Macy Gray was originally hesitant to record a studio album due to what is, arguably, her most recognizable feature -- her voice. She started her music career as a songwriter. Her first album was actually a mistake; she was at the studio waiting for the person who was supposed to be singing her song, and the producer wanted to hear what one of the songs was supposed to sound like. Once she started singing, the producer liked the rough sound of her voice so much he offered her a record deal.
I Want To Be Your Mother's Son-In-Law
Macy Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to have a hanker
To be a broker or a banker;
No, sirree, just live to be
My mother's son-in-law!
Needn't even think of tryin',
Sippin' tea, if you will be,
My mother's son-in-law!
Ain't got the least desire
To set the world on fire;
Just wish you'd make it proper,
To call my old man papa!
You don't have to sing like Bledsoe,
You can tell the world I said so,
Can't you see you got to be,
My mother's son-in-law!
You don't have to sing like Bledsoe,
You can tell the world I said so,
Can't you see you've got to be,
My mama's son-in-law!
The song "I Want To Be Your Mother's Son-In-Law" by Macy Gray is a playful and lighthearted tune about a man proving himself worthy to become the singer's mother's son-in-law. The first stanza declares that being a broker or banker isn't necessary and that all one needs to do is to live to be the mother's son-in-law. In the second stanza, the lyrics claim that being a social lion is also not mandatory. All the man needs to do is to acknowledge the singer's father as "papa."
The third stanza declares that setting the world on fire isn't what the singer desires. She only asks that the man be proper in addressing her father. The final stanza repeats the chorus with an emphasis on being the "mama's son-in-law" rather than the "mother's son-in-law."
Overall, the song is a humorous and relaxed request for the man to prove his worth to the singer's family rather than a serious declaration of love. It's a nod to the importance of family approval in relationships and the idea that sometimes it's the little things that matter more than grand gestures.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to have a hanker
You don't need to have a burning desire
To be a broker or a banker;
To become a broker or banker
No, sirree, just live to be
No, all you need to do is to be
My mother's son-in-law!
My potential partner for marriage
Needn't even think of tryin',
Don't even think about attempting
To be a mighty social lion
To become an influential person in society
Sippin' tea, if you will be,
Drinking tea, if you prefer
My mother's son-in-law!
My future spouse
Ain't got the least desire
Don't have even the slightest wish
To set the world on fire;
To cause a revolution or change in the world
Just wish you'd make it proper,
Just hope you'll show respect and courtesy
To call my old man papa!
To address my father respectfully
You don't have to sing like Bledsoe,
You don't need to sing well
You can tell the world I said so,
You can share my opinion with others
Can't you see you got to be,
Can't you realize that you must be
My mother's son-in-law!
My potential husband
You don't have to sing like Bledsoe,
You don't need to have a good singing voice
You can tell the world I said so,
You can share my conviction with others
Can't you see you've got to be,
Can't you see that you must be
My mama's son-in-law!
My mother's choice of a partner for me
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Becky Armstrong
This song is called "My Mother's Son In Law". Originally done by Billie Holiday and meaning I want you to be my husband. .
Becky Armstrong
you don't have to have a hanker to be a broker or a banker No sirree, just have to be My mother's son in law Needn't even think of tryin' to be a mighty social lion sippin tea, if you will be My mother's son in law Ain't got the least desire to set the world on fire Just wish you'd make it proper To call my old man Papa!
bear0balls
Me too! 😈😎👍🏽🤣🤣🤣🤣
foxfromthechinashop
@beckynov7 thanks for the additional info and lyrics : ) the title of this version is actually as above, you can find it on amazon..
Kelly Young
Don't know what to make of this. I know this is a very old and not very great Billiie Holiday song but how can you NOT swing a swing song?
N.T.
"Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood" brought me here :D
bear0balls
Me too! 😈🤣🤣👍🏽😎
Joseph Alexis
Wow
Ralph Rotten
I had no idea Macy covered this song. Great version, but Billie still sang it better. Of course Billie had the Count Basie Orchestra backing her up when she sang it.
Gregory Clancey
The musicians are great, but Gray's dull, lifeless monotone delivery is not chic. It's just bad.