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

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."