Mary, Mary (song)
Released 1968
Recorded Monday July 25, 1966 at Western Recorders Hollywood
Genre Rock
Writer(s) Michael Nesmith
Producer(s) Michael Nesmith
“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.
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. No songwriter credit is listed for “Mary, Mary” on East-West
The Monkees version
On July 25, 1966, Nesmith produced and recorded the song for The Monkees at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Micky Dolenz sang lead, and Mike 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 and became a number five hit in Australia in 1968.
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