Uncles and aunts often cling to their nephews as if they are their own sons. From the moment they are born, through every childhood visit, to seeing the man they grow to become, a family’s love for a nephew is one of the closest and most instinctive bonds that can be formed.
Whether you’re a brand new aunt swooning over a newborn, or an uncle struggling to fill the void left by your nephew’s absent father, our list of songs about nephews covers it all, venturing through the genres to showcase only the best of family-bound music.
Songs About Nephews
1. Corrinne May – My Little Nephew
Corrinne May’s 2007 track My Little Nephew devotes its sound to the tenderness that dwells in a baby nephew’s presence.
Crafted around a natural soundscape of lush piano tones, Corrinne’s touching sound is plushed with serenading vocal tones as soft as a mother’s lullaby.
Her pure-hearted melodies dance with the ambience of a vintage Disney song, lulled with the undiluted love of a close family.
My Little Nephew’s lyrics gaze into an aunt’s radiant adoration for her newborn nephew, while uniquely touching on the pain that often tangles itself amongst aunties when it’s time to say goodbye;
“You’re growing faster with every minute… I wish I could spend more time with you, my little nephew, but you’re far away and I’m over here.. when I go will you miss me? When I go will you remember me?”
2. Lee Brice – Boy
Lee Brice’s country hit Boy sings heart-to-heart with the boy of the family, who’s already on his way to becoming a man.
Lee Brice crafts his conversational lyrics to reflect the unbreakable, inspiring bond between male family figures, such as father and son, or uncle and nephew.
Like any characterful uncle might, Brice engages conversation through the destructive interests that often captivate young boys, to warn them of the ecstasy and danger of growing up, “Boy you’re gonna know it all… run like you’re bulletproof, and total a car of two, boy you’re gonna hate this town, wish you could burn it down… you’re gonna drive and kiss and throw a punch and grow up way too fast.”
Beneath the fiery man talk is an honest sentiment that ties Brice’s track to the very foundations of family; “You’re a part of me.”
3. Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
Despite the romance that dawns within this track being inspired by the Twilight films, its message transcends the movie screen to implant itself firmly within the hearts of anyone mesmerised by love.
This 2011 hit is transferable to life-long partners, brand new romances, and family relations too, harbouring a sweet and innocent message soaked profusely in love and the comforts of commitment.
A Thousand Years evokes the essence of love for a newborn family member through impassioned lines such as “I have died every day waiting for you, darling don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years, I’ll love you for a thousand more.”
Christina Perri’s song plays upon the heartstrings of anyone eagerly awaiting a new baby in their family, or finding themselves doused in supportive devotion from the second they became an aunt or uncle.
4. Streetfamezo – Letter To My Nephew
Letter To My Nephew is an irrepressibly infectious rap song fuelled by the warm, yet cutting honesty poured forth by the narrator to his nephew.
Streetfamezo embraces his role as the uncle in order to fill the harsh void left by his nephew’s father, sharing the life lessons that descend through generations of family, even with an absentee involved;
“No matter how old you get, I’m gon’ be there for you, even though your father ain’t, I’m staying here with you, always there when you need me, I can’t turn my back on you.”
Like any uncle should, Streetfamezo houses a lot of love for his nephew, which he parades throughout his lyrics, “Been in your life ever since you came out my sister’s womb, very intelligent, he keeps his grades up at school… bright kid, bright future, I’m proud of him too.”
But the strongest theme Streetfamezo weaves within his track is the sentiment of eternal protection; that he won’t let his nephew spiral down the same bleak experiences that he did.
Letter To My Nephew is smothered with love, guidance and the determination to right the wrongs of your own life through inspiring the next generation.
5. Randy Newman – You’ve Got A Friend In Me
No matter how synonymous this song has become with the classic Pixar animation, Toy Story, Randy Newman’s You’ve Got A Friend In Me remains one of the most heartfelt family songs of all time.
It carries a simple message that’s crystal clear enough that even your youngest nephew will understand and appreciate it: “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, we stick together and we see it through, ‘cause you’ve got a friend in me.”
This song can easily symbolise any childhood friendship, teacher, family member or parent.
But in this ‘songs about nephews’ context, the narrator takes the form of that one funny, dopey uncle we all have, who might not have his head screwed on as well as the parents, but whose love for his nephew is bountiful all the same;
“Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am, bigger and stronger too, maybe, but none of them will ever love you, the way I do, it’s me and you boy.”
6. Maddie Wilson – Wounded
Maddie Wilson threads the nephew concept into her enchanting country pop song, Wounded, in one of the most heartbreaking ways imaginable.
Her track lays bare the quiet struggle of infertility and the hard-hitting reality of knowing you’ll never have children of your own.
As broken as Maddie might be from her diagnosis, she importantly realises that it doesn’t make her any less of a woman as she dispels the pity of those who surround her.
Her nephew concept shines in her chorus, giving a tragic twist to our list, “Everything would be okay, if I didn’t know what I was missing, but I got nieces and nephews holding my hand, the cutest reminders of what I don’t have, and maybe I am – but I still wanna lose it when people look at me like I’m wounded.”
As gut-wrenching as her lines may be, Maddie shines a much needed light on how emotionally crushing it is to be surrounded by your sibling’s children, while burdened with knowing that their happiness will never completely be yours.