A Song for Mama

"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)
ReleasedNovember 11, 1997 (airplay)
November 25, 1997
Recorded1996
Genre
Length5:05 (Main Version)
4:30 (Radio Version)
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Babyface
Producer(s)Babyface
Boyz II Men singles chronology
"4 Seasons of Loneliness"
(1997)		 "A Song for Mama"
(1997)		 "Can't Let Her Go"
(1998)

Critical reception

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
  • US single
  1. A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
  2. A Song for Mama (LP Version) 5:02
  3. A Song for Mama (Instrumental) 5:05
  • US live version single
  1. A Song for Mama – Live Version (Radio Edit) 4:11
  2. A Song for Mama – Live Version (Main Version) 5:10
  • Europe promo CD
  1. A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
  • Europe single
  1. A Song for Mama (Radio Edit)
  2. A Song for Mama (LP Version)
  • Europe maxi-CD
  1. A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
  2. I'll Make Love To You (LP Version) 3:57
  3. Motownphilly (LP Version) 3:56
  4. Sympin' (Remix Radio Edit) 3:58
  • Europe maxi-CD 2
  1. A Song for Mama (Radio Edit) 4:30
  2. A Song for Mama (LP Version) 5:02
  3. Baby C'Mon (LP Version) 4:36
  4. A Song for Mama (Instrumental) 5:05

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Evolution.[2]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
  1. Flick, Larry (1997-11-08). "Single Reviews: Pop" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  2. Boyz II Men - Evolution (CD liner notes) - Motown Records 530 822-2
  3. Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 49. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  4. "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  5. "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  6. "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  7. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  8. "American single certifications – Boyz II Men – A Song for Mama". Recording Industry Association of America.
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