In Broadway, after They're Playing Our Song (1979), she was an understudy in the musical/opera The Human Comedy in April 1984 and played various roles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood from 1985 to 1987. She also played Audrey in Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors. In 1994, she played the role of Fosca in Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's Passion, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. In 1996, she played Anna Leonowens in the revival of The King and I alongside Lou Diamond Philips. The role earned her a second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She appeared as Ruth Sherwood in a revival of Wonderful Town from 2003 to 2005 (having previously performed in the New York City Center Encores! 2000 staged concert of that musical), and was nominated for the Tony Award, Best Actress in a Musical and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. In 2007, she appeared in Lovemusik as Lotte Lenya, opposite Michael Cerveris as Kurt Weill, receiving nominations for Tony and Drama Desk Awards. She appeared in the 2007 New York City Center Encores! staged concert of Follies as Phyllis.[9] Her next announced role is in the Roundabout Theatre production of a new musical, The People in the Picture, opening on April 28, 2011 and closing on June 19, 2011.[10]
Murphy's film roles include, most recently, the role of Mother Gothel in the animated musical film Tangled (2010).[11] She also has appeared as Anij, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's love interest, in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), Scarlett Johansson's mother in The Nanny Diaries and Rosalie Octavius, wife of Dr. Otto Octavius, the film's villain, in Spider-Man 2 (2004). She appeared in the film Center Stage as a ballet teacher in 2000 and in Darren Aronofsky's 2006 film The Fountain as Betty, a surgical research assistant.
On television, Murphy has appeared in the NBC soap opera Another World from 1989 through 1991 as District Attorney Morgan Graves. She has also had roles in a number of television series. She played a recurring character in Liberty! The American Revolution (as Abigail Adams) (1997), Murder One (1995–1996), Law & Order as Carla Tyrell in a recurring role (2000), Hack (2002–2003) and Trust Me (2009).
Mother Knows Best
Donna Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at you, as fragile as a flower
Still a little sapling, just a sprout
You know why we stay up in this tower
I know but
That's right, to keep you safe and sound, dear
Knew that soon you'd want to leave the nest
Soon, but not yet
But
Shh! Trust me, pet
Mother knows best
Mother knows best
Listen to your mother
It's a scary world out there
Mother knows best
One way or another
Something will go wrong, I swear
Ruffians, thugs, poison ivy, quicksand
Cannibals and snakes, the plague
No! Yes! But
Also large bugs
Men with pointy teeth, and
Stop, no more, you'll just upset me
Mother's right here
Mother will protect you
Darling, here's what I suggest
Skip the drama
Stay with mama
Mother knows best
Got ahead, get trampled by a rhino
Go ahead, get mugged and left for dead!
Me, I'm just your mother, what do I know?
I only bathed, and changed, and nursed you
Go ahead and leave me, I deserve it
Let me die alone here, be my guest!
When it's too late, you'll see, just wait
Mother knows best
Mother knows best
Take it from your mumsy
On your own, you won't survive
Sloppy, underdressed, immature, clumsy
Please, they'll eat you up alive
Gullible, naive, positively grubby
Ditzy and a bit, well, hmm, vague
Plus, I believe gettin' kinda chubby
I'm just saying 'cause I wuv you
Mother understands
Mother's here to help you
All I have is one request
Rapunzel?
Yes?
Don't ever ask to leave this tower again
Yes, mother
I love you very much, dear
I love you more
I love you most
Don't forget it
You'll regret it
Mother knows best
In the Disney movie Tangled, Donna Murphy plays the character of Mother Gothel. She sings the song "Mother Knows Best" to keep Rapunzel, who is imprisoned in a tower, from leaving. Despite Mother Gothel claiming that she wants to protect Rapunzel from the dangers of the outside world, her real motive is to keep Rapunzel's magical hair for herself. Throughout the song, she tries to instill fear in Rapunzel by listing all the possible dangers that could befall her outside, from ruffians and thugs to quicksand and cannibals, and ends with the line, "Don't ever ask to leave this tower again."
