The song was covered by Guns N' Roses in 1986 and released in the same year in their EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide. It was later re-released on their 1988 EP G N' R Lies. There is also a live bootleg version of Guns N' Roses performing the song along with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Mama Kin
Guns N' Roses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain't easy livin' like a gypsy
Tell ya, honey, how it feels
I've been dreamin' floatin' down stream
And losin' touch with all that's real
Whole lotta lover, keepin' undercover
Never knowin' where you been ooh yeah
Keep in touch with mama kin
You always got your tail on the wag
Spittin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out 'cause someday soon
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
It ain't easy livin' like you want to
It's so hard to find piece of mind
Yes it is
The way I see it You got to say 'shee-it'
But don't forget to drop me a line
Bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for daddy's such a drag
You still stuff your mouth With his beans
You better check it out or someday soon
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and suckin' me, oh no
It ain't easy livin' like you want to
It's so hard to find piece of mind
Yes it is
The way I see it You got to say 'shee-it'
But don't forget to drop me a line
Bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for daddy's just a drag
You still stuff your mouth With his beans
You better check it out or someday soon
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and suckin' me
Ohh, ow, ow, ow, yeah ow, ow yeah, ow
The song "Mama Kin" by Guns N' Roses is about living a reckless life, as the lyrics discuss the difficulties and consequences of being a gypsy and losing touch with reality. The singer is reminiscing about a past lover who always kept their love life under wraps, and who would occasionally disappear before reappearing unannounced. Despite this, the singer still cares about their mother and urges the listener to keep in touch with their own mother and tell her where they've been.
The song's lyrics reflect the band's commitment to living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle to the fullest, while also urging their audience to maintain a balanced and healthy existence. The line "It ain't easy livin' like you want to" suggests that the band recognizes the drawbacks of living wild and dangerous lifestyles, while also acknowledging the allure and excitement of doing so.
Overall, "Mama Kin" is a cautionary tale about living life in the fast lane, warning listeners about the dangers of losing touch with reality and the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones, particularly one's mother.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't easy livin' like a gypsy
Living a nomadic lifestyle is hard and unpredictable
Tell ya, honey, how it feels
The singer is addressing someone and explaining how it feels to live like a gypsy
I've been dreamin' floatin' down stream
The singer has been daydreaming about floating downstream
And losin' touch with all that's real
As a result of his nomadic lifestyle, the singer feels disconnected from reality
Whole lotta lover, keepin' undercover
The singer is being secretive about his promiscuous behavior
Never knowin' where you been ooh yeah
The singer is referring to a person who is never quite sure of their own whereabouts
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
The person being addressed is constantly fading away and putting on a show
Keep in touch with mama kin
The singer is reminding the listener to keep in touch with their mother
You always got your tail on the wag
The person being addressed is always following along and not being an independent thinker
Spittin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
The person being addressed is speaking harshly and aggressively
You act like a perpetual drag
The person being addressed is a constant downer
You better check it out 'cause someday soon
The singer is warning the addressed person to re-evaluate their behavior before it's too late
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
If the addressed person doesn't straighten up, they'll be forced to get sober or back to being responsible
It ain't easy livin' like you want to
Living life on one's own terms is difficult
It's so hard to find piece of mind
Finding inner peace is a challenge
Yes it is
The singer emphasizes the previous statement
The way I see it You got to say 'shee-it'
The singer is advising the addressed person to take charge and say 'shee-it' (shit)
But don't forget to drop me a line
The addressed person should keep in touch with the singer and let him know how things are going
Bald as an egg at eighteen
The singer is mocking the addressed person for being bald at a young age
And workin' for daddy's such a drag
Working for one's dad is boring and unfulfilling
You still stuff your mouth With his beans
The addressed person is still dependent on their father for support
Keep in touch with mama kin
The singer reiterates the importance of staying in contact with one's mother
Tell her where you gone and been
The addressed person should keep their mother updated on their whereabouts and goings-on
Livin' out your fantasy
The singer is mocking the addressed person for living in a made-up world
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
The addressed person is lazy and smokes marijuana
Sleepin' late and suckin' me, oh no
The singer is adding a vulgar twist to the previous line, essentially mocking the addressed person for giving him a blowjob
Ohh, ow, ow, ow, yeah ow, ow yeah, ow
The singer ends the song with nonsensical exclamations
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Steven Victor Tallarico
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Letras
It ain't easy livin' like a gypsy
Tell ya, honey, how it feels
I've been dreamin' floatin' down stream
And losin' touch with all that's real
Whole lotta lover, keepin' undercover
Never knowin' where you been ooh yeah
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Keep in touch with mama kin
You always got your tail on the wag
Spittin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out 'cause someday soon
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
It ain't easy livin' like you want to
It's so hard to find piece of mind
Yes it is
The way I see it You got to say 'shee-it'
But don't forget to drop me a line
Bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for daddy's such a drag
You still stuff your mouth With his beans
You better check it out or someday soon
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and suckin' me, oh no
It ain't easy livin' like you want to
It's so hard to find piece of mind
Yes it is
The way I see it You got to say 'shee-it'
But don't forget to drop me a line
Bald as an egg at eighteen
And workin' for daddy's just a drag
You still stuff your mouth With his beans
You better check it out or someday soon
You'll have to climb back on the wagon
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and suckin' me
Ohh, ow, ow, ow, yeah ow, ow yeah, ow
PhilBilly
This song just popped back into my head out of nowhere, 30 years later… craziness. 🤘
neo the one
That’s why I’m here
Grilled Cheese & Tissue
#metoo and it still fuckin rocks 🤘🏽
Jason Elliott
lol same here
David Lalremruata
I remember covering this in the late 80s with a bunch of childhood buddies along with other songs from Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Stones and more.
David Page
saying these guys pretty good musicians would be a huge understatement there brilliant through and through if you want a band that rarely ever disappoints even there newest album 2008 has some great masterpieces on there this i love is still to me not just one of there greatest but one of thee greatest masterpieces of all time a truly remarkable band for axle rose haters hes the boss
Ryan Smurda
Hell yeah! One of the greatest rock bands ever! Right up there with Stones, Zeppelin, Floyd. IMO
A B
Got this album in 89 i was 15 lol . Time flies when your having fun.
Joyvan de Sales
Wonderful song 🎵 ❤
Lal muanzova
The beautiful shrinking voice of Axl Rose 🌹🌹🌹