What Mama Say
Jason Mraz Lyrics


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La, la, da, da, da, da

Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say
You better listen to your mama

Wash your face, use some soap
Make your bed, fold your clothes
Clean your dishes, chew your food
Don't talk back and don't be rude

Take your shoes off at the door
Don't track no mud along that floor
Don't forget to take the garbage out
Don't want no excuses anymore

Call your sister, cut the grass
Think you're smart? Not so fast
Take your fingers off the remote control
Because mama's watching that

Do the dishes, feed the dog
Put out the cat and praise the Lord
It wouldn't hurt you to go to church
Any once in awhile, just get going

What mama say is what I'm gonna do
Mama said that I should settle down with a girl like you
I'm gonna work real hard, it's what I wanna do
I'm gonna give you all my lovin' and make you a mama too
Baby, that's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna make you a mama too

La, la, da, da, da, da

Whatever mama say you best do
Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say
You better listen to your mama

I won't lean back in my chair
Will not run down the stairs
And in case of emergency
I'll wear some fresh underwear

I'll keep it callin' when it's in need of repair
I'm gonna get myself a job but I won't cut my hair
"I beg your pardon?", That's what my mama say

"Boy, don't get smart and don't talk to me that way
Who do you think you are, boy? You better behave"
She said, "I gave you life, child, I can take it away"

What mama say is what I'm gonna do
Mama said, "I should be with a girl like you"
I'm gonna work real hard, it's what I wanna do
I'm gonna give you all my lovin' and make you a mama too
Sugar, that's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna make you a mama too
That's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna make you a mama too

La, la, da, da, da, da

Whatever mama say you best do
Whatever mama say you best do it




Whatever mama say
You better listen to your mama

Overall Meaning

The song "What Mama Say" by Jason Mraz is a lighthearted and catchy tribute to the influence that our mothers have on our lives. The song starts off with a repetitive chorus that emphasizes the importance of listening to our mothers and following their advice. The verses then list various tasks that our mothers might expect us to do, such as washing our faces, cleaning our dishes, and going to church. The verses also touch on the various lessons that our mothers might teach us, such as not talking back, being polite, and working hard.


The song not only highlights the importance of motherly advice, but it also touches on the humorous side of motherly demands. The lyrics indicate that mothers have expectations for how we should live our lives and the things we should do to be responsible individuals. Even simple things like not leaning back in our chairs or wearing fresh underwear become important lessons that we must follow.


Overall, "What Mama Say" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the positive influence that our mothers have on our lives. It encourages us to listen to our mothers and follow their advice, as they have our best interests at heart.


Line by Line Meaning

Whatever mama say you best do it
Listen to and obey your mother's instructions


Wash your face, use some soap
Maintain good hygiene by cleaning your face with soap


Make your bed, fold your clothes
Be organized by making your bed and properly folding your clothes


Clean your dishes, chew your food
Practice cleanliness by washing dishes and properly chewing food


Don't talk back and don't be rude
Show respect by not talking back and avoiding rude behavior


Take your shoes off at the door
Keep the home clean by removing shoes before entering


Don't track no mud along that floor
Avoid making a mess by not tracking mud on the floor


Don't forget to take the garbage out
Remember to take the garbage out as needed


Don't want no excuses anymore
Avoid making excuses for not doing what needs to be done


Call your sister, cut the grass
Complete assigned tasks like calling your sister and cutting the grass


Think you're smart? Not so fast
Don't be too proud, there is always more to learn


Take your fingers off the remote control
Turn off the TV and focus on other things


Because mama's watching that
Because your mom is monitoring your activities


Do the dishes, feed the dog
Complete more tasks like washing dishes and feeding the dog


Put out the cat and praise the Lord
Take care of pets and practice gratitude


It wouldn't hurt you to go to church
Attending religious services is a good idea


Any once in awhile, just get going
Don't procrastinate, take action and get started


