One of the most popular black singers of the 60s, Wilson Pickett helped introduce the aggressive, rhythmic style of black music to a wide audience and has influenced almost countless rnb artists over the years. It all got started in Prattville, Alabama, where he was raised. Pickett moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of sixteen, and he made his professional debut spending several years singing with the gospel group The Violinaires in the late 50s. From 1961 to 1963, he was in The Falcons, writing and singing their 1962 hit "I Found A Love".
Pickett then went solo and signed with Lloyd Price's Double L Records, where he wrote and recorded "If You Love Me" and "It's Too Late." In 1964, Pickett signed with Atlantic Records and did his early recordings in the Stax studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper of The MGs. Cropper co-authored three of his early hits, "In the Midnight Hour" and "Don't Fight It from his debut album The Exciting Wilson Pickett that established him as a major soul star. The album also included "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)," "She's So Good to Me," and "Land of a 1,000 Dances," all recorded at Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals.
Pickett then had hits with "Mustang Sally," "I Found a Love," and "Funky Broadway," all recorded in Muscle Shoals. Pickett then teamed with Bobby Womack in 1968 for Midnight Mover that yielded a Top 10 R7B and pop hit with Womack's title song. In 1969, Pickett had a major hit with The Beatles "Hey Jude,", followed in 1970 by "Sugar, Sugar." Later in 1970, Pickett worked with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The result was two crossover hits "Engine Number Nine," and "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You."
After crossover hits "Don't Knock My Love - Part 1" and "Fire and Water" Pickett left Atlantic for RCA, with minimum success. Pickett later recorded for several record companies, including his own Wicked label, but failed to have anymore hits.
Wilson Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.In 1999 he performed with his friend Bruce Springsteen.In 2002 he performed in the movie Only The Strong Survive.Singing his classic hits like In the Midnight hour and Land Of 1000 Dances.In 2004 Pickett retired from performing do to Health problems.Pickett told his sister he was going to the field of God but he never recovered.
On January 19,2006 Pickett died of a heart attack at his home. At his funeral long time friend Richard Pennimen (Little Richard) did a eulogy for Mr Pickett with his brothers at his funeral.
Pickett's Personal life was troubled. In 1993 he struck a pedestrian Pepe Ruiz. Later that year Ruiz died. Soul Singer Don Covay called him "Young and Wild". Pickett was arrested many times in his life.
Mama Told Me Not To Come
Wilson Pickett Lyrics
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Or sugar with your tea?
What are these crazy questions
That they're asking of me?
This is the wildest party that there ever could be
Oh, don't turn on the light 'cause I don't want to see
Mama told me not to come
Mama said, "That ain't no way to have fun"
Open up the window, let some air into this room
I think I'm almost choking on the smell of stale perfume
And that cigarette you're smoking 'bout to scare me half to death
Open up the window, let me catch my breath
The radio is blasting, someone's beating on the door
Our hostess is not lasting - she's out on the floor
I seen so many things here I ain't never seen before
I don't know what it is - but I don't wanna see no more
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
Mama said, "That ain't no way to have fun"
The lyrics to Wilson Pickett's popular song Mama Told Me Not To Come depict the story of someone attending a wild party that they may not necessarily want to be a part of. The first verse asks if the person would like to have whiskey in their water or sugar in their tea, which are unconventional options. The singer then discusses the absurdity of the questions and the wildness of the party; they do not want the lights on, potentially to hide the chaotic scene from view. The chorus is repeated twice throughout the song, with the memorable line that "Mama said, 'That ain't no way to have fun.'"
In the second verse, the singer requests that the window be opened to let some fresh air into the room because they almost feel like they are suffocating from the smell of stale perfume. They are also worried about the effects of the cigarette smoke around them. Additionally, they mention the loud radio and someone pounding on the door, as well as the hostess being incapacitated on the floor as the result of some wild activity. Lastly, the singer is overwhelmed by the things they have seen at this party and does not want to see any more.
Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a party gone wild and the discomfort and reluctance of a person who would prefer to be elsewhere. The repetitive chorus emphasizes the singer's conviction that they knew better than to attend such an event.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you have whiskey with your water
Do you want to mix strong alcoholic beverage with plain water to make it less intoxicating
Or sugar with your tea?
Do you want to mix sugar with plain tea to make it less bitter
What are these crazy questions
Why are you asking me such strange and incomprehensible questions
That they're asking of me?
Questions that couldn't have a reasonable answer
This is the wildest party that there ever could be
This gathering is the utmost craziest and insane event that is imaginable
Oh, don't turn on the light 'cause I don't want to see
Please don't switch on the lights as I don't wish to know or acknowledge what's happening here
Mama told me not to come
The singer's mother had warned him against attending such events
Mama told me not to come
The artist's mother had warned him against attending such events
Mama said, "That ain't no way to have fun"
Mama mentioned that going to such wild parties wasn't the right way of having a good time
Open up the window, let some air into this room
Please open the windows to bring in some fresh air in this congested place
I think I'm almost choking on the smell of stale perfume
The stench of strong, foul, old perfume is making me feel suffocated and nauseous
And that cigarette you're smoking 'bout to scare me half to death
Your smoking habit is frightening me very much
Open up the window, let me catch my breath
Please let me take some fresh air so that I can breathe normally
The radio is blasting, someone's beating on the door
The music player is playing at an excessive volume and someone is knocking heavily on the entrance
Our hostess is not lasting - she's out on the floor
The one who hosted this party is lying drunk on the ground
I seen so many things here I ain't never seen before
I am observing many unprecedented and unfamiliar things over here
I don't know what it is - but I don't wanna see no more
I don't understand what is happening, but I don't want to witness anything further
Mama told me not to come
The singer's mother had warned him against attending such events
Mama told me not to come
The singer's mother had warned him against attending such events
Mama said, "That ain't no way to have fun"
Mama mentioned that going to wild parties like this wasn't the right way of having a good time
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind