The song has also been a live staple of Aerosmith concerts throughout the band's career (including up to their most recent tour in 2009). Live versions of the song appeared on Live! Bootleg, Classics Live, and A Little South of Sanity.
The song has also appeared on several Aerosmith compilations including Gems (1988), Pandora's Box (1991), Pandora's Toys (1995), O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (2002) and Greatest Hits 1973–1988 (2004).
* In the early 1990s, the band opened up a music club called the Mama Kin Music Hall in their hometown of Boston, Massachusetts - the club has since closed.
* Steven Tyler has a tattoo on his arm with the phrase "Ma' Kin." He got it when the band was writing its first album because he had so much confidence in the song. Tyler and Perry have both said that his arm was too thin to fit the whole title.
* Shinedown references to "smokin' tea with Mama Kin" in their song "Cry for Help" on the Sound of Madness album
The song was covered by Guns N' Roses in 1986 and released in the same year in their EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide. It was later re-released on their 1988 EP G N' R Lies. There's also a live bootleg version of Guns N' Roses performing the song along with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Mama Kin
Aerosmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell ya, honey, how I feel
I've been dreaming
Floatin' down stream and
Losin' touch with all that is real
Whole earth lover, keepin' under cover
Never knowin' where ya been
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Well you've always got your tail on the wag
Shootin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for you dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for your dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
I said, tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
“Mama Kin” is a song by American rock band Aerosmith, written by lead singer Steven Tyler. It was released on the band’s self-titled debut album in 1973. The lyrics talk about the struggle of living as a gypsy and keeping in touch with one’s roots. The song addresses the difficulty of finding peace of mind and the importance of communicating with family (Mama Kin) about one’s experiences.
The lyrics suggest a sense of detachment and disillusionment with reality, perhaps as a result of constant touring and living the rock and roll lifestyle. The idea of “floating down stream and losing touch with all that is real” indicates a yearning for something more fulfilling than the superficial experiences of fame and fortune that come with being a rockstar. The song’s message is summed up in the line “you’ve got to say shit but don’t forget to drop me a line” which highlights the need for meaningful connections with loved ones despite life’s challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't easy, livin' like a gypsy
Living a nomadic, carefree lifestyle is not as easy as it seems
Tell ya, honey, how I feel
Sharing my feelings with you, my dear
I've been dreaming
I've been having dreams and aspirations
Floatin' down stream and
Going with the flow and not resisting the current
Losin' touch with all that is real
Losing touch with reality and becoming disconnected
Whole earth lover, keepin' under cover
A lover of nature and the planet, but trying to keep it hidden
Never knowin' where ya been
Not being sure of where one has been or where one is going
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Fading away and constantly putting on a show
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Staying in touch with one's roots and heritage
Well you've always got your tail on the wag
You are always following others and never leading yourself
Shootin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
Speaking harsh words and causing harm with one's words
You act like a perpetual drag
You are always bringing negative energy and are exhausting to be around
You better check it out
You should reconsider your actions and attitude
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Otherwise, you will have to return to a more responsible and disciplined way of life
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
Living the life you truly desire is not easy
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
It is difficult to be at peace with oneself
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
In my opinion, you need to speak up and be honest
But don't forget to drop me a line
But don't forget to keep me informed of your actions and whereabouts
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
Saying that you are bald at such a young age
And workin' for your dad is just a drag
Working for your father is boring and unfulfilling
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
He still tries to control your aspirations and goals
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Staying connected to one's past, ancestors, and heritage
Tell her where you've gone and been
Keeping one's ancestors informed of one's current situation
Livin' out your fantasy
Living out one's desires and dreams
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Relaxing and taking it easy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Steven Tyler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Walter Almonte
LYRICS for Mama Kin - Aerosmith
It ain't easy, livin' like a gypsy
Tell ya, honey, how I feel
I've been dreaming
Floatin' down stream and
Losin' touch with all that is real
Whole earth lover, keepin' under cover
Never knowin' where ya been
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Well you've always got your tail on the wag
Shootin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for you dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for your dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
I said, tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking T
LucasPWW
Lyrics
It ain't easy
Living like a gypsy
Tell your honey how I feel
I've been dreaming
Floating down the stream and
Losing touch with all that's real
Whole earth lover
Keeping undercover
Never know where you've been
You've been fading
Always out parading
Keep in touch with Mama Kin
Well you've always got your tail on the wag
Shooting fire from your mouth
Just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out
Because someday soon, you'll have to
Climb back on the wagon
It isn't easy living like you wanna
It's so hard to find peace of mind, yes, it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said, you're bald as an egg when you're eighteen
And working for your dad is just a drag
You still stuff your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to
Climb back on the wagon
Keep in touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Living out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keep in touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Living out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
It isn't easy living like you wanna
It's so hard to find peace of mind, yes, it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said, you're bald as an egg when you're eighteen
Working for your dad is just a drag
You still stuff your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Because someday soon you'll have to
Climb back on the wagon
Keeping up Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Living out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keep in touch with Mama Kin
I said I'll tell her where you've gone and been
Living out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Mike Bockey
It ain't easy, livin' like a gypsy
Tell ya, honey, how I feel
I've been dreaming
Floatin' down stream and
Losin' touch with all that is real
Whole earth lover, keepin' under cover
Never knowin' where ya been
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Well you've always got your tail on the wag
Shootin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for you dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for your dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
I said, tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Haya Dorca
Man this song literally defines what a good rock anthem should be; catchy and bouncy but not too simple or repetitive, a good deal of rawness but smooth and graceful as well, high passion but also soothing too, in other words: it's perfect!
Mark Moran
Aerosmith and Steven Tyler were great In their day But all good things must come to an end long live their music
Randomshitstormz
It goes on a couple too many times with the same verses.
Daniel Richardson
I had a girlfriend that told me she hated Aerosmith once. Dumped her.
baby blue_1965
love your comment❤it's exactly how I feel but I just don't know how to express it !!!
Matthew Conrad
A tweek of Sax to formulate the tragic end of a week of snow and the inevitable Nor'easter...
Walter Almonte
LYRICS for Mama Kin - Aerosmith
It ain't easy, livin' like a gypsy
Tell ya, honey, how I feel
I've been dreaming
Floatin' down stream and
Losin' touch with all that is real
Whole earth lover, keepin' under cover
Never knowin' where ya been
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Well you've always got your tail on the wag
Shootin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for you dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
It ain't easy, livin' like ya want to
And it's so hard to find peace of mind, yes it is
The way I see it, you've got to say shit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for your dad is just a drag
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams
You better check it out
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
Tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking tea
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin
I said, tell her where you've gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleeping late and smoking T
Jeffrey Quinn
They need to retire like the old STONES
Jeffrey Quinn
Put them in old folks HOME
Jacob Hemphill
I’m pretty sure it’s smoking tree not tea