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Songs My Mother Taught Me

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 676 ratings · 65 reviews

An honest, revealing self-portrait by the critically acclaimed, fiercely independent actor, discusses his early life, career, world travels, social activism, and profiles of friends, lovers, and professional colleagues.

Hardcover, 468 pages

Published January 26th 2011 by Modern Library (first published 1994)

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Sep 20, 2012 Abbe added it · review of another edition

Shelves: in-library

From Library Journal

The publisher reportedly paid $5 million for this book but expects to recoup its investment; after all, this will be the only Brando autobiography available. Lindsey, who authored the prize-winning The Falcon and the Snowman, also helped Ronald Reagan when he faced writer's block over his autobiography. A 500,000-copy first printing.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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When Marlon Brando, playing Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront, bemoaned the fact that he "

...more From Library Journal

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When Marlon Brando, playing Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront, bemoaned the fact that he "coulda been somebody," audiences hung onto his words, but according to Brando, the role "was actor-proof, a scene that demonstrated how audiences often do much of the acting themselves in an effectively told story. " Brando's evaluation of his acting and that of other celebrated actors, e.g., Olivier in Wuthering Heights, mark this rumination on his life. In his analysis of his films, from Streetcar to The Freshman, the master tries hard to demonstrate hubris and to provide public lessons. At the same time, he claims that luck, physical desires, and the need to make money motivate him. The book, which the publisher would not release in galleys, strikes the reader as a confession, an attempt to set the record straight, to circumvent "a carrion press that has an insatiable appetite for salaciousness and abhors being denied access to anyone, from pimps to presidents." Is it coincidence that Manso's unauthorized Brando and this book are being published a month apart? Whatever its raison d'{ˆ}etre, Songs My Mother Taught Me has much to offer. First, it's beautifully illustrated, beginning before the text with 24 pages of photographs covering Brando's early life, continuing with a number of well-placed photos documenting various film shoots, and concluding with 32 pages of photographs near the end. Brando's account of his early years rings true as he records the frailties of his alcoholic parents. His anecdotes about work and play are entertaining and memorable, and he addresses the many social causes he has championed. It's an interesting, albeit incomplete, work: according to coauthor Lindsey, Brando promised to "hide nothing . . . except his marriages and his children." (So many marriages, so many children.) Readers of Manso can't come here to find Brando's side of his marital troubles or the perplexing murder of his daughter's husband at the hands of his son. But they will find insight into the life of a man who was definitely a contender. Bonnie Smothers

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May 21, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Marlon Brando created a pretty fantastic narrative of his life. I recognized a lot of the anecdotes of life in the country growing up with alcoholic parents and his love of animals and nature from Last Tango in Paris and I see a lot of compassion and humanity in his writing. He always aligned himself with causes and people he saw were disenfranchised, like his appreciation for everything he learned from working with the Black Panthers in Oakland and later, Native Americans in SOuth Dakota and Wa...more

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Aug 21, 2011 Aly (Fantasy4eva) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies, oh-how-the-heart-flutters

Oh I am a big Marlon Brando fan but he's always been such a mystery to me. And for a long time knowing that there was a bio written by him was just enough. The thought of reading it one day was enough. But recently I decided that I had waited long enough. I needed to break the ice and really know this man.

Marlon Brando was something else. Close to fearless, conniving, even cruel but so complex. He had countless women fawning over him, but for some reason he never treated them all that well. Ther...more Oh I am a big Marlon Brando fan but he's always been such a mystery to me. And for a long time knowing that there was a bio written by him was just enough. The thought of reading it one day was enough. But recently I decided that I had waited long enough. I needed to break the ice and really know this man.

Marlon Brando was something else. Close to fearless, conniving, even cruel but so complex. He had countless women fawning over him, but for some reason he never treated them all that well. There's a lot of psychological issues that go into his issues with women, but I think these issues made him weary and never really allowed him to fall in love or open himself up completely.

He was ridiculously beautiful in his prime, dangerously charming and a man that was no stranger to getting what he wanted. He despised acting, the very thing that made the world fall in love with him, and in a way, he seemed to resent that love. A very complicated man indeed.

As a child he had a very troubled relationship with his father which would continue in his later years. He was man who adored his mother despite not being much of a mother to him in the first place. She might just be the only person he ever truly loved. Marlon Brando is no farce. He's every inch of what the public see. Extremely witty , sarcastic and mysterious. Attributes that made him irresistible. He has always been rebellious. Examples come to mind when he rode a motorbike in school and got expelled. Yup. Figure Marlon Brando to do just that.

