Today is Mother’s Day, so it’s only fitting that today’s classic song of the day is “Mama Said” by the Shirelles. Released as a single in April of 1961, this girl group classic peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
“Mama Said” was written by Luther Dixon and Willie Densen. Dixon and Denson co-wrote several songs for the Shirelles, and Dixon co-wrote and produced tunes for the Crests (“16 Candles”), Chuck Jackson (“I Don’t Want to Cry”), and the Platters (“With This Ring“)
In “Mama Said,” the Shirelles, led by lead singer Shirley Owens, sang about heeding mama’s warnings about falling in love. As the lyrics put it:
Mama said there’ll be days like this
There’ll be days like this, my mama said
Mama said there’ll be days like this
There’ll be days like this, my mama saidAnd then she said someone would look at me
Like I’m looking at you, one day
Then I might find
I don’t want you any old way but I don’t worry ’cause
The Shirelles were the biggest girl group of the Brill Building era, chalking up a half dozen top ten hits, including “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (#1 in 1960), “Dedicated to the One I Love” (#3 in 1961), “Baby It’s You” (#8 in 1961), “Soldier Boy” (#1 in 1962), and “Foolish Little Girl” (#4 in 1963). Shirley Owens left the group in 1963 (replaced for a time by none other than Dionne Warwick!) but the others continued recording through the early ’70s. A group calling themselves the Shirelles continues to perform on the oldies circuit today.
And here’s a special treat for your daily bonus track of the day, the great Dusty Springfield with her own version of “Mama Said.” Happy Mother’s Day, all you mothers out there!
