"Love your child for who they are, not who the world tells them to be."

A heartfelt and deeply personal ballad, "Unconditional Love (Still Your Son)" is an anthem for acceptance and understanding. The song was inspired by a moment River Lee witnessed at a Walmart, where a mother angrily berated her young son for dancing and acting “like a girl.” The heartbreaking scene moved River to reflect on the importance of unconditional love, especially from parents, and the damage rejection can cause to a child’s spirit.

Written from the perspective of a son longing for love and validation, River bares his soul in this emotionally charged piece. With tender yet powerful lyrics, he pleads for acceptance and reminds listeners that love should never come with conditions. The stirring instrumentation and River Lee’s raw, vulnerable delivery make this song a beacon of hope and a rallying cry for anyone who has felt unseen or unworthy simply for being themselves.

Story Behind the Song

I wrote "Unconditional Love (Still Your Son)" after a heartbreaking encounter at my local Walmart between a mother and her young son. 

I wrote "Unconditional Love (Still Your Son)" the moment I got home that day because I couldn’t shake what I had just witnessed. I saw a mother publicly berating and humiliating her 6-year-old son for not acting "man enough." But what haunts me the most—what I still can’t get out of my head to this day—is the look on that boy’s face when he turned to me. His eyes were drained of life, filled with sadness, on the verge of tears. That moment broke me.

This song is my message and personal PSA to parents: your child doesn’t need you to understand them, they just need you to love them fully, unconditionally. I hope this song reaches the hearts of those who need to hear it and reminds them of the power their love and acceptance holds.

Lyrics

Download the Lyrics Below

Lyric Music Video