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

    Sin 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

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.