need
Seems so hard to bear, with challenges everywhere
When standing is tough as you feel alone
Erase defeat and stand strong
Keep writing to this unfinished poem
What’s left to do is in front of you
Now take every moment with no excuse
Course has been renewed; it’s time to love life.

10. Single Mom by Adam Whitehead

This song is about how hard it can be to be a single mom, but how a woman gave her children more love than they could ever need. It says that she always did her best. It’s a great pick me up song after a long day. 

11. You’re Gonna Be by Reba McEntire

This song details exactly what we do as mothers, especially single mothers. We feel scared. We watch our little ones cry. Deep down, we know when it’s time to stop teaching them lessons and let them learn on their own. 

12. She’s A Single Mother by Highway 211

I feel this song in my soul some days. It talks about how to mean the world can be sometimes. The lyrics talk about how sometimes she wants to give up or cry, but she doesn’t.

Instead, it’s just another day in the world of a single mother. The mom never thinks about giving up, no matter how hard times get. 

13. Single Mamas Anthem by Deztini Rion Farinas

This song just tells the story for some of us. It’s about being independent because we single mothers don’t need a man. Instead, we’ve got God to trust in. 

14. Single Mothers by Josh K

This song combines everything that you need in a song for single mothers. He tells you that it’s all right. The lyrics inform you that it’s going to get better, but it just takes time.

It gives you hope, inspiration, and motivation all at the same time. This song can help you smile and dry your tears in a matter of minutes. 

15. The Climb by Miley Cyrus

If you need the motivation to keep putting one foot in front of the other, this one is it. She sings about how these are the moments that we’ll remember, and that we need to stay strong. It doesn’t mention mothers, but it’ll speak to you. 

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down, but
No, I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments, that
I’m gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

16. Up by Shania Twain

When everything is going wrong, there’s really nowhere you can go except up in life! If you feel like you’re at the bottom, and the days keep getting screwed from one thing or another, this one is for you!

You’ll smile when you hear it while simultaneously relating to it. 

When everything’s goin’ wrong
Don’t worry, it won’t last for long
Yeah, it’s all gonna come around
Don’t go let it get you down
You gotta keep on holding on
It’s ’bout as bad as it could be
Seems everybody’s buggin’ me
Like nothing wants to go my way, it just ain’t been my day
Nothin’s comin’ easily”

17. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

This classic will never truly become outdated. You already know some of the lyrics in the back of your mind. It’s a reminder that no matter what, you’ll survive.

If you’re looking for motivation, inspiration, and something upbeat, this one will get you through the day. 

18. Roar by Katy Perry

If you need to find your strength and inner confidence, this song will help you find your voice again.

I love this song for new single mothers that are still finding their way after their relationship just ended. (I know that sounds oddly specific. This song got me through some tough times.)

19. Fight Song by Rachel Platten

Female empowerment at its finest. This song will help you remember that you’re in control of your life. It will give you strength and motivation when you feel like you don’t have any. 

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me
Losing friends and I’m chasing sleep
Everybody’s worried about me
In too deep
Say I’m in too deep (in too deep)
And it’s been two years I miss my home
But there’s a fire burning in my bones
Still believe
Yeah, I still believe.

20. Confident by Demi Lovato

She has a powerful voice that pairs with these lyrics perfectly. It’s about staying strong and, as the title says, confident. As single mothers, we need to be strong and confident. If you’re struggling with that right now, this song will help you find it. 

In Conclusion

Being a single mom is rough, and that’s putting it mildly on some days. Tribute songs are wonderful to remind you that someone understands, but some days you need songs to inspire you, motivate you, and give you the strength to wipe your tears.

I included a mix of all of my favorite songs to help you find the perfect one for your day.