Iraheta is a Salvadoran born in Glendale, California. According to her parents, she has been singing since she was a toddler. Before rising to prominence, she usually sang in local Latin supermarkets.
In 2006, Iraheta won the Telemundo reality show Quinceañera, where she sang in both English and Spanish. The prize was a reward of USD $50,000 and a recording contract, but only the reward money was ever granted.
In 2009, Allison Iraheta competed on American Idol. She achieved acclaim for her rock sound and unique style, making it into the finals. Allison remained on the show until being eliminated at the final four, finishing in 4th place. The mentor of that week, Slash, praised Iraheta, saying, "Allison didn't deserve to be voted off so soon. She has amazing potential." American Idol music director Rickey Minor was "absolutely shocked" at her departure.
After her elimination on Idol, Iraheta made guest appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Larry King Live, local FOX television affiliates, and numerous radio stations nation-wide. She performed on the season eight finale of American Idol, including a group medley of Pink's "So What" with her fellow contestants and a duet of "Time After Time" with original artist Cyndi Lauper.
Official Site: www.allisoniraheta.com
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Allison Iraheta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That day I'll always remember, yes I will.
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
Oooh, I never got a chance to see him.
Never heard nothing but bad things about him.
Mama, I'm depending on you, tell me the truth.
And Mama just hung her head and said,
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
"Papa was a rolling stone, yeah yeah yeah
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
Hey Mama, is it true what they say,
That Papa never worked a day in his life?
And Mama, some bad talk going around town
Saying that Papa had three outside children and another wife.
And that ain't right.
HEARD SOME talk about Papa doing some store front preaching.
Talked about saving souls and all the time leeching.
Dealing in debt and stealing in the name of the Lord.
Mama just hung her head and said,
"Papa was a rolling stone.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
"Papa was a rolling stone. nah nah nah
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
Hey Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades.
Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Folk say Papa would beg, borrow, steal to pay his bill.
Hey Mama, folk say that Papa was never much on thinking.
Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking.
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
"Papa was a rolling stone. nah nah nah
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
"Papa was a rolling stone.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) All he left us was ALONE, lone lone lone."
"Papa was a rolling stone. Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE, alone alone, lone lone."
"Papa was a rolling stone. Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE, alone alone, lone lone."
"Papa was a rolling stone...."
(fade out)
Allison Iraheta's song "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" starts on a somber note, as the artist recalls the day her father died, asking her mother for the truth about him. The lyrics suggest that the father never took care of his family and was a womanizer. The chorus repeats the phrase "Papa was a rolling stone," implying that he constantly moved from place to place and didn't have a stable home. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the father's lack of commitment and willingness to settle down. The song ends on the same note, with the repetition of the phrase "Papa was a rolling stone" suggesting that the father left no lasting legacy and was ultimately forgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the third of September.
The day of Papa's passing which the singer will never forget.
That day I'll always remember, yes I will.
The singer will never forget the day Papa died.
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
The day that the singer's father passed away.
Oooh, I never got a chance to see him.
The singer didn't have the opportunity to meet with Papa before his death.
Never heard nothing but bad things about him.
The singer only knows negative things about Papa from what she's been told.
Mama, I'm depending on you, tell me the truth.
The singer asks her mother to reveal the truth to her.
And Mama just hung her head and said,
Mama is ashamed to reveal the truth.
"Papa was a rolling stone.
Papa was a nomadic man who never stayed in one place too long.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
Papa's home was wherever he chose to stay for the moment.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
Papa left his family with nothing when he passed away, not even his presence.
Hey Mama, is it true what they say,
The singer asks her mother about rumors she has heard.
That Papa never worked a day in his life?
The singer questions whether or not Papa was ever employed.
And Mama, some bad talk going around town
The singer has heard mean rumors about Papa.
Saying that Papa had three outside children and another wife.
People are saying that Papa had multiple affairs and children outside of his marriage.
And that ain't right.
The singer implies that the rumored infidelity and family abandonment is wrong.
HEARD SOME talk about Papa doing some store front preaching.
The singer has heard rumors about Papa preaching publicly.
Talked about saving souls and all the time leeching.
People criticize Papa for manipulating others to save their souls while taking advantage of them.
Dealing in debt and stealing in the name of the Lord.
Papa allegedly abused his religious position by using it to exploit people for personal gain.
Mama just hung her head and said,
Mama feels ashamed to admit the truth.
"Papa was a rolling stone. nah nah nah
Papa was a transient man who always moved around.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
Papa never stayed put, instead he made a temporary home wherever he happened to be.
(And when he died) oh All he left us was ALONE."
When Papa died, he left his family with nothing but emptiness.
Hey Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades.
The singer has heard Papa describe himself as skilled in many trades.
Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
The singer questions if Papa's constant lifestyle changes and lack of direction led to his early demise.
Folk say Papa would beg, borrow, steal to pay his bill.
People are talking about Papa taking from others to fulfill his financial obligations.
Hey Mama, folk say that Papa was never much on thinking.
The singer has heard that Papa did not put much thought into his actions.
Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking.
Papa had a history of philandering and drinking excessively.
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
The singer pleads with her mother to reveal the full truth to her.
"Papa was a rolling stone. nah nah nah
Papa was a carefree man who never stayed in one place.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
Papa's residence was wherever he happened to be in that moment.
(And when he died) All he left us was ALONE, lone lone lone."
When Papa passed away, his family was left with nothing but extremely strong feelings of loneliness and emptiness.
"Papa was a rolling stone...."
The song ends with the repetition of the song's title.
Contributed by David S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nickiraeeexo1915
That last note, man, 10 years later and I keep coming back to this.
@RonnieStewartJr
Tell me about it lmao
@for-real-countrygirl4192
Same
@caramelhoni6881
Omg!! I’m still listening to this in 2023, and still get chills!!!
@FurtherReview
One of the best American Idol performances of all time. Her last note nearly shattered my monitor. Sixteen years old? Unreal.
@giggilamour
Now this is why Allison and Adam Lambert were my top favorite that year!Love her to peices!
@dynamic_united
It’s 2024, and Lawd Jesus, that last night is still so so good!
@feliciapillow5860
I was sitting at home and American Idol crossed my mind. I thought about this outstanding performance of Pappas was a rolling stone. I remembered that the girl had red hair. Then I searched and found the video. You know someone is talented when you realize that it was 11 years ago.
@for-real-countrygirl4192
This is my all time favorite performance ever on AGT
@AreYOUaSpider
that ending gives me chills.. the good kind.