Such a great song. The Association were hit after hit. I never thought of them of being a bubblegum band. Cherish and Windy were favorites. Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
This type of psyche music is called Sunshine Pop. Sunshine Pop refers to the vocal harmonizing within the song. Groups like The Free Design, The Mamas and the Papas, Spanky and Our Gang, The Love Generation, the Fifth Dimension and others performed this style of psyche music. Love the recorder that was played in the song.
My first favorite and still favorite music group. I've had the privilege of seeing them live over 50 times. By now I'm sure you know that Mary is about Marijuana. They're a 60's group ahead of the Beach Boys and Motown.
The backing musicians were California studio musicians who did a ton of pop music known as "The Wrecking Crew", and they played on a lot of Beach Boys music.
I one day had the great privilege of spending some time with Terry Kirkman, of the Association. For those who do not know, Terry is the fellow who did the recorder solo in this song, and who also wrote the famous "Cherish" and the magnificent "Everything That Touches You," "Requiem for the Masses," and "Six Man Band," among others. Here the lead vocal is being sung by Jim Yester. Because of the fast-paced lyrical style of Tandyn Almer's extremely clever tune, one really needs the lyric sheet to fully comprehend the song in one listen, or else listen to it multiple times. Without fully understanding the lyrical content, it's well-nigh impossible to give a thorough reaction to the song. As a first-timer to this song, you really had the deck stacked against you, Harri!
The Association is a great pop band from the 1960's. My husband's first album that he bought was this group. They had a lot of great hits such as "Windy", "Cherish", "Never My Love", “Everything That Touches You”, “Time For Livin'”, “The Time It Is Today”, “Enter The Young”, “No Fair At All”, "Requiem For The Masses" etc.
The Association stood out from other American bands from that period because they did not record any anti-war or psychedelic music which was popular at the time. The Association who wrote their own music were known for their great harmonies and songs about love.
This is a classic group. They are the real deal. Their catalogue of great songs are already mentioned in comments so I won’t list them here. I love this band.
Brandon! Thank you so much for this request! The Association is one of those amazing groups I had sort of forgotten about. They had some wonderful songs and beautiful harmonies. Such a nice memory 🌺✌️
When I was a toddler in the early '70s, I drove my father crazy by repeatedly demanding that he play his LP of The Association's greatest hits. I still love this album.
Great song but sadly a totally forgotten group of the late 60s. Never my Love a beautiful song may be their biggest hit. Cherish and Windy are good also. Thanks for shining light on a great song, group,!
It's 100x better and more interesting when you know the lyrics: Every time I think that I'm The only one who's lonely someone calls on me And every now and then I spend My time at rhyme and verse and curse those faults in me And then along comes Mary Mary, Mary Then along comes Mary Mary, Mary And does she wanna give me kicks And be my steady chick and give me pick of memories? Or maybe rather gather tales from all the Fails and tribulations no one ever sees? When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch Sweet as the punch When vague desire is the fire in the eyes of chicks Whose sickness is the games they play And when the masquerade is played and neighbor folks Make jokes as who is most to blame today And then along comes Mary Mary, Mary Then along comes Mary Mary, Mary And does she wanna set them free And let them see reality from where she got her name? And will they struggle much when told that such A tender touch of hers will make them not the same? When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch Sweet as the punch And when the morning of the warning's passed The gassed and flaccid kids are flung across the stars The psychodramas and the traumas gone The songs are left unsung and hung upon the scars And then along comes Mary Mary, Mary Then along comes Mary Mary, Mary And does she wanna see the stains the dead remains Of all the pains she left the night before? Or will their wakin' eyes reflect the lies And make them realize their urgent cry for sight no more? When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch Sweet as the punch When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch When we met I was sure out to lunch Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch Sweet as the punch
Loved this one, the song hints of mystery. Lyrics are poetry Media tried to ban the song, thinking Mary was Pot. I think not. any intoxication will suffice. Excellent harmony. listen to their hit Cherish. and Never My Love. and Windy.
