"Mary" is a song by singer, songwriter, and pianist Tori Amos. First released as a B-side to UK pressings of her 1992 single "Crucify", it was later re-recorded for the compilation Tales of a Librarian and released as a digital single.[1] Like many of Amos' singles, it was released digitally only but a promotional CD release was made for radio stations.

"Mary"
Song by Tori Amos
A-side"Crucify"
ReleasedMay 12, 1992
Recorded1990
GenreAlternative rock
Length4:27
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Tori Amos
Producer(s)Davitt Sigerson
"Mary"
Single by Tori Amos
from the album Tales of a Librarian
B-side"Mary (Album Version)"
ReleasedNovember 17, 2003
RecordedSummer 2003
GenreAlternative rock
Length4:04 (single edit)
4:42 (album version)
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Tori Amos
Producer(s)Tori Amos
Tori Amos singles chronology
"Strange"
(2003)
"Mary"
(2003)
"Angels"
(2003)

Background edit

"Mary" was one of the ten tracks originally sent to Atlantic Records for Amos' debut album, Little Earthquakes.[2] However, upon Atlantic's rejection of these tracks, more songs were written and it did not appear on the final album. Like all of the B-sides from the sessions for Little Earthquakes, it was included on the bonus disc of the album's 2015 deluxe edition.

Amos re-recorded "Mary" (along with fellow Little Earthquakes B-side "Sweet Dreams") in 2003 for the compilation Tales of a Librarian, backed by her usual band. This version was released as a single to promote the album and received a promotional music video that is yet to see a commercial release.

Amos continued to play "Mary" live throughout her career up to the American Doll Posse tour, after which it was dropped except for a single performance during the Unrepentant Geraldines Tour.[3]

Track listing edit

All songs written by Tori Amos.

  1. "Mary" (Radio edit) – 4:04
  2. "Mary" (Album version) – 4:40

Personnel edit

Tales of a Librarian version:

Musicians:

  • Tori Amos – Bösendorfer piano, lead vocals, backing vocals
  • Mac Aladdin – guitar
  • Jon Evans – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums, backing vocals
  • Chelsea Laird – backing vocals
  • Alison Evans – backing vocals
  • Jon Astley – backing vocals
  • Duncan Pickford – backing vocals

Technical:

  • Tori Amos – production
  • Mark Hawley – recording, mixing
  • Marcel van Limbeek – recording, mixing

References edit

  1. ^ Conway, Cat (29 November 2003). "Tori Amos – Tales of a Librarian". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  2. ^ Campbell, Paul (1997). Tori Amos Collectibles. London, England: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-6174-3.
  3. ^ "'Mary' (Little Earthquakes B-side) – All Tours". Tori Amos Setlist Database. Retrieved 9 October 2022.