Top Songs Secretly About Childbirth: A Surprising Playlist

Millennial pop fans were ecstatic when Hilary Duff announced she’d be releasing another album, the first in a decade. Duff rose to prominence as a tween and became the first successful singer on Disney Channel. However, life looks a bit different for her these days. Duff was newly single with only her son, Luca, when Breathe In Breathe Out was released.

In the past decade, the former Disney Channel darling got remarried and had three children with husband Matt Koma. Hilary Duff still acts, but these days she devotes most of her energy to family life. Rumor has it her upcoming album might include a track or two about childbirth. (Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if Cardi B tackled postpartum themes next—stranger things have happened.)

In the meantime, here are some of the best songs you didn’t realize were about childbirth.

Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”

At first listen, “Isn’t She Lovely” could easily be mistaken for a romantic love song. But with a closer listen, lyrics like “I never thought through love we’d be making one as lovely as she,” it’s evident that Wonder is singing about the birth of his daughter, Aisha Morris.

Wonder even mentions his daughter by name later in the song. The truly unique aspect of the track is Wonder’s usage of newborn crying and bath splashing sounds, bringing the joys of parenthood directly to his listeners.

Lauryn Hill – “To Zion”

Lauryn Hill perfectly articulates the feelings of becoming a parent in “To Zion.” A particular topic she touches on, which feels exclusive to women, is the fear of what having a baby would do to her career. It’s something others warned her about, but Hill made the decision that was right for her and had her baby, Zion.

The singer’s debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which included “To Zion,” was released a year after her son’s birth. It went on to win Album of the Year at the Grammys, proving her cynics wrong. With gentle guitar from Carlos Santana and Hill’s soaring vocals, “To Zion” transforms a personal decision into universal triumph. It’s a luminous anthem of faith, sacrifice, and joy.

Elton John – “The Greatest Discovery”

While Elton John didn’t welcome his children until the 2010s, back in 1970, he was inspired to write “The Greatest Discovery.” Written about John’s songwriting collaborator Bernie Taupin’s younger brother, the song is in the second person, effortlessly bringing the listener into the story.

It focuses on the little moments of being a baby, like opening their eyes for the first time or being lifted by someone bigger. However, John and Taupin write with such detail and imagery that it’s easy to imagine the exact moments John sings about.

Kate Bush – “Woman’s Work”

Kate Bush’s “Woman’s Work” is rife with sadness and worry. While the lyrics don’t exactly make the message clear, the song is about a woman whose life is in danger, as well as her baby’s during childbirth. However, the 80s pop song is actually from the perspective of the baby’s father, feeling powerless in helping his wife and baby make it through.

Bush wrote the song for the John Hughes film She’s Having A Baby. The song plays during a sequence when the husband, Jake, is grappling with the situation and having flashbacks of happier times. Bush wrote the song while watching the sequence, which had been filmed ahead of time, making specific references to things that were occurring on screen.

Creed – “With Arms Wide Open”

After Creed’s lead singer, Scott Stapp, found out his wife was pregnant while on tour for the band’s debut album, Stapp wrote the lyrics for “With Arms Wide Open” in 15 minutes during a soundcheck. Stapp expresses his nervousness about becoming a father throughout the verses, but as the chorus approaches, he quickly shifts perspectives.

Even if he’s worried he doesn’t have what it takes to be a parent, he promises to welcome his child with open arms. There’s a vulnerable moment when Stapp admits his one wish for his child is for him not to be like himself, hinting that’s what was making him so nervous all along.

Like all parents, Creed’s frontman wants better for his child than he had himself. Regardless, he is ready to show him all the love he’s able to give.

George Strait – “I Saw God Today”

George Strait honored his country roots and connection to religion with “I Saw God Today.” While the song initially sounds like Strait is only singing about his connection to god, his mentions of hospitals and nursery glass give away the real message.

Strait also mentions spending 18 hours by his wife’s side while she was in labor. The singer explains that while going to church and reading the bible initially made him feel closest to god, nothing could compare to seeing the birth of human life.

To him, there is nothing more sacred. In an interview with The Boot, Straight also mentioned that the country song has an overall message of never taking anything for granted. He uses references to flowers growing and a couple holding hands, but the story of childbirth is his strongest example.

Carrie Underwood – “All-American Girl”

Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl” tells the story of a man who always dreamed of a son, someone he could take fishing and throw a football to. Instead, he welcomes a daughter. While he initially thought he’d be disappointed, his life soon becomes devoted to her.

As Underwood sings, his daughter now has him “wrapped around his finger.” Underwood’s message is clear: when welcoming a child, the gender may initially feel like a big deal, but once they’re born, it becomes just a minuscule detail compared to how much a parent ends up loving their child.

Reba McEntire – “You’re Gonna Be”

Reba McEntire’s “You’re Gonna Be” is another vulnerable take on parenthood. The country singer admits to fears around not doing a good job at parenting. However, McEntire also understands that there’s no perfect way to be a parent, and she’s likely to make mistakes.

Still, the singer expresses confidence that everything is going to be okay, even when life isn’t fair sometimes. McEntire’s song is an anthem for mothers who are just trying to do their best and will always love their child, no matter what happens.

Colbie Caillat – “Capri”

Colbie Caillat doesn’t have any children of her own, but wrote “Capri” for a friend of hers who got pregnant at 20. Her friend named her daughter Caprese, but Caillat shortened the name as it fit better into the song.

The acoustic track is as gentle as the baby Caillat sings about. While there are similar fears as in some other songs about birth and parenthood, Caillat’s soothing voice and calming guitar let the mother and baby know that everything is going to be okay.

Caillat’s song is a reminder that being a single mother can still be a beautiful thing, even if society has deemed it frightening. While the singer has mentioned she likely won’t have kids of her own, she was still able to express joy for someone else in her life, welcoming a baby.

The Roots – “Seed (2.0)”

On the surface, it appears to be a gritty neo-soul/rock fusion track, as well as a straightforward ode to sex and rebellion, but Cody ChesnuTT’s original version and lyrical phrasing heavily center around the idea of conception. The word “seed” is a not-so-subtle metaphor for impregnation, and the repeated lines about planting and reproducing signal a man’s desire to leave a legacy—biological or otherwise.

Black Thought’s verses elevate it beyond a typical sex jam, giving it a thoughtful edge that plays into fatherhood, masculinity, and generational cycles. It’s messy, bold, and ambiguous enough to slide into a list of songs secretly about childbirth—if you’re approaching the topic with nuance and range.