The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Mama never said it would be easy
If only she would take my hand and show me what to do
It gives me the blues to walk the long and narrow path I do
But you have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
I just want to live my life in harmony
The way I try you'd think I'd see it frequently
Why do I keep getting fussin', fightin', cussin', strife and trouble
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
Mama never said it would be easy
But she never told me it would be so hard
Softening the edges doesn't please me
It could never soothe my searching heart
Dimestore puzzles fit together nicely
But the pieces of my life don't fit precisely
Stories mama told me always had a happy ending
But I have to tell my own to get anywhere at all
I have to tell my own to get anywhere at all
Mama knew the rules and kept on smiling
Even though her spirit was in hiding
But when I hide my thoughts collide
And I get caught up in the lie
You have to kiss the sky to get anywhere at all
You have to kiss the sky to get anywhere at all
Mama never said it would be easy
But she never told me it would be so hard
Softening the edges doesn't please me
It could never soothe my searching heart.
If only she would take my hand and show me what to do
It gives me the blues to walk the long and narrow path I do
But you have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
I just want to live my life in harmony
The way I try you'd think I'd see it frequently
Why do I keep getting fussin', fightin', cussin', strife and trouble
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
Mama never said it would be easy
But she never told me it would be so hard
Softening the edges doesn't please me
It could never soothe my searching heart
Dimestore puzzles fit together nicely
But the pieces of my life don't fit precisely
Stories mama told me always had a happy ending
But I have to tell my own to get anywhere at all
I have to tell my own to get anywhere at all
Mama knew the rules and kept on smiling
Even though her spirit was in hiding
But when I hide my thoughts collide
And I get caught up in the lie
You have to kiss the sky to get anywhere at all
You have to kiss the sky to get anywhere at all
Mama never said it would be easy
But she never told me it would be so hard
Softening the edges doesn't please me
It could never soothe my searching heart.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Mama Never Said Lyrics as written by Jill Cunniff
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.