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 the group's 11th and final top 10 hit, peaking at number 7 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
Genre	R&B soul
Length	5:02 (album version) 4:30 (radio version)
Label	Motown
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 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 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

Credits are 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

Weekly charts Chart (1997–1998) Peak position Canada (SoundScan)[3] 25 Spain Airplay (Music & Media)[4] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[5] 7 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1998) Position US Billboard Hot 100[7] 30 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 12

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9]	Platinum	1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

• List of number-one R&B singles of 1997 (U.S.)
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1998 (U.S.)