I've got money in my pocket
I like the color of my hair
I've got a friend who loves me
Got a house, I've got a car
I've got a good mother
And her voice is what keeps me here

Feet on ground
Heart in hand
Facing forward
Be yourself

I, I've never wanted anything
No I've, no I've, I've never wanted anything
So bad, so bad

Cardboard masks of all the people I've been
Thrown out with all the rusted, tangled
Dented, God damn miseries
You could say I'm hard to hold
But if you knew me, you'd know
I've got a good father
And his strength is what makes me cry

Feet on ground
Heart in hand
Facing forward
Be yourself

I, I've never wanted anything
No I've, no I've
I've never wanted anything so bad
So bad

I've got money in my pocket
I like the color of my hair
I've got a friend who loves me
Got a house, I've got a car
I've got a good mother
And her voice is what keeps me here

Feet on ground
Heart in hand
Facing forward
Be yourself

Heart in hand
Feet on ground
Facing forward
Be yourself
Just be yourself
Just be yourself

Feet on ground
Heart in hand
Feet on ground
Heart in hand


Lyrics submitted by unbeltedcorset

Good Mother Lyrics as written by Robert Foster Jann Arden Richards

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Good Mother song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

10 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment
    a good mother and a good father...what could anyone ask for when they have those? God Bless
    jesusmyheartadoresuon August 07, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song means alot to me, as do my mother and father, i first heard this song on dawsons creek s4ep22, beautiful song.
    disavowon April 26, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i read this song on a Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger fanfic site, checkmated.com from an author named either sunshyndaisies or jane, and i knew i had to listen to it, so i bought the cd, and boom! instant new favorite singer! i rly like her voice my mom says it sounds like Alanis Morisette, but i don't think so, i think alanis morisette is trying to sound like Jann Arden..
    lauraboo438on December 24, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I remember first hearing this song on Dawson's Creek (which always play great songs) and thinking to myself, wow what a great song, so much meaning plus you have Jann Arden singing - a great Canadian by the way - but, yeah... love the song.
    cdncowgirlon July 28, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    im completely in love with this song.. when i was in the fifth grade my best friend's mom passed away from cancer.. they played this song at her funeral.. it seemed to fit so perfectly for her..everytime i hear this song i cant help but cry R.I.P Joan..we love you
    babyd14on January 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song makes me cry. It just did.
    Misseveruson March 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this, to me anyways, is about life. it's looking forward to the future, taking stock of the things you have now, while remembering what brought you to this point in your life. on a more personal note, i love the line "I’ve got a good father/ And his strength is what makes me cry". That sounds like my dad-- strong, which brings our family security, but also pain when he's so strong we can't see him bend or break or feel pain. It truly does makes me cry when he is so strong that he refuses to be weak.
    minze08on February 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i think Theo Tams's version is amazing but i heard that one first so i kinda like it better. I think he said it best. it's a song about having a lot of good things going on in your life but still wanting something really bad.
    a.loveleeon October 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I sometimes use this song to simultaneously calm me and psych me up before giving a big speech, interview, or any situation where I need to be a bit brave. I picture my mom or dad supportively saying, 'Go for it, Baby!' I don't have everything on Jann's list, but it also reminds me to balance my desires with giving gratitude. Music-wise, I especially love the drums and how the sounds really build :)
    artistchicon May 02, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I've always thought that, more than paying tribute to her folks, Jann is talking about that moment where you used to be so weak and felt so wrong, but you've finally mustered enough willpower to do something about the situation. That's why the chorus is "no I, I've never wanted anything so bad". Reading Jann's memoir, my impression is that she went through a lot of years without really pursuing her music, seemingly just squandering her 20ies away. She left school without knowing what job she can do or wants to do, and it's just one dead end after another. I'm totally like that myself, and it's because I literally don't feel like I know what to do, or even what I can do, and there's a general fear of going out into the world as myself. It's not really a fear of criticism, it's an omg-I-literally-can't-stand-on-my-own. Hence the remark on the album booklet saying, "be yourself at all times". This song is a rallying cry for yourself.
    lowrentblockon November 08, 2013   Link

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!