Mama Told Me Not To Come
Wilson Pickett Lyrics


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Will you have whiskey with your water
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 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"

Overall Meaning

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
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