Song was born into a working-class family in Ji County (now Jizhou District of Hengshui), Hebei, on 17 February 1951.[3] She has an elder brother.[3]
In 1964, at age 13, Song was selected by the teachers of the Song and Dance Troupe of the Guangzhou Military Region and went south to Guangzhou, where she became a student.[3] In 1985, she enrolled at Beijing Film Academy, where she majored in acting.[3]
^ abcdeJin Shanyue (瑾山月) (2022). 第一母亲宋春丽:我在“人世间”丁克40年 [The First Mother Song Chunli: I'm a dink in this world for 40 years]. Bosom Friend (in Chinese). 432. Wuhan, Hubei: Hubei Zhiyin Media Group Co., Ltd.: 54–55. ISSN1007-502X.