Mams Carter - Who Needs It?

 Amos Carter's mother, who has played played on a few of his songs, comes out with a recording of her own, Who Needs It?. She asked if instead of Mama Carter as she was credited on other recordings she could use Mams Carter. She's got a passel of Grand kids and they all call her Mams, and of course we agreed. 

Amos told us about his Mom:

I grew up hearing Mama play the piano. She played everything; classical stuff like Chopin and Mozart, was a church pianist off and on so a lot of hymns, blues, big band, and especially boogie woogie. She could sit and play just off  the top of her head, improvise as she went, something I could never do on the piano. I took lessons when I was a kid, but didn't have much interest in it. Taught me  theory and stuff like that, but wasn't into playing much other than picking out tunes. The bass fiddle's my instrument! Bass guitar too. I can improvise a bass line okay, but Mama is her own one-woman band! It's a real joy playing along with her on gigs and recordings, and let me tell  ya, she's a real pro! Believes in rehearsing the hell out of stuff until it suits her! With this song she gave us the chords she was going to use, pretty much basic stuff with a few curve balls, and we'd hold down the harmonic backing as she'd riff on the chords and sing as she went! Mama's the real musician in the family, and I'm, glad she's getting her talent recorded!  

My Dad died from cancer, and Mama raised the little one, I was 16 at the time, pretty much by herself. I helped all I could, but mostly I went to work and gave her money to help. When all us kids were either out of the house or close to it, she started dating. Didn't have many boyfriends, and she didn't get serious about one 'til this guy in the song. She fond out before they got hitched that he wasn't what he appeared to be, and she wrote  this song about some of it. She dumped him quick, but I know she cared a lot about him, so who knows whats he's coming up with next!

For sure Mams has some awesome piano chops, and her singing voice is pretty good too, so we're happy to give her a solo shot!

Had a boyfriend, he was really great
Treated me nice, and so sweet
I know he loved me without doubt
I loved him too, he was such a treat

But he popped the question to me
Took me unawares right at first
Why he asked was hard to see
But then I just thought of the worst!

I can wash his clothes, clean his house!
Do the cookin', mop all the floors
Wash the windows wipe down the doors
He needs a maid, not a damn spouse!

I told him thanks but no thanks
I like things the way that they are
He got a pained look on his face
Brought out the keys to his car

Accused me of not lovin' him
Got up headed for the door
He said, "Thought you'd jump at the chance!
It's what we been dating for!'

Ain't gonna wash your clothes and cook!
Ain't gonna clean your dirty house!
Don't do windows, wipe down the doors!
I won't be your maid, or your spouse!

You know, I was havin' a shred of doubt.
Maybe I misjudged him?
But what he said next, took care of any doubt!

A woman's sposed to do laundry!
Her job to take care of her man!
All of it is woman's work
Give ya'll another chance so you can!

Oh hell no!
Go clean your own damned dirty house!
Wash all yer funky underwear!
Our relationship boils down to that
What in hell do I really care?

He stomped out of my house.
Two days later phone's ringin' off the hook.
But that's too damned bad!
I raised all my kids and took care of a man!
Now this time is all about me!
Haaaa! Haaaaa! Who needs it?
Friendship, yeah. Companionship?
Uh huh! Some hanky-panky here and there?
Yeah man! But runnin' a maid service?
HAHAHA!

Who needs it?