Boney M.

Lyrics

[Intro]
Freeze! I'm Ma Baker
Put your hands in the air and give me all your money!
This is the story of Ma Baker
The meanest cat from old Chicago town

[Verse 1]
She was the meanest cat in old Chicago town
She was the meanest cat, she really mowed them down
She had no heart at all — no, no, no heart at all
She was the meanest cat, oh, she was really tough
She left her husband flat, he wasn't tough enough
She took her boys along 'cause they were mean and strong

[Chorus]
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she taught her four sons
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, to handle their guns
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she never could cry
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, but she knew how to die

[Verse 2]
They left a trail of crime across the USA
And when one boy was killed she really made them pay
She had no heart at all — no, no, no heart at all
[Chorus]
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she taught her four sons
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, to handle their guns
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she never could cry
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, but she knew how to die

[Verse 3]
Then came a man she liked, she thought she'd stay with him
When he informed on them they did away with him
She didn't care at all, just didn't care at all

[Bridge]
"Here is a special bulletin. Ma Baker is the FBI's most wanted woman. Her photo is hanging on every post office wall. If you have any information about this woman, please contact the nearest police station."
Don't anybody move!
The money or your lives!

[Verse 4]
One day they robbed a bank, it was their last foray
The cops appeared too soon, they couldn't get away
And all the loot they had, it made them mighty mad
And so they shot it out, Ma Baker and her sons
They didn't want to hang, they died with blazing guns
And so the story ends of one who left no friends
[Chorus]
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she taught her four sons
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, to handle their guns
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she never could cry
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, but she knew how to die
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she taught her four sons
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, to handle their guns
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, she never could cry
Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma
Ma Baker, but she knew how to die

Boney M. is a German Euro-Caribbean vocal group that was created in 1975. The band consists of four performers, including Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams, and Bobby Farrell. They became popular in the disco era during the late 1970s and early 1980s with their unique blend of Eurodisco and Caribbean music. With chart-topping hits such as “Daddy Cool” and “Rasputin,” Boney M. became a music sensation and continued to make music throughout their entire career.

About Ma Baker

The song “Ma Baker” was released as a 7" single in 1977 and is part of Boney M.’s album “Love for Sale.” It is a ballad dedicated to a notorious gang leader named Ma Barker who was known for leading a criminal group in the early 20th century. Despite its dark subject matter, the song was popular and quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the charts in both the Netherlands and Belgium in 1977

The song’s lyrics tell the story of Ma Barker and her gang's crime spree. The lyrics depict her as a fierce and dangerous leader who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics have made it a staple of the disco era and a favorite of many music lovers. The song's hook, "Freeze, I'm Ma Baker, put your hands in the air, give me all your money," has become one of the most memorable lines in disco music history.

Ma Baker also features several musical elements that make it stand out, including a catchy bass line, a strong drumbeat, and a funky guitar riff. The use of horns gives the song a soulful vibe that complements the disco beats and adds to its uniqueness. The song's instrumentation and arrangement are masterful, and the vocals are always on point.

The popularity of “Ma Baker” is partly due to its unique sound and partly due to the novelty of the subject matter. It sheds light on a notorious criminal and her gang while also being entertaining and catchy. The song’s minimalistic structure features repetitive chorus lines that stick instantly to your brain. This is why it remains an iconic and classic disco song even today.

The song has also been covered by various artists over the years, including the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 winners, Eldar & Nigar. The song has also been sampled in other songs, including Lady Gaga's "Americano" and Jay-Z's "Show Me What Ya Got". This fact is a testament to its enduring cultural impact and bouncy influence that helped shape the music industry.

Wrapping Up

In essence, “Ma Baker” is a classic disco song that stood out upon its release over four decades ago. Its lively beats, catchy lyrics, and unique subject matter have made it a favorite of music lovers everywhere. The song is a tribute to Ma Barker's notorious life, and the song’s immense popularity is a testament to its enduring cultural relevance and iconic status. It continues to be a party favorite, even today, and no disco party playlist is complete without it.

So, if you're looking for some classic disco sounds to get your feet moving, look no further than “Ma Baker” by Boney M. It has that timeless quality that will forever keep it at the top of any disco lover's favorites list.

• Release Date: May 2, 1977
• Artist: Boney M.