Ten for Friday (?): Mama Songs May 7, 2010
Posted by Matt in top ten.Tags: Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, LL Cool J, mama songs, Merle Haggard, Mother's day, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Dead Weather, top ten, Tupac, Willie Nelson
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David Alan Coe (probably the only time you’ll here him quoted around here) once sang that a defining characteristic of the “perfect country and western song” is a mention of “mama.” With Mother’s Day around the corner and that statement from Mr. Coe in my head, I thought this would be a good day to list ten songs from my Ipod or my memory that mention mother, mama, or ma in the title. Granted, these songs are not all necessarily about mothers, but this was much easier to come up with. So, without further ado, here is your Mother’s Day top ten.
10. Ozzy Osbourne – Mama I’m Coming Home
Aww, the Prince of Darkness gets a little sentimental. According to Wikipedia the song is actually about his wife, Sharon, but it still fits the criteria for this list.
9. The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother
Because it’s Jack White and he should be on every list.
8. LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
The story goes that LL Cool J’s grandmother told him to “knock out” his critics when they said that his career was going downhill in the early 90’s, so this is the comeback (Don’t call it a comeback!) song he gave us.
7. The Beatles – Your Mother Should Know / Mother Nature’s Son
These may not be their best songs, but come on, they are the Beatles!
6. Aerosmith – Mama Kin
Once upon a time, long before they wrote songs commemorating Bruce Willis saving us from the destructive power of a giant meteor, Aerosmith was actually relevant. This song is proof.
5. Pink Floyd – Mother
A great song in which Roger Waters incessantly asks “mother” questions like a pestering 3 year old (Mother do you think they’ll drop the bomb? / Mother do you think they’ll like this song?…).
4. Tupac – Dear Mama
Everyone’s favorite thug gets all sweet talking about his mama. Awww…
3. Willie Nelson/Waylon Jennings – Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys
Listen up mothers. If you need advice on raising your children, Willie Nelson is definitely the one to ask.
2. Bob Dylan – It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Even though its cryptic lyrics are up for any number of interpretations (that’s what Dylan does best), it does mention Ma and it does come from Bob Dylan.
And the greatest mama song is…
1. Merle Haggard – Mama Tried
One of my favorite songs of all time, this one just had to lead the pack when it comes to mama songs.
I turned 21 in prison / Doing life without parole / No one could steer me right / But mama tried, mama tried.
You just don’t get any better than that.
So, what else should be on the list?
