Background
"Mama," which first appeared in the 2002 theatrical musical, sees a return to Hairspray action after being relegated to the end credits of the 2007 film adaptation due to the difficulty of its staging.
Ariana Grande delivered her first musical number in Wednesday (Dec. 7) night's Hairspray Live! TV musical event as part of the ensemble number "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now," also featuring Dove Cameron and Maddie Baillio as the three young characters looking for more independence from their overbearing parents. (Grande plays Penny in the production, friend and classmate of protagonist Tracy Turnblad.)
Lyrics
(Stop) Stop telling me what to do (Don't) Don't treat me like a child of two (No) I know that you want what's best (Please) But mother, please, give it a rest
Stop, don't, no, please Stop, don't, no, please Stop, don't, no, please Mama, I'm a big girl now
Once upon a time when I was just a kid You never let me do just what the older kids did But lose that laundry list of what you won't allow 'Cause mama, I'm a big girl now
Once upon a time I used to play with childhood toys But now I'd rather play around with older boys So if I get a hickey, please don't have a cow 'Cause mama, I'm a big girl now
Ma, I gotta tell you that without a doubt I get my best dancing lessons from you You're the one who taught me how to twist and shout Because you shout non-stop and you're so twisted too, ohhhh
Once I used to fidget 'cause I just sat home But now I'm just like Gidget and I gotta get to Rome So say, arrivederci, toodle-loo and ciao 'Cause mama, I'm a big girl now
Stop, don't, no, please
Stop, don't, no, please
Stop, don't, no, please
Mama, I'm a big girl now
(Hey mama, say mama)
Once upon a time I was a shy young thing Could barely walk and talk so much as dance and sing But let me hit that stage, I wanna take my bow 'Cause mama I'm a big girl now
Woah, once upon a time I used to dress up Ken But now that I'm a woman, I like bigger men And I don't need a Barbie doll to show me how 'Cause mama, I'm a big girl now
Ma, you always taught me what was right from wrong And now I just wanna give it a try Mama, I've been in the nest for far too long So please give a push and mama watch me fly Watch me fly... (Show off)
Someday I will meet a man you won't condemn And we will have some kids and you can torture them But let me be a star before I take that vow 'Cause mama, I'm a big girl now, woah Mama, I'm a big girl, hey, hey, hey Mama, I'm a big girl (Ooh, such a big, big girl) I'm a big girl now
Stop, don't, no, please Stop, don't, no, please Stop, don't, no, please Mama, I'm a big girl now