His best known work includes the Disney animated movies, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as Little Shop of Horrors, Enchanted, Tangled and most recently, Sister Act the Musical.
Mother Knows Best
Alan Menken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Likes you? Please, Rapunzel, that's demented
This is why you never should have left
Dear, this whole romance that you've invented
Just proves you're too naive to be here
Why would he like you? Come on now, really!
Don't be a dummy
Come with mummy
Mother
No!
No?! Oh, I see how it is.
Rapunzel knows best
Rapunzel's so mature now
Such a clever grown-up Miss
Rapunzel knows best
Fine, if you're so sure now
Go ahead, then give him this
This is why he's here!
Don't let him deceive you!
Give it to him, watch, you'll see!
Trust me, my dear
That's how fast he'll leave you
I won't say I told you so
No, Rapunzel knows best!
So if he's such a dreamboat
Go and put him to the test
If he's lying
Don't come crying
Mother knows best
In the song "Mother Knows Best," Mother Gothel is attempting to convince Rapunzel that she is too naive to understand the ways of the world and that her romantic feelings towards Flynn Rider are fanciful delusions that will ultimately lead to her being hurt. She uses gaslighting techniques to make Rapunzel believe that Flynn is not interested in her and that if he is, it is only because of her naive trust in people. Mother Gothel wants to control Rapunzel, keep her locked in the tower and use her magical hair to stay young forever, and having a romantic relationship with someone else would jeopardize that position of control.
Gothel's strategy of making Rapunzel doubt herself and devaluing her feelings is a typical abusive behavior. She is using psychological manipulation to convince Rapunzel that she is not smart or savvy enough to recognize the truth of the situation, thereby maintaining control over her. The repeated statements of "Rapunzel knows best," which are in stark contrast to the information she is giving, are a clear indication of the manipulation, as she is trying to make Rapunzel believe that she is in control of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Likes you? Please, Rapunzel, that's demented
Your notion of him liking you is absurd, and it requires correction.
This is why you never should have left
You made a mistake by leaving home. I know what's best for you.
Dear, this whole romance that you've invented
The entire idea of you and him sharing a romance is your fiction and delusion.
Just proves you're too naive to be here
Your delusion proves your immaturity and cluelessness, and you need my guidance.
Why would he like you? Come on now, really!
Why would someone like him be interested in you? It doesn't make sense. Be realistic.
Look at you, you think that he's impressed?
You think he's impressed with you? You're not what he wants.
Don't be a dummy
Don't be foolish or stupid.
Come with mummy
Listen to me and trust my judgment. I know what's best for you.
No?! Oh, I see how it is.
You're rejecting my advice and guidance.
Rapunzel knows best
I'm a wise and experienced mother who knows what's good for you.
Rapunzel's so mature now
You might think you're mature, but you lack the experience and judgement to make wise decisions.
Such a clever grown-up Miss
You want to be perceived as clever and grown-up, but you're not there yet.
Fine, if you're so sure now
You're so confident, then go ahead and do what you want.
Go ahead, then give him this
If you insist on pursuing him, then give him this message from me.
This is why he's here!
He's interested in you because he wants something from you or to take advantage of you.
Don't let him deceive you!
Be mindful and vigilant of his intentions and actions. He might deceive you.
Give it to him, watch, you'll see!
Give him this message and observe how he responds. He'll prove me right.
Trust me, my dear
I'm not lying to you. I'm your mother, and I know best.
That's how fast he'll leave you
He's not interested in you for the right reasons, and he'll abandon you once he gets what he wants.
I won't say I told you so
I don't want to rub it in your face that I was right all along.
No, Rapunzel knows best!
I'm still the best judge of what's right for you. Trust me.
So if he's such a dreamboat
If you still think he's attractive and desirable despite my warnings.
Go and put him to the test
Test his sincerity and intentions to see if he truly cares about you.
If he's lying
He might be lying to you about his intentions and feelings.
Don't come crying
Don't come to me for consolation and help if he hurts you or betrays you.
Mother knows best
Again, trust me. I'm your mother, and I always know what's best for you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Irwin Menken, Glenn Evan Slater
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimbo
I love her voice so much so soothing in a weird way
Briar Rose
it has that very sultry lounge like feel when she speaks and sings
Noe Lanza
True fav disney villain
Nathaniel Foresti
Its motherly haha
coco camisa
her voice is soothing in the best way
Michelle Green
Yesss
maggie dollahon
Holy frick if they made a live action Tangled she could still play her.
Nicolas Natã
Oh, a Shaggy
Nicolas Natã
Playbill - Poor Murderer.
Simeon Witten
she played the same character in a production of Into the Woods. wish kinda granted.