Mott the Hoople formed when Silence, a not-too-successful group from the Welsh borders, was joined by session pianist and rock and roll hopeful Ian Hunter along with musicians Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Pete Overend Watts, and Dale Griffin . They developed from Dylan obsessives to their own character over the course of four albums for Island. They were a very popular live act but only achieved brief commercial success.
In 1971, the band was close to splitting up but continued to record track "All the Young Dudes", a song written for them by up and coming pop star and fan David Bowie. Three more albums and several pop hits later, the group fell apart after Ian Hunter left in 1974. The remaining members mutated into Mott, an 'also-ran' band which released two albums before disbanding in 1976. Original guitarist Ralphs had a massive boost in his fortunes as a member of rockers Bad Company.
Griffin died in his sleep on 17 January 2016 at the age of 67 and Watts died, almost exactly a year later, on 22 January 2017, from throat cancer.
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Mott the Hoople Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'n I curse you just for caring
I hate the clothes you're wearing, they're so pretty
'n I tell to not to see me
'n I tell you not to feel me
'n I make your life a drag, it's such a pity
'n I watch your warm glow palin'
As you realise you're failin', cos you're so good
Now I don't mean to upset you
But there's so much crime to get through
If only I could make it easier, then I would
Oh I wish I was your mother
I wish I'd been your father
'n then I would have seen you
Would have been you as a child
Played houses with your sisters
And wrestled with all your brothers
And then who knows
I might have felt a family for a while
It's no use me pretendin'
You give and I do the spendin'
Is there a happy ending, I don't think so
Cos even if we make it
I'll be too far out to take it
You'll have to try and shake it from my head
Oooooh I wish I was your mother
I wish I'd been your father
'n then I would have seen you
Would have been you as a child
Played houses with your sisters
And wrestled with all your brothers
And then who knows
I might have felt a family for a while
The song "I Wish I Was Your Mother" by Mott the Hoople is a melancholic and introspective track that was released in 1972 as a part of the album "All the Young Dudes". The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a troubled parent or authority figure who is tormented by their own pain, jealousies, and regrets. In the first verse, the singer expresses their anger and frustration towards the person they are addressing. They feel powerless and resentful towards their own feelings of care and affection. They believe that their influence only leads to disappointment, and that they are incapable of providing meaningful help.
In the chorus, the singer expresses their desire to have a closer relationship with the person they are addressing, to be a part of their childhood and to share in their memories. This longing is an expression of the singer's own personal emptiness, their need for a family and a sense of belonging. They wish they could have been there for the person when they were growing up, and that maybe then things would have been different. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, evoking a sense of sadness and longing that is difficult to ignore.
Overall, "I Wish I Was Your Mother" is a stark and raw exploration of the complexities of human relationships, and the pain and regret that can sometimes come with them.
Line by Line Meaning
I scream at you for sharing
I yell at you for confiding in me
'n I curse you just for caring
I use foul language to express my dislike for your concern
I hate the clothes you're wearing, they're so pretty
I am envious of the clothes you wear because they are attractive
'n I tell to not to see me
I suggest that you stay away from me
'n I tell you not to feel me
I tell you not to have emotional attachment to me
'n I make your life a drag, it's such a pity
I bring negativity and hardship to your life
'n I watch your warm glow palin'
I observe as your previously bright spirit dwindles
'n I watch your sparkle fadin'
I see a decrease in your shining personality
As you realise you're failin', cos you're so good
As you notice your decline, even though you are usually admirable
Now I don't mean to upset you
I do not intend to cause you distress
But there's so much crime to get through
However, there are many obstacles to overcome
If only I could make it easier, then I would
If it were possible, I would help to resolve your problems
Oh I wish I was your mother
I feel a strong desire to be your parent (even though I am not)
I wish I'd been your father
I wish I had played the paternal role in your life
'n then I would have seen you
In that case, I would have been able to observe you
Would have been you as a child
Specifically, I would have seen you as a young, innocent child
Played houses with your sisters
