Rag Mama Rag

The Band

About Rag Mama Rag

"Rag Mama Rag" is a song by The Band which was first released on their 1969 album The Band. It was also released as a single, reaching #16 in the UK, the highest of any single by the group. The single was less successful in the US, reaching only #57 on the Billboard Hot 100.


Year:
1989
3:02
71 
#1

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Rag Mama rag, can't believe its true.
Rag Mama Rag, what did you do?
Crawled up to the railroad track
Let the four nine-teen scratch my back

Sag mama sag now
What's come over you
Rag Mama Rag, I'm a pulling out your gag.
Gonna turn you lose like an old caboose,
Got a tail I need a drag.

I ask about your turtle,
And you ask about the weather,
Well, I can't jump the hurdle
And we can't get together.

We could be relaxing in my sleeping bag,
But all you want to do for me mama
Is rag Mama rag there's no-where to go,
Rag Mama rag. Come on resin up the bow.

Rag Mama rag, where do ya roam?
Rag Mama rag, bring your skinny little body back home.
Its dog eat dog and cat eat mouse, you can
You can rag Mama rag all over my house.

Hail stones beating on the roof,
The bourbon is a hundred proof,
Its you and me and the telephone
Our destiny is quite well known.

We don't need to sit and brag.
All we gotta do is
Rag Mama rag Mama rag.
Rag Mama rag
Where do you roam?
Rag Mama rag, bring your skinny little body back home

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The Band

The Band were a Canadian-American roots rock group that originally consisted of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, trombone, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard instruments, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, baritone saxophone, vocals) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals). The members of the Band first came together as they joined rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins's backing group, The Hawks, one by one between 1958 and 1963. more »

9 fans

Written by: Robbie Robertson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Rag Mama Rag" is a song by the Canadian-American rock group named The Band. It was released in 1969 and is the fourth track on their self-titled second album.
Song Genre Classification
The song's genre is primarily American roots music, which combined elements of rock, blues, country, and folk.
Song Performance
It is renowned for its lively performance in unique instrumentation, such as mandolin and fiddle, played by band member Levon Helm.
Billboard Rank
"Rag Mama Rag" is one of their most popular tracks, which reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970.
Role Reversal
In "Rag Mama Rag," The Band members swapped their usual instruments. For instance, Richard Manuel, normally on piano, played drums, and Levon Helm, the usual drummer, played mandolin and sang.
Lyric Composition
The lyrics of the song are composed of casual and improvised phrases, making it different from traditional structured songwriting.
Video Appearance
The Band performed "Rag Mama Rag" in their concert film "The Last Waltz," which documents their farewell concert in 1976.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by several artists over the decades, including Little Feat and the Dutch band CCC Inc.
Song Length
The original studio version of "Rag Mama Rag" runs for 3 minutes and 04 seconds.
Music Production
The song was produced by legendary music industry figure John Simon, who also contributes tuba on the track.
Rhythm and Blues Influence
"Rag Mama Rag" is often noted for its rhythm & blues inspired piano licks, played by the group's bassist Rick Danko.
Album Success
The album "The Band", where "Rag Mama Rag" is featured, was a commercial success and is considered one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Fiddle Addition
The addition of fiddle to "Rag Mama Rag" marked one of the first appearances of this instrument in a rock music setting.

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    Rag Mama Rag

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1970

    Billboard #57


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