Mama Said by Metallica

Album: Load (1996)

Charted: 19

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This is a song for James Hetfield's mother, who died of cancer when he was young. The song talks about his regrets of not being able to spend more time with her and how he hopes that she will still love him when he sees her again ("Mama now I'm coming home. I'm not all you wished of me. A mother's love for her son unspoken, help me be. Yeah I took your love for granted and all the things you said to me. I need your arms to welcome me. But a cold stone is all I see.") >>
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Josh - El Paso, TX
In an interview with Mojo magazine December 2008, Hetfield referred to this song about his mother as, "like a prodigal son song: leaving and then coming back and it's too late, you can't talk to her now." He added: "It was a realization that lots of questions went unanswered. 'I want to say this. I want to ask you this.' And you're unable to. But through therapy I was able to do a lot of grief work, about both parents."

Comments: 19

Sir Pyschoflexy from UkHaving lost my mother at a young age this song hits me hard. I was a teenager and was rebelling against everything. She had a very hard upbringing herself as did my father and they were both very strict and controlling. But i guess they had my best interests at heart. At the time I couldn't see it. I felt smothered and kicked back constantly saying terrible things. I just wish I'd had more time to set things straight. Call your parents if your lucky to still have them around. Tell them you love them.
Lydia Mcgowan from Monkstown Co. Dublin IrelandI listen to that song when I'm sorrowful.
Jacob from Jackson, TnThis song shows that even though James harbored some hatred for his parents, he still has some love for them, especially his mother. Probably because she's not the one who walked out on him.
Dogu from Kyrenia, Cyprusthis is a very unique song that i find very emotional. it again and again reminds me of the great and very precious part of any mothers in a childs life... very successful
Matt from Bakersfield, Cawhen i first heard this song i was like whoa. but then i found myself listning to this more and more often. i realised that i was hooked to this song a great ballad for the ages.
Ashley from Panama City, Flits not "but a cold stone is all i see"
it's "but a tomb stone is all i see"
i love this song, very sad.
Joey from Wellington, Flvery emtional, almost sounds country to me
Austin from Bristow, VaI just watched the video for this and I have to admit, I fought back tears the whole time until I couldn't hold it in any longer. Very soft and emotional for a Metallica song. The part in the video when the car James was riding in stopped and his buddies Lars, Kirk, and Jason walked by and waved at him was very touching too. This song makes me think of my mother and that she will one day no longer be with me.
Henk from Middelburg, NetherlandsA song you,ve not expect from a metalband,i find it one of their best songs
Nick from Cairns, Australiaa nice change in their music. This just shows how unique Metallica can be with their sound. I mean, country, who would've thought, of all bands, metallica. I guess it would've been different if it weren't for James Hetfield in the band; just looking at how emotive those lyrics and music can be.
Aki from Sunrise, FlSo I guess underneath all of that METAL, James really has a heart. I'm actually very surprised that this song has never made me cry. Maybe my heart left.
Mohammad from Bandarabbassa very sad song its like the cry of monesters.long live metallica.
Darrell from EugeneThis can't be the same song as the one by the Shirelles. It would be a crying shame if a heavy-metal group of the likes of Metallica had ruined a good Motown song like the first "Mama Said".
Josh from Plainview, NyNot a style you would expest from Metallica but it's still a really good song.
Charbel from SydneyIt really makes me cry,i can see the good side of the singer james hetfield...MetallicA is great, james hetfield, MAMA SAID is Great...
Daniel Roberto DÃ?az from Panama City, OtherI love the old Metallica songs, but still, they can play good music...
Chris from Thessaloniki, GreeceAnother great song, it's very melodic and emotional. The lyrics are great too, and Metallica(especially James Hetfield) seem to be the only ones that could perform that good on this one.
Tommi from Melbourne, Australiavery emotional
Tim from Leuven, Belgiumvery emotional song