Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
Mama
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why must I be so, must I be so misunderstood
While my intentions, my intentions all are good
Wish only one time that things would turn out like they should
Just like they should
Too many times, too many times payin' the price, just for the thrill
Too many hearts, too many times, overkill
How many folks gettin' to be over the hill
She always told me things, like those weren't made of sugar and spice
She always scolded me, "Don't let the same dog bit you twice"
Well I, Lord I've just been fooled again
[Chorus]
Mama she raised no fool, you did not raise no fool
Mama I ain't no fool, I've just been fooled again
Mama she raised no fool, you did not raise no fool
Mama I ain't no fool, well I've just been fooled again
Too many lies, shame on the wives, too many cakes and eat it too
Too many hearts goin' straight down the tube
Hell of a dude, did it but don't have the time and the words for use
Too many rounds, too many times, overuse
She's always telling me, "Just take your time, always think twice"
Forever scolding me, "Don't let the same dog bit you twice"
Well I, hell I've just been fooled again
[Chorus]
Mama I ain't no fool
Oh, let me tell you if it happens again like it did next time
Somebody's gonna have to walk the line, walk the line!
She's always telling me, "Take my advice boy and just think twice"
Forever scolding me, "Don't let the same dog bit you twice"
Well I, Lord I won't be fooled again
Mama she raised no fool, you did not raise no fool
Mama I ain't no fool, I've just been fooled again
Mama she ain't no fool, I may be crazy but I ain't no fool
Mama you crazy fool, may be crazy but I ain't no fool
Crazy but I ain't no fool, may be crazy, I may be crazy
Crazy but I ain't no fool
Out in the cold, and a long long way from home
The lyrics to Tesla's song "Mama" tell the story of a person who feels misunderstood and has made mistakes in their life. The opening lines describe a sense of displacement, being far from home and feeling like nobody truly understands them. The singer acknowledges that they have good intentions, but despite that, things always seem to go wrong. They express a desire for things to turn out the way they should, indicating an overarching sense of disappointment and frustration.
The chorus, “Mama she raised no fool,” is a reminder that the singer has been taught well and knows better. It’s an acknowledgement that they shouldn't have fallen for whatever deception led them to be fooled yet again. The lines “Too many lies, shame on the wives, too many cakes and eat it too / Too many hearts goin' straight down the tube” are a commentary on society and its tendency to be deceitful in relationships. The advice given by the singer's mother is repeated throughout the song, indicating a close relationship and a desire to live up to her expectations. The closing lines suggest that the singer won't be fooled again and that they will take a stronger stand to protect themselves in the future.
Overall, the lyrics to "Mama" are a reflection on the search for meaning and the struggle to reconcile good intentions with the disappointments that life can bring. The song is a powerful reminder that we should always listen to the advice of those who care about us and that we should strive to live up to their expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the road, and a long long way from home
Being on the road, far away from home and comfort
Why must I be so, must I be so misunderstood
Wondering why he is constantly misunderstood
While my intentions, my intentions all are good
Explaining that his intentions are always good
Wish only one time that things would turn out like they should
Expressing a wish that things would go as planned
Too many times, too many times payin' the price, just for the thrill
Frequently paying the price just to feel the thrill
Too many hearts, too many times, overkill
Too many hearts broken repeatedly, leading to overkill
So many times, double around, how many faces do reveal
Being betrayed too often; wondering how many faces hide their true intentions
How many folks gettin' to be over the hill
Seeing many people reaching old age without achieving success
She always told me things, like those weren't made of sugar and spice
Recalling how his Mama always told him that life is not easy
She always scolded me, "Don't let the same dog bit you twice"
Remembering his Mama's warning to not make the same mistake twice
Well I, Lord I've just been fooled again
Admitting to being fooled again despite his Mama's advice
Chorus: Mama she raised no fool, you did not raise no fool
Acknowledging that his Mama raised him well
Too many lies, shame on the wives, too many cakes and eat it too
Too many deceitful people; blaming them for their misfortunes
Too many hearts goin' straight down the tube
Too many hearts being broken beyond repair
Hell of a dude, did it but don't have the time and the words for use
Being too busy to express his anger over being hurt
Too many rounds, too many times, overuse
Being stuck in a cycle of pain and deception, leading to overuse
She's always telling me, "Just take your time, always think twice"
Remembering his Mama's advice to take his time and think things through
Forever scolding me, "Don't let the same dog bit you twice"
Recalling his Mama's warning to avoid repeating mistakes
Well I, hell I've just been fooled again
Admitting to being fooled yet again despite his Mama's words of wisdom
Chorus: Mama she raised no fool, you did not raise no fool
Acknowledging that his Mama raised him well
Oh, let me tell you if it happens again like it did next time
Promising to take action if he is hurt again
Somebody's gonna have to walk the line, walk the line!
Threatening to confront whoever hurts him again
She's always telling me, "Take my advice boy and just think twice"
Recalling his Mama's advice to think carefully before making decisions
Forever scolding me, "Don't let the same dog bit you twice"
Remembering his Mama's warning to not repeat mistakes
Well I, Lord I won't be fooled again
Deciding to learn from his mistakes and not be fooled again
Mama she ain't no fool, I may be crazy but I ain't no fool
Admitting to being crazy but not foolish like his Mama
Mama you crazy fool, may be crazy but I ain't no fool
Teasing his Mama, calling her crazy but acknowledging that he is not foolish
Crazy but I ain't no fool, may be crazy, I may be crazy
Admitting to being a little crazy, but still not foolish
Crazy but I ain't no fool
Reiterating that he may be crazy, but he is not foolish
Out in the cold, and a long long way from home
Feeling alone and lost, far away from home
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK HANNON, JEFF KEITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tlee7653
Alexandra, I cannot decide which is stronger: 1)Your hard work or 2)Your analytical abilities. You are a blessing to all Tesla shareholders. 💕
@PositivePersistence
Incredible conversation and Larry is 100% right in saying we knew (as shareholders in an Elon Musk led company) what we were getting into as for the integrations of all of Elon led companies and how that will end up playing into Tesla's shareprice, future growth, end game goals, etc.
I love these conversations and thank you for posting!
@TESLABoomerMama! And all of the team.
@edwardhackett-jones8126
I’m all for a new comp package.
I can understand his wish to own/control 25%. It does however seem a quite big ask to get him that far. So to reach that he needs to have a seriously high goal.
It’s essential that Musk remains at the helm for the rest of this decade, at the least. Who else could take Tesla through all of the projects they’re already doing? No one!
@M3W3
Thanks Alexandra , you contribute a lot with all your Tesla research on Cyberbull , truly appreciate all your hardwork.
@TESLABoomerMama
Thank you so much ❤
@jamesstavros3680
Give Elon a RAISE....We need Elon...!!! And all his IDEAS...!!! By the way , compensate the Tesla Employees more shares if it goes to 3 Trillion , then 5 Trillion etc etc etc.....
@vcramiro
Elon has always done this. Polls, questions on pathways, etc that he was already intending on moving forward with or already has been decided. The next compensation package is already ready and this stir up is to soften how ludicrous the new package might seem.
@mikevandehey7734
I agree 1000%
it will be the richest incentive plan to date and he deserves it!
@sandybayes
Thank you all for talking thiis through! It really helped me and I'm sure many other investors.
@cybertrekthenextiteration9122
Incentives matter.
Also, losing control of the direction of your company as it develops potentially dangerous technology is intolerable.
Let Elon cook.