Mary, Mary

Album: Tougher Than Leather (1988)
Charted: 86 75
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a rap reworking of the 1967 Monkees song "Mary Mary," with completely different verse lyrics and a big change in the chorus. The original goes:

    Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
    Mary, Mary, can I go too?


    Run-DMC made it:

    Mary, Mary, why you buggin?
    Mary, Mary, I need your huggin


    The Monkees used the song five times in their TV series, which ran from 1966-1968. Their version wasn't a big hit, so many of Run-DMC's fans didn't know about it when they released their version 21 years later.
  • In the song, Mary is what Wayne and Garth would call a psycho hosebeast. Details are limited, but we learn that she went to jail and lives on the prairie. The story is secondary to the wordplay with Run-DMC's rappers (Run and DMC) showing off their microphone skills with lots of "mary" rhymes like contrary, cherry, scary and blueberry.
  • Directed by Jon Small, the music video opens with a scene where Mary Mary is the leader of a group called "Women Against Rock" who are protesting a Run-DMC concert. She stops the show, but gets pulled on stage and starts having fun - she even does some crowd surfing!

    Mary is played by Tommy Koenig, who was in episodes of Miami Vice and Boston Legal.
  • "Mary, Mary" was the second single from Run-DMC's 1988 album Tougher Than Leather, the follow-up to their 1986 groundbreaking album Raising Hell. Tougher Than Leather has the group's familiar beats and flows, but there was a lot more competition, with DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and Tone Loc making very accessible rap music and N.W.A leading the way with gangsta rap. Run-DMC had a secure legacy by this time, but their new material didn't have as much impact. The album's first single, "Run's House," didn't chart; "Mary, Mary" stalled at #75.
  • By the time Run-DMC released this song in 1988, The Monkees were reunited and back on tour. Their revival started in 1986 when MTV re-aired the TV series, introducing the group to a new audience.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.