music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Along Comes Mary" is a song composed by Tandyn Almer, originally recorded in 1966 by American sunshine pop band the Association.[4] It was the group's first hit, released on their debut album, And Then... Along Comes the Association (1966).

"Along Comes Mary"
Single by the Association
from the album And Then... Along Comes the Association
B-side	"Your Own Love"
Released	March 1966[1]
Recorded	1966
Genre	Sunshine pop[2]
Length	2:45
Label	Valiant
Songwriter(s)	Tandyn Almer
Producer(s)	Curt Boettcher[3]
The Association singles chronology
"One Too Many Mornings" (1966) "Along Comes Mary" (1966) "Cherish" (1966)

Background

"Along Comes Mary" is sung from the point of view of a once-disillusioned young man talking about the "tribulations no one ever sees" and who "curse[s] those faults in me." The singer believes Mary gives him comfort and improves his life. An acquaintance of Almer claimed in an interview that "Mary" refers to marijuana, though it is unclear if Almer ever confirmed this.[5] In the Young People's Concert titled What Is a Mode? Leonard Bernstein explained that the song was composed in the Dorian mode.[6]

Charts

Chart (1966)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[7]	7

Bloodhound Gang version

"Along Comes Mary"
Single by Bloodhound Gang
from the album Hooray for Boobies
Released	May 24, 1999 (1999-05-24)[8]
Length	3:20
Label	Jimmy Franks Geffen
Composer(s)	Jimmy Pop
Lyricist(s)	Tandyn Almer
Producer(s)	Jimmy Pop
Bloodhound Gang singles chronology
"Why's Everybody Always Pickin' on Me?" (1997) "Along Comes Mary" (1999) "The Bad Touch" (1999)
Music video
"Along Comes Mary" on YouTube

American rock band Bloodhound Gang recorded a version of "Along Comes Mary" with new punk music to accompany the lyrics. It first appeared on the 1998 soundtrack to the film Half Baked[9] before appearing on Bloodhound Gang's third studio album, Hooray for Boobies, the following year. "Along Comes Mary" was released as the album's first single in May 1999 and reached No. 5 in Austria, No. 6 in Germany, and No. 13 in Switzerland. The song was certified gold in both Austria and Germany.

Charts

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[15]	Gold	25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[16]	Gold	250,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other covers

In 1966, Hugh Masekela included the song on his album Hugh Masekela's Next Album, and in 1967, Cal Tjader covered it for his album Along Comes Cal.[17] That same year, Baja Marimba Band's had a minor hit with their cover of the song.[18] In 1968, George Benson included a version on his album Giblet Gravy,[19] and in 1986 a cover appeared on R. Stevie Moore's album Glad Music.[20] In 1995, the Manhattan Transfer covered the song for their album Tonin',[21] and the following year, 24-7 Spyz covered it for their album 6.[22] In 2005, a cover of the song appeared on the Guess Who's compilation album Let's Go,[23] and Plainsong also released a cover on their self-titled album.[24]

See also

• List of recordings of songs Hal Blaine has played on

References

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