"A Song for Mama" is a number-one R&B single by the American R&B group Boyz II Men. The tune, which was written and produced by Babyface, served as the theme song to the 1997 motion picture Soul Food, and spent two weeks at number one on the US R&B chart. To date, it is their 11th and last top 10 hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also appears on the group's fourth album, Evolution (1997).
| "A Song for Mama" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Boyz II Men | ||||
| from the album Evolution and Soul Food (soundtrack) | ||||
| Released | November 11, 1997 (airplay) November 25, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 1996 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:05 (Main Version) 4:30 (Radio Version) | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Babyface | |||
| Producer(s) | Babyface | |||
| Boyz II Men singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception edit
Larry Flick from Billboard stated, "The second single from Evolution can also be heard on the soundtrack to Soul Food. It's a tear-tugging ode to mothers, delivered with the kind of seamless harmonies that one has come to expect from these Boyz. Producer/writer Babyface's fingerprints are all over the track, from its delicate piano lines to its soft but insinuating percussion. There's no denying that this act is at its best when the members are wrapping their voices around a Babyface composition. If you still need proof, let quietly emotional lines like "loving you is like food for my soul" wash over your senses. As the world inches closer to the holiday season, look for this single to become a sentimental favorite at every possible radio format."[1]
Track listings edit
- US single
- A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
- A Song for Mama (LP Version) 5:02
- A Song for Mama (Instrumental) 5:05
- US live version single
- A Song for Mama – Live Version (Radio Edit) 4:11
- A Song for Mama – Live Version (Main Version) 5:10
- Europe promo CD
- A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
- Europe single
- A Song for Mama (Radio Edit)
- A Song for Mama (LP Version)
- Europe maxi-CD
- A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
- I'll Make Love To You (LP Version) 3:57
- Motownphilly (LP Version) 3:56
- Sympin' (Remix Radio Edit) 3:58
- Europe maxi-CD 2
- A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
- A Song for Mama (LP Version) 5:02
- Baby C'Mon (LP Version) 4:36
- A Song for Mama (Instrumental) 5:05
Credits and personnel edit
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Evolution.[2]
- Boyz II Men: all vocals
- Babyface: writer, composer, producer, keyboards and drum programming
- Greg Phillinganes: piano
- Nathan East: bass
- Michael Thompson: guitar
- Brad Gilderman, Manny Marroquin, Paul Boutin: recording engineers
- Jon Gass: mix engineer
- Paul Boutin: assistant mix engineer
- Randy Walker: midi programmer
- Ivy Skoff: production coordinator
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
|
Year-end charts edit
|
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[8] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Flick, Larry (1997-11-08). "Single Reviews: Pop" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Boyz II Men - Evolution (CD liner notes) - Motown Records 530 822-2
- ^ Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 49. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
- ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Boyz II Men – A Song for Mama". Recording Industry Association of America.