Genesis – Mama

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I can't see you mama
But I know you're always there
Ooh to touch and to feel you mama
Oh I just can't keep away
It's the heat and the steam of the city
Oh its got me running and I just can't brake
So say you'll help me mama
Cause its getting so hard

Now I can't keep you mama
But I know you're always there
You listen, you teach me mama
And I know inside you care
So get down, down here beside me
Oh you ain't going nowhere
No I won't hurt you mama
But its getting so hard

Can't you see me mama
Mama mama mama please
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart ooh
Listen to me mama
Mama mama
You're taking away any last chances
Don't take it away
Can't you feel my heart?..

It's hot, too hot for me mama
But I can't hardly wait
My eyes they're burning mama
Make the pain, make it go away
No I won't hurt you mama
But its getting so hard

Now I can't see you mama
But I know you're always there
You taunt, you tease me mama
But I never, never can keep away
It's the heat and the steam of the city

Send "Mama" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

Track duration: 06:52

"Mama" as written by Miguel Collins

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Mama song meanings
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27 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:Definitely about a man who is obsessed with a prostitute. That's been confirmed by the band over and over again through the years. The subject is supposed to be a teenager who has fallen in love with a much older prostitute (which is probably why he also sees her as a mother-type figure to him as well as his lover) and he's pleading with her to give him a chance to prove that he is worthy of her love.
    Flag dee73on December 26, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I buy the prostitute as subject matter. I don't buy the whole termination of pregnancy, nor do I think that it has anything to do with a literal mother. I envision Robert De Niro in "Taxi Driver" when I hear this song. It's a little like the guy is barely holding together his sanity and he needs this woman to help him feel better. However, she's just not that into him as he's just a customer, and that makes him angry. So he freaks out on her, but tries to reassure her that he "won't hurt" her, but "it's getting so hard" to control himself. Scary guy.
    Flag themis2121on April 04, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:I wouldn't take the various members explanations at 'Face Value' , pun intended. Inspiration may come from various sources all at the same time. This song may be inspired by a prostitute, or maybe God or maybe its a song about abortion. But I doubt the songwriters are going to say, "yeah, thats our secret". Probably a simple explanation like , yeah this is about a prostitute, makes it easier to talk to the media or whomever, but don't let that discourage your search for meaning in the art.
    Flag sandman71on December 21, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I have read all the previous comments and if the one that refers to Phil Collins speaking to the fact on the Genesis Songbook DVD, referencing prostitution, well then that blows my speculative theory of "Mama" symbolic of "Morphine" Opium, Heroin etc...
    Wouldn't it be great to sit with Mr. Collins, have a few drinks and pick that mans brain. There are so many of his lyrics in songs that are so deeply emotional, yet ambiguous to us mere mortals on the other-side of the song-page. Now I'll have to purchase the DVD before I can sleep again...
    Help Me Mama!!!
    Flag caseyponson November 19, 2011   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:The song is about Jesus and his relationship with God. Replace Mama with Jesus and it becomes clear. A relationship with a God he cannot see and divisive inner turmoil we all face with sin.
    Flagged bastionon August 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:for the record, how fucking incredible are the vocals in this song?!
    especially when collins sings "now listen to me mama/ mama mama /you're taking away my last chance /don't take it away / can't you feel my heart?"
    Flag soylee22on August 06, 2010   Link
  • -2
    My Interpretation:The song is not about a prostitute. The song is about a relationship with his therapist, and a subsequent Freudian condition known as transference. In therapy transference is the result of a chemical change in the brain caused by reliving a childhood trauma with an empathic therapist. The chemical change causes the paitent to feel strong emotions of love that is not warrented or real, thus the "Ha Ha Ha Ha Oh!"
    Flag HitTheDeckon May 16, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • -1
    General Comment:I always liked the abortion theory behind it. I know it's about a prostitute, but when you think about abortion, all of a sudden it becomes dark and dramatic. All of a sudden the iconic drum becomes the equivalence of a heartbeat and the lyrics take on a powerful meaning, especially "it's hot! too hot for me mama!".
    Flag godhammeron January 31, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:The song is about getting a blow job. It could be from a prostitute or not, but in this case if Phil Collins said it was about a prostitute, he got a blow job from a prostitute then.
    Mama is a way to call a beautiful woman among other things.
    Flag AlePon December 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always associate this song with the episode of Magnum P.I. where I first heard it. It was playing Magnum located the body of a serial killer's victim.
    Flag Letmeinon April 08, 2009   Link
    • 1 Reply

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