Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mommy For A Day
Kitty Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And how I dread the words I know she'll say
She'll ask me when I'm coming home
I'll answer pretty soon
But I know I'm just her mommy for a day
She's much too young to realize why mommy can't come home
And that her daddy wanted things this way
We kiss goodbye and my heart breaks to walk away alone
To have to be her mommy for a day
I loved her dad with all my heart
they lied and ruined our home
Oh, why did he believe the things they said
I pray in time he'll change his mind and take me back once more
Then I'll not be her mommy for a day
She's much too young to realize why mommy can't come home
And that her daddy wanted things this way
We kiss goodbye and my heart breaks to walk away alone
To have to be her mommy for a day
The song "Mommy for a Day" by Kitty Wells tells the story of a mother who is separated from her daughter because of her husband's decision to end their marriage. Every Sunday, the mother visits her daughter and tries to console her by telling her that she will come back soon, even though she knows that it's not possible. This moment is bittersweet for both of them, as the mother would want to spend more time with her daughter, but she can't because of her circumstance.
The lyrics of the song highlight the pain and heartache that come with a failed marriage and how they affect children. The daughter is too young to comprehend the reasons behind her mother's absence and often feels confused and insecure. At the same time, the mother struggles with the guilt and regret of not being there for her child every day.
"Mommy for a Day" is a poignant song that addresses a sensitive issue that many families go through. It reminds us of the importance of being there for our loved ones and the devastating impact of a broken home.
Line by Line Meaning
I go to see my little girl each Sunday afternoon
Every Sunday, I visit my young daughter.
And how I dread the words I know she'll say
I fear what my daughter will ask me when I see her.
She'll ask me when I'm coming home
My daughter asks me when I will be able to come back home.
I'll answer pretty soon
I tell her that I will come back soon.
But I know I'm just her mommy for a day
I know that my visit is temporary and short-lived.
She's much too young to realize why mommy can't come home
My daughter is too young to understand why I cannot be with her all the time.
And that her daddy wanted things this way
My daughter's father is the reason why I cannot come home.
We kiss goodbye and my heart breaks to walk away alone
When it's time to leave, it hurts me to say goodbye to my daughter.
To have to be her mommy for a day
I am left feeling sad that I can only be her mother for a brief moment.
I loved her dad with all my heart
I loved my daughter's father deeply.
they lied and ruined our home
Someone spread lies that caused our relationship to fall apart.
Oh, why did he believe the things they said
I am upset that my daughter's father believed the lies instead of trusting me.
I pray in time he'll change his mind and take me back once more
I hope that my daughter's father will reconsider and allow me to come back home.
Then I'll not be her mommy for a day
Once I am back home with my daughter, I can be her mother full-time again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUCK OWENS, HARLAN HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paula King
My mom is from Chattanooga TN and would sing this all the time. I'm 54 and she still sounds just like Kitty Wells. Love these memories as I'm sitting watching the Patsy and Loretta movie. Thank you mom for everything, especially music that has so much meaning. Long live the oldies but goodies.
Frank Martin
I got to see Kitty wells in Omaha, NE back '57 with my favorite aunt. Still can recall Kitty singing on stage with a blue ruffled dress on. After the concert, we stopped at Joe Tess's Restaurant where seafood was their specialty. Those were great times abd memories til today. Sing it Kitty!
Ginny Crawley
beautiful love this song so meaningful <3
Tracy White
my mother would sing this at the house party's .. brings back memory
Charlene Powers
Same here
Sunrise Daniels
Mommy for a day 😭 05/21/18 I miss you grandma 😭❤️
Sam Jeffries
Beautiful song
Wade Raney
A 💎of a song/singer😊
Fabian Pencel
How do I say thank you Kitty ?
Sigh I don't think nostalgia is enough sometimes I wish I could drink or get intoxicated on country music and die happy I'm only 28 years and I can't find it acceptable what they call country today it makes me wanna vomit... country music is from the SOUL not the gibberish they spew out today.... RIP my wonderful gal!!!