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Victoria Williams — Crazy Mary
Album: Loose
Avg rating:
5.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1260









Released: 1994
Length: 4:11
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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She lived on the curve of the road
In an old tar-paper shack
On the south side of town
On the wrong side of the tracks
Sometimes on the way into town
We'd say 'Mama, can we stop and give her a ride?'
Sometimes we did, but her hands flew from her side
Wild eyed, crazy Mary

Down a long dirt road
Past the parson's place
An old blue car
We used to race
Little country store with a sign tacked to the side
Said ' No L-O-I-T-E-R-I-N-G allowed'
Underneath that sign always congregated quite a crowd
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around

One night thunder cracked mercy backed outside my windowsill
Dreamed I was flying high above the trees, over the hills
Looked down into the house of Mary
Terrible tunnel, newspaper-covered walls
And Mary rising up above it all

Next morning on the way into town
Saw some skid marks, and followed them around
Over the curve, through the fields
Into the house of Mary

That which you fear the most, could meet you halfway
That which you fear the most, could meet you halfway
Comments (182)add comment
Great song. You R Loved is another good one from this album.
Posted 1 year ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
This is a nice song.  Surprised at such harsh reviews.  
Posted 1 year ago by brosen    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:


Actually, it is precisely her voice that draws me to this song. Perfection is a myth. 


Same here, catches my ear, sometimes from across the room, somehow. Dunno what it is, but it does it every time. It's got 'something' and i won't skip it.
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
 Gustov wrote:

The comments here are harsh.  Despite her less than stellar voice, her song writing ability more than makes up for it.  Ask Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, Evan Dando and the Jayhawks, to name but a few. 



Actually, it is precisely her voice that draws me to this song. Perfection is a myth. 
Posted 1 year ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Hey look on the sunny side it has 5 more than it deserves...so bad.
Posted 2 years ago by flatop    [ Reply ]
Holy cow, 5.4.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Whatever. This is fucking awesome. 
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Love Victoria… She is a real gem!
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
Victoria Williams is one of my all-time heroes, her story is worth learning.  I love her voice, her writing, and this song. I had great luck produce a show for her in the late-'80s. She took a bus across the country to perform at our festival. She suffers from MS and still, she performs. She reminds me of Marianne Faithful - brilliant and gritty, one hard-core woman!
Posted 3 years ago by highaltitude    [ Reply ]
 Brooklyn_Carey wrote:

Since I do not know the Pearl Jam version, and I am not a misogynist who cringes at the sound of a woman's voice, I think this is quite nice.


One doesn't have to be a misogynist to find this execrable.
Posted 3 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Waaay, way, over-produced, more than anything other problem. Not really right for the song or the genre.

But it's just a great song, regardless.
Posted 3 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
And the morning was going so well . . . 
Posted 3 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 jsd52756 wrote:

I listened to the Perl Jam version and 100% disagree.  I like Eddie, but whoa, that makes me want to shoot the speakers.  


Yeah. "Perl Jam". Your opinion is worth what?
Posted 3 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
Since I do not know the Pearl Jam version, and I am not a misogynist who cringes at the sound of a woman's voice, I think this is quite nice.
Posted 3 years ago by Brooklyn_Carey    [ Reply ]
 costoonces wrote:

100% agree
 
I listened to the Perl Jam version and 100% disagree.  I like Eddie, but whoa, that makes me want to shoot the speakers.  
Posted 3 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:
The original sucked and this is worse.
 
This is the original by the song writer. 
Posted 3 years ago by irigger    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
Pearl Jam does it better......
 
It would take a huge effort to do it worse.
Posted 4 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
I always appreciate hearing original songs performed by the songwriters, whether they have the best voice or not.  Victoria Williams has written so many great songs, performed by so many more famous artists and in spite of many comments, this ain't so bad.
Posted 4 years ago by Eric_Denison    [ Reply ]
The original sucked and this is worse.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Crazy Mary is one of my favorite titles. Performed by Pearl Jam. Trying to be polite I'd say this version is different. Initially I intended to give it 2 points, but after all Victoria wrote the song, so I'll give it 4 points.
Posted 4 years ago by dieter_from_kiel    [ Reply ]
horrible.  no wonder.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
Pearl Jam does it better......
 
100% agree
Posted 4 years ago by costoonces    [ Reply ]
Pearl Jam does it better......
Posted 5 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a little bunny singing a song.
Posted 5 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
 Pyro wrote:
Shawneeo wrote:
Actually, PJ originally covered the Victoria Williams song on a benefit album for her, as she had contracted MS. She parlayed that into a foundation which has since benefitted other musicians in need.
And what a PHENOMENAL CD it is!! For anyone interested, the CD is called "Sweet Relief" and features: Soul Asylum, Lucinda Williams, PJ, Buffalo Tom, Michael Penn, Shudder to Think, Lou Reed, Maria McKee, Matthew Sweet, Evan Dando (of Lemonheads), The Jayhawks, The Waterboys, Giant Sand, and Michelle Shocked. If that "cast" isn't enough to convince the naysayers here that Victoria is a RESPECTED and TALENTED songwriter....I don't know what it would take.
 
Sweet Relief II is also well-worth checking out.

As for this song, I'm more familiar via Pearl Jam.  It's in standard rotation on tour and they absolutely nail it.  If you don't like the vocals on the original it's worth giving the song another shot that way.
Posted 5 years ago by ritingon    [ Reply ]
Oh. This is not good.
Posted 5 years ago by coffeeadikt    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
Is this a parody of all the cheesey things that can be put in one song? 2
 

Well, at least they didn't put in a gong or wind-chimes.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Why?
Posted 6 years ago by Centabor    [ Reply ]
great cover
Posted 6 years ago by morganlefay    [ Reply ]
Originally gave this a 2..... must have been in a good mood.

GOOD GOD this is terrible. 
Posted 6 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]

Posted 6 years ago by jtherieau    [ Reply ]
This puts the T in PSD.
Posted 6 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Not getting any better.
Posted 6 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Almost wondering if Bill does this as a test, though I'm not sure what kind of test, maybe how low can song get rated? Going from a generous 3 down to 2 to see how much more it gets played. Ugh.
Posted 7 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
A variation on Name That Tune: I can PSD this in three notes.
Posted 7 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 nmcvaugh wrote:
Made such an impression at 5:30 this morning I had to track it down and rate it when I got some free time at work. May we never speak of it again.

 
Similar story here, and making me wish for a Pandora like "Thumbs Down" feature To Go WITHIN Our PSD.

PEACE OUT  
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Made such an impression at 5:30 this morning I had to track it down and rate it when I got some free time at work. May we never speak of it again.
Posted 7 years ago by nmcvaugh    [ Reply ]


OH THE HUMANITY
Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
It's only natural to have a little twang in country music. There's nothing natural about this. It's like a country music parody.
Posted 7 years ago by GarageDragon    [ Reply ]
PSD? Nah, it's gotta end soon....
Posted 8 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
Is this a parody of all the cheesey things that can be put in one song? 2

 
The arrangement is wrong for her voice. 
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Pearl Jam live staple. Great song.
Posted 8 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Is it over yet? 
Posted 8 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
I just noticed that Bill plays this after 'Cross Eyed Mary'
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 Gustov wrote:
The comments here are harsh.  Despite her less than stellar voice, her song writing ability more than makes up for it.  Ask Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, Evan Dando and the Jayhawks, to name but a few. 
 
Any 'song writing ability' is noticeably absent here.  
Posted 8 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
By comparison I'd rather hear her songs done by the sweet Angelic trills of Eddie Vedder thank you  : P
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
The comments here are harsh.  Despite her less than stellar voice, her song writing ability more than makes up for it.  Ask Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, Evan Dando and the Jayhawks, to name but a few. 
Posted 8 years ago by Gustov    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:

Check out ANYTHING Yoko had recorded.....

 
Indeed
Posted 8 years ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]
Gawd what a whiny voice :^ /
Posted 8 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
 Saire wrote:
Is this a cover or the original? I've heard it before by Pearl Jam which is better ... I thought it was actually their song because this is so hideous.

 
It's not possible to be more wrong than this.  Such an awesome song.  It had been far too long.
Posted 8 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
How often one hears could meet you halfway? I don't know what to do. Cause I'm just uptight with her over (sic) cocomo islands.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Is this a cover or the original? I've heard it before by Pearl Jam which is better ... I thought it was actually their song because this is so hideous.
Posted 8 years ago by Saire    [ Reply ]
I logged in to read the comments on this train wreck and saw that I previously gave it a 3. For the life of me, I cannot imagine why I would ever rate it that high.
Posted 8 years ago by GarageDragon    [ Reply ]
Is this a parody of all the cheesey things that can be put in one song? 2
Posted 8 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
Only time I have heard this was with Pearl jam on some compilation from the mid 90's.  I think the Victoria Pearl jam was better, but this works.
Posted 8 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Painful to listen to.
Posted 8 years ago by Lodomojo    [ Reply ]
I saw her open for someone else, once in a land far away. In all honesty, it was dreadful. Her vocal style is only part of the problem. All singing is mannered, to some degree or other, of course. It never makes sense to me when folks here comment that a performers' style is inauthentic because he/she was not born in Appalachia, for example. But, there are cases such as Victoria Williams that give the willies. There are others, but this will suffice for now.
Posted 8 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
A very evocative song. Music would be ok with more of this type of song. 8
Posted 8 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Everyone hates this, but I think it's great.

