- This is about the single info. For the album, see MAMA (album), for the EXO-K, EXO-M and EXO Korean and Chinese song lyrics, see MAMA (lyrics).
"Mama" is a song by Chinese-South Korean boy bands EXO-K and EXO-M. It served as their debut single and title track from their debut record MAMA (2012). Available in both Korean and Mandarin (Chinese), the song was digitally released on April 8, 2012, by S.M. Entertainment.
Release and promotion
"Mama" was written by Yoo Young-jin and produced by Yoo Young-jin. The Korean version is performed by subgroup EXO-K and the Mandarin version by EXO-M. The music videos of the song were released on YouTube on April 8, 2012, the same day the song was made available for download through iTunes and other Korean and mainland Chinese online retailers.
Exo-K and Exo-M performed both versions during their pre-debut showcase on March 31, 2012 in Seoul, South Korea, followed by a second group performance for their second showcase in Beijing, China on April 1.
On April 8, EXO-K made their television debut at China's 12th Yinyue Fengyun Bang Awards, performing "Mama." On that same day EXO-K made their debut in Korea on SBS's music program The Music Trend, performing both "Mama" and a prologue single, "History." EXO-K also debuted on Mnet's M! Countdown on April 12, KBS's Music Bank on April 13, and MBC's Show! Music Core on April 14.
Music video
Two music videos for "Mama" were released on YouTube on April 8, 2012 through S.M. Entertainment's official channel, SMTOWN. Each music video, though recorded in two different versions, featured all twelve members of Exo.
The two videos begin with the same animation and English voice over illustrating the birth of twelve legendary powers that break into two separate forces in order to "keep alive the heart of the tree of life," which is being conquered by an evil force. The two legends divide the tree of life in half, and carries each piece to their own lands. The narration then declares that the two legends will "reunite into one perfect root" on the day, the evil force purifies. After the introduction, all twelve members of Exo appear wearing robes as they walk to the center of a darkly lit circular room. The song begins with a Gregorian chant, and the members look up to a bright light in the sky in unison. Throughout the videos, there are close-up shots of the members performing their own celestial powers with intercut sequences of choreographed dancing, choreographed by Lyle Beniga. The videos end with each group finishing their dance, and they both close with the logo of Exo. The song uses a riff from Led Zeppelin's Kashmir (song)|Kashmir in the background as well as the end of Guns N' Roses' November Rain.
Charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Gaon Singles chart | 46 |
| Gaon Monthly Singles chart | 72 |
| Gaon Local Singles chart | 46 |
| Gaon Streaming Singles chart | 60 |
| Gaon] Download Singles chart | 41 |
| Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 | 89 |
Lyrics (color-coded)
Korean
Suho
Baekhyun
Chanyeol
D.O
Kai
Sehun
[All]
| Hangul | Romanization | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Careless, careless. | Careless, careless. | Careless, careless. |
| Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. |
| Heartless, mindless. | Heartless, mindless. | Heartless, mindless. |
| No one. who care about me? | No one. who care about me? | No one. who care about me? |
잃어버린 채 외면하는 것 같아
|
irheobeorin chae wemyeonhaneun geot gata
|
It feels like I’m turning away as I have lost it
|
참을 수밖에 없어
|
chameul subakke eobseo
|
There’s no choice but to hold it in
|
눈을 감지만
|
nuneul gamjiman
|
Though I shut my eyes
|
마마! 이젠 내게 대답해줘
|
mama! ijen naege daedabhaejwo
|
Your Majesty! Now answer me and tell me
|
왜 사람들이 달라졌는지
|
wae saramdeuri dallajyeottneunji
|
Why people have changed
|
아름다운 시절이라는게
|
areumdaun sijeoriraneunge
|
Has there even been
|
존재하긴 했는지
|
jonjaehagin haettneunji
|
a beautiful time before?