He talks about those affairs, friends and those he disliked, some more discreetly than others, but one thing he does not talk about are any of his wives and his children. I respect him for it.

Even when I think of his story I can't help but smile. He was a you - see - what - you - get and don't - fuck - with - me kind of guy. What makes this book so memorable is his distinctive voice. Marlon seems too look back on life with a lot of humour. Sure at times the bitterness creeps up in his voice but there's a lot of happiness, irony and good times there. He lived life the way he wanted to. There's no denying that. He was one of the first actors who didn't compromise, who wasn't pushed around but stood his ground. He was a tough guy and a hell of a actor. That made him one heck of a commodity. Let's just say Marlon Brando is not a legend without reason.(less)

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Apr 18, 2012 Bart rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book contributes little to the world's large and unsatisfying trove of literature on motion picture's greatest actor, but at least it is good enough to give a reader hints of its inspired mediocrity throughout. It never pretends it is going to say very much new about its subject, and best of all, its subject announces in its opening pages that his memory is unreliable and much of what he believes happened probably didn't. It's a curious and altogether honest introduction to a book that repo...more This book contributes little to the world's large and unsatisfying trove of literature on motion picture's greatest actor, but at least it is good enough to give a reader hints of its inspired mediocrity throughout. It never pretends it is going to say very much new about its subject, and best of all, its subject announces in its opening pages that his memory is unreliable and much of what he believes happened probably didn't. It's a curious and altogether honest introduction to a book that reports a large number of events that likely didn't happen.

Too, Marlon Brando's contempt for movie-making and acting is somewhat refreshing. He does not regard his profession as a very important one. He admits quite casually that he knew exactly what he was doing when he left the stage for the movie set: He was pursuing a quicker buck. Brando's most refreshing concession of all might be this one:

If I had wanted to be a great actor, I agree that I should have played Hamlet, but I never had that goal or interest. (p. 214)

Brando does not take acting seriously as an art form, and yet he was, by most appraisals, its most influential American practitioner. What to do with the millions who have pursued the craft since Brando and not been good as him at it? Why, declare them avaricious idiots, of course:

In Hollywood they congratulate you on your ability to transfer currency from the pockets of the audience to theirs because that's their only measure of success. Any picture that makes money, no matter how stupid, vulgar, childish or inane, is embraced as a triumph. (p. 422)

This is not an original commentary, but it is an amusing one because of its source. Brando saves what he considers original thoughts for things like the plight of Native Americans and the importance of psychotherapy and advances in DNA mapping. It's weightless stuff, cliche-riddled and airheaded, but sincere from start to finish. Brando's greater concern for these ideas than his profession says lots about him, and maybe even a little about how mysterious genius can be to a genius. True genius, of course, is distinct from IQ; it is a creative component that touches few but inspires many. Brando was not a very bright man, but he may well have been a genius.

There are better treatments of Brando out there. And worse ones too.(less)

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Sep 09, 2011 Justin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Being a man in the public eye is no small feat, and legendary Golden Age actor Marlon Brando makes this clear within the first few pages. He informs his reader that over the years he's been subjected to many tell-all books and biographies from various past acquaintances and authors, also adding different pieces to his life story as they seem fit. Then what Brando does is tell his story. His true story. And he does so in a brilliantly modest way, (very much down-playing his two Best Actor Oscars...more

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May 08, 2013 Sweetbearies rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anyone who likes Marlon Brando will enjoy this candid, but not overly explicit memoir. I think the parts I enjoyed the most were his talk about working on the set of Mutiny on the Bounty, and later buying the island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia. Brando also talks about his home life as a boy, and probably the most touching story is how he just wanted his family to write him when he was sent to a military academy a teen. The part where he describes burying the class bell is quite hilarious as...more

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Oct 11, 2011 Pierre Barroso rated it 4 of 5 stars

Brando takes you to his deepest corners!

The book is pleasant to read because it is simple in its nature. It does not try to fascinate you directly with exaggerated expressions. The first chapters could in fact be considered boring or very dramatic too. In the early pages Marlon describes his childhood. The troubles he had to cope with being a son of an alcoholic father. This part of the book seems rather sad and dramatic, but it is narrowed with great empathy and understanding.

