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Mama
Genesis Lyrics


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I can't see you, mama
But I can hardly wait
And to touch and to feel you, mama
Oh I just can't keep away

In the heat and the steam of the city
Oh it's got me running and I just can't brake
So say you'll help me, mama
'Cause it's getting so hard, oh

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 it's getting so hard, oh

Ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha oh
Ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha oh

Can't you see me here, mama
Mama, mama, mama, please
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart oh
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?

Ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha oh

It's hot, too hot for me, mama
But I can hardly wait
My eyes they're burning, mama
And I can feel my body shake

Don't stop, don't stop me, mama
Oh make the pain, make it go away, hey
No, I won't hurt you, mama
But its getting so hard, oh

Now I can't see you, mama
But I know you're always there
You taunt, you tease me, mama
But I never, never, never can keep away

It's the heat and the steam of the city
Oh got me running and I just can't brake
So stay, don't leave me, mama
'Cause it's getting so hard, oh

Don't go,
No no, don't go
Mama, mama, don't go
No, don't go
No no no no, don't go ha ha
Don't go

Overall Meaning

The song Mama by Genesis seems to be depicting a complex mother-son relationship. The song isn't literally about a romantic relationship with a woman named 'Mama'; rather, it's about the son's intense desire to be close to his mother. The lyrics express the son's longing for his mother, which is so strong that it feels like a constant presence, even when she's not physically there. The song's narrator suggests that he needs to be closer to his mother to help him through a difficult time, but it's not clear what that difficult time is. The song is imbued with a sense of urgency and longing, with a strong sense of the singer's desire for his mother's support and love.


The opening lyrics of the song are particularly striking, as the singer says he cannot see his mother but longs to touch and feel her. The lyrics then describe the heat and steam of the city and the way it's affecting the singer, presumably making him physically uncomfortable. The singer then pleads with his mother to help him through the pain of his current life, expressing his gratitude for everything his mother has taught him and his knowledge that she cares deeply for him.


Interestingly, the song has a slightly haunting quality to it, with much of the lyrics almost whispered. The slow, pounding beat of the chorus mixed with the whispered lyrics creates a sense of desperation and tension that is very rare in pop music. With its heavy drums and tense vocals, Mama is a dark and intense song that lingers in the mind long after it ends.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't see you, mama
I may not physically see you, but I yearn for you


But I can hardly wait
The anticipation to be close to you is unbearable


And to touch and to feel you, mama
Being close to you is an emotional and physical desire


Oh I just can't keep away
Despite any complications, being close to you is a top priority


In the heat and the steam of the city
The pressure of life and its difficulties are all around me


Oh it's got me running and I just can't brake
The stress I’m under is driving me, leaving no space for rest


So say you'll help me, mama
I need assurance and support from you


'Cause it's getting so hard, oh
My situation is worsening and it is becoming a huge challenge for me


Now I can't keep you, mama
I know you can't be with me all the time


But I know you're always there
I know you are available for me when I need you


You listen, you teach me, mama
You've taught me a lot in my life and I can come to you for guidance


And I know, inside you care
You care for me deeply, it's evident in every action you take


So get down, down here beside me
Come closer to me and be with me in my sadness and fear


Oh you ain't going nowhere
I don't want you to leave me, even for a moment


No, I won't hurt you, mama
I will never intentionally cause you pain


But it's getting so hard, oh
My struggles are becoming unbearable and I need your help


Can't you see me here, mama
I need you to recognize me as a person with my own troubles


Mama, mama, mama, please
I am pleading with you to understand me


Can't you feel my heart
My feelings are real and I need you to empathize with me


Now listen to me, mama
I have something important to say to you


You're taking away my last chance
You are hindering my progress and causing me to lose hope


Don't take it away
I implore you to assist and not hold me back


It's hot, too hot for me, mama
The pressure and heat of my struggles are too much for me to handle alone


My eyes they're burning, mama
The tears and stress are affecting me physically


And I can feel my body shake
I am losing control over my body due to my stress levels


Don't stop, don't stop me, mama
I need to keep going forward, even if it's difficult


Oh make the pain, make it go away, hey
Please help me through the pain and make it bearable


You taunt, you tease me, mama
You challenge me to be a better person and encourage my growth


But I never, never, never can keep away
I will always need your guidance and support


So stay, don't leave me, mama
I need you to stay with me, no matter what happens


'Cause it's getting so hard, oh
The struggle is becoming increasingly more difficult to handle


Don't go,
I need you here with me


No no, don't go
I can't handle it if you leave me


No, don't go
I am scared to have you leave me


No no no no, don't go ha ha
I can't handle it if you leave me, even the thought is scary




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Rutherford, Phil Collins, Tony Banks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@badhabit3737

Does anyone miss the 80's after hearing this..? I do.. There's nothing around like this these day's. Song friggin rocks.

@dougevans8133

I've missed the '80s since the '90s!

@badhabit3737

@@dougevans8133 The music was ao much better than... Ugh..

@m.y.o.b.724

The early to mid 80s were the bomb. After that music slowly started to go downhill.

@Putz9

I'm sooo hooked on this song man

@matthewmammothswine4395

there is still great music like this out there, just gotta look a lot harder than back in the 80s

84 More Replies...

@antjuansampson3877

The 60's, 70's and the 80's was real music no doubt about it. The crap today doesn't compare.

@vlredreign

38 years later, and this song is STILL a frigging religious experience. Genesis, and Phil Collins' later solo work, will stand the test of time. Old school brilliance.

@SweetThing

This song is about a young man obsessed with a prostitute who is not interested in him. He has an Oedipal fixation on her, and insists on calling her "Mama." It is based on a book Phil Collins read called The Moon's A Balloon, by David Niven.

@persijathejak315

Mengapa sekarang nggak ada lagu2 yg ber mutu spt thn 80/90salut genesis

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