My Chemical Romance began writing their third studio album,
The Black Parade, in early 2006 at S.I.R. Studios in New York. During these sessions, the band bet that lead guitarist
Ray Toro could not write a
polka in the band's style. Inspired by the theatrical nature of the song "
You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison" from their previous album
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004), Toro constructed the polka instrumentation of "Mama" while
Gerard Way wrote the song's melody. Later, the band played "Mama" for
Rob Cavallo, who responded toward the song enthusiastically and agreed to produce
The Black Parade. "Mama" was
demoed at the
Paramour Estate, a
haunted mansion in
Los Angeles; Cavallo noted the demo of "Mama" was recorded in "a giant living room with forty-feet high ceilings and big windows overlooking Los Angeles". Afterwards, the band moved to
Eldorado Recording Studios to record the album. During this period, Gerard Way wanted a "voice to ... talk back" to him in the song, and began searching for a guest vocalist who was a motherly figure, a "survivor", and "rooted in theater". Way wanted
Broadway actress
Liza Minnelli to feature as he frequently watched
Cabaret, a movie introduced to him by his grandmother, while making
The Black Parade, and wanted to give his grandmother "a nod". Upon jokingly suggesting to Cavallo that Minnelli be included, Cavallo called Minnelli's publicist and quickly convinced the actress to appear on "Mama". Minnelli performed her part in New York, while the crew remotely recorded it in
Capitol Studios through a control board. Gerard Way has declared "Mama" one of his favorite tracks on
The Black Parade, alongside "Sleep". He has called working with Minnelli an "amazing experience", saying "I think she got as much of a kick out of 'Mama' as we did." Minnelli has also reacted positively towards the collaboration, telling
The New York Times that the band was "so much fun, but truly professional". == Composition and lyrics ==