 
I concur to the tune of a 7.
Posted 9 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
Nice - I like the Vetter/PJ version better on her tribute album.  1st time I have heard the original.
Posted 9 years ago by wdlaidig    [ Reply ]
Weird. 2 and PSD for this one.
Posted 9 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Okay, I'm cruising the "Cracking Up" comments, and I'm thinking, "Man, this a strange arrangement for Ani..." Of course it isn't.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
A 3??  What was I thinking?  Today it's at least "pretty good".  6
Posted 9 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Everyone hates this, but I think it's great.
Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
All respect to the artist/composer that Victoria is.  This is a great story song that I am fortunate that PJ brought to me many years ago.  Heard - and sang along to - their live version many times and it is fantastic.
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 Yay for PSD, because this came up and I like it, a lot
Posted 10 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
Huh. I'd never heard the original of this, only the PJ cover on Sweet Relief. Great album. 
Posted 10 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
Hard to take this seriously. I keep picturing Maria Bamford in one of her stand up routines.
Posted 11 years ago by ashmj000    [ Reply ]
live pearl jam version good too
 
Posted 11 years ago by farbridge    [ Reply ]
This is one of the few Pearl Jam songs I actually like, never heard the original.  Will have to give it a listen sometime.
Posted 11 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Haunting song and beautiful album.

Lots of haters here: I put her in the same category of Tom Waits -- who strangely doesn't generate the ire that lil' ole Victoria does.
Posted 11 years ago by helloitsme    [ Reply ]
Good lord, no.  Terrible...
Posted 11 years ago by oceansurf    [ Reply ]
Ghastly. 
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 asilbuch wrote:
this could be the most annoying thing I've ever heard in my life

 
Check out ANYTHING Yoko had recorded.....
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 I 2nd
asilbuch wrote:
this could be the most annoying thing I've ever heard in my life

 

Posted 11 years ago by CrackerjaxATX    [ Reply ]
this could be the most annoying thing I've ever heard in my life
Posted 11 years ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]
Pearl Jam version please.....
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
What you fear the most meets you half the way.
Posted 11 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Like some of her stuff, not especially diggin' this.  Nice little bit of guitar at the end tho.
Posted 11 years ago by smdeeg    [ Reply ]
 bev wrote:
Thank you thank you thank you RP for installing the little, powerful, life-affirming, glorious "PSD" button for times such as these. Sucko. Barfo. Indeed.
 
Damn, my PSD song was shorter than this one,
Posted 11 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]
Thank you thank you thank you RP for installing the little, powerful, life-affirming, glorious "PSD" button for times such as these. Sucko. Barfo. Indeed.
Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
 iTuner wrote:
This is a special kind of terrible.
 

Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
More godlike than what God would make if he were real.  Beautifully told story.

Sorry just looked at the ratings and comments on this and if it comes up on the radio again (I have it on PSD) I would just like to point out that while you are all entitled to your opinion in this case most of you are wrong.
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Another RP WTF moment.
Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
Ms. William's voice is an acquired taste. 

Much like arsenic.

But not nearly as pleasant.
Posted 12 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 Lewis_Cooper wrote:

Victoria had me from her first album Musings of a Creek Dipper, you either love her voice or not... I love it and her great song writing!

 
Thank you Lewis_Cooper for putting this in context. I had great expectations for Creek Dipper and I just didn't get it, much to my chagrin.

We have such interesting tastes and tolerances...I love Neil Young but can't stand Bob Dylan. Brilliance in the eye of the beholder. 
 
Posted 12 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
I think Lou Reed and his ex Sylvia started Sweet Relief to help Vic when she was diagnosed with MS and had no health insurance. Haven''t heard any updates from her in some time.

 stevetipp wrote:
I love this every time i hear it, Pearl Jam's version is awesome. I heard a duet I believe with Eddie she did that was great too. I find her truly endearing. I believe she is one of the founders of "Sweet Relief."
 


