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"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!

Gallery[]

Wiki
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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).
  • Ironcially 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.


v - e - d
Tangled logo
Media
Films: Tangled (video/soundtrack/score) • Tangled Ever AfterTangled: Before Ever After

Shows: A Poem Is...Tangled: The Series (soundtrack one/two/three) • Chibi Tiny Tales
Video Games: Tangled (video game)Disney Infinity seriesKingdom Hearts IIIDisney Crossy RoadDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle Mode
Books: The Art of TangledComic BooksRapunzel and the Lost LagoonRapunzel and the Vanishing VillageRoyal Weddings
Cancelled projects: Rapunzel UnbraidedVarian and the Seven Kingdoms

Disney Parks
Fantasy SpringsDisney Animation BuildingCastle of Magical DreamsFairy Tale ForestGarden of the Twelve FriendsIt's a Small WorldPrincess PavilionRapunzel's Lantern FestivalLe Pays des Contes de FéesVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Entertainment: Believe! Sea of DreamsDisney's WishesDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicFantasmic!Fantasy FestivalMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey's Royal Friendship FaireMickey and the Magical MapMickey and the Wondrous BookRoyal TheatreTangled: The MusicalThe Forest of Enchantment: A Disney Musical AdventureThe Golden MickeysThe Starlit Princess Waltz
Restaurants: Tangled Tree Tavern
Parades: A Million Splashes of ColourDisney Magic on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Dreams.... And Shine Brighter!Festival of Fantasy ParadeMickey's Soundsational ParadeMickey's Storybook ExpressMickey and Friends CelebrationPaint the Night ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights
Fireworks: Celebrate the MagicDisney Dreams!Disneyland ForeverDisney EnchantmentHappily Ever AfterThe Magic, the Memories and YouMomentousOnce Upon a TimeRemember... Dreams Come TrueIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Halloween: Let's Get Wicked
Christmas: World of Color: Winter DreamsRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: RapunzelFlynn RiderMother GothelPascalMaximusStabbington BrothersHook HandBig NoseVladimirAttilaUlfShortyPub ThugsCaptain of the GuardsKing FredericQueen AriannaCastle Guards

TV series: CassandraFidellaOwlPete and StanLady CainePocketHook FootVarianRuddigerQuirinOld Lady CrowleyMontyDaleWreck MarauderLance StrongbowFriedborgNigelKing TrevorFernanda PizazzoAndrewSeparatists of SaporiaXavierFeldsparAngry and RedThe BaronAnthony the WeaselRuthless RuthAxelWillowZhan TiriLord DemanitusSugracha the EternalUumlautKing EdmundAdiraStalyanVexCaptain QuaidMother and FatherVigorMadame CanardistCalliopeLorbsSeraphinaHectorTromusHamuelLittle Big GuyBrock Thunderstrike
Deleted characters: BastionClaire and VinceBeau

Episodes
Shorts: "Checkmate" • "Prison Bake" • "Make Me Smile" • "Hare Peace" • "Night Bite" • "Hiccup Fever" • "Snowball" • "Hairdon't" • "Unicorny"

Season One: "What the Hair?!" • "Rapunzel's Enemy" • "Fitzherbert P.I." • "Challenge of the Brave" • "Cassandra v. Eugene" • "The Return of Strongbow" • "In Like Flynn" • "Great Expotations" • "Under Raps" • "One Angry Princess" • "Pascal's Story" • "Big Brothers of Corona" • "The Wrath of Ruthless Ruth" • "Max's Enemy" • "The Way of the Willow" • "Queen for a Day" • "Painter's Block" • "Not in the Mood" • "The Quest for Varian" • "The Alchemist Returns" • "Secret of the Sun Drop"
Season Two: "Beyond the Corona Walls" • "The Return of Quaid" • "Goodbye and Goodwill" • "Forest of No Return" • "Freebird" • "Vigor the Visionary" • "Keeper of the Spire" • "King Pascal" • "There's Something About Hook Foot" • "Happiness Is..." • "Max and Eugene in Peril on the High Seas" • "Curses!" • "The Eye of Pincosta" • "Rapunzel and the Great Tree" • "The Brothers Hook" • "Rapunzel: Day One" • "Mirror, Mirror" • "You're Kidding Me!" • "Rapunzeltopia" • "Lost and Found" • "Destinies Collide"
Season Three: "Rapunzel's Return" • "Return of the King" • "Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?" • "The Lost Treasure of Herz Der Sonne" • "No Time Like the Past" • "Beginnings" • "The King and Queen of Hearts" • "Day of the Animals" • "Be Very Afraid" • "Pascal's Dragon" • "Islands Apart" • "Cassandra's Revenge" • "Race to the Spire" • "A Tale of Two Sisters" • "Flynnpostor" • "Once a Handmaiden..." • "Plus Est En Vous"

Locations
Rapunzel's TowerThe Snuggly DucklingCoronaCorona CastleOld CoronaThe Dark KingdomVardarosThe SpireTerapi IslandThe Great TreeThe House of Yesterday's TomorrowCassandra's StrongholdGothel's Cottage
Songs
Film: When Will My Life BeginMother Knows BestI've Got a DreamI See the LightHealing IncantationSomething That I Want

Musical: Flower of GoldWanted ManWhen She Returns
TV Series: Life After Happily Ever AfterWind in My HairMore of MeFriendship SongListen UpI've Got ThisLet Me Make You ProudSet Yourself FreeReady As I'll Ever BeNext Stop, AnywhereIf I Could Take That Moment BackView From Up HereHook Foot's BalladBuddyWaiting in the WingsLivin' the DreamWith You by My SideEverything I Ever Thought I KnewCrossing the LineStronger Than Ever BeforeBigger Than ThatThe Girl Who Has EverythingNothing Left to LoseThrough It AllI'd Give Anything
Deleted: What More Could I Ever Need

Objects
Rapunzel's Frying PanSundrop FlowerRapunzel's Magic HairRapunzel's CrownLanternsRapunzel's JournalBlack RocksDemanitus DeviceAttitude-Reversing PotionAutomatonRapunzel's CaravanIdol of VershaftsbezeigungengienThe Graphtic ScrollMoonstone Opal
See Also
As Told by EmojiLorbs
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