|
이제 더는 사랑하는 법도 잊었고
|
ije deoneun saranghaneun beobdo ijeotgo
|
They forgot how to love
|
배려하는 맘도 잃었고
|
baeryeohaneun mamdo irheotgo
|
And lost their heart to care
|
등을 돌린 채로
|
deungeul dollin chaero
|
They’re busy living with their
|
살아가기 바쁜걸
|
saragagi bappeungeol
|
backs turned on each other
|
| 익명의 가면에 감췄던 | igmyeongui gamyeone gamchwotdeon | The mask of anonymity hides |
| 살의 가득한 질시 | sarui gadeukhan jilsi | The jealous eye filled with murderous intent |
| 끝을 봐도 배고픈 듯한 | ggeuteul bwado baegopeun deuthan | Though they see the end, they’re still hungry |
이젠 만족해?
|
ijen manjokhae?
|
Now are you satisfied?
|
| 우린 더 이상 눈을 마주 하지 않을까? | urin deo isang nuneul maju haji anheulkka? | Why won’t we look each other in the eye anymore? |
| 소통하지 않을까? 사랑하지 않을까? | sotonghaji anheulkka? saranghaji anheulkka? | Why won’t we communicate? Why won’t we love? |
| 아픈 현실에 다시 눈물이 흘러 | apeun hyeonsire dasi nunmuri heulleo | We shed tears at the painful reality once again |
| 바꿀 수 있다고 바꾸면 | bakkul su itdago bakkumyeon | Please say that we could change things |
| 된다고 말해요 마마. 마마. | dwendago malhaeyo mama. mama. | If we wanted, Your Majesty Your Majesty |
언? 가부터 우린 스마트한
|
eonjengabuteo urin seumateuhan
|
At some point, we have voluntarily
|
감옥에 자발적으로 갇혀
|
gamoge jabaljeogeuro gadhyeo
|
Trapped ourselves in a smart prison
|
0과 1로 만든 디지털에
|
gonggwa illo mandeun dijiteore
|
We base our personalities from
|
내 인격을 맡겨
|
nae ingyeogeul matgyeo
|
a digital world made of 0s and 1s
|
거긴 생명도 감정도
|
geogin saengmyeongdo gamjeongdo
|
There’s no life, emotion
|
따듯함도 없고 언어 쓰레기만
|
ddadeuthamdo eobtgo eoneo sseuregiman
|
or warmth, but just garbage language
|
나뒹구는 삭막한 벌판.
|
nadwingguneun sangmakhan beolpan.
|
A desolately rolling meadow
|
날이 갈수록 외로움만 더해져
|
nari galsurok oeroumman deohaejyeo
|
Loneliness adds as the days go by
|
우리가 인간일 수 밖에 없는 건
|
uriga inganil su bakke eobtneun geon
|
We have to be humans
|
상처 받는 것. Yeah-
|
sangcheo batneun geot. Yeah-
|
because we get scars yeah
|
| 만나고 손을 잡고 느끼며 | mannago soneul jabgo neukkimyeo | We meet, hold hands, feel, |
| 함께 울고 웃고 | hamkke ulgo utgo | laugh and cry together |
| 닮아가고 서로 연결돼. | dalmagago seoro yeongyeoldwae. | We resemble one another and we are connected |
돌이키고 싶다면
|
dorikigo sipdamyeon
|
But if you want to turn it back
|
| 우린 더 이상 눈을 마주 하지 않을까? | urin deo isang nuneul maju haji anheulkka? | Why won’t we look each other in the eye anymore? |
| 소통하지 않을까? 사랑하지 않을까? | sotonghaji anheulkka? saranghaji anheulkka? | Why won’t we communicate? Why won’t we love? |
| 아픈 현실에 다시 눈물이 흘러 | apeun hyeonsire dasi nunmuri heulleo | We shed tears at the painful reality once again |
| 바꿀 수 있다고 바꾸면 | bakkul su itdago bakkumyeon | Please say that we could change things |
| 된다고 말해요 마마. 마마. | dwendago malhaeyo mama. mama. | If we wanted, Your Majesty Your Majesty |
Turnback!
