Mary, Mary (song)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?"--"Mary, Mary" (1966) by The Monkees |
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"Mary, Mary" is a song written by Michael Nesmith and first recorded by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band for their 1966 album, East-West. Nesmith's band, the Monkees, later recorded it for More of the Monkees (1967).
The song was made into a hit by Run-DMC in 1988 and sampled by De La Soul in 1989.
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The Butterfield Blues Band
In 1966, Elektra Records, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's record company, was entering the singles market with new rock acts Love and the Doors. Hoping that Butterfield would produce a hit, Elektra arranged an extended stay and recording sessions for the group in Los Angeles during the summer of 1966.
The Monkees
On July 25, 1966, Nesmith produced and recorded the song for the Monkees at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Micky Dolenz sang lead, and Nesmith used the crack group of session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew to beef up their sound, including; James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Michael Deasy and Larry Knechtel. Their version was released on the album More of the Monkees in 1967.
The Monkees' "Mary Mary" was not released as a single in the USA in the 1960s, although it was given away as a cut-out cereal box prize in 1969.
Personnel
- Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
- Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Michael Deasy, and Don Peake
- Piano: Michael Cohen
- Bass: Larry Knechtel and Bob West
- Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon
- Percussion: Cary Coleman
Run-D.M.C. version
Run-D.M.C. covered "Mary, Mary" in a rap rock version. It was released as a single from their fourth album, Tougher Than Leather, in 1988. It was released by Profile Records and produced by the group along with Rick Rubin. It was their most successful single from the album, being the only one to make it to the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 75, and peaking at number 29 on the Hot Black Singles chart.
Run-D.M.C. changed the line "Mary, Mary, where ya' goin' to" to "Mary, Mary, why ya' buggin'". Although Run-D.M.C. replaced Michael Nesmith's original lyrics with a new set of lyrics of their own, Nesmith was the only writer credited on Run-D.M.C.'s single. Run-D.M.C.'s version samples Micky Dolenz singing the title from the Monkees' recording.
