Several artists use this name:

1) American singer Charlene (Oliver, … Read Full Bio ↴Several artists use this name:

1) American singer Charlene (Oliver, née D'Angelo) - best known for her 1976 sleeper hit single, I've Never Been To Me, which reached #97 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In 1982, renewed interest in the song led to the single reaching #3 in the USA and #1 in the UK. The song also reached #1 in Australia in 1983 for six weeks.

wikipedia ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Never_Been_to_Me

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2) Charlene (also Charlene Meulenberg) is an artist from the Netherlands who finished third in Season 4 (2008) of the Dutch Idols singing competition, but who was favored by many fans and the musical team behind Wouter Hamel and Giovanca (Dox Records), whom she signed with after the competition. She has already released her debut album, Charlene, with the label.

official site: http://www.charlenemeulenberg.com

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3) Charlene is the name used by an indie/shoegaze/pop group from Newton, Massachusetts which released its self-titled debut album, Charlene in 2002. Their most recent release was the single, Oh Hey (2008).

Charlene is an indie rock band that originated in Allston, Massachusetts in the latter half of the 1990s. The group has released three seven inch singles, an eponymous debut album and, most recently, a digital-only single. The band's esthetic sense has been likened to the shoegazing scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s with favorably drawn comparisons to Slowdive, Spiritualized, and Ride as well as post-punk touchstones like New Order and the Jesus and Mary Chain.

The band began as a four-track recording project between friends, Matt Mirande and John (Randy) Rex in 1996. early recording activity produced a trio of 7" singles self released under their own SharkAttack! imprint (also responsible for 7" and CD releases by the bands, Lockgroove and Compass), the first of which was enthusiastically compared to Spacemen 3 in Brainwashed. By 2002 Charlene (now expanded to a four piece with the addition of Ian Lawrence [drums] and Kelly Ferguson [bass]) released their eponymous debut album, again under the SharkAttack! label. East Coast tours with Bloodthirsty Lovers and Mark Gardener (ex-Ride) were undertaken to promote the debut, while Boston area support slots for touring acts such as Bedhead, Low, Elf Power, Fridge, Her Space Holiday and American Analog Set provided additional exposure.

Since 2005 a fluctuating lineup (Rex and Mirande remain the only permanent members) has made live shows sporadic, although a tour was undertaken with the band Sons (Chapel Hill) in July of 2007. In 2008 recordings were completed on a second full length album (with a release expected later in 2010) entitled, Our Friends Electric. A digital-only single, "Oh Hey" was released as a teaser in November of 2008.

official site/discography: http://www.ourfriendselectric.net/
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/charleneband
wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlene_%28band%29
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4) Another Dutch artist with a similar name is Charlène de Lange, who has been active since 2000 and who has recorded four albums to date (between 2002-2008), all of which have charted among the Dutch Top 50.

official site: http://www.charlenedelange.nl
wikipedia ref: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlène_de_Lange

Hey Mama
Charlene Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Growing into me
Ain't the best thing I could be
I was taken to the school of life
And taught conformity
And I really miss that kid
And the crazy things she did
But I guess
She wouldn't think too much of me

Hey Mama
Hey Mama
Can I go out into the world and play?
Hey Mama
Hey Mama
Please come back and take the world away

It really hurt inside
When they told me God has died
But I can't afford the luxury
Of honesty and pride
When they come to cut the chord
Do they have to use a sword?
How I wish I could find yesterday?

Hey Mama
Hey Mama
Can I go out into the world and play?
Hey Mama
Hey Mama
Please come back and take the world away

Repeat the last verse and fade.

Overall Meaning

In "Hey Mama," Charlene expresses her internal conflict about growing up and conforming to societal norms. She reflects on her past self and the freedom she once had to embrace her individuality and do wild things. Now, as she tries to fit in and be what is expected of her, she feels like she has lost a piece of herself. She longs for her mother, who she believes can take away the burden of the outside world and make everything okay.

The lyrics suggest that Charlene feels forced into conformity and doesn't have the luxury to be honest about her struggles. She's aware that she's not living up to her full potential and wishes she could go back to the time when things were simpler. When she questions if God has died, it reveals the deep despair she feels.

The repetition of "Hey Mama" throughout the song emphasizes Charlene's desire for comfort and security, as if she's calling out to her mother to take away her pain, just like when she was a child. The song is a reminder that even as adults, we often long for the safety and protection of our childhood.

Line by Line Meaning

Growing into me
I am becoming who I am meant to be

Ain't the best thing I could be
It may not be the easiest, but it's necessary

I was taken to the school of life
I was exposed to the harsh realities of the world

And taught conformity
And was expected to conform to societal norms and expectations

And I really miss that kid
I miss the carefree and innocent version of myself

And the crazy things she did
And the wild and spontaneous things she used to do

But I guess
But I realize

She wouldn't think too much of me
That version of myself wouldn't approve of who I've become

Hey Mama
Dear mother

Can I go out into the world and play?
May I experience the world and all it has to offer?

Please come back and take the world away
I wish to escape the harshness of the world and go back to a simpler time