|
Turnback!
|
Turnback!
|
죽고, 죽이고 싸우고 외치고.
|
jukgo, jugigo ssaugo oechigo.
|
Die, kill, fight, shout.
|
이건 전쟁이 아니야.
|
igeon jeonjaengi aniya.
|
This is not a war.
|
| 도와줘요 마마마마 | dowajwoyo mamamama | Help us mamamama |
| 마마마마 Turn back. | mamamama Turn back. | mamamama turn back. |
| 깨닫게 마마마마 | ggaedatge mamamama | Help us realize mamamama |
| 마마마마 Rolling back. | mamamama Rolling back. | mamamama rolling back. |
박고 치고 편을 나누고 싸우고
|
bakgo chigo pyeoneul nanugo ssaugo
|
Clash, hit, take sides, fight.
|
이건 게임도 아니야.
|
igeon geimdo aniya.
|
This is not a game.
|
| 도와줘요 마마마마 | dowajwoyo mamamama | Help us mamamama |
| 마마마마 Turn back. | mamamama Turn back. | mamamama turn back. |
Yeah~
|
Yeah~
|
Yeah~
|
| Careless, careless. (마마) | Careless, careless. (mama) | Careless, careless. (Your Majesty) |
| Shoot anonymous, anonymous. (마마) | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. (mama) | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. (Your Majesty) |
| Heartless, mindless. (마마) | Heartless, mindless. (mama) | Heartless, mindless. (Your Majesty) |
| No one. who care about me? (마마) | No one. who care about me? (mama) | No one. who care about me? (Your Majesty) |
삶에 허락된 축복받은
|
salme heorakdwen chukbokbadeun
|
If only we can all be thankful
|
날들에 감사하고
|
naldeure gamsahago
|
for the blessed days that grant us life
|
매일 새로운 인연들을 만들고
|
maeil saeroun inyeondeureul mandeulgo
|
If only we can make new relationships
|
깨져버린 마음에 보다,
|
ggaejyeobeorin maeume boda,
|
Rather than broken hearts
|
기쁜 사랑을 모두 함께
|
gippeun sarangeul modu hamkke
|
Having a joyful love altogether
|
웃을 수 있다면
|
useul su itdamyeon
|
If only we can all smile together
|
| 우린 더 이상 눈을 마주 하지 않을까? | urin deo isang nuneul maju haji anheulkka? | Why won’t we look each other in the eye anymore? |
| 소통하지 않을까? 사랑하지 않을까? | sotonghaji anheulkka? saranghaji anheulkka? | Why won’t we communicate? Why won’t we love? |
| 아픈 현실에 다시 눈물이 흘러 | apeun hyeonsire dasi nunmuri heulleo | We shed tears at the painful reality once again |
| 바꿀 수 있다고 바꾸면 | bakkul su itdago bakkumyeon | Please say that we could change things |
| 된다고 말해요 마마. 마마. | dwendago malhaeyo mama. mama. | If we wanted, Your Majesty Your Majesty |
| Careless, careless. | Careless, careless. | Careless, careless. |
| Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. |
| Heartless, mindless. | Heartless, mindless. | Heartless, mindless. |
| No one. who care about me? | No one. who care about me? | No one. who care about me? |
Remix Ver.
TBA
Chinese
Kris
Xiumin
Luhan
Lay
Chen
Tao
(Kai)
[All]
| Chinese | Pinyin | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. |
| Heartless, mindless. No one. who care about me? | Heartless, mindless. No one. who care about me? | Heartless, mindless. No one. who care about me? |
失落的感觉 谁在乎只有忍耐
|
shi luo de gan jue shui zai hu zhi you ren nai
|
The feeling of loss, who cares, you can only tolerate it
|
我再也无法接受 闭上了双眼
|
wo zai ye wu fa jie shou bi shang le shuang yan
|
I can’t take it anymore so I close my eyes
|
MAMA 可不可以请告诉我
|
MAMA ke bu ke yi qing gao su wo
|
MAMA can you please tell me
|
为什么人会变的不一样
|
wei shen me ren hui bian de bu yi yang
|
why people can’t change
|
那些听说过的
|
na xie ting shuo guo de
|
Did those beautiful days
|
美丽日子是真的存在过吗
|
mei li ri zi shi zhen de cun zai guo ma
|
I’ve heard of really exist?
