Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean by Ruth Brown

     Right off the bat, this song grabs your attention. It starts with what I think is a tambourine and a beat. On top of that, Ruth Brown has a pretty unique singing style. I wouldn't call her a crooner but I wouldn't call her a belter either. The style of the music fits into the swing style. For the most part the melody is consistent but occasionally, the trumpet or guitar will get a solo bit and really shine.

    Lyrically, this song isn't very poetic, nor does it produce vivid imagery. It often repeats the phrase "Mama, he treats your daughter mean" Though I think her singing style and the lyrics get the point across. The singer and song present their feelings of frustration with the man in the song, and the repetition of the song adds to the frustrated feeling. Almost as if they're trying their best for "Mama" to see it from their point of view. Which-now thinking about it-could be why the guitar goes off on its solo bits, as if it's "acting out." Going along with this idea of frustration, the song doesn't fade off or slow down either. The tempo is consistent all through out, and the so is the singing style. Even when the song ends they don't slow it down and let it fade out, as if it "gave up." In fact, Ruth Brown's goes up an octave, and the instruments all give this "last hurrah" before ceasing all at once.