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Joan Armatrading — Mama Papa
Album: Into the Blues
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 513









Released: 2007
Length: 3:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I was born on an Island
St. Kitts
In a little biddy town
Had a mama and a papa
Four brothers and a sister

Mama papa told us
Play hard
Fight fair
Live life
And love the Lord
I said love the Lord
Said love the Lord

Their choice was
The United Kingdom
Living in Birmingham
When they wanted to spread their wings
And fly away

Seven people in one room
No heat
One wage
And bills to pay
I said bills to pay
Gotta pay those bills

Now when you're walking on heaven's floor
Talking in the ear of God
What you gonna say to the man
When he asks you what you've done

Can you say you did your very best
With what you had
Like my mama and my papa

I know two people who served up love
And a whole lot more
They made us hold our sides with laughter all night long
Oh they made us laugh
Until we cried
Till we begged them stop
Or we'll split our sides

Now when you're walking on heaven's floor
Talking in the ear of God
What you gonna say to the man
When he asks you what you've done

Can you say you did your very best
With what you had
Like my mama and my papa
Comments (57)add comment
who plays that mean guitar?

Amazung piece of music. Thanks, everyone, Joan, Bill
Posted 1 year ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]


What you gonna say to the man

When he asks you what you've done

Posted 1 year ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
+1 to 9, absolutely love the groove on this one, Joan is remarkably unique in her style.
Long Live RP!!
Posted 2 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 MargoMallen wrote:
She is one of a kind!

 
Actually she is.  Born in Saint Kits, Raised mostly in England and has contralto range which is fairly rare.
Posted 6 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Never been much of a fan - but albumcredits.com shows her work on this cut as Arranger, Composer, Mix Engineer, Producer, Recording Engineer.

Any one of those roles would be praise worthy on this finely crafted piece, but together? The Compleat Artist.

 
Right on😍
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Wow! I had no idea it was her!
Posted 7 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
thanx Bill
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Never been much of a fan - but albumcredits.com shows her work on this cut as Arranger, Composer, Mix Engineer, Producer, Recording Engineer.

Any one of those roles would be praise worthy on this finely crafted piece, but together? The Compleat Artist.

 
Compleat indeed!  According to Wiki, there were only two musicians on this album - Joan and Miles Bould on drums & percussion (all tracks).

I've never paid much attention attention to her music either, but this song is funky good! 
Posted 8 years ago by Stephenater    [ Reply ]
She is one of a kind!
Posted 8 years ago by MargoMallen    [ Reply ]
This real down jive.
Posted 9 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Love Joan, had no idea this was her. 
Great song.

and, thanks for the lyrics Bill; I thought she was singing "love the law" , " love The Lord" rings better.

I can't tell you how many times I've looked at the app and was shocked to find out what they were really singing. Some I've gotten wrong for decades!  
Posted 9 years ago by FrankDebbieCote    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

You mean "complete".

 
No, Businessgypsy means 'Compleat'. :) Made me smile.

It's an archaic spelling often used in this context to hint at particular excellence or exhaustiveness (e.g. The Compleat Angler).  
Posted 9 years ago by michaelkh    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Never been much of a fan - but albumcredits.com shows her work on this cut as Arranger, Composer, Mix Engineer, Producer, Recording Engineer.

Any one of those roles would be praise worthy on this finely crafted piece, but together? The Compleat Artist.

 
You mean "complete".
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Living in Birmingham, England? May the Lord have mercy on their eternal souls for being consigned to such a hellhole (shudder).

A classic pub quiz question: which city has more canals - Birmingham or Venice? Clue: it starts with a B...
Posted 10 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Master Armatrading can Preach to me each day and I am a thankful believer
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 fingerpin wrote:
The "law" is not for loving. On the other hand, if you wish to love the "Lord", that is your perogatvive and probably makes more sense.
 
I think it would still preserve the sense if you read it as "love the Law" i.e. the Scripture. That would be sufficiently within the bounds of poetic license to excuse the mondegreen.
Posted 11 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Been loving Joan for 40 years.
 
Me too. Scary, huh?
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Yummy, Joanie.
 
The family's in agreement. 'Specially Mama. 
 
