Mama Said (album)


Mama Said is the second studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in April 1991 by Virgin Records. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash co-wrote and played on the song "Always on the Run". He also played on the song "Fields of Joy". The song "All I Ever Wanted" was co-written by Sean Lennon.
Although the album has sold enough copies to be certified double platinum, the RIAA still has it listed as platinum. In the UK, the album reached number 8 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2012, Virgin Records released an expanded, double-disc version of the album with a number of remixes and bonus tracks.

Reception

Greg Kot of Chicago Tribune commented "Rather than building on the '60s influences that permeated his 1989 debut, Let Love Rule, Kravitz practically wallows in them on Mama Said... Kravitz`s taste is commendable, and Mama Said sounds admirably gritty and sexy, without big '90s production touches. But until Kravitz begins transforming his influences instead of just copying them, he'll remain a promising but minor artist." Terry Staunton of Record Collector stated "The blanket praise that greeted Kravitz’s 1989 debut Let Love Rule might have made him a prime candidate for difficult second album syndrome, but if anything Mama Said, released two years later, was an even more accomplished set. Rarely had traditional guitar rock and sweet soul merged so confidently, so effortlessly: further proof that we were in the midst of a major talent." Elysa Gardner of Rolling Stone wrote "Rather than synthesizing his influences in a way that allows him some personal expression, Kravitz seemingly aims to acknowledge as many of them as he can in the course of an hour; the result is a rather disjointed album that lacks freshness and distinction. Kravitz continues to demonstrate a talent for crafting and arranging engaging songs; unfortunately, up to this point it has proven less a creative talent than a recreative one."

Track listing

All songs were written by Lenny Kravitz, except where noted.
  1. "Fields of Joy" – 3:57
  2. *Arranged by Doug Neslund and Kravitz
  3. "Always on the Run" – 3:53
  4. *Featuring Slash
  5. "Stand by My Woman" – 4:19
  6. "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" – 3:55
  7. "More Than Anything in This World" – 3:43
  8. "What Goes Around Comes Around" – 4:40
  9. "The Difference Is Why" – 4:48
  10. "Stop Draggin' Around" – 2:37
  11. "Flowers for Zoë" – 2:45
  12. "Fields of Joy " – 3:59
  13. *Arranged by Kravitz
  14. "All I Ever Wanted" – 4:04
  15. "When the Morning Turns to Night" – 2:58
  16. "What the Fuck Are We Saying?" – 5:13
  17. "Butterfly" – 1:50

    Personnel

Chart Peak
position

Certifications and sales