#72 Mama Said -- The Shirelles (1961)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L842mz-tNBQ

There were quite a few “girl groups” in the late Fifties and early Sixties, but the Shirelles were among the most successful and the best (as far as I’m concerned anyway), and they didn’t even need any help from Phil Spector. Among their many strengths was selecting great material – not only were some of their big hits (notably “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Baby It’s You”) later successfully covered by other artists (the Mamas and Papas, and Smith, respectively), but the same is true of some tunes that few people are aware they did originally, such as “Boys” (the Beatles) and “Sha La La” (Manfred Mann).

I’ve always had a weakness for songs that say something about life, and “Mama Said” (there’d be days like this) certainly qualifies. Of course, so does “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”.   ;-)

Additional note – the B-side of the single is the classic “Blue Holiday”, which will undoubtedly make it onto my as-yet-uncompiled list of Favorite Christmas Songs.

Updated 5/15/2014 -- According to CSN's story on the Orioles' 9-3 loss to Kansas City on April 27th, Adam Jones found a little solace after dropping a fly ball for a three-base error on the first batter of the game:
“The elements are the elements. Missed it,” Jones said. The song [says], ‘Mama says there’ll be days like this.’ Sometimes you get them, you know what I mean?”