☝️ Key Points
- The song 'Mother's Little Helper' is a critical examination of the increasing dependence on prescription drugs in 1960s society.
- The main character, a mother, uses the 'little yellow pill' as a way to cope with the stress and challenges of aging and motherhood.
- With repeated phrases like 'What a drag it is getting old', the theme of aging is emphasized and she expresses her dissatisfaction and despair.
- The story takes a dark turn as the mother's dependency worsens and she eventually overdoses.
- The song is a clear critique of drug dependence and warns of the potential deadly consequences.
Interpretation
The song 'Mother's Little Helper' by the
Rolling Stones is a critique of the increasing dependence on prescription drugs in 1960s society. The song tells the story of a mother who feels overwhelmed and turns to 'a little yellow pill' to cope with her stressful daily life.
The repeated phrase 'What a drag it is getting old' underscores the theme of aging and the difficulties associated with it. The mother in the song lyrics is overloaded and takes the pills not only as help in her daily life, but also to calm her mind and minimize her problems.
As the song progresses, the mother's dependence becomes evident as she asks the doctor for more pills and eventually overdoses. The final lines 'No more running to the shelter of a mother's little helper / They just helped you on your way through your busy dying day' show the deadly consequences of drug dependence.
Overall, 'Mother's Little Helper' is a social critique of the increasing dependence on medication and the associated dangers.