Review: Mama Knows Best - Carrie Cunningham’s Tender Tribute to Motherhood with "Mama Strings"

Carrie Cunningham hits an emotional bullseye with her new single “Mama Strings,” a song that’s as honest as it is heartfelt. Released just in time for Mother’s Day, this track isn’t your typical sugary ode to motherhood — it’s something deeper. It’s a love letter to the moms who are rewriting the script, who grew up knowing exactly what not to do, and who are choosing to raise their kids with intention, empathy, and unshakable love.

The lyrics pull you in from the start:“I remember when my shoes used to fall off your feet / Now you’re wearing them as you’re running out the door.” It’s a simple image, but packed with meaning — a reflection on how quickly kids grow and how tightly mothers and children are connected, even when life gets messy.

Cunningham's voice — warm, gritty, and full of lived experience — brings to mind the emotional storytelling of Patty Loveless. Like Loveless, Carrie has a knack for turning personal stories into universal truths. There’s strength in every word she sings, but there’s also vulnerability, especially in the chorus:“These unbreakable connections to your heart / Aren’t just little things, they’re my mama strings.”

And here’s the real gut punch — the song was born out of fear. In Carrie’s own words, she and co-writer Diann Hammer bonded over their difficult childhoods and the shared worry of repeating those patterns as parents. Instead of letting that fear win, they turned it into something beautiful. “Mama Strings” is a testament to healing — not just for themselves, but for every listener who’s ever felt unsure about what kind of parent they might become.

Carrie’s not just writing about motherhood — she’s reclaiming it. And she’s giving all of us permission to break the cycle, to lead with love, and to stay connected even when life gets tough. “We won’t fall apart or break, no matter how much hell you raise,” she sings — and you believe her.

If you're looking for a Mother’s Day song that truly means something, “Mama Strings” is it. It’s not just for moms — it’s for survivors, for cycle-breakers, and for anyone who’s ever chosen love over fear. With this song, Carrie Cunningham doesn’t just pull at your heartstrings — she ties them in a knot you’ll never want to undo.