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.
Mother's Little Helper
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"It's so different today", I hear every mother say
They just need something today, for confidence
And though she's not really ill, there's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper
And the kids are all away, it's a blue and busy day
"Things are different today", I hear every mother say
Couldn't crash before her husband, such a drag
And goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper
And the kids are all away, it's a blue and busy day
Oh doctor, please, I'm [on my knees], outside the door she took for more
What a drag it is, getting old
When you stop and save today, I hear every mother say
They just don't appreciate that you've retired
They're so hard to satisfy, lookin' tranquil at your mind
And goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper
And forgets her through the night, helps to minimize her flight
Oh doctor, please, I'm [on my knees], outside the door she took for more
What a drag it is, getting old
When you stop and save today, I hear every mother say
That this mood of happiness is such a bore
If you take some more of those, you will get an overdose
You'll go running for the shelter of your mother's little helper
And forget to run away
Hey!
Uh-oh! I fucked up there a little bit, please don't tell Mick!
Alright! Now it's time to play something a little different
It's a song of our first album (surprise 'em)
And it's gonna be rocking (surprise 'em)
Yeah, surprise, this is called "Surprise for you"
Surprise 'em, surprise 'em
Surprise, surprise (okay, tell 'em what it is)
(Wanna tell 'em what it is, or should I just start it?)
Start it, Frank! Hey, right on
Yeah, ow, alright!
The song "Mother's Little Helper" by Tesla is a cover of the original song by The Rolling Stones. The lyrics talk about the struggles of getting old and how mothers seek refuge in a little yellow pill to feel confident and deal with daily chores. The chorus repeats the phrase "And the kids are all away, it's a blue and busy day", suggesting that the mothers are overwhelmed and alone in their plight. The second verse talks about a mother who feels she can't crash before her husband, so she tries to compensate by buying a risen cake and overcooking a frozen steak. The third verse talks about how mothers feel unappreciated after retirement and how taking more of those little pills can lead to an overdose.
The song speaks to the cultural shift happening in the 60s, where drug use was becoming more prevalent and mothers were turning to prescription pills to deal with everyday life. The "little yellow pill" in the song is likely a reference to benzodiazepines, a class of sedative drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
What a drag it is, getting old
Age can be a burden and bring about feelings of weariness.
"It's so different today", I hear every mother say
Mothers feel that societal changes have made child-rearing more difficult compared to their own experiences.
They just need something today, for confidence
Mothers feel they require an aid to bolster their self-assurance and mood.
And though she's not really ill, there's a little yellow pill
The mother is not physically ill, but she turns to a drug to improve her mental state.
She goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper
The mother seeks refuge in the drug that helps her cope with life.
And the kids are all away, it's a blue and busy day
The children are absent, giving the mother a lonely and hectic day.
"Things are different today", I hear every mother say
Mothers reminisce about how parenting has evolved since their own childhood.
Couldn't crash before her husband, such a drag
The mother is unable to be the source of support she used to be for her husband due to her own struggles.
So she buys a [risen] cake and she burns a frozen steak
The mother tries to prepare meals for her family but fails, adding to her feeling of inadequacy.
Oh doctor, please, I'm [on my knees], outside the door she took for more
The mother is desperate for more of the drug and pleads with her doctor for a refill.
When you stop and save today, I hear every mother say
Mothers believe that their efforts are not appreciated, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
They just don't appreciate that you've retired
The mother feels that her family does not acknowledge or respect her retirement from the workforce.
They're so hard to satisfy, lookin' tranquil at your mind
The mother perceives her family as difficult to please, which adds to her stress.
And forgets her through the night, helps to minimize her flight
The drug helps the mother forget her problems and lessen her anxiety throughout the night.
That this mood of happiness is such a bore
The mother is unhappy or unfulfilled even when she is supposed to be in a positive mood or state.
If you take some more of those, you will get an overdose
The song warns of the dangers of taking too many of the drug, which can be fatal.
You'll go running for the shelter of your mother's little helper
The song cautions that overuse of the drug leads to a cycle of dependency and abuse.
Lyrics © Alfred, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE CROPPER, WILSON PICKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcelofreire8190
What a killer version of this underrated Stones gem.
@inadaizz
I was never really a Tesla fan but this is a good cover. Well done and as the current top comment said respectful of the original.
@fabiano1984
Exactly !!!
@kos38
what a band! direct influence to me and rocker friends. from Uruguay, keep rocking!!
@oliverperez5968
Great cover!! I love "Tesla"
@doctorwhotardis5895
This is the number one of UNPLUGGED band...from here and then all the BIGS BAND will make it!!
@beaveittoleaver2327
What talent Tesla have even still, VERY cool cover. Sactown! Love you Frankie, miss you brother...
@AkiataSkirata
I love Tesla's version of this tune and Tommy's singing on this is incredible!
@tonyjohnson5958
What an awesome cover!
@fabiano1984
Awesome cover !!!