The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.
Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.
Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)
Discography
Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire
That's What Mama Say
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what Mama say
All that shines is not gold, people can be mighty cold
That's what Mama say
Mama said there ain't gonna be any roses
Popping up to lead the way
Watch out for the storm to come boy
'Cause the sun don't shine every day
That's what my Mama says (that's what Mama said)
You better take heed to her a ways
Now when you get a woman
Make sure she's mighty nice
That's what Mama say
Be good to your woman
And when day is done
Love her with all your might
That's what Mama say
Mama say there ain't gonna be any roses
Popping up to lead the way
Watch out for the storm to come boy
'Cause the sun don't shine every day
That's what my Mama say (that's what Mama say)
Take heed to her a ways
That's what my Mama say (that's what Mama said)
That's what my Mama say (that's what Mama said)
You better take heed (that's what Mama said)
The Impressions' classic hit "That's What Mama Say" is a song that touches upon some of the most important lessons a mother imparts to her children. The lyrics speak about the advice that the singer's mother gave him while growing up. The song starts off by acknowledging that the singer will soon be venturing into the world all alone, but his mother's words of wisdom will stay with him. The first lesson imparted by his mother is that all that shines is not gold, and how people can be mighty cold. This is a warning against trusting people too easily and is especially relevant in a world where appearances can often be deceiving. Mama then tells him that there ain't gonna be any roses popping up to lead the way, and that he should watch out for the storm to come as the sun doesn't shine every day. This could be interpreted as advice to prepare oneself for difficult times because life is not always easy.
The second verse of the song is about relationships. Mama advises him to make sure that the woman he chooses is mighty nice, and to be good to her always. She tells him to love her with all his might when the day is done. This is a valuable lesson about the importance of treating one's partner with love and respect in a healthy relationship. The refrain repeats the main message of the song: "That's what my Mama say, take heed to her ways." The song itself is a testament to the importance of motherly advice and guidance. It is a reminder that mothers often have a wealth of knowledge and experience that should be respected and passed down to future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
It won't be long before I, venture this world all alone
My mother tells me that soon I will have to navigate the world by myself.
All that shines is not gold, people can be mighty cold
My mother warns me that not everything that looks good is good, and that people can be cruel.
Mama said there ain't gonna be any roses popping up to lead the way
My mother tells me that there won't always be easy paths to follow in life.
Watch out for the storm to come boy, 'cause the sun don't shine every day
My mother advises me to be prepared for hard times, because life is not always easy.
Now when you get a woman, make sure she's mighty nice
My mother tells me to choose a partner who is kind and good.
Be good to your woman, and when day is done love her with all your might
My mother advises me to treat my partner well, and to love them deeply.
That's what my Mama say (that's what Mama said)
I trust and value my mother's advice.
You better take heed to her a ways
I should listen carefully to my mother's words of wisdom and follow her advice.
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people