For My Sunday Song #255, we talk through the song “Mother Blues” by Ratt of their interesting 1997 album ‘Collage’. “Collage’ was an album of alternate recordings, B-sides and versions of songs from the band’s early period of Mickey Ratt. “Mother Blues” was written solely by Stephen Pearcy and this was originally an early Ratt demo that Stephen would later released with his band Arcade back in 1993 after Ratt disbanded for a short time.
The song is pretty deep actually. It seems to be about a man who never knew his father and for that, he feels he will never know truly who himself until he understands his dad. Why did he do the things he did, the choices he made and he was incomplete until he knew the story. I think there might be some truth to it in that understanding where one comes from helps you see the path on where you are going.
The song is an acoustic, blues song and it is sensational. It drips with the blues and too bad the band didn’t dive deeper down this road. The sonics and vibe of this song shows a real maturity the band has never really had prior. I am not truly convinced it would’ve really worked on any Ratt album which is probably why it was never released. However, it would’ve bee cool exploring that side more. It is one of my favorites on this album. Stephen’s vocals really fit the blues as he has a voice that sounds like it has been through a lot. Stephen would later release this song once again on his 2007 solo album Rocky Kandy.
Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. I don’t think you would expect a song like this. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Sunday.
“Mother Blues”
I never knew I had a father until I lost the sun
I didn’t understand what he did or what he has done
He took it much too far took it all in stride
I’ll never reach the top of the mountain
Until I find out why
Mother blues
Mother blues
Came from this place there’s no mistake
Where livin’s not much fun
He knew his chances for romancing
He knew it all along
He took it much too far
Took it all in stride
I’ll never reach the top of the mountain
Till I find out why
Mother blues
Mother blues
I’m gonna meet you there
I’m gonna find you
I know I’ll see you soon
He took it much too far
Took it all in stride
I’ll never reach the top of the mountain
Till I find out why
Mother blues
Mother blues
Mother blues
Mother blues
Written by Stephen Pearcy
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
You’re right, it’s not what one would expect from RATT but still good all the same.
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Nope, not at all. This album was so bad and it was really hard to pick a song so hopefully I got the right one off it.
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This is another Ratt album I’m missing. Didn’t even know about this one. Though Ratt was the only one I was missing. Oh well. Thanks for including this one.
I read the Menza book. It felt kinda rushed job (for obvious reasons). It’s light, not too many pages. Good summer reading. For drummers there is a whole chapter on his kit with lots of tips for gear.
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You aren’t missing anything with this album. Cool on the Menza book. I like quick and easy reads.
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Great track from a great debut in Arcade. Such a killer album. Pearcy went outside the box at times as a writer and this song is one of them.
That Collage had some good stuff on it. Dr. Rock, Diamond Ring. At that point when it came out it was good to have some RATT N Roll!
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It has a few good things, but Collage sucks so bad overall. But the Arcade album…awesome!!
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Ha! I liked those reworked demos. Not a big fan of that remix of Lovin You….
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No, that remix was awful.
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Good point, I wouldn’t have pictured those as themes that would be explored on a usual Ratt song.
I like when songwriters show that versatility / range in their work
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They could surprise you every now and again, but mostly they stuck to the same old same old.
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It sounds like you did.
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It’s a cool song, it shows some variation and lyrics which are more personal.
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