It wasn’t one of The Monkees‘ big hits, mainly because it wasn’t released as a single. But “Mary, Mary” still gets plenty of spins in oldies radio formats and playlists. Plus, the song enjoyed exposure in different versions, which came out both before and after The Monkees released their take in 1967.
What is the song about? What separated it from most of the other popular songs by the band at the time? And who else did versions of the song? Let’s dive into the story of “Mary, Mary,” in all its permutations.
Monkees’ Business
Despite the enormous success they enjoyed from almost the minute they started releasing records thanks to the platform their unique situation afforded them, the four men in The Monkees never felt all that comfortable with the setup. They were all musicians, so the idea that they were a manufactured band who weren’t expected to play on their records rubbed them the wrong way.
A power struggle eventually developed between the band and the group’s handlers, specifically Don Kirshner, the musical impresario largely responsible for assembling them for the mega-popular television show featuring their wacky, fictional exploits. In particular, Michael Nesmith, who was already an accomplished songwriter at the time he joined the band, expressed his dissatisfaction.
“Mary, Mary” showed that others believed in Nesmith as a writer. Before The Monkees had a chance to record the song, it was given to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. That take on the song is a bit of an oddity, as it got caught a bit between the song’s pop roots and the Butterfield band’s attempts to adapt it for their bluesy style.
The Monkees did get a chance to record the song, although it was still a bit of a compromise. It was a positive for them that at least they were doing a Nesmith original, since most of the rest of their material was handled by writers-for-hire. Still, even though The Monkees’ version is extremely catchy and likely would have been a hit, “Mary, Mary” wasn’t chosen by band management as a single.
In addition, the band still was relegated to being barely more than bit players. Micky Dolenz handled the lead vocals, and Peter Tork was one of the guitarists on the track. But for the most part, session aces handled the music, with a lineup including legends like James Burton, Glen Campbell, Larry Knechtel, and Hal Blaine.
“Mary, Mary” did turn out to be a single many years down the road, although, again, it came via a drastically different version than The Monkees’ original. That’s when Run DMC sampled the song’s rhythm and Dolenz’s vocals, added their own flow, and released it as a single from their 1987 album Tougher than Leather.
What is the Meaning of “Mary, Mary”?
“Mary, Mary” takes the form of a plea from a guy who’s desperately trying to win the titular character back. His main problem is he’s not sure what it was that caused her to split: What did I do to make you leave me? Whatever it was I didn’t mean to.
The casual, rhythmic flow of Nesmith’s lyrics make it seem like this guy isn’t losing his cool, even as he makes promises of fidelity to this wayward girl: The one thing I will vow ya / I’d rather die than to live without ya. In the bridge, he lets her know that he’s just about had it with the chase: I’ve done more than a clear-thinkin’ man would do.
The Monkees would eventually gain full control of their recordings as the ‘60s progressed. Consider “Mary, Mary,” a song coveted by other artists at the time and many years down the road, a small step in that direction.
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