|
早就忘了应该要更努力爱着他
|
zao jiu wang le ying gai yao geng nu li ai zhe ta
|
I already forgot long ago I should’ve loved her even more
|
早就忘了心去包容他
|
zao jiu wang le xin qu bao rong ta
|
I long ago forgot that my heart tolerated her
|
自顾自的生活是否假装继续忙
|
zi gu zi de sheng huo shi fou jia zhuang ji xumang
|
Only living a self-serving life, pretending to be busy
|
| 隐形在你的面具背 | yin xing zai ni de mian ju bei | Invisible behind your mask |
| 后充满许多的表情 | hou chong man xu duo de biao qing | your face is full of many expressions |
| 到最后却始终如一 | dao zui hou que shi zhong ru yi | Being consistent until the end, |
真的更好吗
|
zhen de geng hao ma
|
is it really better?
|
| 我们要这样 | wo men yao zhe yang | Is this what we want? |
| 不再看彼此的眼神吗 | bu zai kan bi ci de yan shen ma | Never looking into each other’s eyes again? |
| 不再对我讲话吗 | bu zai dui wo jiang hua ma | Will you never speak to me again, |
| 不再说你爱我吗 | bu zai shuo ni ai wo ma | never say you love me again? |
| 就算受了伤 眼泪也如雨的下 | jiu suan shou le shang yan lei ye ru yu de xia | Even if I get hurt and my tears fall like rain |
| 改变就能解答 改变就能到达 | gai bian jiu neng jie da gai bian jiu neng dao da | Will changing solve anything? Can we change? |
| 告诉我 MAMA MAMA | gao su wo MAMA MAMA | Tell me Mama Mama |
都忘了什么时候
|
dou wang le shen me shi hou
|
I’ve already forgotten
|
开始我们被关在聪明里头
|
kai shi wo men bei guan zai cong ming li tou
|
when we were shut into intelligence
|
我的世界只在0和1的
|
wo de shi jie zhi zai ling he yi de
|
My world is constructed
|
制作中度过
|
zhi zuo zhong duguo
|
of only 0 and 1
|
没有生命力 没感情
|
mei you sheng ming li mei gan qing
|
No life, no feelings,
|
每天毫无根据
|
mei tian wu hao gen ju
|
everyday is lacking
|
越久就更寂寞
|
yue jiu jiu geng ji mo
|
I get lonelier as time passes,
|
只有自己受伤和难过
|
zhi you zi ji shou shang he nan guo
|
I’m just causing myself pain and sorrow
|
相遇和牵手
|
xiang yu he qian shou
|
Meeting, holding hands,
|
感受泪和笑容
|
gan shou lei he xiao rong
|
crying and laughing while feeling together
|
越贴近的频率 我们开心感应
|
yue tie jin de pin lu wo men kai xin gan ying
|
The closeness we had, the happiness we shared
|
可能回来吗
|
ke neng hui lai ma
|
Will it ever come back?
|
| 隐形在你的面 | yin xing zai ni de mian | Invisible behind your mask |
| 具背后充满许多的表情 | ju bei hou chong man xu duo de biao qing | is your face full of many expressions |
| 到最后却始终如一 | dao zui hou que shi zhong ru yi | Being consistent until the end, |
这样真的更好吗
|
zhe yang zhen de geng hao ma
|
is it really better?
