Mama Said (Metallica song)

"Mama Said"
Single by Metallica
from the album Load
B-side	King Nothing (live)/Whiplash (live)/Mama Said (Edit) So What? (live)/Creeping Death (live)/Mama Said (Early demo version)
Released	November 25, 1996
Format	CD single
Recorded	May 1995 - February 1996 The Plant Studios Sausalito, California
Genre	Rock
Length	5:20
Label	Elektra
Writer(s)	James Hetfield Lars Ulrich
Producer	Bob Rock James Hetfield Lars Ulrich
Metallica singles chronology
"Hero of the Day" (1996) "Mama Said" (1996) "King Nothing" (1997)

"Mama Said" is a Metallica song on the band's sixth album, Load. The lyrics, written by James Hetfield, represent a man or boy who is learning to find his own way in life away from his mother. The song is almost directly written about Hetfields' difficult relationship with his mother, who died of cancer.

The song stands out among Metallica's predominantly metal catalog; its genre-blending style incorporates country, blues, and hard rock. "Mama Said" begins with acoustic guitar and, during the chorus, becomes flush with a country-flavored vocal harmony and steel guitar. Toward the end the song features power chords on electric guitar.

"Mama Said" has never been featured as a part of Metallica's live setlist. Hetfield has performed this song live, however, using a single steel-stringed acoustic guitar with no drum or bass accompaniment. He also performed it along with country singer Jessi Colter on CMT's Outlaw Concert, along with Hetfield's cover of Waylon Jennings's "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand."

Music video

Lesser known among Metallica's music video catalog, the "Mama Said" video focuses on James Hetfield sitting in the backseat of a car while playing the song on an acoustic guitar. The vehicle appears to be driving along a Southwestern highway, and at one point the other members of Metallica are seen outside looking into the window. As the song comes to an end, the view pulls back to reveal that Hetfield has been sitting in a stationary backseat inside a studio. He then walks over to a horse, takes its bridle, and walks off screen. Directed by Anton Corbijn.

Track listing

International Single Part 1

1. "Mama Said"
2. "King Nothing (Live)"
3. "Whiplash (Live)"
4. "Mama Said (Edit)"

International Single Part 2

1. "Mama Said"
2. "So What (Live)"
3. "Creeping Death (Live)"
4. "Mama Said (Early Demo Version)"

International 7-Inch Vinyl Single

1. "Mama Said"
2. "Ain't My Bitch (Live)"

Japanese EP

1. "Mama Said (Edit)"
2. "So What (Live)"
3. "Creeping Death (Live)"
4. "King Nothing (Live)"
5. "Whiplash (Live)"
6. "Mama Said (Early Demo Version)"

External links

• "Mama Said" music video