Top 10 movie lullabies to help soothe baby to sleep

When mothers sing soothing melodies to their babies, the stress and pain response levels of both mother and the infant drop, the bonding process is strengthened, and the child’s mental and emotional development is increased. Babies who are sung to are calmer, eat more, and are able to fall asleep more easily than babies who are left alone or simply read to.

Although singing and humming is beneficial to both baby and parent, it does not always come naturally. Many parents feel they are not good enough or they are unsure of what songs are appropriate. Popular movies can be a source of inspiration on what to sing. The familiarity of songs from films, along with the comforting voice of a parent, will help babies form deeper bonds to their parents and world around them, and make them easier to comfort, and lulled into a peaceful slumber.

Here are some of the best lullabies ever featured in the movies. Although not all these tunes were used in the context of lulling children to sleep, they have been popularized on the silver screen and sung to pacify little ones ever since.

10 – The Yawning Man – Tom Thumb (1958)

This unconventional lullaby is sung by the toys around Tom Thumb’s bedroom to help him sleep after a day of mischief. Listening to this song, you can’t help but start yawning uncontrollably yourself.

I’m the Yawning Man, the Yawning Man
I come when shadows creep
With the Yawning Song, I stroll along
And help all people to sleep
Aaaaaahhhhhh…

9 – You’ll Be In My Heart – Tarzan (1999)

When mother gorilla, Kala, rescues a human baby, she adopts him and names him Tarzan. With this song, she vows to forever love and care for her new son as she soothes him to sleep.

Come stop your crying it’ll be all right
Just take my hand, hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here, don’t you cry

8 – Moon River – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

In an iconic scene, Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, bares the vulnerable side of her true self as she sings the film’s theme from her apartment window.

Two drifters off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end
Waiting round the bend
My Huckleberry friend
Moon river and me

7 – Maybe – Annie (1982)

In the opening scene of the movie, the little, red-headed orphan Annie sings to herself, and to her fellow orphans, this song of hope and optimism for a life with the parents she longs to meet.

Bet ya they’re young, bet ya they’re smart
Bet they collect things like ashtrays and art
Bet ya they’re good, why shouldn’t the be?
Their one mistake was giving up me
So maybe now it’s time and maybe when I wake
They’ll be there calling me Baby
Maybe

6 – Edelweiss – The Sound of Music (1965)

A song of hope for his country and his family, Captain Von Trapp sings of the little white flowers scattered across the landscape, as a symbol of loyalty and the enduring spirit of Austria.

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

5 – Stay Awake — Mary Poppins (1964)

Everyone’s favorite Nanny uses some reverse psychology to lull her two charges to sleep after a day of fun. This ironic lullaby, despite the seemingly opposite lyrics, never fails to do the trick.

Stay awake don’t rest your head
Don’t lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don’t close your eyes

4 – Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral (That’s An Irish Lullaby) – Going My Way (1944)

Timeless crooner, Bing Crosby, sings this traditional lullaby in the classic film as a priest comforting the elderly pastor of his parish who yearns to return home to Ireland and reunite with his mother.

Too ra loo ra loo ral, Too ra loo ra li
Too ra loo ra loo ral, hush now, don’t you cry
Too ra loo ra loo ral, Too ra loo ra li
Too ra loo ra loo ral, that’s an Irish lullaby

3 – Goodnight My Angel – Song for Marion / Unfinished Song (2012)

In a heart-wrenching showstopper, Terrence Stamp sings this Billy Joel lullaby that will have you in tears remembering your own parents and grandparents.

Goodnight my angel, now it’s time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

2 – Somewhere Over The Rainbow – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

In the sepia-toned land of Kansas, Judy Garland as Dorothy, sings of a magical place beyond the rainbow where all her troubles and cares melt away.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you care to dream
Really do come true

1 – Baby Mine – Dumbo (1941)

One of the ultimate Disney lullabies, Dumbo’s mother, labelled “mad” for defending her large-eared baby, still manages to express her love and sing her precious baby to sleep with this heart-breaking melody.