What mama say is what I'm gonna do
I will follow my mother's instructions


Mama said that I should settle down with a girl like you
My mother approves of my relationship with you


I'm gonna work real hard, it's what I wanna do
I am motivated to work hard and achieve my goals


I'm gonna give you all my lovin' and make you a mama too
I want to have a family with you and give you all my love


I won't lean back in my chair
I won't slouch in my chair


Will not run down the stairs
I won't rush down the stairs


And in case of emergency
If there is an emergency situation


I'll wear some fresh underwear
I will wear clean and fresh underwear


I'll keep it callin' when it's in need of repair
I will take care of things that need repair


I'm gonna get myself a job but I won't cut my hair
I will look for work, but won't sacrifice my long hair


"I beg your pardon?", That's what my mama say
My mother asks me to repeat myself if I say something inappropriate


"Boy, don't get smart and don't talk to me that way
Don't use cheeky or disrespectful language with me


Who do you think you are, boy? You better behave"
Don't get too cocky, be respectful and well-behaved


She said, "I gave you life, child, I can take it away"
My mother reminds me that she has the power to make decisions in my life


Mama said, "I should be with a girl like you"
My mother thinks you're a good partner for me


Sugar, that's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna make you a mama too
I want to start a family with you and make you a mother


Whatever mama say you best do
Listen to and obey your mother's instructions


Whatever mama say
Follow your mother's guidance


You better listen to your mama
Respect and obey your mother




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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@josefinaperez8579

Whatever mama say you best do it

Whatever mama say you best do

Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama
Go wash your face and use some soap

Make your bed, and fold your clothes
Do your dishes, chew your food

Don’t talk back, and don’t be rude

Take your shoes off at the door

Don’t track no mud along this floor

Don’t forget take the garbage out

Don’t want no excuses anymore

Hug your sister, cut the grass

Think your smart, not so fast

Take your fingers off the remote control

Because mama’s watching that

Do the dishes, feed the dog

Put out the cat, and praise the Lord

It wouldn’t hurt you to go to church

Every once in awhile

I’m just doin’ what my mama says

I’m gonna do…

Mama said I should settle down with a girl like you
I’m gonna work real hard, it’s what I’m gonna do

I’m gonna give you all my love

And then make you a mama too!

Sugar that’s what I’m gonna doooo

I’m gonna make you a mama too


Lala lalalalalala


Whatever mama say you best do it

Whatever mama say you best do

Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama
I don’t lean back in my chair,

Will not run down the stairs
And in case of emergency, I’ll wear some fresh underwear

I’ll take the car in, when it’s in need of repair
I’m gonna get myself a job

But I won’t cut my hair
I beg your pardon, that’s what my mama say
Boy don’t get smart and don’t talk to me that way

Who do you think you are, you better behave
“I gave you life, child I can take it away!”
Hey what mama say

I’m a gonna do…
Mama said that I should settle down with a girl like you
I’m gonna work real hard, it’s what I’m gonna do

I’m gonna give you all my love

And then make you a mama too!

Sugar, that’s what I’m a gonna doooo
Gonna make you a mama too.


That’s what I’m a gonna doooo
Gonna make you a mama too.

That’s what I’m a gonna doooo
Gonna make you a mama too.

Lalalala Lalalala

Whatever mama say you best do it

Whatever mama say you best do it

Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama!