|
| 我们要这样 | wo men yao zhe yang | Is this what we want? |
| 不再看彼此的眼神吗 | bu zai kan bi ci de yan shen ma | Never looking into each other’s eyes again? |
| 不再对我讲话吗 | bu zai dui wo jiang hua ma | Will you never speak to me again, |
| 不再说你爱我吗 | bu zai shuo ni ai wo ma | never say you love me again? |
| 就算受了伤 眼泪也如雨的下 | jiu suan shou le shang yan lei ye ru yu de xia | Even if I get hurt and my tears fall like rain |
| 改变就能解答 改变就能到达 | gai bian jiu neng jie da gai bian jiu neng dao da | Will changing solve anything? Can we change? |
| 告诉我 MAMA MAMA | gao su wo MAMA MAMA | Tell me Mama Mama |
Turn back!
|
Turn back!
|
Turn back!
|
最后我怒吼 我狂弃 我回温
|
zui hou wo nu hou wo kuang qi wo hui wen
|
In the end, I’ll shout, I’ll rush, I’ll warm it,
|
不想要世界变的冷
|
bu xiang yao shi jie bian de leng
|
I don’t want the world to turn cold
|
| 请帮帮我 | qing bangbang wo | Please help me |
| MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA turn back | MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA turn back | MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA turn back |
| 告诉我 | gao su wo | Tell me |
| MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA rolling back | MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA rolling back | MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA rolling back |
追逐 失控 看谁都很冷漠
|
zhui zhu shi kong kan shui dou hen leng mo
|
Chasing, losing control, indifferent towards others
|
游戏不会这样做
|
you xi bu hui zhe yang zuo
|
This isn't a game
|
| 请帮帮我 MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA | Qing bangbang wo MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA | Please help MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA |
| Turn back! Yeah
|
Turn back! Yeah
|
Turn back! Yeah
|
| Careless, careless. (MAMA)
|
Careless, careless. (MAMA)
|
Careless, careless. (MAMA)
|
| Shoot anonymous, anonymous. (MAMA) | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. (MAMA) | Shoot anonymous, anonymous. (MAMA) |
| Heartless, mindless. (MAMA) | Heartless, mindless. (MAMA) | Heartless, mindless. (MAMA) |
| No one, who care about me? (MAMA)
|
No one, who care about me? (MAMA)
|
No one, who care about me? (MAMA)
|
因为受到了祝福 .
|
yin wei shou dao le zhu fu
|
Because I’ve received blessings,
|
我能感觉到真的快乐 .
|
wo neng gan jue dao zhen de kuai le
|
I feel really happy;
|
多想要每天认识更多的人 .
|
geng xiang yao mei tian ren shi geng duo de ren
|
I want to meet more people everyday
|
把碎了的心重温 .
|
ba sui le de xin chong wen
|
Revive this broken heart,
|
只要有爱的单纯 .
|
zhi yao you ai de dan chun
|
as long as I can purely love,
|
找回我原本笑容里的真
|
zhao hui wo yuan ben xiao rong li de zhen
|
I’ll be able to find the truth in my original smile
|
| 我们要这样 | wo men yao zhe yang | Is this what we want? |
| 不再看彼此的眼神吗 | bu zai kan bi ci de yan shen ma | Never looking into each other’s eyes again? |
| 不再对我讲话吗 | bu zai dui wo jiang hua ma | Will you never speak to me again, |
| 不再说你爱我吗 | bu zai shuo ni ai wo ma | never say you love me again? |
| 就算受了伤 眼泪也如雨的下 | jiu suan shou le shang yan lei ye ru yu de xia | Even if I get hurt and my tears fall like rain |
| 改变就能解答 改变就能到达 | gai bian jiu neng jie da gai bian jiu neng dao da | Will changing solve anything? Can we change? |
| 告诉我 MAMA MAMA | gao su wo MAMA MAMA | Tell me Mama Mama |
| Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. | Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. |
| Heartless, mindless. No one. who care about me? | Heartless, mindless. No one. who care about me? | Heartless, mindless. No one. who care about me? |
Trivia
- The MV (Music Video) for each song last 6 minutes 12 seconds which indicates that 6 is the amount of members in each subgroup, and 12 members when both groups combine.