"Mama Said" is a country rock

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

by American heavy metal band Metallica from their sixth album, '' Load'', with music and lyrics by James Hetfield (music credited to Hetfield/Ulrich). The lyrics represent a man or boy who is learning to find his own way in life away from his mother. The song is directly written about Hetfield's difficult relationship with his mother, who died of cancer when he was 16 years old. The song is a departure from the band's classic sound; its genre-blending style incorporates

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...

, blues, and hard rock. "Mama Said" begins with acoustic guitar and, during the chorus, becomes flush with a country-flavored

vocal harmony Vocal harmony is a style of vocal music in which a consonant note or notes are simultaneously sung as a main melody in a predominantly homophonic texture. Vocal harmonies are used in many subgenres of European art music, including Classical c ...

and steel guitar. Toward the end, the song features

power chord A power chord (also fifth chord) is a colloquial name for a chord in guitar music, especially electric guitar, that consists of the root note and the fifth, as well as possibly octaves of those notes. Power chords are commonly played on ...

s on

electric guitar An electric guitar is a guitar that requires external amplification in order to be heard at typical performance volumes, unlike a standard acoustic guitar (however combinations of the two - a semi-acoustic guitar and an electric acoustic gu ...

. "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 Mirriam Johnson (born May 25, 1943), known professionally as Jessi Colter, is an American country singer who is best known for her collaborations with her husband, country musician Waylon Jennings, and for her 1975 country-pop crossover hit "I'm ...

on CMT's Outlaw Concert, along with Hetfield's cover of

Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music. Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...

's "

Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. It released in October 1978 as the second single from his album '' I've Always Been Crazy''. The song peaked ...

Demo

An early demo version is also entitled "Mama Said (The Story So Far)" which was recorded in Lars Ulrich's home musical studio "Dungeon" on April 14, 1995.

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. It filmed in November 1996 in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

and directed by Anton Corbijn.

Track listing

;International single part 1 #"Mama Said" - 5:19 #"

King Nothing "King Nothing" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica from their 1996 album '' Load,'' released on January 7, 1997. The song was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett. The song starts on a bass riff which develops ...

(Live -

Irvine Meadows Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre (formerly known as Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre) was an amphitheater operating from 1981-2016 in Irvine, California. The venue was built in 1980 funded by four local private investors under the Irvine Meadows Partners ...

, California 4 August 1996)" - 6:50 #"

Whiplash Whiplash may refer to: * The long flexible part of a whip * Whiplash (medicine), a neck injury ** Whiplash Injury Protection System (WHIPS), in automobiles Film and television * ''Whiplash'' (1948 film), a US film noir about a boxer * ''Whiplas ...

(Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 4:52 #"Mama Said (Edit)" - 4:34 ;International single part 2 #"Mama Said" - 5:19 #"So What (Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 3:00 #"

Creeping Death "Creeping Death" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on November 23, 1984, as the lead and only commercial single from their album ''Ride the Lightning'' (" Fade to Black" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls", from the sam ...

(Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 7:15 #"Mama Said (Early Demo Version)" - 6:52 ;International 7" vinyl single #"Mama Said" - 5:19 #"Ain't My Bitch (Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 5:59 ;Australian maxi single #"Mama Said (Edit)" - 4:34 #"Mama Said (Early Demo Version)" - 6:52 ;UK promo single #"Mama Said (Edit)" - 4:43 #"Mama Said" - 5:19 ;Japanese EP #"Mama Said (Edit)" - 4:42 #"So What (Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 2:58 #"Creeping Death (Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 7:14 #"King Nothing (Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 6:51 #"Whiplash (Live - Irvine Meadows, California 4 August 1996)" - 6:01 #"Mama Said (Early Demo Version)" - 6:53

References

{{authority control 1990s ballads 1996 singles Metallica songs Music videos directed by Anton Corbijn Songs written by James Hetfield Songs written by Lars Ulrich Song recordings produced by Bob Rock 1996 songs Blues rock songs Country rock songs Southern rock songs