Anderson was raised by her paternal grandparents in Houston, Texas during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Her mother was Vicki Anderson, a soul singer who was the featured singer with James Brown during the 1960s and 1970s, and Brown is Anderson's godfather. Anderson briefly married in 1978 and had a son, but the marriage did not last and for most of the 1980s she was living as a single parent in California and attempting to launch her singing career. Her only major success was recording vocals for a song by her step-father Bobby Byrd in 1988, and so in June 1990, she decided to relocate with her son to England to try her luck at starting a career there.
Anderson quickly formed an Acid jazz band with Marc Nelson and Femi Williams called the Young Disciples. The group's only album, Road to Freedom (Talkin' Loud, 1991), was a great success and contained the break-out single Apparently Nothin' (Talkin' Loud, 1992). Anderson received a lot of attention as the lead singer (and keyboardist) of the group, and used her heightened profile to negotiate a new, solo recording contract with Virgin Records in 1992.
1992 saw Anderson record backing vocals for Paul Weller's eponimous solo album, which was the start of a long friendship and working relationship between the two. Weller helped Anderson with her production and songwriting, which led to the release of her first solo work, The Dusky Sapho EP (Circa/Virgin, 1993). Throughout this period, Anderson also continued to supply backing and guest vocals for a wide variety of other artists from Galliano to Bryan Ferry to the first volume of Guru's Jazzmatazz project.
Her first solo album - True Spirit (Circa/Virgin, 1994) - followed, and was a moderate critical and sales success. Anderson cemented her working relationship with Paul Weller by providing backing vocals (with her sister, Pamela) on his legendary Stanley Road (Polygram, 1995) record, and the follow up Heavy Soul (Polygram, 1997). To return the favour he worked with her on her second solo album, Blessed Burden (Circa/Virgin, 1998). The album continued her professional development, but was to be her final one for Virgin.
Following her departure from Virgin, Anderson briefly filled in as lead vocalist for the Brand New Heavies following the departure of their lead singer N'Dea Davenport - ironic, considering both were American singers who found their fame in British Acid jazz groups. Anderson also continued to provide guest and backing vocals for other artists whilst working on her first independently produced album, Alberta's Granddaughter (Dusky Sappho Music, 2002), which was followed by greatist hits album Up To Now: The Best Of (Virgin, 2004).
Following this, Anderson moved to Dome records to release Soul Providence (Dome, 2005), and 2006 is mostly to be spent touring to promote the album.
Mama Said
Carleen Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pay attention, little sister
Mama, something happened today
A boy came up to me, who said he'd lost his way
He followed me and gently held my hand
Tomorrow he said, he'd take me to sugar land
Mama said
"Run baby, run, go find a place to hide
(Run)
Sounds like the wolf to me, he'll eat you alive
(Run)"
"Run baby, run, go find a place to hide
(Run)
Close all the doors, don't let that wolf inside"
Mama said
Better listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Better listen to your mama
Don't say I didn't tell you so
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
But mama, he seemed to be so sweet
And when he smiled at me, he knocked me off my feet
He only wants to kiss and hold me close
I must admit I weep for him and feeling the most, mama said
"Run baby, run, go find a place to hide
(Run)
Sounds like the wolf to me, he'll eat you alive
(Run)"
"Run baby, run, go find a place to hide
(Run)
Close all the doors, don't let that wolf inside"
Mama said
Better listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Better listen to your mama
Don't say I didn't tell you so
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
You better run before he knows, he makes
Every tingle in your body quit
Be careful, not to lose your
Before you know that he have complete control, run
You're missing the taste that's left on to his lips
But he can drink it dry on every drip
He'd be the only one who make you cry
And you can do what's up that
"Run baby, go, go find the place to hide
Sounds like the one to me who'll leave to the night
Run baby, go, go find the place to hide
Close all the doors, don't let that wolf inside", mama said
Baby, listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Baby, listen to your mama
'Cause I will show you some
Baby, listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Baby, listen to your mama, yeah
Pay attention, little sister
Carleen Anderson’s song "Mama Said" is a cautionary tale about a young girl who follows the advice of her mother. The lyrics are like a conversation between the girl and her mama, where the girl is telling her mother about experiencing love at first sight with a boy who seems sweet but is actually dangerous. Mama responds with warnings that the boy is like a wolf who will eat her alive, and she should run and hide.
The young girl is infatuated and hesitant to follow her mother’s advice, but she ultimately heeds her words and runs away from the boy. The theme of the song is about the importance of listening to one’s mother and not letting infatuation cloud judgment.
The overall tone of the song is one of urgency, with the repeated line “Run baby, run, go find a place to hide” conveying a sense of danger. The use of the metaphor of a “wolf” for the dangerous boy adds to the eerie vibe of the song.
Overall, "Mama Said" is a powerful reminder of the love and wisdom of mothers, and the importance of listening to their advice when it comes to matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
My mama told me, my mama said
The singer is quoting her mother who has given her some advice.
Pay attention, little sister
The singer's mother is urging her to listen to her advice.
Mama, something happened today
The singer addresses her mother and is about to tell her what happened.
A boy came up to me, who said he'd lost his way
A boy the singer met claims to be lost.
