Mary, Mary

"Mary, Mary" is a song written by Michael Nesmith. It was first recorded by The Butterfield's Blues Band for their 1966 album, East-West. Nesmith's band, The Monkees, 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. Run-D.M.C. covered "Mary, Mary" in a rap rock version and was released as a single from their fourth album, Tougher Than Leather in 1988. It was released by Profile Records and was 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.

[Intro: The Monkees sample & Run-D.M.C.] “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’? “Mary, Mary!” I need ya huggin’ [Verse 1: Run] Had a fly girl Flo, called her honey Next thing she spent up all my money Had me in debt, you and your girl’s dizzy Stopped movin’ crack, but you’re still gettin’ pissy You could call me everyday God sent Like you was Lois Lane and I was Clark Kent I spend and I spend and you spent and you spent Now my house with a mouse is a roach with a tent [Bridge: The Monkees sample & Run-D.M.C.] “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’? “Mary, Mary!” I need ya huggin’ [Verse 2: D.M.C.] Mary-Mary-Mary, you cold thumb suckin’ Lookin’ for you, but you keep duckin’ I wanna find you, I gotta tell you somethin’ So just be quiet and don’t say (Nuttin’) Mary-Mary-Mary, why you out there stuntin’? Supposed to be with me, but not you’re frontin’ We started out new, you used to be true Now you’re buggin’, what’s wrong with you? [Bridge: The Monkees sample & Run-D.M.C.] “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’? “Mary, Mary!” I need ya huggin’ [Verse 3: Run, (D.M.C.)] Now! This girl Mary I knew so well I met her on the road in a fly hotel High on the heels and never failed (Clubs and the pubs is where she dwelled) Story about Mary was well to tell She seemed to scheme for a dream to sell She spent a night locked in a cell I knew Mary well cause she “Raising Hell” [Bridge: The Monkees sample & Run-D.M.C.] “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’? “Mary, Mary!” I need ya huggin’ [Verse 4: D.M.C.] It’s not Mary who was quite contrary Talkin’ bout Mary who was always in a hurry The things she needed were necessary She did not need, a busted cherry True and blue just like a blueberry Ask if she’s crazy and I’ll say very Livin’ in a house that’s out on the prairie I worry about Mary, cause Mary is scary [Outro: The Monkees sample & Run-D.M.C.] “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’? “Mary, Mary!” I need ya huggin’ “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’? “Mary, Mary!” I need ya huggin’ “Mary, Mary!” Why ya buggin’?