"Mama's Song" is a song recorded by American country music singer Carrie Underwood, co-written by her along with Kara DioGuardi, Marti Frederiksen, and Luke Laird. It was released in September 2010 as the fourth and final single from her third studio album, Play On. These songwriters also wrote her previous single, "Undo It".
| "Mama's Song" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Carrie Underwood | ||||
| from the album Play On | ||||
| Released | September 13, 2010 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:00 | |||
| Label | Arista Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Carrie Underwood Kara DioGuardi Marti Frederiksen Luke Laird | |||
| Producer(s) | Mark Bright | |||
| Carrie Underwood singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Mama's Song" on YouTube | ||||
Underwood performed this song on the 44th CMA Awards on November 10, 2010. The song was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards.
Content
editThe song is a ballad where the female narrator sings to her mother, telling her to let her go and not to worry as the daughter moves out and begins her own life as the bride of the man she loves.
Critical reception
editStephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described the song as "sticky" and "tacky."[1] Sean Daly of the St. Petersburg Times compared it unfavorably to "Change" on the same album, saying that both were "too precious, too preachy."[2] Slant Magazine reviewer Jonathan Keefe described the song more favorably in his review of the album, saying that it had cliché lyrics but praising Underwood's "understated vocal" as well as the comparatively softer production.[3] In a more positive review, Bobby Peacock of Roughstock gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that she "proves yet again that she can just sing without having to reach for the rafters on every note, and the production is agreeably mellow and acoustic."[4]
Music video
editThe official music video for "Mama's Song" premiered on VEVO on September 24, 2010. It features both Underwood's husband Mike Fisher, and her mother Carole. It was filmed in Nashville, and was directed by Shaun Silva. It tells the story of a woman who meets her true love and moves away from her mom.[5]
Chart performance
editIn October 2009, in advance of the album's release, "Mama's Song" charted at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 68 on the Canadian Hot 100. It was the first of three promotional singles from the album.[6] On the Hot Country Songs charts dated for the week ending September 4, 2010, it entered at number 55.[7] It has also re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 87 upon its release as an official single and has reached a new peak of 56. It is one of Underwood's singles to reach the Hot 100 that has charted outside the top 50, with "Love Wins" and "Drinking Alone." On the week of January 17, 2011 it peaked at number two on Hot Country Songs and became Underwood's third single to peak at number two.
Commercial performance
editAs a promotional single (before the release of Play On):
United States: 39,000[citation needed]
As a confirmed single (after the release of Play On):
United States: 442,000[8]
The song has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.[9]
| Chart (2010–2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] | 68 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[11] | 10 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 56 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] | 2 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2011) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[14] | 50 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Platinum | 442,000[8] |
Awards and nominations
edit2011 Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Mama's Song" | Inspirational Mainstream Song | Nominated |
| 2011 | "Mama's Song" | Inspirational Music Video | Nominated |
2011 BMI Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Mama's Song" | Songwriter of the Year | Won |
2011 American Country Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Mama's Song" | Female Single of the Year | Won |
| 2011 | "Mama's Song" | Female Music Video of the Year | Won |
54th Grammy Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Mama's Song" | Best Country Solo Performance | Nominated |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | October 13, 2009 | Music download | Arista Nashville |
| Canada | Sony Music | ||
| United States | September 13, 2010 | Airplay | Arista Nashville |
| Canada | Sony Music | ||
| Australia | November 3, 2010 | ||
| Philippines | November 6, 2010 |
References
edit- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Play On review". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ Sean Daly (8 November 2009). "Carrie Underwood's new album, 'Play On,' is her weakest yet". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ Jonathan Keefe (5 November 2009). "Play On review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ Peacock, Bobby (26 August 2010). ""Mama's Song" review". Roughstock. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ "Carrie Underwood: "Mama's Song" Music Video - Music Videos". www.hollyscoop.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-23.
- ^ "Chart listings for "Mama's Song"". Billboard. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ "Chart Highlights". Billboard. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (5 January 2011). "'Idol' track sales: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert". USA Today.
- ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum: Carrie Underwood singles". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
- ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
- ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
- ^ "Best of 2011: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
- ^ "American single certifications – Carrie Underwood – Mama's Song". Recording Industry Association of America.