The Reason Your Mama Told You
BY: Larry Garrett
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Performed in Kansas City, MO at Songpull 12
About the Song
A newspaper article and a young woman I knew years ago.
About the Songwriter
I enjoy writing songs about people I’ve known and life situations I’ve experienced.
Songwriter's Occupation
School Bus Driver
Songwriter Resides in…
Independence, MO
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18 Comments
Sandy T. Says:
Jan 23, 2008I like it, Larry. So is this gal someone you knew :).....Good song.
Kamakazikid R. Says:
Jan 23, 2008Good lyrics Mr. Garrett. Sounds like you're singing in too low of a key though. Maybe try going a little higher. But I sure like the story.
Lance F. Says:
Jan 23, 2008I will have to disagree with Sandy T. I don't really care for the song. Sloppy lyrics and simple cords. Sorry Larry but not my favorite from you.
AdamEve K. Says:
Jan 23, 2008Coffehouse music. Good stuff. Reminds me of John Prine material. Tight lyrics and simple chords. That's "chords." Not "cords." Not a thing wrong with simple chords.
janeanne K. Says:
Jan 23, 2008Hi Larry. Finally found this place. I'm the lady from Starbucks that you gave the address to. You did this song out there too. I loved it. It really does remind me of a cousin of mine from years ago. Like stories are cool.
Mr. Lance, stop complaining and do put some of your own songs on here for people to listen to. All chords are simple if you know how to play them.
I've seen David Hakan too. Like his music also. Lots of good songs from kansas city people. thanks
Lance F. Says:
Jan 23, 2008AdamEve, All good points and thanks for the spelling correction.
Janeanne, I wasn't complaining, rather commenting. I didn't realize I needed to be part of a songpull group to add comments. One great thing about the songpull site... I can always watch and comment on songs outside the Hakan Songpull group.
Larry, As I said above, sorry, but not my favorite from you. I'm sure I'm not the only person who hasn't loved every song you've written.
Sandy T. Says:
Jan 23, 2008Guess I'll get in on this. I look at this site all the time. I don't play guitar or write, but I love listening to just regular people. There are a great many regular people on this site sharing their music.
Gee Lance, you sound like you have personal issues with Larry Garrett. You don't like his lyrics. You don't like his CORDS. Like someone else said, all chords are simple when you know how to play them. I'd love to see and hear some of your guitar and songwriting. Tell me where it is and I'll give you a good review and encouagement as well.
I just believe you sound a little snippety and whiney and maybe a little jealous of what you call the Hakan Songpull group.. I also don't believe Jeananne was suggesting that you must be part of a songpull group to add your comments. That is your insinuation, not her's.
Tony D. Says:
Jan 23, 2008I certainly don't have an personal issues with Larry. Nor does my opinion of this one song have any relevance to the Hakan songpull group. One of the things that draws me to this site is the rawness of the music but that doesn't mean I have to like every song.
... songpull can you add a spell checker for me, thanks
Lance F. Says:
Jan 23, 2008Sorry, I was logged as my boyfriend, so I guess a spell checker isn't the only help I need. My comments weren't meant to be a personal attack on Larry as a person. It was just a comment on one song.
Prettyface V. Says:
Jan 26, 2008Wow, i like it too. Good writing here. Every verse tells me something about this young woman. Love the phrase "her daddy lived the drifter's code." That tells volumns about this girl and how she grew-up. "She will let you think she loves you, if you have the money." Another super line. "They're sure she'll do what she won't, so she lets them think she might." This line really got me to laughing. That is what a stripper does. Makes the poor fools think they will get something off of her and this keep them giving her money. The chorus completes the picture as it summarizes the entire situation. I do agree though that he needs to sing it in a different key. If this is in "C," which I think it is, then he should try it in "D."
