12 Songs Famous Musicians Wrote For Their Now-Equally Famous Children
March 16, 2025
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The journey into parenthood can be equal parts scary, exciting, anxiety-inducing and emotional. And when you’re a famous musician, you get to express all those feelings in your art and perhaps create a hit song that resonates with millions in the process.
Such is the case for Phil Collins, Madonna, Beyoncé and Billy Joel, who all used the experience of parenthood to inspire some of our favorite ballads and pop tunes that have stood the test of time.
And though the feelings of raising children may be universal, there is one key difference between these notable moms and dads and most of the rest of us: Their little muses grew up to be A-listers in their own right.
Below, check out these 12 songs famous musicians wrote for their now-famous children.
Phil Collins Wrote ‘You’ll Be in My Heart’ For Daughter Lily
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Most of us know “You’ll Be in My Heart” as the Academy Award-winning theme song from 1999’s Tarzan, but it turns out, Phil Collins actually wrote the song as a lullaby for his young daughter Lily, written just for her before it became a standard for millions of other parents to sing to their kids.
“We grew up watching Disney shows and movies together, so that was his way of kind of being able to do it for his kids. It was so special,” the actress told Harry Connick Jr. back in 2016.
Lenny Kravitz Wrote ‘Flowers for Zoë’ for Daughter Zoë
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Perhaps no father-daughter duo is cooler than Lenny and Zoë Kravitz, but that doesn’t mean the rocker is immune to all the gushy feelings fatherhood brings. Lenny wrote the 1991, nursery rhyme-adjacent tune, “Flowers for Zoë,” for his then-three-year-old baby girl.
These days, the proud papa gushes over his daughter’s accomplishments on his social media or in interviews, any chance he gets.
John Lennon Wrote ‘Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)’ for Son Sean Ono Lennon
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Inspired by the love and admiration he had for his son, Sean, John Lennon penned “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” which was featured on his last solo album, Double Fantasy. According to Far Out Magazine, John was guilt-ridden by the fact that he couldn’t be fully present for his first son Julian, who was born at the height of Beatlemania.
Not wanting to make the same mistakes, the late singer leaned into life as a husband and father with his second wife Yoko Ono and their son Sean, and penned the sweet tune in the process. The song was clearly heartfelt and resonated with millions — who hasn’t felt something upon hearing the lyric “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”?
Sean Ono Lennon has grown up to become an artist himself: Not only is he a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and composer, but he is also an Academy Award winner, having snagged an Oscar for his executive producing work on the animated short film War Is Over, inspired by his parents’ music.
Will Smith Wrote ‘Just the Two of Us’ for His Son Trey
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A love letter for his son Willard Smith III (a.k.a Trey Smith), Will Smith professed his fears about parenting and unconditional love for her child in this heartwarming song that samples Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us.”
The music video is filled with sweet moments between Will and Trey, as well as cameos from fellow celebrity dads, Magic Johnson, Babyface, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans.
Wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who was pregnant with their son Jaden at the time, also makes an appearance.
Billy Joel Wrote ‘Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)’ for His Daughter Alexa Ray
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“Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” came after a sweet moment Billy Joel had shared with his young Alexa Ray back in the day.
“Alexa, who’s my oldest and who’s now 34, was about seven years old. Her mom [Christie Brinkley] and I were going to be breaking up, and she knew that was going to happen. During that time, she asked me, ‘What happens when you die?’” the singer revealed to 60 Minutes Australia back in 2022.
“Now, every child probably asks their parent this, because it’s a scary thing for children. The best way I could explain it to her was, ‘Well, you go into other people’s hearts.’ She seemed okay with that explanation, but I did it with the song. I thought it was a good way to impart that thought.”
How does Alexa, who now is a singer herself, feel about that tune today? “That’s one of her favorite songs,” he said.
Jay-Z Wrote ‘Glory’ for His Daughter Blue Ivy
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Blue Ivy Carter’s arrival was a seminal moment in pop culture in 2012. In an effort to show just how elated he was to become a dad, Jay-Z put pen to paper and created “Glory”, which sampled the newborn’s cries. It was an immediate hit, making Blue Ivy the youngest person to ever grace the Billboard charts.
Beyoncé Wrote ‘God Made You Beautiful’ for Her Daughter Blue Ivy
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A year after Blue was born, Beyoncé released an HBO documentary titled Life Is But a Dream. The film gave a glimpse into her until-then super private life with Jay-Z via home footage of their family life. “God Made You Beautiful,” a soulful ballad the megastar wrote for her daughter,” played over the end credits.
She would also pen “Blue” off her 2013 self-titled album in tribute to her firstborn.
Madonna Wrote ‘Little Star’ for Daughter Lourdes Leon
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Lourdes Leon inspired one of the sweetest songs on Madonna’s Ray of Light, “Little Star.” At the time of the album’s release, Lourdes, whom Madonna welcomed with then-boyfriend Carlos Leon, was only two years old. With lyrics like, “You are a treasure to me/ You are my star/ You breathe new life/ Into my broken heart,” it’s hard not to melt when you hear it.
Minnie Riperton Wrote ‘Lovin’ You’ for Her Daughter Maya Rudolph
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The late Minnie Riperton is immediately associated with the ’70s hit “Lovin’ You.” What makes this calming tune even sweeter is the fact that she and her husband Richard wrote it as a lullaby for their kids Marc and Maya Rudolph. Towards the end of the song, you can even hear Riperton singing Maya’s name.
These days, we of course, know Maya as the comedy genius from Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids, Grown Ups and more. Though she admitted it was hard to hear people talk about how great her mother was after she died of breast cancer in 1979, Maya has since come to appreciate all the love.
Paul McCartney Wrote ‘Stella May Day’ for Daughter Stella
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When Stella McCartney put on her final fashion show to graduate from Central Saint Martins in London back in 1995, not only did she enlist friends including Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Yasmin Le Bon to walk in her show, but she also tapped her famous dad for some background music.
Sir Paul delivered, creating “Stella May Day” for his daughter’s project — kicking off what would be an enormously successful fashion career.
Kanye West Wrote ‘Only One’ for Daughter North West
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It seems New Year’s Eve 2014 was extra sentimental for Kanye West, who released “Only One,” dedicated to his daughter North. The rapper collaborated with Paul McCartney on the song that he said was “my mom singing to me, and through me, to my daughter.”