The lyrics reveal Mother Gothel's manipulation of Rapunzel, who is young and innocent. Mother Gothel uses fear-mongering to keep Rapunzel in the tower and under her control. She also tries to make Rapunzel feel insecure about herself, calling her "gullible, naive, positively grubby" and "ditzy and a bit, well, hmm, vague," and hints at Rapunzel's weight, saying she's "gettin' kinda chubby." The song portrays a toxic mother-daughter relationship, where the mother is possessive and manipulative, and the daughter is desperate for affection and approval.
Line by Line Meaning
You want to go outside? Why, Rapunzel!
Why would you ever leave this tower, Rapunzel?
Look at you, as fragile as a flower
You are not strong enough to survive the dangers of the outside world
Still a little sapling, just a sprout
You are young and inexperienced and have much to learn
You know why we stay up in this tower
We stay in this tower to protect you from harm
That's right, to keep you safe and sound, dear
I know what's best for you and I won't let you be hurt
Guess, I always knew this day was coming
I knew that one day you would want to leave the tower
Knew that soon you'd want to leave the nest
Soon you will be ready to leave the safety of the tower
Soon, but not yet
You are not ready to leave just yet
Shh! Trust me, pet
Don't argue with me, trust me
Mother knows best
I know what's best for you
Listen to your mother
Listen to my wisdom and advice
It's a scary world out there
The outside world is dangerous and unpredictable
One way or another
No matter what, something bad will happen to you
Something will go wrong, I swear
You will face danger and challenges if you leave the tower
Ruffians, thugs, poison ivy, quicksand
There are many dangerous things outside the tower, such as criminals and deadly plants and terrain
Cannibals and snakes, the plague
There are even more deadly things outside, such as people who eat humans, poisonous snakes, and infectious diseases
No! Yes! But
You may argue, but no matter what, I know what's best
Also large bugs
There are also many gross and creepy-crawly insects outside
Men with pointy teeth, and
There are also dangerous animals and mythical creatures outside
Stop, no more, you'll just upset me
Don't argue or you'll make me angry
Mother's right here
I am here to protect you from harm
Mother will protect you
I will protect you from all harm
Darling, here's what I suggest
I have some advice for you
Skip the drama
Don't cause any trouble
Stay with mama
Stay with me where it's safe
Got ahead, get trampled by a rhino
If you leave the tower, you could be hurt or killed by a dangerous animal
Go ahead, get mugged and left for dead!
If you leave the tower, you could be robbed and left to die
Me, I'm just your mother, what do I know?
I only want what's best for you, because I love you
I only bathed, and changed, and nursed you
I have given you everything you need and have protected you all your life
Go ahead and leave me, I deserve it
If you want to leave the tower, I won't stop you, even though it will break my heart
Let me die alone here, be my guest!
If you leave, I will be alone and miserable, but it's your choice
When it's too late, you'll see, just wait
When you realize that the outside world is dangerous and you are not ready, it will be too late
Take it from your mumsy
Listen to your mother's advice
On your own, you won't survive
You are not strong enough to survive on your own
Sloppy, underdressed, immature, clumsy
You are not ready to face the challenges of the outside world
Please, they'll eat you up alive
Others will take advantage of you and hurt you
Gullible, naive, positively grubby
You are too trusting and innocent, and you are not clean or prepared for the real world
Ditzy and a bit, well, hmm, vague
You are scattered and not focused or practical
Plus, I believe gettin' kinda chubby
You are gaining weight and not healthy enough to face the dangers outside
I'm just saying 'cause I wuv you
I am only criticizing you because I love you and want you to be safe and healthy
Mother understands
I know what you need and I am here for you
Mother's here to help you
I will always be here to support and protect you
All I have is one request
I only ask one thing of you
Don't ever ask to leave this tower again
Promise me that you will never try to leave the tower again
I love you very much, dear
I love you more than anything in the world
I love you more
I love you more than you could ever know
I love you most
I love you more than anyone or anything in the world
Don't forget it
Remember how much I love you and how much I have sacrificed to keep you safe
You'll regret it
If you leave the tower, you will regret it and may be hurt or killed
Mother knows best
Trust me, I always know what's best for you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Menken, Glenn Slater
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind