Single Review – ‘Mama’s Song’ – Carrie Underwood

14 years ago Liv Carter 9

In a recent interview for The Today Show, Carrie Underwood confirmed ‘Mama’s Song’ was going to be her next single. Understandable given her recent wedding. Not so understandable given that many Carrie fans do not seem to rate this song highly. I can’t really remember when I last noticed such a negative reaction to a single choice from an artist’s own fans.

There is one seemingly common criticism I do not agree with, however. It’s been said this song advocates that women need a man to take care of them and so doesn’t send a good message to girls. Ordinarily I will be the first person to tell off songwriters who are condescending to women but this song has the girl talking to her mom. If you are trying to reassure your mom that the guy you are about to marry is a good guy, you don’t go on about how independent and strong you are, you just mention his strengths.

Considering the three aspects I use for reviews, it goes: I find the lyrics bland, the production lifeless, but the vocal performance is astonishing. It is such a shame that Carrie’s flawless and ultra-clear vocals on this song are having to sing lyrics so cliched. Maybe a daughter-mom talk like this is meant to be cliched but surely the songwriting committee (Carrie shares writing credits with Kara DioGuardi, Martin Frederiksen, and Luke Laird) could have come up with a better start to the chorus than ‘He is good, so good’. Blandness aside, Carrie delivers the words with sincere emotion. With no big power notes to reach for she is free to focus on expressing her feelings.

‘Mama’s Song’ has a nice sentiment behind it but the song ended up rather dull with a predictable production, including an obligatory but, as usual, unnecessary, string section. Given that this song should peak just before music award season and doesn’t seem to have as much fan-support as previous releases, I hope this isn’t a single choice Carrie will come to regret.

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Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.

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Artists + songwriters

Anonymous

I'll be there to request this song like crazy Carrie!
texasstarfan

I love this song. It will be requested non stop. This song honors Carrie's mother and her husband. It has a special place in her heart. Sometimes #1 comes from a different place than the top of a chart especially when you've already done that been there 13 times.
The Play On CD has so many songs that are seen as "#1 singles" that Mama's Song is beautiful but so are 5 or 6 others! And there is nothing wrong with that.
Anonymous

I'll request any song of Carrie's, but I'm feeling really worried about "Mama's Song". It's a scary thought to know that after a perfect string of 13 #1 hits, she could potentially lose it all. I don't want to see that happen (which is why the Carrie fans need to put their negativity aside and support their idol), but if it does, I won't be surprised. I'll be saddened, but I won't be surprised.

She really should've gone with "What Can I Say?" or "Someday When I Stop Loving You". Those 2 songs are definitely standouts on the album, and regardless as to when they'd be released (if they ever were to be released, that is), they'd easily hit #1 in no time.
Anonymous

Let me say first and foremost, that these comments were not from the majority of Carrie's fans. A limited group of fans went around posting their displeasure over and over again on every avenue related to Carrie, which makes it look like there were more fans expressing dislike then there actually was. The majority are fine with this song and were always going to support it and it was blown out of proportion by a limited few. It mainly comes from that fact that some had convinced themselves it was going to be a different single they wanted so when it was not, those fans acted like spoiled brats that did not get their favorite toy for Christmas. This single is supported by the biggest majority of her fans.
Anonymous

Love Mama's Song….Would support ANY song of Carrie's. LOVE Carrie!!!!
UC

@anonymous 9:56 – I don't think this will end her perfect #1 record. There will be enough support for this single, I think.

@ anonymous 4:32 – thanks for clearing that up.
Anonymous

Not my favorite song on cd, but I will support it. My favorites are What can I say and someday when I stop loving you, plus I really have grown to love Songs like this.
Anonymous

I can absolutely understand why she wanted this as a single. It will probably mean a little more work for her fans to get this to the top but her fans seem so organized and dedicated so I believe it will happen. I like the song because I am a mom with a daughter so it is personal. Good luck to her!
Anonymous

mama's song is absolutly amazing and anything carrie underwood puts out is amzing! i was just at a carrie underwood concert in november and the fans reaction to that song said everything so the fact that it says the fans didnt like it is just weird to me! it is a beautiful song about a mother and a daughter and it brings tears to my eyes everytime i hear it. for me definetly one of the best on her latest album. LOVE YOU CARRIE!!

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