He followed me and gently held my hand
The boy followed the singer and held her hand gently.
Tomorrow he said, he'd take me to sugar land
The boy offered to take the singer somewhere he calls 'sugar land.'
Mama said
The mother is about to give her advice to the singer.
"Run baby, run, go find a place to hide
(Run)
Sounds like the wolf to me, he'll eat you alive
(Run)"
The mother warns the singer that the boy might be dangerous, aka a wolf, and advises her to run away and hide.
"Close all the doors, don't let that wolf inside"
Mama said
The mother warns the singer again, telling her to close all doors and not allow the boy in.
Better listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Better listen to your mama
Don't say I didn't tell you so
The mother is confident in her advice and advises the singer to listen to her, so she won't regret it in the future.
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
The mother keeps repeating her urging for the singer to pay attention.
But mama, he seemed to be so sweet
And when he smiled at me, he knocked me off my feet
He only wants to kiss and hold me close
I must admit I weep for him and feeling the most, mama said
The singer is trying to justify the boy's actions and tells her mother that she is in love with him. Mama, on the other hand, is advising her to run away and hide.
"Run baby, run, go find a place to hide
(Run)
Sounds like the wolf to me, he'll eat you alive
(Run)"
Mama reiterates her advice to the singer who is falling for the boy.
"Close all the doors, don't let that wolf inside"
Mama said
Mama warns her again about not letting the boy in.
You better run before he knows, he makes
Every tingle in your body quit
Be careful, not to lose your
Before you know that he have complete control, run
The singer's mother is telling her that if she doesn't run away from the boy fast enough, he will take control over everything she has.
You're missing the taste that's left on to his lips
But he can drink it dry on every drip
He'd be the only one who make you cry
And you can do what's up that
The mother is warning the singer that the boy may be using her, leaving her feeling like a tool and eventually making her cry. Therefore, she advises her to be careful.
"Run baby, go, go find the place to hide
Sounds like the one to me who'll leave to the night
Run baby, go, go find the place to hide
Close all the doors, don't let that wolf inside", mama said
The mother still insists on her advice, telling the singer to run and hide and not let the boy in.
Baby, listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Baby, listen to your mama
'Cause I will show you some
The mother encourages the singer again by trying to persuade her that she knows what's best for her.
Baby, listen to your mama
'Cause mama surely knows
Baby, listen to your mama, yeah
Pay attention, little sister
Mama is still giving out advice, urging the singer to listen, pay attention, and be careful.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARLEEN ANDERSON, IAN COPELAND GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beyondthepage9389
Has anyone taken the time to listen to the lyrics of this song. Check it out....
Mama, something happened today
A boy came up to me, who said he'd lost his way
He followed me and gently held my hand
Tomorrow he said he'd take me to sugar land
Mama said.. "Run baby, run go find a place to hide
Sounds like the wolf to me he'll eat you alive
"Run baby, run go find a place to hide
Close all the doors don't let that wolf inside"
Better listen to your mama
Cos mama surely knows
Better listen to your mama
Don't say I didn't tell you so
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
But mama, he seemed to be so sweet
And when he smiled at me he knocked me off my feet
He only wants to kiss and hold me close
I must admit I weep for him and feel for him most.
But Mama said.. "Run baby, run go find a place to hide
Sounds like the wolf to me, he'll eat you alive
"Run baby, run go find a place to hide
Close all the doors don't let that wolf inside"
Better listen to your mama
Cos mama surely knows
Better listen to your mama
Don't say I didn't tell you so
You better run before he knows he makes
Every tingle in your body quake
You must be careful not to lose your soul
Because before you know it he'll have complete control..
You miss the taste he left upon your lips
How he can drink you dry with just one sip.
How he's the only one who makes you cry
And you can do with out that so best you sooooon fly
Muma Said.."Run baby, run go find a place to hide
Sounds like the wolf to me, he'll eat you alive
"Run baby, run go find a place to hide
Close all the doors don't let that wolf inside"
Baby, listen to your mama
Cos mama surely knows
Baby, listen to your mama
Cos she knows how it goes
So pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
Pay attention, little sister
@shenleyfogarty1698
classic...you just dont hear vocalist like Carleen again...truly ..truly majestic.
@chereenaMiller
what you said! man this a groove... these songs were my teachers! What a voice!! UK Legend..
It's the chords fo me/ and it is a song where you can enjoy the beat and the vocals, and get lost in both.
@willomo
her voice is so powerful and soulful
@leighjones6514
Love love love this woman! I loved this album and it’s still one of my all time faves even after all these years xx
@doylesmusculoskeletalsport799
wonderful song, wonderful voice, wonderful dance, wonderful girl,
thank you for the joy
Martin
@malko42
You are so absolutely right. This is great stuff.
@bethnalbubble
Beautiful song from a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice xx
@ulisesalcazar8981
Extraordinaria artista no suficientemente valorada. Ni modo, ellos se lo pierden...
@kernowrock555
Finally .. I found her !! I remembered Young disciples ..years ago, and thought herrvoive was unique! .. wow!
@studonaldson1497
Yes! The Young Disciples too. Thought I was the only one who remembered, so pleased I’m not. Stu X