| "Mama" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Exo-K's version (left) and Exo-M's version (right) | ||||
| Single byExo | ||||
| from the EPMama | ||||
| Language | ||||
| Released | April 8, 2012 (2012-04-08) | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Studio | SM Booming System (Seoul) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:32 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Composer | Yoo Young-jin | |||
| Lyricists |
| |||
| Producer | Yoo Young-jin | |||
| Exo singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Mama (Korean version)" onYouTube "Mama (Chinese version)" onYouTube | ||||
"Mama" is a song by South Koreanboy bandExo, splited to the two subgroups Exo-K and Exo-M. It served as their debut single and the title track of their debut extended playMama (2012). Available in bothKorean andMandarin, the song was releaseddigitally on April 8, 2012, bySM Entertainment.[1]
"Mama" was originally written and produced byYoo Young-jin, with the Chinese lyrics written by Wang Yajun. The Korean version is performed by subgroupExo-K and the Mandarin version byExo-M.[2] The music videos of the song were released onYouTube on April 7, 2012, the same day the song was made available for download throughiTunes and other Korean and mainland Chinese online retailers.
Exo-K and Exo-M performed both versions during their pre-debut showcase on March 31, 2012 in Seoul, South Korea,[3] followed by a second group performance for their second showcase inBeijing,China on April 1.
On April 7, Exo-M made their television debut at China's12th Yinyue Fengyun Bang Awards, performing "Mama". On that same day Exo-K made their debut in Korea onSBS's music programInkigayo, performing both "Mama" and a prologue single, "History". Exo-K also debuted onMnet'sM Countdown on April 12,KBS'sMusic Bank on April 13, andMBC'sShow! Music Core on April 14.
Two music videos for "Mama" were released onYouTube on April 8, 2012 through S.M. Entertainment's official channel, SMTOWN. Each music video, though recorded in two different versions, featured all twelve members of Exo.
The two videos begin with the same animation and English voice over illustrating the birth of twelve legendary powers that break into two separate forces in order to "keep alive the heart of the tree of life," which is being conquered by an evil force. The two legends divide the tree of life in half, and carries each piece to their own lands. The narration then declares that the two legends will "reunite into one perfect root" on the day, the evil force purifies. After the introduction, all twelve members of Exo appear wearing robes as they walk to the center of a darkly lit circular room. The song begins with aGregorian chant, and the members look up to a bright light in the sky in unison. Throughout the videos, there are close-up shots of the members performing their own celestial powers with intercut sequences of choreographed dancing, choreographed by Lyle Beniga.Xiumin hascyrokinesis (frost),Kris hasflying,Luhan hastelekinesis,Suho has water powers,Baekhyun has light powers,Lay has healing,Chen has lightning,Chanyeol haspyrokinesis,D.O. has strength and ground manipulation,Tao has time stopping,Kai has teleportation, andSehun has wind.[4] The videos end with each group finishing their dance, and they both close with the logo of Exo. The song uses a riff fromLed Zeppelin's "Kashmir" in the background as well as the end ofGuns N' Roses' "November Rain".
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[5]
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea (Gaon)[6] | 46 |
| South Korea (K-Pop Hot 100) | 89 |
| Region | Sales |
|---|---|
| United States (Nielsen) | 38,000[7] |
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | April 18, 2012 | ||
| Various | SM |
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