Phil Collins, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Billy Joel are just a few of the famous musicians who have drawn inspiration from their journeys into parenthood to create timeless ballads and pop hits that resonate with millions. These artists have used their personal experiences as parents to express a range of emotions in their music, capturing the excitement, anxiety, and love that come with raising children.
One key difference between these notable musicians and most parents is that their children have grown up to become A-listers in their own right. Below are 12 songs written by famous musicians for their now-famous children:
1. Phil Collins wrote “You’ll Be in My Heart” for his daughter Lily, originally as a lullaby before it became a beloved song from the movie “Tarzan.”
2. Lenny Kravitz penned “Flowers for Zoë” for his daughter Zoë, showcasing a softer side to the rock star’s persona.
3. John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” was a heartfelt tribute to his son Sean Ono Lennon, reflecting the love and admiration he felt as a father.
4. Will Smith’s “Just the Two of Us” is a touching love letter to his son Trey, expressing the actor’s fears and unconditional love for his child.
These songs not only showcase the musical talents of these artists but also serve as personal expressions of their deep connections with their children.
The music video features heartwarming moments between Will and Trey, as well as appearances by celebrity dads Magic Johnson, Babyface, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Damon Wayans. Jada Pinkett Smith, pregnant with their son Jaden at the time, also makes a cameo.
Billy Joel wrote “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” for his daughter Alexa Ray. The song was inspired by a conversation he had with her when she was seven years old. Alexa, now 34 and a singer herself, considers the song one of her favorites.
Jay-Z penned “Glory” for his daughter Blue Ivy, capturing the joy of fatherhood. The song, featuring Blue Ivy’s cries, made her the youngest person to appear on the Billboard charts.
Beyoncé wrote “God Made You Beautiful” for Blue Ivy, which played in her HBO documentary. She also dedicated the song “Blue” to her firstborn on her 2013 album.
Lionel Richie wrote “Ballerina Girl” for his daughter Nicole, whom he adopted when she was nine years old. The song reflects his deep love and commitment to her.
Madonna’s song “Little Star” from her album Ray of Light was inspired by her daughter Lourdes Leon, whom she welcomed with Carlos Leon. The lyrics express Madonna’s love and adoration for her young daughter.
Minnie Riperton is best known for her 1970s hit “Lovin’ You,” which holds sentimental value as it was written as a lullaby by Minnie and her husband Richard for their children Marc and Maya Rudolph. Maya, now a renowned comedy figure from Saturday Night Live and movies like Bridesmaids, has come to appreciate the love for her late mother despite the difficulty of losing her to breast cancer in 1979. In a touching tribute, Minnie sings Maya’s name towards the end of the song.
Similarly, when Stella McCartney showcased her final fashion show at Central Saint Martins in 1995, she not only had supermodel friends like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss walk the runway, but also had her father, Sir Paul McCartney, compose “Stella May Day” as the background music. This marked the beginning of Stella’s successful career in the fashion industry.
In a heartfelt gesture, Kanye West dedicated the song “Only One” to his daughter North on New Year’s Eve 2014, collaborating with Paul McCartney on the track. Kanye described the song as a message from his late mother singing to him and, in turn, to his daughter.
