Story Behind The Song

Guitarist in the band I play with is always frustrated when people don't dance. I wrote this for him, and also for my mother, who passed away four years ago.

Song Description

Singer, jubilant that people are dancing to his new band's music, reflects on his mother's lecture that led him to stop whining about audience reaction and just play harder.

Lyrics

VERSE:
Dear Mama, I?m sorry that you missed the show
?Cause what we did tonight, you?d have loved to know
And I owe you for this little happenstance
Tonight, Mama, tonight I finally made ?em dance

VERSE:
By my count, it was the 38th show
Atascadero, California, it started in the front row
Some kid and his gal stand up and start to rave
From the corner of my eye, I see ?em walking toward the stage

BRIDGE:
Couple minutes later, some old hippie takes the bait
I look up from the mike and now there?re eight
Then twice that many, caught up in our set
I?m getting goose bumps and my eyes are wet?
?And you know why?

VERSE: (Melodic structure changes in each remaining verse)
You put up with my whining about the hard times before
About people just sitting there, or standing up and heading for the door
It was after your funeral that I heard you say

VERSE: (Tempo quickens for rest of song)
?Sonny, nobody ever drowned in his own sweat
You?re trying to claim a prize you haven?t won yet
The problem?s never that life?s too tough
It?s that you?re not working hard enough.?

VERSE:
Well I took your advice and when they stood there like stones
We played harder and harder ?til it melted our bones
Until tonight when they all stood up, as if entranced

VERSE:
Tonight Mama
Yeah, tonight, Mama
Just for you, Mama
Tonight I finally made ?em dance
Finally made 'em dance