“Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” by Three Dog Night is a classic rock song released in 1970, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Written by Randy Newman, the song is a satirical take on the chaotic, wild side of the 1960s counterculture, told from the perspective of someone who is overwhelmed and out of their depth at a rowdy party.

Lyrically, the song’s narrator describes a night of excess—filled with loud music, drinking, and a generally out-of-control scene—that his mother had warned him about. The chorus, “Mama told me not to come,” reflects the narrator’s regret and realization that he’s in over his head, wishing he had listened to his mother’s advice. The lyrics are filled with humor and irony, making light of the debauchery he encounters, such as the lines, “The radio is blastin’, someone’s knockin’ at the door.”

Musically, “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” blends rock, pop, and R&B elements, with an infectious groove and upbeat rhythm. The band’s vocal harmonies, led by Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton, add to the song’s appeal, while the driving piano and horn arrangements give it a funky, soulful sound.

Three Dog Night’s version of the song became one of their biggest hits and helped solidify their reputation as one of the most successful rock bands of the early 1970s. The combination of Randy Newman’s clever lyrics and the band’s energetic performance turned “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” into an enduring classic.