I don't think he was attacked by anyone. Text is easy to mis-read and it can give the impression of something not actually there. It's easy to write something and you end-up saying something that you really didn't intend to say. For the song itself , I find no sloppy lyrics This is a story, told in the form of a song. The story is very concise, with very strong imagery. I can envision this girl's entire life. I believe it is well-crafted. Just needs to be sung in another key.
This is a really good site.
Daniel F. Says:
Jan 30, 2008I certainly don't feel like it's out of line to leave a comment for any of the songwriters on this site that suggests any changes or weaknesses. It's all part of the creative process and I would imagine that Larry can handle it. If he takes it personally, then I find it hard to believe that he's been writing music for as long as he has (which I know, because I've spent time talking with him about it).
However, and I say this with the utmost respect to Lance, even though I've never met you, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the gay community has always embraced strage music in my opinion. Certainly nothing like the folk style songs that Larry seems to gravitate towards.
With that said, I must constructively agree that this is not one of Larry's strongest songs. I've watched all of his videos on Songpull. Sure, it tells a story and it's probably heart felt, but I think we will eventually find a huge variety of perspectives at Songpull. In other words, how are each of us determining our thoughts on this particular song of Larry's? Is it suited for radio? Is it commercial? Is it folk? Sung well? Played well? Does it matter?
It's opinions and we won't all agree...that's ok! Larry? has this message thread caused you to go into a tailspin in your songwriting? Do you plan on never writing another song because Lance doesn't like it?
I know!!! Write your next song about Lance!! ....your welcome, you can have that idea for free.
Mablejoy s. Says:
Feb 22, 2008I bet you spend some time in the clubs. Does sound as if you know the ladies. This is what we do. Nice read on the way it is.
Mrjones K. Says:
Apr 08, 2008I agree with a lot of things said here. First, I agree with Mablejoy. You've been in the clubs watching the ladies. Second, use another key. Third, some people need spell checkers. Fourth, I like the song. As a guy, it makes me grin and makes me think that I've likely "been had" by some of these pretty ladies. What the hell, it's all fun.
Genie I. Says:
Apr 19, 2008This is okay I guess. Not crazy about it, but I like it just the same. Maybe if it was a little more up-tempo. I understand the somberness of the song, and I like how you've elevated this young woman as she fights to make a way for herself and her child. I guess I just like faster-moving songs. Stiill, a nice song about real people.
Butch C. Says:
Apr 25, 2008I like how this guy thinks. Really good material for a song. Yep, it's in the wrong key. Maybe up a notch or two. I do like the lyrics. Feel like I know this girl now. Did you? :)
Saw you and another guy at The Hard Bean couple months ago. Same guy with you at The Country Club Plaza Starbucks. Saw him there last month with some pretty female singer. I love all the KC guitar players that are getting around town now. Live music is awesome.
tony T. Says:
May 18, 2008I guess it's fairly-well written, but I just don't care for the song. I'm not making a negative comment on the writing. I just don't care for the topic. Not all women who strip are people who just had a bad break. Some just like the lifestyle.
Holysmoke A. Says:
Jun 11, 2008Nothing wrong with a good stripper. I like it. I like her too.
Cletus M. Says:
Nov 30, 2008Good tune. Don't worry Larry, everyone's a critic. Even me. But don't listen to Lancie. Here's what you do:
Stop changing to a strum from fingerpicking like you do at about a minute: 12 into the tune and again in-between verses. Add add some harmonica there maybe. But the strum is too abrubt a change and almost takes the tune off-tempo and to top it off it instantly put me into snoresville. Either keep some fingerpicking going, or flatpick/crosspick to emphasise your bass notes there, ie; come up with short and sweet little bass line melody, then go into the next verse. KEEP ME WITH YOU. But can the strum.
Next thing - smooth it out. It sounds choppy in some areas.
Lastly - You have beautiful vocal texture for a folk songster. Work on hitting the right notes. The old Bob Dylan and Neil Young excuses don't fly any more.
My work is done here. Keep on truckin', Larry!
Cletus