"Mother Knows Best" is a song featured in Disney's 2010 animated feature film, Tangled . The song was composed by Alan Menken, while the lyrics were written by Glenn Slater. The song was sung by Mother Gothel as she explains to Rapunzel how bad and dangerous the world is outside her tower, so she can secretly keep her locked up and use her hair to retain her youth.
Later, when Mother Gothel finds Rapunzel with Flynn Rider, she tries to take her back to the tower, but she refuses to comply. Realizing that Rapunzel is beginning to fall in love with Flynn, Gothel dares her to return the stolen tiara, stating he will leave her as soon as he has it back.
Lyrics[ ]
Mother Gothel:
You want to go outside? Ugh, why, Rapunzel!
Look at you, as fragile as a flower
Still a little sapling, just a sprout
You know why we stay up in this tower
Rapunzel:
I know, but--
Mother Gothel:
That's right! To keep you safe and sound, dear
Guess I always knew this day was coming
Knew that soon you'd want to leave the nest
Soon, but not yet
Rapunzel:
But-—
Mother Gothel:
Shh! Trust me, pet
Mother knows best
Mother knows best
Listen to your mother
It's a scary world out there
Mother knows best
One way or another
Something will go wrong, I swear
Ruffian, thugs
Poison ivy, quicksand
Cannibals and snakes
The plague!
Rapunzel:
No!
Mother Gothel:
Yes!
Rapunzel:
But--
Mother Gothel:
Also large bugs
Men with pointy teeth, and
Stop, no more, you'll just upset me!
Mother's right here
Mother will protect you
Darling, here's what I suggest
Skip the drama
Stay with Mama
Mother knows best
(Album version only)
Go ahead, get trampled by a rhino
Go ahead, get mugged and left for dead
Me, I'm just your mother, what do I know?
I only bathed and changed and nursed you
Go ahead and leave me, I deserve it
Let me die alone here, be my guest
When it's too late
You'll see, just wait
Mother knows best
Mother knows best
Take it from your mumsy
On your own, you won't survive
Sloppy, under-dressed
Immature, clumsy
Please, they'll eat you up alive!
Gullible, naive
Positively grubby
Ditzy and a bit, well, hmm vague--
Plus, I believe
Gettin' kinda chubby
I'm just saying 'cause I wuv you!
Mother understands
Mother's here to help you
All I have is one request
Rapunzel?
Rapunzel:
Yes?
Mother Gothel:
Don't ever ask to leave this tower again.
Rapunzel:
Yes, Mother.
Mother Gothel:
I love you very much, dear.
Rapunzel:
I love you more.
Mother Gothel:
I love you most.
Don't forget it
You'll regret it
Mother knows best!
Rapunzel:
I think he likes me.
Mother Gothel:
Likes you? Please, Rapunzel, that's demented!
Rapunzel:
But Mother, I -
Mother Gothel:
This is why you never should have left!
Dear, this whole romance that you've invented,
Just proves, you're too naive to be here
Why would he like you?
Come on now really!
Look at you! You think that he's impressed?
Don't be a dummy
Come with Mummy
Mother...
Rapunzel:
No!
Mother Gothel:
No? Oh. I see how it is.
Rapunzel knows best
Rapunzel's so mature now
Such a clever grown up miss
Rapunzel knows best
Fine, if you're so sure now
Go ahead, then give him this!
Rapunzel:
How did you--
Mother Gothel:
This is why he's here!
Don't let him deceive you!
Give it to him, watch, you'll see!
Rapunzel:
I will!
Mother Gothel:
Trust me, my dear
That's how fast he'll leave you
I won't say I told you so!
No, Rapunzel knows best!
So if he's such a dreamboat
Go ahead and put him to the test!
Rapunzel:
Mother, wait!
Mother Gothel:
If he's lying
Don't come crying
Mother knows best!
Videos[ ]
Trivia[ ]
- This song is remarkably similar to "Stay in Here," the first half of "Out There" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which also has music written by Menken), as both seem as though the antagonist is trying to protect their hostage, who, coincidentally, both want to go to a festival/party. In both instances, the villain is secretly hiding their true heritage from the protagonist (Frollo killed Quasimodo's mother, Gothel wants Rapunzel to remain locked up because she needs her hair to stay alive).
- Ironically enough, Mother Gothel sings "soon, but not yet." (referring to Rapunzel leaving the tower) Yet, later that same day, she said Rapunzel will never leave the tower ever, contradicting herself.
- The song is referenced in the Descendants 2 song, "Ways to Be Wicked" with the line 'Mother always know best'.
- The song is referenced in the Once Upon a Time episode "Secret Garden", when Gothel asks Robin which mother figure to choose from.
- In Tangled: The Series episode "Rapunzeltopia", a nightmare projection of Gothel begins quoting the song but is knocked out by Rapunzel's Frying Pan before she can finish the line.
- Gothel's starting verse alludes to the fact her "love" for Rapunzel is actually to her hair, as she vaguely refers to the Sundrop Flower used to heal her until its power got transferred to Rapunzel when it was used to heal Queen Arianna. She also pats her head and touches her hair several times throughout, showing that she only cares about the power of Rapunzel's hair and she is ironically the one using her for her power.
- The song is referenced twice in Once Upon a Time , first in the episode "We Are Both", when Cora tells a younger Regina "I am your mother. I know what's best" and again in the episode "Secret Garden", when Gothel asks Robin, "which mother knows best".
