Along Comes Mary

For the TV episode, see Along Comes Mary (Pretty Little Liars).

"Along Comes Mary" is a song composed by Tandyn Almer, originally recorded by American sunshine pop band the Association.^[7] It was the group's first hit, released in March 1966 as the lead single prior to their debut album, And Then... Along Comes the Association, which appeared in July.^[8]

"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][2]
Genre	Folk rock[3] soft rock[4] sunshine pop[5]
Length	2:45
Label	Valiant
Songwriter(s)	Tandyn Almer
Producer(s)	Curt Boettcher[6]
The Association singles chronology
"One Too Many Mornings" (1965) "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. Both Leonard Bernstein^[9] and Tandyn Almer stated that Mary was a reference to marijuana; this association was also prevalent among many of the song's listeners.^[10] In the Young People's Concert titled What Is a Mode? Leonard Bernstein explained that the song was composed in the Dorian mode.^[11]

Charts

Chart (1966)	Peak position
CAN RPM[12]	8
US Billboard Hot 100[13]	7
US Cashbox Top 100[14]	9
US Record World Singles Chart[15]	10

Bloodhound Gang version

"Along Comes Mary"
Single by Bloodhound Gang
from the album Hooray for Boobies
B-side	"I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks" "Fire Water Burn"
Released	May 24, 1999 (1999-05-24)[16]
Genre	Hard rock[17]
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^[18] 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

Weekly charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[19]	5
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[20]	22
Germany (GfK)[16]	6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21]	13

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22]	27
Germany (Media Control)[23]	23

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[24]	Gold	25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[25]	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.^[26] That same year, Baja Marimba Band's had a minor hit with their cover of the song.^[27] In 1968, George Benson included a version on his album Giblet Gravy,^[28] and in 1986 a cover appeared on R. Stevie Moore's album Glad Music.^[29]

In 1995, the Manhattan Transfer covered the song for their album Tonin',^[30] and the following year, 24-7 Spyz covered it for their album 6.^[31] In 2005, a cover of the song appeared on the Guess Who's compilation album Let's Go,^[32] and Plainsong also released a cover on their self-titled album.^[33]

See also

• List of recordings of songs Hal Blaine has played on