The all-female country music group Dixie Chicks, which began performing in 1989, recruited Natalie in 1995 as lead singer. She also plays acoustic and bass guitar in concert. During the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003, Maines was quoted in The Guardian as opening a concert in London saying, "Just so you know ... we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." Maines's comment, as abbreviated, provoked a backlash in the US.
Maines released first solo album, "Mother", in 2013. She has sung backup vocals for several other artists' albums including "Snowing on Raton" on Pat Green's 1997 album George's Bar; "Abilene" on Sheryl Crow's 2002 album C'mon C'mon; "El Cerrito Place" on Charlie Robison's 2004 album Good Times; and "How I Go" on Yellowcard's 2006 album Lights and Sounds.
Maines has sung duets with several other artists including "The Wedding Song" with Charlie Robison on his 2001 album Step Right Up; "Too Far From Texas" with Stevie Nicks on her 2001 album Trouble in Shangri-La; and "Mary" with Patty Griffin from the 2005 benefit album Songs for Tsunami Relief: Austin to South Asia. Maines also sings on Pete Yorn's 2006 album Nightcrawler for the song "The Man."
Natalie is the daughter of country musician Lloyd Maines. She is married to actor Adrian Pasdar; they have two children, Jackson Slade Pasdar (born March 15, 2001) and Beckett Finn Pasdar (born July 14, 2004).
Mother
Natalie Maines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mother do you think they'll like the song
Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls
Ooh ah, mother should I build a wall
Mother should I run for president
Mother should I trust the government
Ooh ah, is it it just a waste of time
Hush now baby baby don't you cry
Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you
Mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won't let you fly but she might let you sing
Mama will keep baby cozy and warm
Ooh babe
Ooh babe
Ooh babe of course mama's gonna help build the wall
Mother do think she's good enough
For me
Mother do think she's dangerous
To me
Mother will she tear your little boy apart
Ooh ah, mother will she break my heart
Hush now baby, baby don't you cry
Mama's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Mama won't let anyone dirty get through
Mama's gonna wait up till you get in
Mama will always find out where you've been
Mamma's gonna keep baby healthy and clean
Ooh baby
Ooh baby
Ooh baby
You'll always be a baby to me
Mother, did it need to be so high
The lyrics of Natalie Maines's song "Mother" are an adaptation of the song of the same name by Pink Floyd. The lyrics are about a son asking his mother various questions about the world and seeking her guidance in making decisions. The son asks if the world will end in nuclear war ("Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb"), if his music will be appreciated ("Mother do you think they'll like the song"), and if he should build a wall to protect himself ("Ooh ah, mother should I build a wall"). The son also asks if he should run for president and if he should trust the government.
Throughout the song, the mother reassures her son and promises to protect him from harm. She promises to make all of his nightmares come true, to put her fears into him, and to keep him under her wing. She also promises to check out all of his girlfriends and to keep him healthy and clean. However, there is a sense of unease in the song, as the son questions whether the mother is controlling and overprotective. He wonders if she will tear his girlfriend apart and break his heart.
The song seems to be a commentary on the relationship between a parent and child, particularly on the tension between the desire for safety and the need for independence. The lyrics suggest that the mother's protectiveness may be stifling for her son.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb
Asking if a situation will escalate to a point where the result will be disastrous
Mother do you think they'll like the song
Asking if a decision made will be accepted by the majority or if it will be criticised
Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls
Asking if someone will put in the effort to make things difficult
Ooh ah, mother should I build a wall
Asking if building a barrier between oneself and the world would protect them
Mother should I run for president
Asking if someone should pursue power and potentially face backlash
Mother should I trust the government
Asking if the authorities can be relied upon with important decisions
Mama will they put me in the firing line
Asking if one will be subject to harsh criticism or blame
Ooh ah, is it just a waste of time
Wondering if the effort put into achieving something will be worth it
Hush now baby baby don't you cry
Comforting someone, promising them safety and peace
Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Telling someone that their fears will come to fruition
Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you
Implying that someone else's fears will hinder the progress and happiness of another
Mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing
Promising someone safety and care
She won't let you fly but she might let you sing
Allowing someone small comforts without providing them true freedom
Mama will keep baby cozy and warm
Promising someone safety and protection
Ooh babe
Interjections, implying a feeling of love and care
Ooh babe
Interjections, implying a feeling of love and care
Ooh babe of course mama's gonna help build the wall
Promising someone help in building barriers and ensuring safety
Mother do think she's good enough
For me
Asking for someone's approval of a potential partner or endeavor
Mother do think she's dangerous
To me
Asking if someone poses a threat to one's well-being
Mother will she tear your little boy apart
Asking if a potential partner will harm or threaten someone close to them
Ooh ah, mother will she break my heart
Asking if a potential partner or situation may lead to heartbreak
Mama's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Implying that someone else's judgement is needed in relationships
Mama won't let anyone dirty get through
Promising protection and care against harmful people
Mama's gonna wait up till you get in
Promising care and concern
Mama will always find out where you've been
Promising a level of control and nosiness
Mamma's gonna keep baby healthy and clean
Promising care and protection
Ooh baby
Interjections, implying a feeling of love and care
Ooh baby
Interjections, implying a feeling of love and care
Ooh baby
Interjections, implying a feeling of love and care
You'll always be a baby to me
Implying a lack of control or autonomy over someone else's life
Mother, did it need to be so high
Questioning why something has to be as difficult or challenging as it is
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Riedener
Having only heard that song performed by Pink Floyd ever, for all its simplicity of acoustic guitar and female vocal, that was just the most intense song I have heard in years, a female artist REALLY makes the song a 100X’s more powerful. Way to go, Fred and Cheryl.
Super terrific
Fred is clutch! The guy is an overlooked genius!
Tyler Proud
My Fred killing it on guitar.
John Foreman
Awesome vocals Natalie, but holy shit Fred way to go man. That was really good.
Kathi Carlisle
She has such a beautiful voice.
Tretre38
One of the best pink floyd songs ever! Great cover
Diane Hartnett
EXCELLENT. Fred...you're amazing. Such a talent. I really enjoyed listening to that!! Natalie..what a voice.
Fred is THE MOST talented on the show. You're all talented! Thanks to you all for making life brighter. We all know the dark days.....
Franciscus
I'm in love with Natalie. An American treasure. I've viewed this video noine times.
David Colleran
Fred could not have performed better. That song has beautiful chord progressions and he nailed it. And she is a beautiful singer.
UncleTrick
Fred nailed it!