The book gets mo...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Kevin Bigley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Marlon Brando has been referred to as the “old bull at the end of the road” by many of his friends. He’s a tough safe to crack; an intimidating beast who beckons you to try and figure him out. He’s a master manipulator, and says what he wants to either get his way, or see how you react. He’s an interesting cat. Why should his autobiography be any different?
Truth be told, Mr. Brando can hold a reader’s attention on a variety of subjects: acting, sex, stalkers, God/religion, Tahiti, the plight of...more Marlon Brando has been referred to as the “old bull at the end of the road” by many of his friends. He’s a tough safe to crack; an intimidating beast who beckons you to try and figure him out. He’s a master manipulator, and says what he wants to either get his way, or see how you react. He’s an interesting cat. Why should his autobiography be any different?
Truth be told, Mr. Brando can hold a reader’s attention on a variety of subjects: acting, sex, stalkers, God/religion, Tahiti, the plight of the American Indian, biology, Apes, food, boxing, pig/raccoon intelligence, Civil Rights, free diving; the list goes on and on (it really does). I’m not so sure that this is a book about his life as much as it is a book about life in general, and as he says “the gift that age gives an old man”. He looks back on life, drifting in and out of films he did, telling depressing stories about his childhood, and hilarious run ins like calling President Kennedy a fat ass.
Self-admittedly, he suffers from a want to be loved. He was deprived of a “normal childhood”, his parents were heavy drinkers and indifferent towards him. He was a rebellious child, and a theme of searching for acceptance and love is established. The letters he wrote his parents as a child, when he was sent away to military school, are heart breaking. The theme of leading a loveless life lingers throughout his book. He’s never been satisfied with his career or his personal life, that is of course, with exception to living on Teti’aroa (his island in Tahiti).
Brando is a student of humanity, and his opinions on life and human nature are very perceptive and entertaining. Much has been made about his anger towards Hollywood and the acting world, but it’s cleared up here. He gets caught up in stories of himself on set, and in preparation for roles. At points he almost gets lost in his stories of acting, and goes into great detail of his preparation and tactics when taking on a role, which is very interesting. However, manipulative Brando always comes out at the end, saying things like “I hated On the Waterfront”, or “I couldn’t sit through the Godfather”, but the cracks of his manipulation reveal little truth to these statements. His love for the people in his life, and the good times he spent on set are clear indications of his being content with his career choice. And while it’s true when he says “I’ve never caught the acting bug”, he still takes pride in his performances and has strong opinions of his fellow actors and their performances.
Many chapters are dedicated to his involvement in Civil Rights. He was one of the very first liberal H-Wood stars to dedicate time and passion to various movements. Sometimes the reader forgets who’s writing because of Brando’s eloquent writing style and his knowledge of the subjects that he speaks on. He has his share of tangents, but they are all well-deserved and interesting to listen to.
In many ways, the Hollywood stories alone are worth it. He tells of his affairs with Marilyn Monroe, and parties with James Dean. He gives an analysis of Coppola’s directing process, Kazan’s deeds in the McCarthy trials, and what he thought about the very trouble Monty Clift. Hijinks and pranks are detailed as well.
All in all, this book resembles Cash by Johnny Cash, in that it lends the feeling of sitting on a porch listen to an old man talk about his life. I absolutely loved this book, in fact, it’s now one of my favorites. A truly funny, sad, and entertaining look into one of the world’s most interesting people. That is… if any of it is even true. Who knows, Brando could be lying about the whole f-ing thing, but I’ll choose to take the path of ignorance; like the mother who finds out her kids don’t believe in Santa Clause anymore: “I don’t care. I still want to play the game. I’m still putting ‘From Santa’ on your presents.” Bravo, Marlon.
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Sep 23, 2009 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am so glad I read this book. I was disenchanted with Brando after reading another biography- that author painted him out as crazy. And it wasn't really a biography, but more a set of interviews. This was an autobiography that revealed a lot about Brando. Unless he was lying the whole time. But it made me understand WHY he said the weird things he did in the other book. This one is highly recommended. Brando deserves a lot more credit than people give him as a human being. I'd hate being a cele...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Phyllis added it

Quite good. He spoke openly about his childhood and I was touched by his warm feelings for his sisters and his longing for love from his parents. I like to hear actors I'm interested in talk about their work and co-workers. Not in a gossipy way but in a way that gives you more insight into the movie in question. Brando does some of that, but I would have liked much more. For example, what led to his choices in his performance of Fletcher Christian. He writes frequently of his social conscience a...more

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May 21, 2011 Trevor rated it 4 of 5 stars

The reason I liked this book so much is Brando's honesty,he gives the reader plenty of reasons to loathe him but also so much more to admire.It is as true a biography as I have ever read (I would assume).No person is a saint and nobody is a sinner we all exist somewhere in between the two,this book has helped me understand where Brando the man lies in this spectrum and how he has brought these aspects of himself to his films.It must be taken that into account that this is Brando's version of his...more

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Apr 14, 2008 Tom rated it 4 of 5 stars

I guess some people would Brando a "typical Hollywood liberal", but if he is that, he was so before it was fashionable to be one... and in fact was one at a time when it was dangerous to be labeled so (during the time of the McCarthy witch hunts).

