The song “Hey Mama” by the American band Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats is a heartfelt tribute to mothers. It can be found on their 2018 album called “Tearing at the Seams.”
“Hey Mama” delves into Nathaniel Rateliff’s relationship with his mother. It reflects how she often reminds him that he hasn’t pushed himself hard enough or achieved enough to truly say he’s given his best. The song also touches on the difficult times Nathaniel and his mother experienced after the loss of his father.
The music video for the song combines old family footage of Nathaniel Rateliff and bassist Joseph Pope with more recent videos showing their mother’s daily life and routines at work and home.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of the song.
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“Hey Mama” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Hey mama, it’s me
Said you better wait child
Said you’ve been a long time running
Hey mama, answer me
Baby boy you better sit down
Can’t listen when the sun’s out
My only son this will be so hard to hear
Verse 1 is a conversation between the singer and his mother. The singer addresses his mother and tells her that he needs to talk to her.
The mother responds by saying he should wait because it’s been a long time coming.
She also mentions that it’s hard to listen when the sun is out, indicating that it’s a difficult conversation.
The singer refers to himself as her “only son” and prepares her for what he’s about to say.
[Verse 2]
C’mon mama what do you mean
I know you’ve been knocked down
I know it ain’t all been easy
Nothing ever good really is
In Verse 2, the singer continues the conversation with his mother.
He asks her what she means by her previous statements, expressing his understanding that she has faced difficulties and setbacks in life.
The singer acknowledges that truly good things in life often come with challenges.
[Chorus]
Why you gotta wait so long
Why you gotta wait so long
The Chorus repeats the phrase “Why you gotta wait so long” several times.
It’s a reflection of the singer’s frustration or impatience with the situation.
He’s questioning why his mother has delayed addressing whatever issue or conversation they need to have.
[Verse 3]
But she said son
Let me reason with you
You think you carry such a weight
I know I never beat you boy
Better start acting like
This here’s a race
In Verse 3, the singer’s mother responds to him. She tells her son to let her reason with him, implying that she wants to have a heartfelt discussion.
She acknowledges that he feels burdened and believes he carries a heavy weight.
She assures him that she has never beaten him or held him back. Instead, she encourages him to start acting as if life is a race, suggesting that he should push himself harder or strive for more.
This verse emphasizes the mother’s desire to support and motivate her son while addressing his concerns about the challenges he faces.
[Bridge]
You ain’t gone far enough to say
At least I tried
You ain’t worked hard enough to say
Well I’ve done mine
You ain’t run far enough to say
My legs have failed
You ain’t gone far enough
You ain’t worked hard enough
You ain’t run far enough to say
It ain’t gonna get any better
In the Bridge, the lyrics mention that the singer hasn’t gone far enough to say “at least I tried,” hasn’t worked hard enough to say “I’ve done mine,” and hasn’t run far enough to say “my legs have failed.”
The repetition of these phrases highlights a sense of self-doubt and the feeling that the singer hasn’t fully committed or achieved his goals.
It suggests a longing for greater accomplishment and a fear that things may not improve in the future.
[Chorus 2]
You picked a bad time
You picked a bad time to listen to me
You picked a bad time
You picked a bad time to listen to me
You picked a bad time
You picked a bad time to listen to me
You picked a bad time
You picked a bad time to listen to me
In Chorus 2, the lyrics reiterate the phrase “You picked a bad time to listen to me” multiple times.
This repetition emphasizes the singer’s frustration with the timing of the conversation or the mother’s advice.
It suggests that the singer believes there are more pressing matters or that the mother’s guidance is not appropriate for the current situation.
Music Video
The music video for “Hey Mama” features the real-life mothers of Rateliff and bassist Joseph Pope III, Sandy and Diane, through a touching montage of family photos and home videos.
Directed by Rett Rogers, the “Hey Mama” music video is set in the hometown of Rateliff and Pope, Hermann, Missouri. It portrays the daily lives of Sandy, a seamstress, and Diane, a fry cook, showcasing the love and dedication they put into their work and families.
This blue-collar setting, combined with heartwarming moments involving other family members such as grandmothers, wives, and children, adds depth to the song’s lyrics.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Hey Mama”
Nathaniel Rateliff’s “Hey Mama” is a heartfelt tribute to the strength, wisdom, and love of mothers. It’s a reminder of the gratitude we should have for the mother figures who guide and support us through life’s challenges.
In the song, the singer is addressing his mother who has a significant impact on his life. She serves as a source of motivation and a constant reminder of his need for self-improvement.
Through her words, the singer’s mother encourages him to strive harder, work diligently, and not settle for mediocrity. Her guidance is both a source of support and pressure, pushing the singer to reach his full potential.
Apart from that, “Hey Mama” also alludes to the pain and challenges the singer and his mother endured after the loss of his father. This tragic event serves as a backdrop to their relationship.
The term “Hey Mama” is a common and affectionate way for someone to get their mother’s attention or initiate a conversation with her. In this song, it symbolizes the singer’s desire to communicate and have a meaningful dialogue with his mother.
It suggests that the song is a personal reflection or conversation between the singer and his mother, making it more intimate and relatable to listeners.
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