Mary’s enduring popularity is evident in the numerous songs that bear her name, written and performed by a diverse range of popular artists and bands. While some of these songs may be inspired by a specific individual or event associated with someone named Mary, the name itself remains a timeless muse for musicians. Here is a curated list of 20 such songs that feature Mary in their titles.
Contents
- 1. “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
- 2. “Take a Message to Mary” by Everly Brothers
- 3. “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix
- 4. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
- 5. “Mary, Don’t You Weep” by Aretha Franklin
- 6. “Sweet Lady Mary” by Faces
- 7. “Mary” by Kings of Leon
- 8. “Mary Long” by Deep Purple
- 9. “Now Mary” by The White Stripes
- 10. “Cross Eyed Mary” by Jethro Tull
- 11. “The Thoughts Of Mary Jane” by Nick Drake
- 12. “Mary Of The Wild Moor” by Johnny Cash
- 13. “Mary Goes ‘Round” by Mr. Big
- 14. “Mary from the Dairy” by Max Miller
- 15. “Cousin Mary” by John Coltrane
- 16. “Mary of Silence” by Mazzy Star
- 17. “Old Mary” by The Dead Weather
- 18. “Blind Mary” by Gnarls Barkley
- 19. “Ave Mary A” by P!nk
- 20. “If My Mary Were Here” by Harry Chapin
1. “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
In this popular song from John Fogerty and the Creedence Clearwater Revival was a single. It debuted on their second album, Bayou Country. The song made its debut during the late 1960’s. It was a success. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Due to the fact that the song was popular, numerous cover versions has been made. The song is about a washerwoman called Mary.
2. “Take a Message to Mary” by Everly Brothers
Take a Message to Mary was released by The Everly Brothers during the late 1950’s. This song was popular enough to spend 13 weeks on the Billboard list. It also reached the top 10 spot on the Canada CHUM Hit Parade list. The song’s story is about a man thrown into jail for doing a crime. Since jail is a unpleasant experience, the man wasn’t looking to forward to suffering. He decided to contact a friend to deliver a important message to the love of his life. The love of his life was named Mary.
3. “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most iconic guitarists in music history. This song was during the late 1960’s in United States and United Kingdom. The song was conceived by Hendrix after he had a disagreement with Kathy Etchingham. Kathy was noted for being involved in the swinging London music scene. The name of Mary is the middle name of Kathy Etchingham. The song had a lasting legacy. Although Jimi originally created the song, other artists have recorded the song. Jamie Cullum, Richie Sambora, Sting, and John Mayer are some of the artists that have covered this Hendrix song.
4. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
This popular song was released on a Greatest Hits album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The song was successful since it was able to get on board on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is about an Indiana girl on an Indiana night. Originally, the song was called “Indiana Girl” but Tom Petty didn’t feel like singing a song about Indiana Girl. As a result of this, he changed the song to where it is now. The song was released on a popular music video. The music video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video. The video had a dead woman played by actress Kim Basinger.
5. “Mary, Don’t You Weep” by Aretha Franklin
Mary Don’t You Weep is a Christian spiritual song that appeared on Aretha Franklin’s album Amazing Grace. The song is centered on Mary of Bethany. She is shown in the Gospel of John. In the song, Mary pleaded with Jesus to return her beloved brother from the dead. The brother name was Lazarus.
6. “Sweet Lady Mary” by Faces
This song was seen on the second album from the group, Faces. The album came out in the late 1970’s. The song was sung as a beautiful ballad by Ron Stewart, Ronnie Lane, and Ronnie Wood.
7. “Mary” by Kings of Leon
This popular song is showed on the album, Come Around Sundown. The album is from Kings of Leon. It was released in 2010. Due to its success, the album was nominated for Best Rock Album by the Grammys. The song is about marriage. It was particularly about one of the band members moving out of the house and embarked on the journey that is marriage.
8. “Mary Long” by Deep Purple
Mary Long was created out of the issues that the band saw with religion. The song is found on their album, Who Do We Think We Are. It was released in 1973.
9. “Now Mary” by The White Stripes
This song is found on the White Blood Cells album from the retired musical group of The White Stripes. It was released in 2001. The song is about a man meeting a woman named Mary. The man disappoints Mary. He thinks that things are good between them but he isn’t certain.
10. “Cross Eyed Mary” by Jethro Tull
Cross-Eyed Mary is a progressive rock song from the band Jethro Tull. It was released in 1971. The song is about a prostitute whom is also a schoolgirl. She enjoys the company of older men over her fellow classmates.
11. “The Thoughts Of Mary Jane” by Nick Drake
This song is found on the album Five Leaves Left. It is from Nick Drake. The song is about a woman named Mary and Drake’s failed attempts at understanding what Mary is thinking.
12. “Mary Of The Wild Moor” by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash performed this song on his album named American III: Solitary Man. The song was released in 2000. The song is an old Folk song that is performed as a ballad.
13. “Mary Goes ‘Round” by Mr. Big
Mary Goes �Round is performed by Mr. Big. The song was from the album, Actual Size. The song is about a woman named Mary. She has fallen from grace and tries to have a more positive outlook on life. However, Mary will never be happy in the end.
14. “Mary from the Dairy” by Max Miller
This is a comical song from the funny mind of Max Miller. Miller is a British comedian. The song is about Miller who falls for a woman named Mary. This song became of the Miller’s popular songs.
15. “Cousin Mary” by John Coltrane
Cousin Mary is from an album called Giant Steps. It was released on 1960. The album is noted as one of most unique albums of all time. The song Cousin Mary is named after John Coltrane’s younger cousin. The cousin name was Mary.
16. “Mary of Silence” by Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star crafted this song for the album So Tonight That I Might See. The album debuted in the early 1990’s. Some of the lyrics can be referred to the Virgin Mary due to the fact that it has the lyrics of “Oh Mary of Silence.” This is due to the fact that the Virgin Mary statues that are seen in Catholic churches have a slight smile to them.
17. “Old Mary” by The Dead Weather
The Dead Weather created this song for their album Sea of Cowards. The song is about the state of mankind. It is also about the destructive nature of pollution and it has religious undertones to it.
18. “Blind Mary” by Gnarls Barkley
The Odd Couple was a album by Gnarls Barkley. On the album, there is a song called Blind Mary. The song is about someone whom can love their own Mary in their lives with unconditional love.
19. “Ave Mary A” by P!nk
Ave Mary A is from the Funhouse album by P!nk. The song is about the issues that are affecting today’s world. The song is about a woman named Ave Mary and her concerns with the world going crazy.
20. “If My Mary Were Here” by Harry Chapin
This song is from the On The Road To Kingdom Come album by Harry Chapin. The song was released in 1976. The song is about a man whom has a woman named Mary in his life. Mary is the one thing that brought peace into his life. Since she is now gone, the man feel lost without her.
Each of these songs by artists from Johnny Cash to Jimi Hendrix have the name Mary in them. Some of them are about love. Others are about dealing with the chaos of today’s world. These songs are a reflection of the musical talents that have graced our souls for several years.
Some of these songs will stand the test of time. Mary have always been a very popular name given its rich history. It was always helpful to look back on how the name Mary is used in these songs. They’re good songs to play when you’re thinking of someone.
