Continuing my track-by-track presentation of Brandi Carlile’s In These Silent Days…
The back half of In These Silent Days starts with the provocatively titled ‘Mama Werewolf.’ This song is aimed at Carlile herself, and her shortcomings as a mother who too often exhibits the worst qualities of her own parents.
This album makes for quite the therapy session.
If the “silent days” referenced in the album’s title are the many months spent in pandemic isolation, it seems Carlile used that time to explore and understand her relationships with the people closest to her.
Your mama is a werewolf with long, sharp teeth
I’m up all night when the world should sleep
I curse the darkness when it’s killin’ time
I got a river of fear runnin’ through my mind
When the moon shines through those parting clouds
I hear the call and I howl out loud
I stalk the streets where the shadows lie
And I pray to God that that sun will rise
But that sun don’t always rise
[Chorus]
If my good intentions go runnin’ wild
If I cause you pain, my own sweet child
Won’t you promise me you’ll be the one?
My silver bullet in the gun
[Verse 2]
When I wake and, and I’m reborn
My body aches and my soul is torn
I search the void for any clues
And I feel ashamed for what I’ve put you through
This curse a gift from my father’s kin
They fought the beast I feel within
But we don’t talk about it and we don’t call its name
We just carry on, hopin’ it’ll change
But we know it’ll never change
[Chorus]
If my good intentions go runnin’ wild
If I cause you pain, my own sweet child
Won’t you promise me you’ll be the one?
My silver bullet in the gun
Would you strike me down right where I stand?
Would you change me back, make me kind again?
Won’t you promise me you’ll be the one?
My silver bullet in the gun
[Chorus]
If my good intentions go runnin’ wild
If I cause you pain, my own sweet child
Won’t you promise me you’ll be the one?
My silver bullet in the gun
Would you strike me down right where I stand?
Would you change me back, make me kind again?
Won’t you promise me you’ll be the one?
My silver bullet in the gun
Meet Me In Montauk 
Quite provocative indeed!