Voters in New Jersey, Arizona, South Dakota, and Montana legalized recreational marijuana two weeks ago, bringing the total to 15 states with legal weed. It’s a far cry from 1966, when this single from the Association was controversial for its coded endorsement of pot. Tambyn Almer, who wrote the tune, admitted as much in later years, hardly surprising considering that the enigmatic singer-songwriter (his work with Brian Wilson includes “Sail On, Sailor”) was noted in his day for inventing a primitive precursor to the bong.
“Along Comes Mary” was the first single released by the six-man group, which began as the offshoot of a 13-person folk-rock ensemble in Los Angeles. The band spent more than six months rehearsing before playing out, and had a regular gig at an LA folk club, but as with most LA-based bands in those days, their early records used mostly studio musicians. It reached No. 7 on the charts and paved the way for a two-year run of success than included two No. 1 singles.
Soon after its release, smooth-jazz artists Hugh Masekela and George Benson released instrumental versions, deftly avoiding any controversy over the lyrics.
In 1998 a cover by the Bloodhound Gang took the opposite tack, using the lyrics over a punk-pop melody. The melody isn’t much, but the production makes Almer’s lyrics, strewn with internal rhymes, easier to make out. This version was included on the soundtrack of “Half Baked,” though it’s understandable if the movie’s fans don’t remember that.
