Jackie Lee Cochran (Dalton, Georgia, USA, February 5, 1934 – March 15, 1998… Read Full Bio ↴Jackie Lee Cochran (Dalton, Georgia, USA, February 5, 1934 – March 15, 1998) was an American rockabilly musician, known as Jack the Cat.

Cochran had a twin brother who died at the age of two. He began playing guitar at age six. His father was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder, and as a result Cochran spent much of his youth living with relatives in Louisiana, Meridian, Mississippi, and with his grandmother in Gadsden, Alabama.

Cochran first began performing on the local music scene in Gadsden, which displeased his grandmother, who wanted him to join the military. She convinced him to enlist in the Air Force, where he was stationed in San Antonio. He traveled each weekend to Abilene to play on Slim Willet's radio show. This brought him to the attention of the managers of the Big D Jamboree, who had him perform on this program as well. He was then transferred to Selma, Alabama, where he founded the country group The Flying C Ranch Boys. This group performed in local bars and restaurants, as well as on radio station WBAM. He was dismissed from the Air Force in 1955, and following this he became a member of Jimmy Swan's band in Hattiesburg. In the mid-1950s he appeared on Cliffie Stone's Hometown Jamboree in Los Angeles. He began playing rockabilly shortly after hearing Elvis Presley.

Cochran hired manager Pat O'Donnell, who came up with Cochran's "Jack the Cat" name and image. Through O'Donnell, Cochran was offered a recording contract with Sims Records. His first singles for the label appeared in 1956. After further appearances on the Big D Jamboree he was asked to play on the Spade Cooley show in California. Despite O'Donnell's disapproval, Cochran moved to the West Coast and performed on the show. He then signed with Decca Records, and his single "Ruby Pearl" sold well and nearly hit the Billboard charts, but his manager let the Decca contract lapse, and the single fizzled before charting.

After a short time with Viv Records, Cochran took up work at the Douglas Aircraft Company and quit music for a time. He restarted his career during the rockabilly revival in Europe, releasing an album on Rollin' Rock Records in 1973 and touring Norway in 1981. He took up the nickname "Waukeen" in the 1970s as well. Further appearances in Europe followed, particularly in England, as did regular releases in the 1980s. He died in 1998 in his apartment in Burbank, California at age 64.

Mama Don't You Think I Know
Jackie Lee Cochran Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well yes now mama don't you think I know what you been putting out
Mama don't you think I know that you been stepping out
Mama can't you see that I done caught on to your lie
Though you used to say you love me and you better not start cryin'
'Cause when that midnight train starts rollin' down that line
Your long lovin' daddy's gonna have an easy mind
(Play the blues boy!)

Well yes now mama don't you think I know you made a fool of me
My head is hanging low Lord, you done made a wreck of me
Though you used to say you love me, it ain't nothing but a lie
You done told me that before and then you left me high and dry
I don't never want to see you hangin' 'round my door no more
Mama don't you think I know what you done used me for

Well yes now mama don't you think I know what you done used me for
Mama don't you think I know

Mama-mama don't you think I know
Mama-mama don't you think I know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jackie Lee Cochran's song "Mama Don't You Think I Know" are a classic tale of a lover who has been deceived and now sees the truth. The singer, likely a man, is directing his words towards his lover/mother, letting her know that he has caught on to her cheating ways. The first verse accuses her of "putting out" and "stepping out," suggesting that she has been unfaithful with someone else. This is a bitter realization for the singer, who had previously been told that she loved him. He is not shy about his anger, telling her that he knows she's been lying to him and that she shouldn't bother trying to cry her way out of the situation.

The second verse repeats similar themes, with the singer accusing his lover of making a fool of him and leaving him in a wreck. He acknowledges that he had trusted her earlier, but now sees that her love was a lie all along. He doesn't want her to approach him again, even going so far as to say that he doesn't want to see her around his door.

Overall, the lyrics to "Mama Don't You Think I Know" are a classic blues lament about a lover who has been taken advantage of by their partner. The use of the word "mama" adds an interesting element to the song, as it suggests a close familial relationship between the two parties. The song is full of bitterness and anger, but the underlying emotion is one of hurt and betrayal at the hands of someone who was supposed to love them.

Line by Line Meaning

Well yes now mama don't you think I know what you been putting out
I am aware of your dishonesty, mother.

Mama don't you think I know that you been stepping out
I know you have been unfaithful and deceitful.

Mama can't you see that I done caught on to your lie
I have realized your deception, mother.

Though you used to say you love me and you better not start cryin'
You have previously professed your love for me, but it is not enough to change the situation.

'Cause when that midnight train starts rollin' down that line Your long lovin' daddy's gonna have an easy mind (Play the blues boy!)
Once you are gone, my father will be relieved and free from the pain caused by your infidelity.

Well yes now mama don't you think I know you made a fool of me My head is hanging low Lord, you done made a wreck of me
Your betrayal and unfaithfulness has left me feeling embarrassed and ruined.

Though you used to say you love me, it ain't nothing but a lie You done told me that before and then you left me high and dry
Your past declarations of love were insincere and have led to my abandonment.

I don't never want to see you hangin' 'round my door no more Mama don't you think I know what you done used me for
I refuse to open my door to you again, as I am fully aware of the manipulation and hurt you have subjected me to.

Well yes now mama don't you think I know what you done used me for Mama don't you think I know Mama-mama don't you think I know Mama-mama don't you think I know
I am fully cognizant of the ways in which you have taken advantage of me, and there is no denying the truth of the situation.

Writer(s): Jackie Lee Cochran

Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS