About the song
Three Dog Night’s Mama Told Me (Not To Come) – a song that perfectly captures the cultural clash between generations and the awkward innocence of youth encountering the “wild side.” Released in 1970, it became a massive hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidifying Three Dog Night’s status as rock and roll royalty.
But the song’s origins are quite interesting. Originally written by the legendary singer-songwriter Randy Newman for Eric Burdon’s 1966 solo album, it didn’t quite find its footing. However, when Cory Wells, one of Three Dog Night’s lead singers, stumbled upon the song, he saw its potential. Despite initial skepticism from his bandmates, Wells persisted, and his intuition proved to be golden.
Mama Told Me (Not To Come) is a comedic masterpiece, a satirical look at the burgeoning counterculture movement of the late 1960s. The song’s brilliance lies in its storytelling. We meet the narrator, a wide-eyed innocent, thrust into a world far removed from his sheltered upbringing. The opening lines paint a vivid picture: “Want some whiskey in your water? Here it comes, straight from the tap…” The narrator is bombarded with unfamiliar sights and sounds – the smoky haze, the pulsating music, the carefree revelry.
Three Dog Night, known for their powerful vocals and layered harmonies, took Newman’s quirky composition and transformed it into a full-blown rock anthem. The band accentuated the humor in the lyrics, with Wells’s raspy, soulful voice perfectly capturing the narrator’s growing panic. Lines like, “That cigarette you’re smoking’s about to scare me half to death / Open up the window, let me catch my breath!” become comedic gold, delivered with a wink and a nudge.
Mama Told Me (Not To Come) transcended generations. For those who lived through the era, it was a hilarious reflection of the social upheaval. For younger audiences, it offered a glimpse into a bygone era, a time of rebellion and experimentation. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to tap into a universal theme – the fish-out-of-water experience, the culture clash between generations, and the awkwardness of encountering the unfamiliar.
So, when you hit play on Mama Told Me (Not To Come), prepare to be entertained. It’s a song that will make you laugh, reminisce, and appreciate the power of a well-crafted story set to music.
Video
Lyrics
“Mama Told Me (Not To Come)”
Sugar in your tea?
What’s all these crazy questions they’re askin’ me?
This is the craziest party that could ever be
Don’t turn on the lights ’cause I don’t wanna see
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
Open up the window, let some air into this room
I think I’m almost chokin’ from the smell of stale perfume
And that cigarette you’re smokin’ ’bout scare me half to death
Open up the window, sucker, let me catch my breath
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”
The radio is blastin’, someone’s knockin’ at the door
I’m lookin’ at my girlfriend – she’s passed out on the floor
I seen so many things I ain’t never seen before
Don’t know what it is – I don’t wanna see no more
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
She said, “That ain’t the way to have fun, son”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”