@aindrea6115

Laa Lalalala
Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama
Go wash your face and use some soap
Make your bed, and fold your clothes
Do your dishes, chew your food
Dont talk back, and dont be rude
Take your shoes off at the door
Dont track no mud along this floor
Dont forget take the garbage out
Dont want no excuses anymore
Hug your sister, cut the grass
Think your smart, not so fast
Take your fingers off the remote control
Because mamas watching that
Do the dishes, feed the dog
Put out the cat, and praise the Lord
It wouldnt hurt you to go to church
Every once in awhile
Im just doin what my mama says
Im gonna do
Mama said I should settle down with a girl like you
Im gonna work real hard, its what Im gonna do
Im gonna give you all my love
And then make you a mama too!
Sugar thats what Im gonna doooo
Im gonna make you a mama too

Lala lalalalalala

Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say you best do
Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama
I dont lean back in my chair,
Will not run down the stairs
And in case of emergency, Ill wear some fresh underwear
Ill take the car in, when its in need of repair
Im gonna get myself a job
But I wont cut my hair
I beg your pardon, thats what my mama say
Boy dont get smart and dont talk to me that way
Who do you think you are, you better behave
I gave you life, child I can take it away!
Hey what mama say
Im a gonna do
Mama said that I should settle down with a girl like you
Im gonna work real hard, its what Im gonna do
Im gonna give you all my love
And then make you a mama too!
Sugar, thats what Im a gonna doooo
Gonna make you a mama too.

Thats what Im a gonna doooo
Gonna make you a mama too.
Thats what Im a gonna doooo
Gonna make you a mama too.
Lalalala Lalalala
Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say you best do it
Whatever mama say, you better listen to your mama!



@yjyj1526

"What Mama Say"

(La la da da da da...)

Whatever mama say
You best do it
Whatever mama say
You best do it
Whatever mama say
You better listen to your mama

Wash your face, use some soap
Make your bed, fold your clothes
Clean your dishes, chew your food
Don't talk back and don't be rude
Take your shoes off at the door,
Don't track no mud along that floor
Don't forget to take the garbage out
Don't want no excuses anymore

Call your sister, cut the grass
Think you're smart? Not so fast
Take your fingers off the remote control because Mama's watching that
Do the dishes, feed the dog
Put out the cat and praise the Lord
It wouldn't hurt you to go to church any once in awhile, just get going

What mama say is what I'm gonna do
Mama said that I should settle down with a girl like you
I'm gonna work real hard, it's what I wanna do
I'm gonna give you all my lovin' and make you a mama too
Baby, that's what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna make you a mama too

(La la da da da da...)

Whatever mama say
You best do
Whatever mama say
You best do it
Whatever mama say
You better listen to your mama

I won't lean back in my chair
Will not run down the stairs
And in case of emergency I'll wear some fresh underwear
I'll keep it callin' when it's in need of repair
I'm gonna get myself a job but I won't cut my hair

"I beg your pardon?" that's what my mama say
"Boy don't get smart and don't talk to me that way!
Who do you think you are, boy? You better behave"
She said "I gave you life, child, I can take it away!"

What mama say
Is what I'm gonna do
Mama said I should be with a girl like you
I'm gonna work real hard, it's what I wanna do
I'm gonna give you all my lovin' and make you a mama too

Sugar, that's what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna make you a mama too
That's what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna make you a mama too

(La la da da da da...)

Whatever mama say
You best do it
Whatever mama say
You best do it
Whatever mama say
You better listen to your mama



All comments from YouTube:

@ethteck

This song seems so innocent at first, but then he adds some zing with "That's what I'm a gonna do. I'm gonna make you a mama too." I just love that.

@Getlostray

thank god i listened to your music since 2006


and still jazzin with mrazzin

@mayetescobido

I just love jason mraz music! Makes a lot of sense!

@HiGuy1236

"I'll get myself a Job but I won't cut my hair." -- love this line

@stephanieyeshuaislife7236

Real nice sounding song, creative lyrics ....... and I'm glad the guy didn't cut his hair!

@mrsfwills

Nice! I really enjoyed this!

@annsander

Great song .. His voice can fly ....love , freedom and peace ann sander

@supcomtabz

I love the intro... totally Jason.

@scottdowney4103

Is this Bossa Nova-style music?

My Mama wants to know.

Great stuff.

@wakasabi01

i love jason mraz!!...he's a very laid back musical genius!..

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