That is just skeery...  {#Roflol}
Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Never been much of a fan - but albumcredits.com shows her work on this cut as Arranger, Composer, Mix Engineer, Producer, Recording Engineer.

Any one of those roles would be praise worthy on this finely crafted piece, but together? The Compleat Artist.
Posted 12 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Yummy, Joanie.
 
The family's in agreement. 'Specially Mama. 
Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
The "law" is not for loving. On the other hand, if you wish to love the "Lord", that is your perogatvive and probably makes more sense.
Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Are Mama & Papa what they sound like they are??
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 lysisphere wrote:
Are you going to be able to say that you did the very best you could with what you had?

P.S. Love the law.

Dig it.
 

I think she is singing 'Love the Lord'
Posted 13 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Are you going to be able to say that you did the very best you could with what you had?

P.S. Love the law.

Dig it.
Posted 13 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
This is really cool! Rock on Joan!{#Bananajam}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This is really good! I mentally dropped her in amber as a memory of the 70s—"Down to Zero" and "I love it When You Call Me Names"—but that was my mistake. Great guitar work too. 
Posted 14 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Been loving Joan for 40 years.
Posted 14 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Outstanding, but I think less and lower volume on the vocals would have helped.
Posted 15 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
Came through Perth recently and saw her in a small gathering 'Picnic in the Park'

Lots from her new album - was great live and a real nice lady too! 9->10


Posted 15 years ago by MM_Oz    [ Reply ]
OH YEAH!! This kicks —s.
Posted 15 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
Haven't listened to Joan Armatrading for years.  Man, she rocks! And what a guitarist! I'm gonna buy this!
Posted 15 years ago by Eric_Denison    [ Reply ]
Funky! :)

Posted 15 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
Yeah baby..
wonderful start to a monday morning.
Posted 15 years ago by mystysaint    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by starfishNcoffee    [ Reply ]
Saw Joan on a recent "Live from Abbey Road" show. I had forgotten what a really GOOD blues guitarist she is!
Posted 15 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
This is great!
Posted 15 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
Joan Armatrading KICKS ASS.

Posted 15 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
really bounces along, kinda like it
Posted 15 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
First time hearing, wow! Love this!

Posted 15 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
I normally don't mind her, but this song is simply annoying. I always have to lower the volume until it's over.


Posted 15 years ago by Marley    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
Nothing of substance in this one.  {#No}
 

Other than good music, of course.
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Nothing of substance in this one.  {#No}
Posted 15 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
I'm a papa now!{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Was great to see her on "Live from Abbey Road" as well. Thanks for playing more Joan A.
Posted 15 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I too recently saw Ms Armatrading in concert here in Raleigh, NC. Really good show I thought, but my partner, who had seen Joan before thought this more recent show, Joan was real down, low energy. If thats low energy, high energy would tear the roof off!
Posted 15 years ago by anniebear    [ Reply ]

I had the pleasure of seeing Joan live earlier this month at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta.  Fantastic show!


Posted 15 years ago by BGGA    [ Reply ]
Fantastic Song...
Posted 15 years ago by slickdh    [ Reply ]
Just a superb artist, backed by a fantastic band, as always.
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Pretty cool. Is it wrong that I wondered if it was a new Amy Winehouse song? 7.
Posted 15 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
I was groovin' to her in the 1970s. Glad to hear she's still got it.
Posted 15 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
I can't sit still.
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
I love Joan Armatrading, but this feels too generic for me. If she's going to pare down her music, I'd rather hear her folk side.
Posted 15 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
Got. To. Find. More. Armatrading...
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
I was just thinking, what a great little set. I'm digging it! justin4kick wrote:
12:15 pm - Joan Armatrading - Mama Papa 12:11 pm - Jakob Dylan - Something Good This Way Comes 12:07 pm - Grateful Dead - Ripple 12:03 pm - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Killing The Blues This more than I can stand.
Posted 15 years ago by farleymj3    [ Reply ]
A cross between a blues singer and Prince. Love the band. It's a nice departure from her usual style.
Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
12:15 pm - Joan Armatrading - Mama Papa 12:11 pm - Jakob Dylan - Something Good This Way Comes 12:07 pm - Grateful Dead - Ripple 12:03 pm - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Killing The Blues This more than I can stand.
Posted 15 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]