The lyrics of this song are intriguing. There's more going on with Mary than the music lets on. The psycho-dramas and the traumas? The gassed and flaccid kids flung across the stars? Heavy stuff, or at least trying to be. Plus even though it's upbeat, it's set in a minor key, which adds to the sense of mystery.
What a wonderful song and what great memories it brings back! You'll definitely enjoy their other songs, already suggested below. But I don't think this is a love song, at least it didn't have that reputation back in the day as "Mary" was the term for marijuana. If you listen to the lyrics again, I think you'll get the connection. Great video as always.
Jim Yester on lead vocal (upper left). The group played the most visible live gig in their history, opening the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967.
Please have a listen to NEVER MY LOVE performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show. The performance was live and sounded almost exactly like the studio version. A couple of significant details pertaining to this was some television shows were hesitant to show Larry Ramos because he was of Philippine descent. To his credit, Ed Sullivan wanted him to be front and center since he sang lead with Terry Kirkland. It also was named by BMI, Inc. as the second most-played song on radio and television of the 20th century in the U.S. I never tire of hearing it.
Man!!! Great song and well chosen Brandon Watts!! The Association had some very good music and vocals. Sunshine Pop, yeah, that's close. Thanks Harri!!!
I was a college drop out and a friend dropped off his girlfriend's room mate so they could some alone time. Her name was Maryjane. It was Jan 9 1970. I liked the name. By June 13 we got married. We're still married today 52 years later. This song reminds me of that time.
Singer (and guitar) is top left, drummer top right, middle is bass, bottom right is wind instruments, middle bottom electric guitar, and bottom left tambourine. Everybody on harmonies, I think.
I was only 9 years old when this came out in 1966, but I still remember listening to it on my transistor radio, WOKY 920am, Milwaukee. Never was able to sing along the whole song though, some of those lyrics were sung rapid-fire. Haven't heard it in decades though - thanks for the memory, Harri! ❤️
A pretty talented vocal group of the '60's who got shunted aside by Glam Rock, Metal and Supergroups. However the recorded some of the prettiest love songs of the era.
Yep I was born in 1957 and had 3 older brother in 1965 I spent 4 months in a body cast and they put the record player next to my bed this was one of my favorite groups they relaxed me and got me thru, the week after I got out of cast my 2 oldest brother were home on leave between going back to there 2 nd tours in nam. They took me to see these guys in Daytona where I lived.
Marvelous pick Brandon. I love the Association. They are in the Vocalists Hall of Fame. Thanks 🤴Harri. Hope you play more of this group of beautiful vocalists. 😉👍🔥🇺🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇺🇸🤩
I Remember This Song, I Saw Somewhere That This Song Came Out In March Of 1966, I Was 10 Going On 11 Years Old. I Liked This Song Way Back Then, And I STILL Like It, Motown And The Beach Boys......Yes, I Can Hear Both Of Those Styles In This Song. This Song Is My Favorite Song By The Association, It SURE Takes Me Back!!!!!!
The lyrics to Along Comes Mary were written by Tandyn Almer - the inventor of the 'Tandyn slave-master' water pipe. Famous from the book : 'A Child's Garden of Grass' . hah
I think this is from around 1965 or 66. I was about 10 yrs. old. These guys were pretty famous back then. They had around 4 or 5 Hit songs on the Billboard top 100. I guess you'd put them in the "Folk Rock" genre along with The Mamas and The Papas, Bob Dylan, Donovan, and The Lovin Spoonful. The Byrds, were another "Folk Rock 60s Band. The 60s and 70s were just the best period for all genres of music.
Have a go at "Time for Livin'" and "Windy" - both superb pop tracks. Windy in particular is a masterclass example of how to build a pop song from a simple start to a huge multi-layered harmony counterpointed ending.
