‘The Wall’ was arguably Pink Floyd’s best album, and ‘Mother’ arguably it’s best song (though we’ll accept votes for ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’ respectively). There is, however, no argument that the classic Roger Waters’ tune, as rendered here by Sinead O’Connor, isn’t equally as compelling.
O’Connor was recruited for this 1990 Waters solo performance in Berlin of his masterpiece album, with ‘Mother’ also featuring further all-star support from Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band (as well as members of The Hooters), culminating in a unique folksy version of the original.
Besides her unparalleled voice, O’Connor’s own troubled persona perfectly matched the tone of the song – a conversation between a disturbed son and his suffocating mother, the latter fashioning a prominent brick in the former’s destructive psychological ‘wall’ to the world.
If you love this song, checking out the solo version by Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks/The Chicks) – a vocalist who can go note for note with O’Connor – is also well worth the effort.
Lyrics
Mother, do you think they’ll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they’ll like this song?
Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls?
Ooh, aah, mother, should I build the wall?
Mother, should I run for president?
Mother, should I trust the government?
Mother, will they put me in the firing line?
Ooh, aah, is it just a waste of time?
Hush now, baby, baby, don’t you cry
Mama’s gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Mama’s gonna put all of her fears into you
Mama’s gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won’t let you fly but she might let you sing
Mama’s gonna keep baby cozy and warm
Ooh, babe, ooh, babe, ooh, babe
Of course mama’s gonna help build the wall
Mother, do you think she’s good enough for me?
Mother, do you think she’s dangerous to me?
Mother, will she tear your little boy apart?
Ooh, aah, mother, will she break my heart?
Hush now, baby, baby, don’t you cry
Mama’s gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Mama won’t let anyone dirty get through
Mama’s gonna wait up ’til you get in
Mama will always find out where you’ve been
Mamma’s gonna keep baby healthy and clean
Ooh, babe, ooh, babe, ooh, babe
You’ll always be a baby to me
Mother, did it need to be so high?
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