The version by Jennings and Nelson was a cover of the song originally written by country singer Ed Bruce, who wrote it with his wife Patty. While Bruce experienced success with his version of the song, Jennings and Nelson charted extremely well with their rendition.
In writing about a Jennings tribute album which featured a rendition of "Mammas," writer Andrew Dansby described Jennings as "an iconic musician who grew up playing rock & roll, altered the sound of country music and believed that 'country music and blues was about a beat apart.'"
