THE HIT HAMMER: Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-In-Law"

Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-In-Law"

(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958, and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please refer to the "Poor Little Fool" post.)

Ernie K-Doe - "Mother-In-Law"

Hit Number 1: May 22, 1961

Stay at Number 1: 1 Week

Some songs are not supposed to be taken seriously at all. Take Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-In -Law" as an example. It's a bluesy song about a guy who is beyond annoyed at his mother-in-law, as she's always getting into his business, and that she worries the hell out of him, asks him how much he made at work, and etc. The song is put under the genre of R&B, but I would also put it under the novelty category. I find the song hilarious, and though I am not a woman and it's a guy singing this song, I would imagine that a lot of women could probably relate to this song in a way.

"Mother-In-Law" could very well be the first #1 song (and maybe the only) that found its way out of a trash can, and eventually hitting the top of the charts. It was written and composed by Allen Toussaint, who was also involved in the production of future blog entries "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell and "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle. After several unsuccessful takes, Toussaint gave up, wadded up the composition, and threw it away. One of the backup singers, Willie Harper, thought it was too good to give up on, and he convinced K-Doe to give it another shot. Needless to say, it ended up working out for all parties, and eventually hit the top spot on the charts for a week after being stuck behind Del Shannon's "Runaway" for a couple weeks.

I think "Mother-In-Law" is a pretty good song, and I find it to be very funny. The bluesy sound makes it sound as if the guy in the song has the blues about his mother-in-law, and he even compares her to Satan, and that they might as well be the same person. Damn! But you hear all the time about women whose mother-in-laws get on their nerves. That's what leads me to believe that some women could relate to the song. It isn't a song that's going to change your day, and make it a better one, or even a worse one. But it could brighten up your day a little in the moment that you're hearing it. Like I said, it isn't a song that is supposed to be taken seriously, everything about it was all in good fun. Clearly people in 1961 had fun with it too.

GRADE: 7/10