I would have played make-believe games with your female siblings
And wrestled with all your brothers
I would have roughhoused with your male siblings
And then who knows
It is unclear what might have happened if I had been in a parental role
I might have felt a family for a while
It is possible that I would have experienced a sense of family if I had been your parent
It's no use me pretendin'
There is no point in me pretending
You give and I do the spendin'
You provide money and I am the one who uses it
Is there a happy ending, I don't think so
I do not believe there will be a positive outcome
Cos even if we make it
Even if we achieve what we set out to do
I'll be too far out to take it
I will be too distant to experience it
You'll have to try and shake it from my head
You will have to attempt to change my mindset
Oooooh I wish I was your mother
I repeat my desire to be your parent
I wish I'd been your father
Once again, I express my wish to have played a paternal role in your life
'n then I would have seen you
Continuing from earlier, I would have been able to watch your growth
Would have been you as a child
Furthering my previous point, I would have known you as an innocent youth
Played houses with your sisters
Expanding on an earlier line, I would have participated in make-believe games with your female siblings
And wrestled with all your brothers
Similarly from before, I would have play-wrestled with your male siblings
And then who knows
Finally, I conclude with my uncertain thoughts on what would have happened had I been your parent
I might have felt a family for a while
It's possible that I would have experienced a sense of family if I had been in a parental role
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Bancroft
I scream at you for sharing
'n I curse you just for caring
I hate the clothes you're wearing, they're so pretty
'n I tell to not to see me
'n I tell you not to feel me
'n I make your life a drag, it's such a pity
'n I watch your warm glow palin'
'n I watch your sparkle fadin'
As you realise you're failin', cos you're so good
Now I don't mean to upset you
But there's so much crime to get through
If only I could make it easier, then I would
Oh I wish I was your mother
I wish I'd been your father
'n then I would have seen you
Would have been you as a child
Played houses with your sisters
And wrestled with all your brothers
And then who knows
I might have felt a family for a while
It's no use me pretendin'
You give and I do the spendin'
Is there a happy ending, I don't think so
Cos even if we make it
I'll be too far out to take it
You'll have to try and shake it from my head
Oooooh I wish I was your mother
I wish I'd been your father
'n then I would have seen you
Would have been you as a child
Played houses with your sisters
And wrestled with all your brothers
And then who knows
I might have felt a family for a while
shemagetful
It's a cold rainy day and I thought of this song ... back in the day I played it over and over. When it started to play today, I broke down and cried. Memories rushed me and flooded my eyes with tears. We lost it. Where have all l those concert goers gone? Are their sons at war? Another generation gone? "When will we ever learn"? This was the best time of my life. We were all brothers and sisters through our music.
Billy Mcgibbon
Beautiful song. Yeah, I am 65 and this song makes me blub like a baby. Took me right back to the first time I heard it.
ERNESTDEADLY
Love and Peace to you. x
God's Vagabond
That was really beautiful....you got me crying.
Susan Margaret Wills
shermagetful ~ I've got this video on my "saved" list... it's 3 am on 9th September 2020 (Italy) - memories for me also of the 70's in Britain... r u still listening "8 years on"?
Phil Baird
They climbed to the top of the mountain with this album and then being Mott the Hoople promptly fell straight off again ! This track was Ian Hunter at his peak and the lyrics are quite beautiful, still standing up today nearly 40 years later. The whole album wasn't quite a masterpiece but it was the best thing they ever did and elevated them to temporary greatness. They're still my favourite band.
Cookies and milk
Remarkably poignant, sad and beautiful. The band at their best. Hunter is a brilliant vocalist.
Heavy Early420
my brother had this album on an 8track and i played it over and over until it got too hot to play. Mott the Hoople were one of the best bands no one has heard of. They had great rocking tunes like Drivin Sister and beautiful songs like this one, one of my favorites, they were a great band live and in the studio. Check out Ian hunters solo stuff too.LONG LIVE ROCK!!!!
Robert Hamill
On his solo stuff, I believe that Mick Ronson played guitar. Once Bitten Twice Shy and 2000 Miles From Home. (Or was it 3000 Miles From Home?) You're Never Alone if You're Schizophrenic, excellent!
comments from a new user
This is it man, the best lyric in the history of rock music. The medium can't sustain a sentiment any more complex, more significant, than "I Wish I Was Your Mother." Lawrentian in ambition and accomplishment.