Mama Don't
J.J.ケイル Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
I don't care what mama don't allow
I'll play my guitar anyhow
Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Hey, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Yeah, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
I don't care what mama don't allow
Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on
I don't care what mama don't allow
Gonna play my drums anyhow
Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Yeah, Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
I don't care what mama don't allow
Gonna play my piano anyhow
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Yeah, I don't care what mama don't allow
I'm gonna smoke my reefer anyhow
Mama don't allow no reefer in here
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
I don't care what mama don't allow
We're all gonna play all at the same time anyhow
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
The lyrics to J.J. Cale's song "Mama Don't Allow" focus on the rebelliousness of musicians, who refuse to adhere to the rules set by the matriarch of the household. Each verse states what Mama doesn't allow, such as guitar playing, bass playing, drumming, and piano playing, among others. The refrain of each verse emphasizes that the singer doesn't care what Mama doesn't allow and will play their instrument regardless.
The final verse, "Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time," even speaks to the chaos and noise that can ensue when multiple musicians come together to create music. The lyrics are simple yet effective in conveying the idea of musicians wanting to express themselves and create art, even if it means breaking the rules.
Overall, the song is an ode to the spirit of rebellion and creativity that drives many artists to showcase their talents, no matter the constraints they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Mother does not allow guitar playing in this vicinity
I don't care what mama don't allow
I am indifferent to Mother's restrictions
I'll play my guitar anyhow
I will play guitar regardless
Hey, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Mother does not permit the use of bass instruments here
I'll play my bass anyhow
I will still play my bass regardless of Mother's rules
Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Mother does not allow drumming to occur
Gonna play my drums anyhow
I intend to play drums even if it contradicts Mother's wishes
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Mother prohibits the presence of piano players here
Gonna play my piano anyhow
I will play my piano even if Mother disapproves
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Mother does not condone smoking reefer in this location
I'm gonna smoke my reefer anyhow
I will still smoke my reefer even with Mother's disapproval
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
Mother forbids us from playing together simultaneously
We're all gonna play all at the same time anyhow
We will all play our instruments simultaneously regardless of Mother's rules
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: J. J. CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yazbit
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
I don't care what mama don't allow
I'll play my guitar anyhow
Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Hey, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Yeah, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
I don't care what mama don't allow
I'll play my bass anyhow
Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on
I don't care what mama don't allow
Gonna play my drums anyhow
Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Yeah, Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
I don't care what mama don't allow
Gonna play my piano anyhow
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Yeah, I don't care what mama don't allow
I'm gonna smoke my reefer anyhow
Mama don't allow no reefer in here
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
I don't care what mama don't allow
We're all gonna play all at the same time anyhow
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
Georgios Seitopoulos
"Mama Don't"
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
I don't care what mama don't allow I'll play my guitar anyhow
Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Hey, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Yeah, Mama don't allow no bass in this place
I don't care what mama don't allow I'll play my bass anyhow
Mama don't allow no bass in this place
Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on
I don't care what mama don't allow
Gonna play my drums anyhow
Mama don't allow no drumming going on
Yeah, Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
I don't care what mama don't allow
Gonna play my piano anyhow
Mama don't allow no piano players in here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about
Yeah, I don't care what mama don't allow I'm gonna smoke my reefer anyhow
Mama don't allow no reefer in here
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
I don't care what mama don't allow
We're all gonna play all at the same time anyhow
Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time
Brandon Cargile
RIP JJ. The most underrated songwriter of our generation. Also an unbelievable guitar player, which he also got no credit for. A great musician
cosmicdrifter287
True!
Mark Doss
@frikkie mouton P
Robert Houston
Not according to the people he wrote songs for
Robert Houston
Not by those he wrote songs for. They think he is one of the best. Maybe he didn't have the stage presence but he always said he didn't want that.
J. Greaney
@Jim Stack A lot of people know a few of the many songs he wrote, fewer know he wrote them, and only a relative handful know how amazing he was on guitar. So, not underrated. But under-appreciated for sure.
Joe Kanaska
I could listen to this man all night long. Gone but never forgotten.
Ginger Baker
Did it many nights and many nights to come ❤
Anne Letourneau
I do... just something about his music that is eternally enjoyable any time of day of Night !!
Maria Carvalho
Love him and am not suspect, am not American🍷✌☺