Posted 12 years ago by mike_chouinard    [ Reply ]
Suffers from the (over)production but it's a good album anyway.
Posted 12 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
This is yuck, not my cup of tea I guess!!!
Posted 12 years ago by rob3000    [ Reply ]
The new Play Something Different (PSD>>) button above ^ is very handy during this song.
Posted 12 years ago by Ears_of_Stone    [ Reply ]
Play more Vic, especially anything off Swing the Statue.
Posted 12 years ago by mike_chouinard    [ Reply ]
This is a special kind of terrible.
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
Ms. William's voice is an acquired taste.

Best song on this CD is "You R Loved" in my opinion.

Nice cover of the Randy California/Spirit tune "Nature's Way" on this disc also.
Posted 13 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Huh.  Never heard her version before, only the PJ version on the Sweet Relief benefit album.  Good stuff.  
Posted 13 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]

Victoria had me from her first album Musings of a Creek Dipper, you either love her voice or not... I love it and her great song writing!


Posted 13 years ago by Lewis_Cooper    [ Reply ]
JGD wrote:
so wait... she wrote this and performed the version now playing, but it is the Pearl Jam version that is actually good? Do I have that straight?
unfortunately, yes.
Posted 18 years ago by nohopenofearnoname    [ Reply ]
jgeyer wrote:
Is this Dolly Parton?
I was thinking the same thing. I also want to start singing "100 bottles of beer on the wall" when I here any version of this.
Posted 18 years ago by ryuujin23    [ Reply ]
so wait... she wrote this and performed the version now playing, but it is the Pearl Jam version that is actually good? Do I have that straight?
Posted 18 years ago by JGD    [ Reply ]
Take a joint, light it up, pass it to ... Vicky.
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
Really. Not. Diggin'. It.
Posted 18 years ago by twothingsatonce    [ Reply ]
I love this every time i hear it, Pearl Jam's version is awesome. I heard a duet I believe with Eddie she did that was great too. I find her truly endearing. I believe she is one of the founders of "Sweet Relief."
Posted 18 years ago by stevetipp    [ Reply ]
What the fuh?
Posted 18 years ago by nohopenofearnoname    [ Reply ]
I like her songs, but I like them better when she's not singing them. Several artists did a benefit album for her because she has MS and no insurance. (Welcome to America)
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
trollboy wrote:
my first 1. please be over. i don't like it. crazy.
You read my mind
Posted 18 years ago by guitar_man_101    [ Reply ]
This is just not giving me warm fuzzies. The music is okay but the singer is killing me.
Posted 18 years ago by grassfolk420    [ Reply ]
pearl jam made this song... the original is still good however.
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
my first 1. please be over. i don't like it. crazy.
Posted 18 years ago by trollboy    [ Reply ]
Her voice is a little too odd for me, and I like Geddy Lee. ;*)
Posted 18 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Is this Dolly Parton?
Posted 18 years ago by jgeyer    [ Reply ]
I wonder where these lyrics were inspired from? perhaps 99 bottles of beer on the wall...
Posted 18 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]
Ey, where's the upload-site, can't find it.. I would really like to upload pearl jam's version.. please help.. damn, i'm drunk..
Posted 19 years ago by spencer    [ Reply ]
Sucko-barfo!.. Pearl Jam! YAY YAY YAY!
Posted 19 years ago by spencer    [ Reply ]
I think the version of this that she sings with Lou Reed is much superior to this one. Good song though.
Posted 19 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
it's a terrific song but better left to Pearl Jam. however, I can't speak too harshly of someone who puts a dog on her album cover! dogs rule
Posted 19 years ago by flandersdog    [ Reply ]
that what you fear the most will meet you halfway... say what you will about the song, that is a great line.
Posted 19 years ago by DisplacedNorthrnr    [ Reply ]
So...the claim here is that this is not Dolly Parton?
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
psycholynx wrote:
Is this Jennifer Tilly?!?
too funny. i'll never be able to listen to VW with a straight face again. i really dig Pearl Jam's version of this song on the Sweet Relief album.
Posted 19 years ago by MisterVErb    [ Reply ]
Me thinks me hear Stevie Nicks in the backing vocals.... it's not that bad you guys lol.
Posted 19 years ago by Helchat    [ Reply ]
fortyonejb wrote:
This little "Crazy" set started out phenomenal, and well i can say it hasn't gotten better as its gone along.... I think you came out of the gates peaking with Billie. meh, not the worst theme set ever, not the best though.
Hope it doesn't end up with "Crazy on You" by Heart.
Posted 19 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]