Mama Told Me Not to Come

Last updated

"Mama Told Me Not to Come"
Song by Eric Burdon and the Animals
from the album Eric Is Here
ReleasedMarch 1967 (1967-03)
Genre Roots rock
Length2:15
Label MGM
Songwriter(s) Randy Newman
Producer(s) Tom Wilson

"Mama Told Me Not to Come", also written as "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)", is a song by American singer-songwriter Randy Newman written for Eric Burdon's first solo album in 1966. Three Dog Night's 1970 cover topped the US pop singles chart. Tom Jones and Stereophonics' version also reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in 2000.

Contents

Newman original and first recordings

Newman says that the song was inspired by his own lighthearted reflection on the Los Angeles music scene of the late 1960s. As with most Newman songs, he assumes a character; in this song the narrator is a sheltered and extraordinarily straitlaced young man, who recounts what is presumably his first "wild" party in the big city, is shocked and appalled by marijuana smoking, whiskey drinking, and loud music, and – in the chorus of the song – recalls that his "Mama told [him] not to come".

The first recording of "Mama Told Me Not to Come" was cut by Eric Burdon & The Animals. A scheduled release of a single in September 1966 was withdrawn, [1] but the song was eventually included on their 1967 album Eric Is Here .

Newman's own turn at his song was released on the 1970 album 12 Songs , and was characterized by Newman's mid-tempo piano accompaniment, as well as Ry Cooder's slide guitar part, both of which give the song the feel of a bluesy Ray Charles-style rhythm and blues number.

Three Dog Night version

"Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"
Mama Told Me (Not to Come) - Three Dog Night.jpg
Single by Three Dog Night
from the album It Ain't Easy
B-side "Rock & Roll Widow" [2]
ReleasedMay 1970 (1970-05) [3]
Recorded1969–1970 [3]
Studio American Recording Company [3]
Genre Rock
Length
  • 3:19 (album version)
  • 2:58 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s) Randy Newman
Producer(s) Richard Podolor [3]
Three Dog Night singles chronology
"Celebrate"
(1970)		"Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"
(1970)		"Out in the Country"
(1970)

Also in 1970, Three Dog Night released a longer, rock 'n roll and funk-inspired version (titled "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)") on It Ain't Easy , featuring Cory Wells singing lead in an almost humorous vocal style, [4] Jimmy Greenspoon playing a Wurlitzer electronic piano, Michael Allsup playing guitar, and Donna Summer on backing vocals, though uncredited.[ citation needed ]

Billboard ranked the record as the No. 11 song of 1970. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 14, 1970, the same day that It Ain't Easy was certified gold. [5] It was also the number-one song on the premiere broadcast of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem on July 4, 1970.

Cash Box suggested that this song could "do for Randy Newman what the Fifth Dimension did for Laura Nyro" since Three Dog Night is "the first to apply muscle to his material." [6]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [19] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Tom Jones and Stereophonics version

Charts

"Mama Told Me Not to Come"
TomJonesStereophonicsMTMNTC.jpg
Single by Tom Jones and Stereophonics
from the album Reload
B-side "Looking Out My Window"
ReleasedMarch 6, 2000 (2000-03-06) [20]
Studio
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s) Randy Newman
Producer(s) Bird and Bush
Tom Jones singles chronology
"Baby, It's Cold Outside"
(1999)		"Mama Told Me Not to Come"
(2000)		"Sex Bomb"
(2000)
Stereophonics singles chronology
"Hurry Up and Wait"
(1999)		"Mama Told Me Not to Come"
(2000)		"Mr. Writer"
(2001)

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [41] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

P. J. Proby recorded one of the earliest takes on the song in 1967, [42] followed by Three Dog Night's 1970 hit. Also in 1970, American singer-songwriter Odetta covered the song on her album "Odetta Sings". It has also been recorded by a diverse range of artists, including Wilson Pickett, [42] Lou Rawls, [42] The Wolfgang Press, [42] Yo La Tengo, The Slackers, and Paul Frees (as W.C. Fields) accompanied by The Animals' Lazlo Bane. Jazz singer Roseanna Vitro included it in her 2011 collection The Music of Randy Newman . A 1970 cover by The Jackson 5 was released on Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls .

Tea Leaf Green [43] and Widespread Panic [44] have performed this song live. In 1971, the comic singer Patrick Topaloff released a French version named Maman, viens me chercher.

Soundtrack appearances

Three Dog Night's version is used to great effect in the 1997 Paul Thomas Anderson film Boogie Nights, playing as Eddie Adams first arrives at Jack Horner's home after Eddie's fight with his mother.

It would also later appear in Terry Gilliam's 1998 movie adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's 1972 gonzo novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas . Due to the song's upbeat, paranoid mood, it was used for the scene of obsessively drug-using protagonist Raoul Duke deciding to abandon his trashed and over-billed hotel room. It also appears as the last song in the movie's G-rated trailer, mainly accompanying Duke's wild car ride to have Dr. Gonzo catch a plane in time, a scene where in the R-rated trailer and in the actual film, Viva Las Vegas by Dead Kennedys was used instead.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stereophonics</span> Welsh rock band

Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley, Wales. The band consists of Kelly Jones, Richard Jones, Adam Zindani, Jamie Morrison and touring member Tony Kirkham (keyboards). The group previously included Stuart Cable (1992–2003) and then Javier Weyler (2004–2012) on drums. Stereophonics have released twelve studio albums, including eight UK number one albums. A successful compilation album, Decade in the Sun, was released in November 2008 and charted at number two on the UK Album Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakota (song)</span> 2005 single by Stereophonics

"Dakota" (released in the United States as "Dakota (You Made Me Feel Like the One)") is a song by Welsh alternative rock band Stereophonics. It was the first single taken from their fifth studio album, Language. Sex. Violence. Other?, and was released on 28 February 2005. "Dakota" was the first and to date only Stereophonics single to reach number one and the last to reach the top ten on the UK Singles Chart and to chart on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also became the band's highest-charting single in both Australia and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handbags and Gladrags</span> 1967 song written by Mike dAbo

"Handbags and Gladrags" is a song written in 1967 by Mike d'Abo, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann. D'Abo describes the song as "saying to a teenage girl that the way to happiness is not through being trendy. There are deeper values."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burning Down the House</span> 1983 single by Talking Heads

"Burning Down the House" is a song by new wave band Talking Heads, released in July 1983 as the first single from their fifth studio album Speaking in Tongues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Looking (song)</span> 1999 single by Stereophonics

"Just Looking" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics, issued as the second single from their second album, Performance and Cocktails (1999). It was released on 22 February 1999, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 in Ireland. In 2022, it was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of over 400,000 units. A live acoustic version is featured on CD two of the "Step On My Old Size Nines" single. The song's music video features the band in a car with Stuart Cable driving. He offers the other members a Jelly Baby, and the car ends up sinking underwater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pick a Part That's New</span> 1999 single by Stereophonics

"Pick a Part That's New" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics. It was first released as a single on 27 February 1999 in Japan, serving as the band's debut single there. In the United Kingdom, it was issued on 3 May 1999 as the third single from Stereophonics' second studio album, Performance and Cocktails (1999). "Pick a Part That's New" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and number 17 in Ireland. In March 2000, the song charted in Canada, peaking at number 22 on the RPM Top 30 Rock Report. The song was certified silver in the United Kingdom in 2017 for sales and streams exceeding 200,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio</span> 1999 single by Stereophonics

"I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio" is the fourth single released from Welsh rock band Stereophonics' second studio album, Performance and Cocktails (1999), on which the song appears as the seventh track. The single was released in August 1999 and reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. A live version from Morfa Stadium is present on CD2 of the single. A version with Stuart Cable singing vocals can be found on CD1 on the "Hurry Up and Wait" single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bartender and the Thief</span> 1998 single by Stereophonics

