Mama Kin

by **Soulmonster** Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:24 am

MAMA KIN

Album:
Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide, 1986, track no. 4.

GN'R Lies, 1988, track no. 4.

Info:
One of the earliest songs in Guns N' Roses set lists, and as typical before the band had written their own songs, this was a cover song. It is not clear who suggested adding it to the set, Slash was a big Aerosmith fan, but it could also have been a suggestion from anyone else in the band. It does not seem like it was played in any of the band members previous bands (including Hollywood Rose, LA Guns and Roadcrew), so possible it was a song that came into the setlists after Guns N' Roses was formed.

When the band decided to release their first EP in 1986, Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide, this song was released together with Reckless Life, Move to the City and Nice Boys. The band's second EP, GN'R Lies, contained all four songs off Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide in addition to four more recently recorded acoustic songs.

Written by:
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith).

Musicians:
Vocals: Axl Rose; lead guitar: Slash; rhythm guitar: Izzy Stradlin; bass: Duff McKagan; drums: Steven Adler.

Live performances:
This song, as far as we know, was played for the first time June 28, 1985, at The Stardust Ballroom, Los Angeles, CA, USA. It was mainly played in GN'R's first years. In total it has, as of {UPDATEDATE}, at least been played {MAMAKINSONGS} times.

Lyrics:

It ain't easy, livin' like a
Gypsy
Tell ya, honey, how it feels
I've been dreamin' floatin' down stream
And losin' touch with all that's real
Whole lotta lover, keepin' undercover
Never knowin' where you been
You've been fadin', always out paradin'
Keep the touch with mama kin

You've always got your tail on the wag
Spittin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon
You act like a perpetual drag
You better check it out or someday soon
You're gonna climb back on the wagon

It ain't easy livin' like you wanna
It's so hard to find peace of mind (Yes, it is)
The way I see it
You got to say sheeit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Bald as an egg et eighteen
And workin' for your daddy's just a drag
You still stuff your mouth with those beans
You better check it out or someday soon
You're gonna climb back on the wagon

Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Ooh no!

It ain't easy livin' like you wanna
It's so hard to find peace of mind (Yes, it is)
The way I see it
You got to say sheeit
But don't forget to drop me a line
Bald as an egg et eighteen
And workin' for your daddy's just a drag
You still stuff your mouth with those beans
You better check it out or someday soon
You're gonna climb back on the wagon

Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Keep in touch with mama kin
Tell her where you gone and been
Livin' out your fantasy
Sleepin' late and smokin' tea
Ooh no!

Quotes regarding the song and its making:

Steven talking about the recording of 'Mama Kin' for Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide:

In the beginning of 'Mama Kin' we added the sound of firecrackers. If you listen closely, before the song starts, while Axl is saying, "This is a song about your fucking mother!" you can hear the going off.

"My Appetite for Destruction", 2010