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“Mama” was the first single from Genesis’ 1983 self-titled album. Instantly recognizable from its harsh drum machine introduction, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins’ reverb-laden voice, “Mama” serves notice that the album which follows will be considerably darker than previous efforts. It remains the band’s biggest commercial success in the UK, reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart, but was less popular in the US, only reaching #73 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made #7 on the Dutch Top 40.
The track also has a powerful final verse punctuated with a live drum kit (modified with the trademark “gated reverb” effect), comparable to Collins’ earlier solo recording “In the Air Tonight”.
The song has resurfaced in 2007 as part of the Turn It On Again tour, albeit transposed down a key to account for the deepening of Phil Collins’s voice over the years.
The song’s theme involves a young man’s longing for a particular prostitute. The song is remembered by many fans for Phil Collins’ sinister laugh. On the DVD The Genesis Songbook, the band and producer Hugh Padgham revealed that the inspiration for the laugh came from rap music pioneer Grandmaster Flash’s song “The Message”.
The music video for the song essentially plays out the lyrics, showing Collins singing to a mysterious woman while Banks and Rutherford play in the background. One memorable sequence involves an extremely evil-looking Collins, cloaked in shadows and illuminated by a greenish light, performing the aforementioned sinister laugh. When performed live, white lights were shone from underneath the stage so Collins could re-create the sinister laugh.
The track also has a powerful final verse punctuated with a live drum kit (modified with the trademark “gated reverb” effect), comparable to Collins’ earlier solo recording “In the Air Tonight”.
The song has resurfaced in 2007 as part of the Turn It On Again tour, albeit transposed down a key to account for the deepening of Phil Collins’s voice over the years.
The song’s theme involves a young man’s longing for a particular prostitute. The song is remembered by many fans for Phil Collins’ sinister laugh. On the DVD The Genesis Songbook, the band and producer Hugh Padgham revealed that the inspiration for the laugh came from rap music pioneer Grandmaster Flash’s song “The Message”.
The music video for the song essentially plays out the lyrics, showing Collins singing to a mysterious woman while Banks and Rutherford play in the background. One memorable sequence involves an extremely evil-looking Collins, cloaked in shadows and illuminated by a greenish light, performing the aforementioned sinister laugh. When performed live, white lights were shone from underneath the stage so Collins could re-create the sinister laugh.
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Added by jedzxor
One of my fave Phil-era songs. These are Youtube clips from 2007...Chester RULES!!! I think it sounds great in D instead of E. Thanks to my fellow fans in Europe for these priceless clips!
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Shouts
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JayniJade22 wrote:
love Mama,anyone wanna webcam chat? the link is in my profile.
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molkosis wrote:
A total classic!
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CrazyEddie69 wrote:
Now play Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes :D
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gorpoen wrote:
the song is ok, but... it is not neccesary to play it in THIS group (progrock-dt), because its a POP song.... ;)
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Tomo128 wrote:
Awesome! Extra bass in this song!
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Rabe0377 wrote:
A great song.
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kevogerbil wrote:
Second time round gets better rock on phil
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Schneckensaft wrote:
This is OK. It is just Phil Collins mind. My beloved Tony Banks just doesn't shine through enough for my liking. You rock Tony! I can so play some old prog-rock Genesis songs to an acceptable standard now... ^_^ hahaha
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maghat wrote:
as an 80s teen, this is the best of Genesis for me
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kevogerbil wrote:
brill song
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Oddgothgirl wrote:
I remember this song....I'm not going to go into details of why..not the right forum (not being charged $100 a session to explain I guess lol)
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ricp7357 wrote:
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT
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smashatto wrote:
Dark,mysterious, and very atmospheric, one of their more creative songs from their " pop " era, terrific
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luisgale wrote:
incredible
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ironside67 wrote:
mama just awesome,but the 70s Genesis will always be the best
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cutesofisticat wrote:
its cool
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Bookman1974 wrote:
Considering that this is the '80s Genesis rather than the '70s real deal - with drum machine, and on the verge of becoming effectively Phil plus backing band - it's rather good.
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Claudi1974-2009 wrote:
feeeeeeeeling....!!!
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lucas7599 wrote:
fucking great. It should last 20 minutes
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DrKeys522 wrote:
I'm a big Genesis fan but prefer their earlier stuff. While they tried to keep their prog roots in the later years and did a decent job, this as well as lot of the later stuff was more MOR and pop style. But their true musicianship always shone through.
Genesis
Mama
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