Mama You Been On My Mind
Jeff Buckley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Perhaps it's the color of the sun cut flat
An' cov'rin' the crossroads I'm standing at,
Or maybe it's the weather or something like that,
But mama, you been on my mind.

I don't mean trouble, please don't put me down, don't get upset,
I am not pleading or saying that "I can't forget you."
I do not walk the floor bowed down and bent, but yet,
Mama, you been on my mind.

Even though my mind is hazy and my thoughts they might be narrow,
Where you been don't bother me nor bring me down in sorrow.
I don't even mind who you'll be waking with tomorrow,
But mama, you're just on my mind.

I am not askin' you to say words like "yes" or "no,"
Please understand me, I have no place I'm callin' you to go.
I'm just whispering to myself so I can pretend that I don't know,
Mama, you been on my mind.

When you wake up in the mornin' and look inside your mirror,
You know I won't be next to you, no, I won't be near.




I'd just be curious to know if you can see yourself as clear
As someone who has had you on his mind.

Overall Meaning

In "Mama You Been On My Mind," Jeff Buckley seems to be struggling with his feelings for a past love. He attributes these feelings to various external factors, such as the color of the sun and the weather, but ultimately acknowledges that his former partner has been on his mind. However, he is quick to clarify that he is not asking for anything from her and does not want her to feel burdened by his thoughts. Despite the haziness of his thoughts, he is not brought down by the memories of their relationship, and he does not have any specific expectations of her. The song concludes with him acknowledging that he will not be with her anymore, but wondering if she can see herself the way he has seen her as someone on his mind.


The ambiguity of the song leaves plenty of room for interpretation, but it seems to be about the complex feelings that can arise after a breakup or separation. Even though the singer is not explicitly asking for anything from his past lover, it is clear that he is struggling to reconcile his thoughts and emotions, and he cannot help but think about her. The song explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and acceptance, and the bittersweet lyrics are matched by Buckley's haunting and delicate delivery.


Line by Line Meaning

Perhaps it's the color of the sun cut flat
Maybe it's the way the sun shines over mundane things.


An' cov'rin' the crossroads I'm standing at,
And covering the crucial point in my life where I need to take a decision.


Or maybe it's the weather or something like that,
Or maybe it's some inexplicable feeling or maybe the environment.


But mama, you been on my mind.
But I can't stop thinking about you, Mama.


I don't mean trouble, please don't put me down, don't get upset,
I assure you that I am not trying to cause any harm to you, please don't be angry with me.


I am not pleading or saying that "I can't forget you."
I am not begging you to come back to me or saying that I can't live without you.


I do not walk the floor bowed down and bent, but yet,
I am not visibly upset or depressed, but I can't deny that you are on my mind.


Mama, you been on my mind.
Mama, you been on my mind.


Even though my mind is hazy and my thoughts they might be narrow,
Although I am not thinking rationally, and my thoughts are muddled, and I am not seeing things logically.


Where you been don't bother me nor bring me down in sorrow.
I am not worried about your whereabouts, nor am I sad about anything related to you.


I don't even mind who you'll be waking with tomorrow,
I don't have a problem with whom you choose to be with.


But mama, you're just on my mind.
But Mama, you're stuck in my thoughts.


I am not askin' you to say words like "yes" or "no,"
I am not expecting you to answer in any particular way.


Please understand me, I have no place I'm callin' you to go.
Please try to comprehend, I am not trying to control or direct you in any way.


I'm just whispering to myself so I can pretend that I don't know,
I am justifying to myself that I am not affected by your absence by pretending that I am unaware of my feelings.


Mama, you been on my mind.
Mama, you been on my mind.


When you wake up in the mornin' and look inside your mirror,
When you wake up in the morning and look at your reflection.


You know I won't be next to you, no, I won't be near.
You know that I won't be by your side, I won't be close.


I'd just be curious to know if you can see yourself as clear
I am curious if you are able to see yourself how I see you.


As someone who has had you on his mind.
As someone who can't stop thinking about you.




Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions