The song "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" by the Jackson 5 tells the story of a son discovering the truth about his late father. The song reflects on the day the father passed away, leaving the family with a sense of abandonment and longing for answers. The son admits to never really knowing his father, as he never had the chance to see him and only heard negative things about him. He turns to his mother, relying on her to provide him with the truth about his father. Unfortunately, the mother can only lower her head in sadness and confess that the father was indeed a wandering figure. The lyrics describe the father as a "rolling stone," suggesting that he was always on the move, never settling down. Regardless of where he laid his hat, that became his temporary home. The father's lack of stability is portrayed as contributing to his inability to provide a stable presence in the lives of his family. When he passed away, all he left behind was a sense of loneliness and abandonment. As the son continues to question his mother, rumors about his father's behavior start to surface. People say he never worked a day in his life and had several children outside of his marriage. There are even reports of him preaching but using religion as a means to exploit others. The son desperately seeks the truth from his mother, hoping to find some redeeming qualities in his father. However, his mother can only confirm the rumors, leaving the son disappointed once again. The song suggests that the father's reckless behavior and obsession with pleasure led to his own demise. People say he would do anything, including begging, borrowing, and stealing, to pay his bills. He was known for his promiscuity and excessive drinking, neglecting his responsibilities. In the end, the son realizes that his father's choices and actions ultimately left the family feeling alone and abandoned. The song serves as a reflection on the impact of a father's absence and the consequences of his reckless lifestyle on those left behind.