"The Bartender and the Thief" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics, written by the band in April 1998. The song is the second track on their second album, Performance and Cocktails (1999). "Bartender" was the first single taken from Performance and Cocktails and was released on 9 November 1998, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. The music video features the band playing at Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, and is based on the Francis Ford Coppola movie Apocalypse Now.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurry Up and Wait (song)</span> 1999 single by Stereophonics

"Hurry Up and Wait" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics, released as the fifth and final single from their second album, Performance and Cocktails (1999), on 8 November 1999. The song reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, as did previous single "I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio". It also reached number 23 in Ireland, becoming the band's fifth top-30 hit there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Writer</span> 2001 single by Stereophonics

"Mr. Writer" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics, taken from their third album, Just Enough Education to Perform (2001). It was released on 19 March 2001, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart, number seven in Ireland, and number 53 in Sweden, where it was the band's first and only single to chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Step on My Old Size Nines</span> 2001 single by Stereophonics

"Step on My Old Size Nines" is the third single from Welsh rock band Stereophonics' third album, Just Enough Education to Perform (2001). The song is track four on the album. It was released on 24 September 2001, reaching number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number 26 in Ireland. A live acoustic version recorded at the Grand Opera House in York, England, is on CD2 of the "Step on My Old Size Nines" single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madame Helga</span> 2003 single by Stereophonics

"Madame Helga" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics from their fourth studio album, You Gotta Go There to Come Back (2003). It was inspired by the band's stay at Helga's Folly while they were on tour in Sri Lanka in 2002. The folly is owned by Helga Desilva Blow Perera, from whom the title "Madame Helga" originated. Released as a single on 19 May 2003, the song reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 on the Irish Singles Chart the same month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maybe Tomorrow (Stereophonics song)</span> 2003 single by Stereophonics

"Maybe Tomorrow" is a song from Welsh rock band Stereophonics' fourth studio album, You Gotta Go There to Come Back (2003). Written and produced by Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones, the song was released as a single on 21 July 2003 and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. It also charted in several other countries, including the United States, where it reached the top five of the Billboard Triple-A chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Since I Told You It's Over</span> 2003 single by Stereophonics

"Since I Told You It's Over" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics from their fourth studio album, You Gotta Go There to Come Back (2003). Lead singer Kelly Jones wrote the song on 14 February 2003 and recorded it with Stereophonics at Abbey Road Studios. Released as a single on 10 November 2003, the song reached number 16 in the United Kingdom and number 50 in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moviestar (Stereophonics song)</span> 2004 single by Stereophonics

"Moviestar" is a single by Welsh rock band Stereophonics. It was the fourth and final single released from You Gotta Go There to Come Back and the first Stereophonics single released following the sacking of drummer Stuart Cable. The single peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart, number 26 on the Irish Singles Chart, and number 85 on the Dutch Top 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ballad of Tom Jones</span> 1998 single by Space and Cerys Matthews

"The Ballad of Tom Jones" is a song by English band Space and Cerys Matthews, lead singer of Welsh band Catatonia. Lead singer Tommy Scott described Tom Jones as 'brilliant'. The song became a highly successful radio single, and resulted in Space performing with Jones in Jools Holland's' New Year's Eve television programme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Begin Again (Space song)</span> 1998 song by Britpop band Space

"Begin Again" is a song by English band Space, released in June 1998. The song charted at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart the same month. In Australia, "Begin Again" entered the ARIA Singles Chart on 27 July 1998 at number 82, its peak.

Three Dog Night's original recordings were released by ABC Dunhill Records, except for 1983's It's a Jungle, which was released by Passport. In the mid-1970s, executives at ABC Dunhill discarded their multi-track recordings and mono masters to save storage space in a cost-cutting measure. As a result, all re-issues on CD were remastered using album masters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sex Bomb</span> 2000 single by Tom Jones and Mousse T.

