Oct 2026
One song, three lives
Written by Randy Newman, first cut by The Animals, and taken to No. 1 by Three Dog Night.
Mama Told Me Not To Come
Randy Newman
Randy Newman wrote “Mama Told Me Not To Come” as a wry first-person account of a party that goes sideways. Eric Burdon & the Animals recorded it first, in 1966.
Newman cut his own, sparer version for his 1970 album 12 Songs. That same year Three Dog Night released a loose, funky take that went all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song shows a gift Newman has always had: lyrics specific enough to feel like a short story, and melodies open enough for other artists to make them their own.