In the 60s, the song was believed to be about 'marijuana' - In 1985, Jim Yester (singer/songwriter) confirmed, to me, it was about the herb and was written with the help from the herb. So, yeah, does she want to give me kicks?
It's absolutely spectacular that so many different music bands seem to play the same eclectic, hard to categorize in any specific genre for the 1960's.
These guys were like a gateway drug into rock and roll. People have mentioned their best hits. IMO the song Dubuque Blues was maybe their most memorable.
The "happy sound" that you're hearing is indeed American, Harri, but it's specifically from Southern California. The arrangement, the playing and--of course, the five-part harmony--is far more musically sophisticated than most of the pop music heard in 1965. But the song is about marijuana. The songwriter, Tandyn Almer, said so.
Fun to hear Harri's first reaction to Along Comes Mary. The phrase sunshine pop captures a few of their songs but does not do justice to their full range and repertoire. They had some amazing albums. As for Motwown influence, they actually did perform on occasion with one of the big Motown groups. Might be mere coincidence but the bands hit it off really well.
The song was rumored to be about what majority would be doing on 420 at 4:20.not sure if it was confirmed?the song was almost banned for airplay because of it.maybe why Ed sullivan show had them slow the tempo down so everyone could hear the words be enunciated clearly.the group started in California despite having Jules Alexander come from Tennessee,jim yester from Alabama,terry kirkman from Kansas,Russ giguire from New Hampshire,Ted bluechel Jr.I think moved all around the country before settling in California,and the late brian cole from Washington state and the late Larry Ramos from Hawaii.
although the BEACH BOYS may have been considered the standard in harmonies in the 60's THE ASSOCIATION set a new bar for me. they had a ton of radio hits and a different sound from the rest. my favorite song from them rarely got any airplay and was called 'everything that touches you'. the vocal harmonies are unsurpassed imo. here is an actual video of very high quality from 1968 of the song : th-cam.com/video/NWFs6nopHM8/w-d-xo.html
@@User_vjp_92753 stunning song imo. misty moments of times long ago. thank goodness for youtube for keeping them alive. i will be seeing the 'happy together tour' at the calvin theatre here in northampton mass. next sat. nite jun 18th. the turtles , gary puckett, the cowsills, the buckinghams and yes -THE ASSOCIATION ! can't wait
Song about that funny weed Mary-juana!!. You'll also love Time Is Livin and No Fair At all-great harmonies on each. there more of a harmony sunshine pop band which was a popular sound in the mid to late 60s (Spanky & Our Gang, Fifth Dimension)
They were HUGE in the US in the mid-60's. "Cherish" is a great song to check out. This group had fanstastic harmonies.
Harri, you'll love their "Windy", "Cherish", and "Never My Love"!
Awesome songs.
They will be requested in the future. This is only an introduction
That'd be my short list as well.
This bass player is a mad man.
Their song, “ Never My Love” is really beautiful!
3 of top songs of all time are there’s when on. Tour with turtles and cowsells great tour go on live flower power tour
I almost had forgotten this song, I was 10 years old then. Those were the days!
The Association had about a 24 month stretch where they were just HUGE. Kind of folky power pop.
Such a great song. The Association were hit after hit. I never thought of them of being a bubblegum band. Cherish and Windy were favorites. Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Definitely not a bubblegum band. Those were Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Co and Lemon Pipers. I dug most of that music still do.
Motown mixed with the beach boys is a HUGE compliment in my opinion
the most outrageously ambitious double tracking of a lead vocal line you will hear.
This type of psyche music is called Sunshine Pop. Sunshine Pop refers to the vocal harmonizing within the song. Groups like The Free Design, The Mamas and the Papas, Spanky and Our Gang, The Love Generation, the Fifth Dimension and others performed this style of psyche music. Love the recorder that was played in the song.
Long a favorite song of mine. I saw The Association live, along with Martha and The Vandellas, in southern California, when this song was still new.
