Mother Look What They've Done to Me
Amanda Lear Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Why all the shame and all the pain? Explain!
Oh mother, why are they lookin' at me?
Do you know what they're askin' me?
He gave me a small broken doll
But he stole - my soul
He promised to give me - a doll
And then he took away - my soul

Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Oh mother, look what they've done to me

Oh mother, didn't you hear me scream?
Oh mother, didn't you see me bleed?
There was so much shame and so much pain, explain!
Oh mother, why can't you explain?
What about those bruises on my brain?

Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Give me back my soul, mother, mother!

Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Oh mother, look what they've done to me
He gave me a small broken doll
But he stole - my soul




Why all the shame and all the pain
If you ever leave me alone again?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Amanda Lear's song "Mother, Look What They've Done to Me" depict the experiences of a woman who has undergone severe abuse by a man who gave her a small broken doll and then went ahead to 'steal her soul'. The woman appeals to her mother, whom she sees as her only confidante, to understand her plight and help her get out of it.


Throughout the song, the woman questions why she has to bear the shame and pain inflicted on her. She further asks her mother if she understands the torment she's going through and implores her to give her back her soul. The verses where she asks her mother, "Didn't you see me bleed?" and "What about those bruises on my brain?" are a depiction of the physical and psychological abuse she has endured.


The chorus, "Oh mother, look what they've done to me" is a call for help and a plea for her mother to understand how deeply she has been hurt by the abuse. The song highlights the importance of support from loved ones to victims of abuse, and the devastating effects of abuse on people's lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Expressing the pain she feels and how she has become a victim of their doing.


Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Repeating her pain and fears, hoping her mother will understand her agony.


Why all the shame and all the pain? Explain!
Questioning her mother why she faces the shame, the pain, and suffering.


Oh mother, why are they lookin' at me?
Asking her mother why the people are looking at her with peculiar glances.


Do you know what they're askin' me?
Seeking her mother's support and explanation regarding the queries others are raising about her.


He gave me a small broken doll but he stole - my soul
Metaphorically screaming how a small gift can take away her life's essence and damage it beyond repair.


He promised to give me - a doll and then he took away - my soul
The depth and sadness of being given a promise and then having it taken away, with devastating effects.


Oh mother, look what they've done to me
Repeating how she has become a victim of someone's actions, resulting in her current state of pain.


Oh mother, didn't you hear me scream?
Asking her mother why she was not there for her when she screamed and needed her the most.


Oh mother, didn't you see me bleed?
Expressing her frustration and wrath, feeling that her pain was not seen or heard by anyone.


There was so much shame and so much pain, explain!
Questioning the motive behind the cause of so much pain and shame that has befallen upon her.


Oh mother, why can't you explain?
Assertively asking her mother to provide a reason or logical explanation for the situation she is in.


What about those bruises on my brain?
Highlighting the existence of some unseen internal wounds, hoping to receive answers.


Give me back my soul, mother, mother!
Crying out to her mother to find and restore her soul, that has been ruthlessly snatched away from her.


If you ever leave me alone again?
Expressing her fear and insecurity that if her mother leaves her, she will be vulnerable again and face the same traumas and pain in the future.




Writer(s): Anton Monn, Amanda Lear

Contributed by Isaac L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@mauriciocastelloboluda2579

AMANDA 4 EVER!!!

@primadonna4535

The clearest HQ version ❤️

@latinwoof

Saint Etienne and now Amanda! You're my star!

@rodrikuro

😘❤️

@70Remmelt

Dit nummer staat op de B-Kant van "Follow me"..

More Versions