That's What Mama Used to Do

from I Ran Down Every Dream by Tommy McLain

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lyrics

I was walking down the street the other day
I saw a little boy crying, holding his mother’s hand
It took me back to when I was like that
When I was my mother’s little man
Ooh, that’s what mama used to do

Would you call me home and love me
If I was cold and lonely
Would you know how to bring that smile back to my face
Can you take these tears, make them disappear
Ooh, that’s what my mama used to do

Now do you take the world for granted
Do you throw it all away
Are you running in the streets again
Are you praying where you stay
Can you take this hurt
Make it go away
Ooh, that’s what my mama used to do

At night she’d hold my hand
I would do the crying
She’d say that’s alright baby
The sun will soon be shining on you
Ooh, that’s what my mama used to do
(That’s what mama used to do)

Ooh, that’s what my mama used to do

Those years have come and gone now
It seems like yesterday
Sometimes it seems to me she never went away
I learned to whistle “Dixie”
She taught me “Yankee Doodle,” too
Ooh, that’s what my mama used to do

And I know it won’t be long now
‘Til I see mama again
Just like when I was younger
She’ll reach for my hand at the end
I learned to whistle “Dixie”
She taught me “Love Thy Neighbor,” too
Ooh, that’s what mamas always do

I was walking down the street the other day
I saw a little boy crying, holding his mother’s hand
It took me back to when I was like that
When I was my mother’s little man
Ooh, that’s what mama used to do

credits

from I Ran Down Every Dream, track released August 26, 2022
2022 Yep Roc, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Arranged by Sam Broussard and C.C. Adcock

Tommy McLain: Vocals, Piano
Warren Storm: Drums
CC: Guitars, Backing vocals
Dave Ranson: Upright bass
Warren Storm: Drums
Curley Taylor: Drums
Richard Comeaux: Pedal steel
David Torkanowsky: Piano
Rick Nelson: Strings
Ivan Neville: Backing vocals
Jelly Sisters (Tiff Lamson & Julie Odell): Backing vocals

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about

Tommy McLain Jonesville, Louisiana

Tommy McLain is perhaps the last great artist from rock ‘n’ roll’s pioneering first generation awaiting rediscovery. The signature swamp pop sound that he helped create spawned multiple national hits in the 1960s and inspired artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Little Feat, and Tony Joe White, among others. His best known song - “Sweet Dreams" - is considered a cornerstone of the genre. ... more

shows

May 2

Chickie Wah Wah

New Orleans, LA

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