This track is Serengeti’s “Dennehy.” It’s a great song for Chicagoans with civic pride, and it reminds me why every time I shave I consider leaving the ’stache. This isn’t the first or the last hip hop song you will hear about Chicago, Kanye and Common both have their own, but this is the only one that sounds like it could of been written by one of Saturday Night Live’s SuperFans. If the beat sounds familiar it was previously featured on a Master Ace song “Da Grind” another good song for summertime reminiscing. If the story sounds familiar that’s just Chicago living.

Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J
“LL Cool J is hard as hell,” but not too hard to seek his mother’s advice on how to dispense with sucka MCs, like the never named adversary in this, perhaps the only song with the word mama in the title to feature boxing in its video.

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
This might seem like a strange choice for starting a mix for the women who brought you into this world, but few songs more heavily features the word mama. When your down on you’re luck and there are few others to turn to, lean heavy on mama.

Renegade – Styx
Speaking of which…
It’s eerie how similar the lead-ins on these two songs are. “Oh mama!”

Mrs. Jackson – Outkast
Maybe your mama would be offended by Big Boi’s verse in this song, but to this critic’s way of thinking, this song is all about Andre 3000. It is his failed relationship with Erykah Badu that inspired the song, it is his baby mama’s mama that is aggrieved in the situation and it is his verse that carries the day. “Forever. For-ever-ever?”

Don’t Sniff the Coke – Pato Banton
Like an indulgent mother, even when Pato Banton is telling us to avoid cocaine he is telling us that weed is ok. On top of, what I would argue is, some pretty good advice, Pato Banton lets us know that his drive starts at home with his mother.

Whip You With a Strap – Ghostface Killah
It has long been a point of pride among a certain contingent of sadists that they were victims of corporal punishments as children. This song has a home in that audience. Aside from spankings, the song seems to be bragging about a deeply flawed woman. Ghost is effusive about his mother even though the person he describes is pretty far from anything in the Clever household. “Despite the alcohol I had a great old mama.” If you’re unconditional with your mom, you should have no trouble nodding your head on this tune.

Shaft Theme – Isaac Hayes
This one’s for the bad Mother…

Grandma’s Hands – Bill Withers
A new generation was introduced to one of souls finest grooves when Blackstreet sampled the opening to Grandma’s Hands. But what the song lost was the story, a the kind hagiography any kid with a great mama’s mama ought to relate too.

Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon
If you’re gonna praise mama it’s hard to go wrong with that gospel sound.

If you want more playlists check this out

In honor of the Bulls making sure this series doesn’t end, by defeating the Celtics and forcing a game 7 Tonight’s podcast is going to be a playlist about keeping keeping it together.

Everyone who has ever thought that his girl or guy broke it off to soon knows how this feels. These tracks are dedicated to you, and the Bulls, and all our favorite ex-girlfriends.

1. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

2. Don’t Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream) – Tower of Power

3. If You Want Me To Stay – Sly and the Family Stone

4. Baby, Please Don’t Go – Joe Williams

6. Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone – Bill Withers

7. You Need Love Like I Do (Don’t You) - Gladys Knight & The Pips

8. I Want You Back – Jackson 5

9. Come On Home – Franz Ferdinand

10. Please Don’t Go – Stevie Wonder