- Mary, Mary (song)
-
"Mary, Mary" Single by Run-D.M.C. from the album Tougher Than Leather B-side Rock Box Released 1988 Format CD, Vinyl, Cassette Recorded 1987 Genre Hip hop Length 3:12 Label Profile Records Writer(s) Michael Nesmith Producer Rick Rubin, Run-D.M.C. Run-D.M.C. singles chronology "I'm Not Going Out Like That"
(1988)"Mary, Mary"
(1988)"Run's House"
(1988)"Mary, Mary" is a song written by Michael Nesmith. It was first recorded by The Butterfield Blues Band for their 1966 album, East-West. The Monkees, featuring Nesmith, would later record the song themselves. The rap group, Run-D.M.C., revived the song in the late 1980s with a cover version that hit the R&B and pop charts in the United States.
Contents
The Butterfield Blues Band version
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was the first group to record and release the song commercially, featured as a track on their 1966 album East-West. In addition to Butterfield, musicians to play on the track include Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop.[1]
The Monkees version
On July 25, 1966, Nesmith produced and recorded the song for the The Monkees at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Their version was released on the album More of the Monkees in 1967 and became a number five hit in Australia in 1968.
Personnel
- Lead and backing 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
Appearances on The Monkees
"Mary, Mary" was featured in five episodes of the television series, The Monkees, in 1966 and 1967.
- "I've Got a Little Song Here" (Airdate: November 28, 1966)
- "Find The Monkees" (Airdate: January 23, 1967)
- "The Prince & the Paupers" (Airdate: February 6, 1967)
- "Alias Micky Dolenz" (Airdate: March 6, 1967)
- "Monkees On Tour" (Airdate: April 24, 1967)
Run-D.M.C. version
Run-D.M.C. covered "Mary, Mary" in a rap rock version, and 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.
Track listing
- A-side
- "Mary, Mary" – 3:12
- B-side
- "Mary, Mary" (Instrumental) – 3:12
- "Rock Box" – 5:28
References
Run–D.M.C. DJ Run · D.M.C. · Jam-Master Jay Albums Run–D.M.C. · King of Rock · Raising Hell · Tougher Than Leather · Back from Hell · Down with the King · Crown RoyalCompilations Together Forever: Greatest Hits 1983-1991 · Greatest Hits · The Best of Run–DMC · Ultimate Run–D.M.C.Live albums Songs "It's like That" · "Hard Times" · "Rock Box" · "30 Days" · "King of Rock" · "You Talk Too Much" · "Can You Rock It Like This" · "My Adidas" · "Walk This Way" · "You Be Illin'" · "It's Tricky" · "Christmas in Hollis" · "I'm Not Going Out Like That" · "Mary, Mary" · "Run's House" · "Pause" · "What's It All About" · "Faces" · "Down with the King" · "Ooh, Whatcha Gonna Do"Related articles Discography · Run's House · Distortion · Checks Thugs and Rock N Roll · Def Jam · Russell Simmons Music GroupCategories:- 1966 songs
- 1988 singles
- The Monkees songs
- Run–D.M.C. songs
- Songs produced by Rick Rubin
- 1960s rock song stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.