A serious advocate for civil rights in the 1960s and Indian rights in the 70s; Brando was deeply involved with far left extremists in those decades... including the Black Panthers and the American Indian Movement. These involvements may have labeled him...more

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Jan 07, 2009 Venessa rated it 3 of 5 stars

You always have to wonder if what you're reading in auto-biographies and biographies are true. Brando decided to write this to counteract all of the supposedly false biographies of him out there. He certainly doesn't paint himself as a saint in this book, but I still take it all with a grain of salt.

That said, it's a good read which focuses mainly on his movie career and his involvement with AIM and other activist groups. He certainly shows his ego in terms of his looks in this book, but he's a...more

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Nov 25, 2009 Allen rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone

Recommended to Allen by: Found it in a used book store

This was a great read. From start to finish it was like sitting down with Brando, and having him talk about his life. He didn't discuss his kids, but he told all in every other way possible. You learn things about other actors, and he gives you info about the plight of the American Indians. But he isn't preaching and everything is written in a candid and interesting way. So many surprises in his book. A must read for people that like Hollywood back stories and anyone that likes a good autobiogra...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Zaki rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you ever notice Marlon Brando speaking in films he mumbles and mutters and slurs his words rather than in the style of an elocution school. People speak like that in ordinary life.

In ordinary life people rarely know exactly what they're going to say when they open their mouths and start to express a thought. They're still thinking, and the fact that they are looking for words shows on their faces. They pause for an instant to find the right word, search their minds to compose a sentence, then...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Sonia rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography-memoirs

I was very disappointed in this book. I didn't learn anything new or interesting about Marlon Brando. It seems that his entire life purpose was to be a drinker and womanizer. Not much substance, I didn't finish it.

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Mar 22, 2012 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love Marlon Brando. I would anticipate and expect hubris from him. I would be let down if he wasn't unapologetically himself...but it's also not the best trait in an autobiographer....just sayin'!

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Jul 12, 2011 Karen rated it 2 of 5 stars

I read this such a long time ago that I don't remember a lot about it. He had an interesting and head strong life.

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Jan 08, 2010 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very interesting look into Marlon Brando's life. I recomend this book if you have liked Brando in any movie.

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Jun 08, 2012 Matt Lehotzky rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of my favorite actors. Great read and I loved learning abouthim from his perspective.

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Jul 27, 2010 Acorn Public Library rated it 4 of 5 stars

A rewarding--if sometimes agonizingly taciturn--look into the life of a fascinating man.

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Dec 17, 2008 Andy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Poorly written and full of what comes across as disingenuous self analysis.

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Jan 07, 2011 Jessica Rios rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love Marlon Brando. He was nuts and wrote like it. Awesome.

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Jul 31, 2012 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

He cast himself in rather a rosy light for my tastes.

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Jul 19, 2012 Cameron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Among other things, I loved the story about broccoli...

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Apr 07, 2009 Emily rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I love anything Marlon Brando...except this book.

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Aug 22, 2012 Lakshmi rated it 4 of 5 stars

A must read book for all Brando Fans

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Feb 23, 2012 Petter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great book about the best actor ever!

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Sep 10, 2009 Sarah rated it 1 of 5 stars

I don't normally read autobiographies about actors/actresses/singers, etc. I am hoping that this might give some insite into who he was and what made him the social activist he was.

Now that I have finished this book, I am a bit disappointed. I guess I would have preferred not to know anything about him, than to know that he was a womanizer and a drinker. Not a lot of insite to his live, I won't bother with autobiographies anymore of actors/singers/etc.

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Jul 08, 2009 Nancy added it

Learned a lot about the author

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About Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Brando was one of only three professional actors, along with Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe, named by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Persons of the Century in 1999.

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Quotes from Songs My Mother Taught Me

“I had to read Wuthering Heights for English and I never enjoyed a book in all my life as much as that one.” — 15 people liked it

“I have decided to tell the story of my life as best I can, so that my children can separate the truth from the myths that others have created about me, as myths are created about everyone swept up in the turbulent and distorting maelstrom of celebrity in our culture.” — 3 people liked it

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