"Sex Bomb" is a song by Welsh singer Tom Jones. Performed in collaboration with German DJ and record producer Mousse T., the song was released in 1999 in several European countries; in January of the following year, it was issued across the rest of Europe except the United Kingdom, where it was not released until May 2000. Outside the UK, the track served as the second single from Jones' 34th album, Reload, while in the UK, it served as the fourth single.

<i>Graffiti on the Train</i> 2013 studio album by Stereophonics

Graffiti on the Train is the eighth studio album by Welsh rock band Stereophonics. Produced by the group's lead-singer and guitarist Kelly Jones and Jim Lowe, it was released on 4 March 2013 on their own Stylus Records. It was the first Stereophonics album since Keep Calm and Carry On (2009), marking the first time they had not released a record within two years. It was intended for an October 2012 release date and took nearly two years to complete. This is the last record to feature drummer Javier Weyler, who was officially replaced by Jamie Morrison on 24 September 2012.

References

  1. ↑ "EVB Singles Summary". Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  2. ↑ Mama Told Me (Not to Come) (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Three Dog Night. ABC Records, Dunhill Records. 1970. 45-D-4239.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975 (CD liner). Three Dog Night. United States: MCA Records. 1993. pp. 27, 30, 31. MCAD2-10956.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ Leaf, David (1993). Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975 (CD liner). Three Dog Night. United States: MCA Records. p. 18. MCAD2-10956.
  5. ↑ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) . Archived from the original (PHP) on June 26, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2013. Type in "Three Dog Night" under Artist to see search results.
  6. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 23, 1970. p. 34. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  8. ↑ "100 Singles" (PHP). RPM . 13 (23). July 25, 1970. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  9. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mama Told Me Not to Come". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Three Dog Night – Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. ↑ "flavour of new zealand – search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  12. ↑ "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989" . Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  14. ↑ "Three Dog Night Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  15. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Three Dog Night – Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Three Dog Night"
  16. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  17. ↑ "Top 100 1970 – UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  19. ↑ "American single certifications – Three Dog Night – Mama Told Me Not to Come". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Reviews – For Records Released on March 6, 2000" (PDF). Music Week . February 26, 2000. p. 23. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  21. ↑ "stereophonics graffiti on the train". The Snipe News. October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  22. ↑ Mama Told Me Not to Come (UK CD1 liner notes). Tom Jones, Stereophonics. Gut Records. 2000. CDGUT31.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Mama Told Me Not to Come (UK cassette single sleeve). Tom Jones, Stereophonics. Gut Records. 2000. CAGUT31.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Mama Told Me Not to Come (UK CD2 liner notes). Tom Jones, Stereophonics. Gut Records. 2000. CXGUT31.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Mama Told Me Not to Come (European CD single liner notes). Tom Jones, Stereophonics. Gut Records, V2 Records. 2000. VVR5012683.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ Mama Told Me Not to Come (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Tom Jones, Stereophonics. Gut Records, V2 Records. 2000. VVR5012673.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ Mama Told Me Not to Come (Australian CD single liner notes). Tom Jones, Stereophonics. Gut Records, Mushroom Records. 2000. D2030.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Reload (UK CD album booklet). Tom Jones. Gut Records. 1999. GUTCD009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 13. March 25, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Tom Jones & Stereophonics – Mama Told Me Not to Come" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (11.5– 18.5 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 12, 2000. p. 12. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  32. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mama Told Me Not to Come". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 24, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Tom Jones & Stereophonics – Mama Told Me Not to Come" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Tom Jones & Stereophonics – Mama Told Me Not to Come". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Tom Jones & Stereophonics – Mama Told Me Not to Come". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 5, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  41. ↑ "British single certifications – Tom Jones & Stereophonics – Mama Told Me Not to Come". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  42. 1 2 3 4 "The Originals © by Arnold Rypens". Originals.be. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  43. ↑ "MP3 File". Archive.org. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  44. ↑ "PanicStream.com". PanicStream.com. October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.