Mama Guitar
Don Cornell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, mama, mama guitar
Hey, mama guitar
Sweet mama, mama guitar
I love my mama guitar
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
Beats a woman every time
You can strum her
You can thump her
You can throw her on the floor
You can pick her
You can dump her
But she'll only cry for more
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
(CHORUS)
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
You can walk away and leave her
And she won't sneak out and cheat
You can take her on your travels
And she never has to cheat
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
(CHORUS)
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
You can tease her
You can squeeze her
Make her sing sweet and blue
And if the strings get rusty
You can trade her in for new
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
Hey, mama, mama guitar
Hey, mama guitar
Sweet mama, mama guitar
I love my mama
I love my mama
I love my mama
I love my mama
I love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
Love my mama guitar
I love my mama guitar
The song "Mama Guitar" by Don Cornell, though it may seem strange and even offensive to some listeners now, was a product of its time. Cornell's lyrics convey a playful and exaggerated comparison between a guitar and a woman, where the guitar is preferred over a woman. The chorus, where the singer sings "Hey, mama, mama guitar", is a testimony of his affection for his guitar, which he treats better than he would a woman. The first verse makes claims such as "A mama guitar beats a woman every time," which may be interpreted as sexist or chauvinistic but is merely playful boasting by the singer. He then carries on with the second verse, which implies that the guitar is more loyal than any woman could ever be because she won't sneak out or cheat. The third verse describes how one can tease, squeeze, and even discard the guitar without any real damage, suggesting that it's a toy.
Overall, the song's playful and exaggerated tone along with its quick tempo make "Mama Guitar" a lighthearted listen. However, it's important to recognize the lyrics’ outdated ideas about gender roles and what is acceptable behavior toward women that should be discouraged today.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, mama, mama guitar
Addressing the mama guitar with love and respect
Hey, mama guitar
Continuing to show appreciation for the mama guitar
Sweet mama, mama guitar
Describing the mama guitar as a loving and nurturing presence
I love my mama guitar
Expressing affection for the instrument
A mama guitar
Beats a woman every time
Drawing a comparison between the mama guitar and a romantic partner, suggesting that the guitar is better in certain ways
You can strum her
You can thump her
You can throw her on the floor
Describing the various ways the guitar can be played and handled
You can pick her
You can dump her
But she'll only cry for more
Noting that the guitar is durable and will not be hurt by rough treatment
You can walk away and leave her
And she won't sneak out and cheat
Contrasting the guitar's faithfulness with the potential infidelity of a romantic partner
You can take her on your travels
And she never has to cheat
Further emphasizing the guitar's loyalty and reliability
You can tease her
You can squeeze her
Make her sing sweet and blue
Describing the ways the guitar can be played to create beautiful music
And if the strings get rusty
You can trade her in for new
Acknowledging that the guitar is ultimately a replaceable object
I love my mama
I love my mama
I love my mama
I love my mama
Repeating affectionate statements about the guitar
I love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
Love my mama guitar
Repeating the previous sentiment with added emphasis
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
demonbarber14
This is a great one! Thanks for the upload!
Suddenly its 1960
This song is from the 1957 Elia Kazan film starring Andy Griffith as “lonesome Rhodes”. Andy’s version of this song is the best.
The song was written by Tom Glazer.
Shindoba Nakanaka
確か映画の群衆の中の一つ顔の主題歌だと思います。