"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

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"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

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All songs written by Tori Amos.

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

Personnel

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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

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  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.