Only Mama Knows

Album: Memory Almost Full (2007)
Play Video
  • Well, I was found in the transit lounge
    Of a dirty airport town
    What was I doing on the road to ruin?
    Well, my mama laid me down
    My mama laid me down

    Around my hand was a plastic band
    With a picture of my face
    I was crying, left to die
    In this godforsaken place
    This godforsaken place

    Only Mama knows
    Why she laid me down in this godforsaken town
    She was running too
    What she was running from, I always wondered
    I never knew
    Only Mama knows
    Only Mama knows

    I'm passing through, I'm on my way
    On the road, no ETA
    I'm passing through, no fixed abode
    And that is why I need to try
    To hold on
    I've gotta hold on
    I've got to hold on

    Was it planned as a one night stand
    Or did she leave in disgrace?
    Well, I never, will I ever see my father's face?
    See my father's face?

    Only Mama knows
    Why she laid me down in this godforsaken town
    She was running too
    What she was running from, I always wondered
    I never knew
    Only Mama knows
    Only Mama knows

    Only Mama knows (Only Mama knows)
    Why she laid me down in this godforsaken town
    She was running too (Only Mama knows)
    What she was running from, I always wondered
    I never knew
    Only Mama knows (Only Mama knows)
    Only Mama knows (Only Mama knows)

    (Only Mama knows)
    (Only Mama knows)

    I've got to hold on (Only Mama knows)
    I've got to hold on (Only Mama knows)
    You gotta hold on Writer/s: PAUL MCCARTNEY
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Joe from Hoboken, NjI wonder if Paul consciously or subconsciously wrote this song thinking of John Lennon.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."