Mother-In-Law

Album: Mother-in-Law (1961)
Charted: 29 1
Play Video
  • Mother-in-law (mother-in law), mother-in-law (mother-in-law)
    The worst person I know, mother-in-law, mother-in-law
    She worries me so, mother-in-law, mother-in-law
    If she leaves us alone, we would have a happy home
    Sent from down below
    (Mother-in-law) mother-in-law, (mother-in-law), mother-in-law

    Satan should be her name, mother-in-law, mother-in-law
    To me, they're about the same, mother-in-law, mother-in-law
    Every time I open my mouth, she steps in, tries to put me out
    How could she stoop so low?
    (Mother-in-law), mother-in-law, (mother-in-law), mother-in-law

    I come home with my pay, mother-in-law, mother-in-law
    She asks me what I make, mother-in-law, mother-in-law
    She thinks her advice is a contribution
    But if she will leave that will be a solution
    And don't come back no more
    (Mother-in-law), mother-in-law, (mother-in-law), mother-in-law

    Mother in law, mother in law, oh Writer/s: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyExactly sixty years ago today in 1961 {May 22th} "Mother-In-Law" by Ernie K-Doe peaked at #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
    One month later on June 27th, 1961, "Mother-In-Law" also reached #1 {for 10 weeks} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart...
    In 1964 Ernie K-Doe released a record titled "My Mother-In-Law (Is In My Hair Again)", it didn't make the Top 100 but of course, it's available on YouTube...
    Between March of 1961 and February of 1962, the New Orleans native had five records on the Top 100 chart, with one reaching the Top 10, the above "Mother-In-Law"...
    Besides "Mother-In-Law", his four othe Top 100 records were "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" {#53 in 1961}, "I Cried My Last Tear" {#69 in 1961}, "A Certain Girl" {#71 in 1961}, and "Popeye Joe" {#99 in 1962}...
    Ernie K-Doe, born Ernest Kador Jr., passed away at the age of 68 on July 5th, 2001...
    May he R.I.P.
    And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of Billboard's Top 10 on May 22nd, 1961:
    At #2. "Runaway" by Del Shannon {the #1 record for the previous four weeks}
    #3. "Daddy's Home" by Shep and the Limelites
    #4. "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" by Gene McDaniels
    #5. "Travelin' Man" by Ricky Nelson
    #6. "Mama Said" by The Shirelles
    #7. "Running Scared" by Roy Orbison
    #8. "Breakin' In A Brand New Broken Heart" by Connie Francis
    #9. "Hello Mary Lou" by Ricky Nelson
    #10. "I've Told Every Little Star" by Linda Scott
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaScott am pretty sure the lyric is Satan should be her name.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 21st 1961, Ernie K-Doe, along with Jimmy Jones & Freddie Scott, performed at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, PA...
    At the time his "Mother-In-Law" was at #3 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; one month and one day later on May 22nd, 1961 it would peak at #1* {for 1 week} and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on April 18th, 1961 it also peaked at #1 {for 5 weeks} on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    * Prior to reaching #1 on the Top 100 chart, it spent three weeks at #2, the #1 record for those three weeks was "Runaway" by Del Shannon, then "Runaway" dropped to #2 when "Mother-In-Law" took over the top spot...
    R.I.P. to Ernie K-Doe, born Ernest Kador, Jr., {1936 - 2001} and to Mr. Shannon, born Charles Weedon Westover, {1934 - 1990}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyBenny Spellman passed away on June 3rd 2011 at the age of 79...
    As stated above he was the bass singer on Ernie K-Doe's #1 hit in 1961, "Mother-In-Law", and sang the words 'mother-in-law' on the record...
    He had one Top 100 record of his own, "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)", it stayed on the chart for six weeks in 1962, peaking at #80...
    May Mr. Spellman R.I.P.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn 1961 there was two answer songs released; Louise Brown's version of 'Son-In-Law' peaked at No. 76. Then The Blossoms released a complete different version and that peaked at No. 79!!!

    76/61 SON-IN-LAW by LOUISE BROWN
    79/61 SON-IN-LAW by THE BLOSSOMS
  • Scott from Bethlehem, PaThe posted lyrics include the line "Sin Should be her name..."
    when you listen to it on Ernie's remake album, it sounds like "Satan should be her name...."
  • Sandy from Wellington, FlGreat lyrics -- I've been there!
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThis song is funny! I guess some people feel that way though.
  • Frank from Westminster, ScI must have married his sister in law.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.