Genesis: Mama Meaning

Song Released: 1983

Mama Lyrics

I can’t see you mama
But I can hardly wait
Ooh to touch and to feel you mama
Oh I just can’t keep away
In the heat and the steam of the city
Oh it’s got me running and I just can’t brake
So say you’ll help me mama
Cos it’s getting so hard...

1. anonymous

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   Jun 25th 2011 !⃝

   Some reports say it's a song about a man who falls in love with a prostitute who won't return his affections. This turns into an oedipus complex (sexual desire for one's own mother) and he becomes possessive and obsessive which is why he has to constantly tell her, "Now I won't hurt you mama." The reason why "it's getting so hard" not to hurt her is because she spurns him. He's battling with this ever growing passion within himself which comes out as a twisted, "Heh, heh, heh, heh...oowww." Supposedly, Collins was inspired to write the song after reading a book about the same subject by David Nivens.
2. anonymous

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   Jun 3rd 2011 !⃝

   I agree with the other anonymous person saying the song is about a man hurting so bad he wants to die but he doesn't want to hurt his Mother, and NOTHING else. It's nice to see someone's comment with a sober mind. Thanks.
3. anonymous

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   Apr 27th 2011 !⃝

   I just want to stick this thought out there, has anyone ever considered the man feel in love with a woman that is a Mama?
4. anonymous

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   Apr 3rd 2011 !⃝

   The song is about a man wishing to kill himself....The pain in his life is to overwhelming but he cannot kill himself while his mother is still alive. "I won't hurt you mama but it's getting so hard..."
5. anonymous

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   Dec 25th 2010 !⃝

   I always thought it was about drug addiction and a man pleading with his mama not to leave him!! If it is about sex I am disappointed indeed!!
6. squonk

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   Apr 30th 2010 !⃝

   It's about abortion and the living baby inside the womb.
7. anonymous

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   Oct 23rd 2004 !⃝

   When I first heard this song, I thought it was from the perspective of a baby about to be killed in an abortion, and he's pleading with his mother to let him live. Lyrics like "Mama, you're takin' away my last chance, don't take it away, can't you feel my heart?" really suggested that, and also in the song was "My eyes, they're burning Mama, and my body begins to shake" which suggested the effects on a baby when it's killed by saline. From this perspective, the song's really creepy.
   
   But later I found out that in an interview Phil Collins specifically said the song wasn't about abortion, but about a teenage boy who's infatuated with an adult prostitute. From this point of view, the song is, in my opinion, a lot less scary and really rather stupid.

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