My first favorite and still favorite music group. I've had the privilege of seeing them live over 50 times. By now I'm sure you know that Mary is about Marijuana. They're a 60's group ahead of the Beach Boys and Motown.
The backing musicians were California studio musicians who did a ton of pop music known as "The Wrecking Crew", and they played on a lot of Beach Boys music.
love 60's music
I one day had the great privilege of spending some time with Terry Kirkman, of the Association. For those who do not know, Terry is the fellow who did the recorder solo in this song, and who also wrote the famous "Cherish" and the magnificent "Everything That Touches You," "Requiem for the Masses," and "Six Man Band," among others. Here the lead vocal is being sung by Jim Yester. Because of the fast-paced lyrical style of Tandyn Almer's extremely clever tune, one really needs the lyric sheet to fully comprehend the song in one listen, or else listen to it multiple times. Without fully understanding the lyrical content, it's well-nigh impossible to give a thorough reaction to the song. As a first-timer to this song, you really had the deck stacked against you, Harri!
The Association is a great pop band from the 1960's. My husband's first album that he bought was this group. They had a lot of great hits such as "Windy", "Cherish", "Never My Love", “Everything That Touches You”, “Time For Livin'”, “The Time It Is Today”, “Enter The Young”, “No Fair At All”, "Requiem For The Masses" etc.
HIGH Harri.... Have a Splendid Successful Day
Great pick Brandon! The first 45 I bought was "Cherish!" Thanks to Harri for a great reaction as always! 🍀👍✌
The Association stood out from other American bands from that period because they did not record any anti-war or psychedelic music which was popular at the time.
The Association who wrote their own music were known for their great harmonies and songs about love.
Oh, good, The Association - lots of hits from them. Cherish, Windy, Never My Love, and my fav, Everything That Touches You.
This is a classic group.
They are the real deal. Their catalogue of great songs are already mentioned in
comments so I won’t list them here. I love this band.
Brandon! Thank you so much for this request! The Association is one of those amazing groups I had sort of forgotten about. They had some wonderful songs and beautiful harmonies. Such a nice memory 🌺✌️
There's more to come in the following months
You picked a great banger!
Cherish is a GREAT song
“Never My Love” is my fave song!
Thanks Brandon and Harri I Love the Association.
A really good group. I liked all of their songs and so will you.
Saw them live at Boise State in early 70s they were awesome in person, great show.
Another song in that genre was Red Rubber Ball by The Cyrcle. Written by Paul Simon!
Great band with a load of hits, never a bad time to listen to 'em! Cheers, thanks, Harri and BW for the excellent pick.
When I was a toddler in the early '70s, I drove my father crazy by repeatedly demanding that he play his LP of The Association's greatest hits. I still love this album.
The original rap song. You got it, Harri!
After all these years I looked up the lyrics. I could barely read it. I saw The Association in the late 80's.
Great song but sadly a totally forgotten group of the late 60s. Never my Love a beautiful song may be their biggest hit. Cherish and Windy are good also. Thanks for shining light on a great song, group,!
It's 100x better and more interesting when you know the lyrics:
Every time I think that I'm
The only one who's lonely someone calls on me
And every now and then I spend
My time at rhyme and verse and curse those faults in me
And then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary
Then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary
And does she wanna give me kicks
And be my steady chick and give me pick of memories?
Or maybe rather gather tales from all the
Fails and tribulations no one ever sees?
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
Sweet as the punch
When vague desire is the fire in the eyes of chicks
Whose sickness is the games they play
And when the masquerade is played and neighbor folks
Make jokes as who is most to blame today
And then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary
Then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary
And does she wanna set them free
And let them see reality from where she got her name?
And will they struggle much when told that such
A tender touch of hers will make them not the same?
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
Sweet as the punch
And when the morning of the warning's passed
The gassed and flaccid kids are flung across the stars
The psychodramas and the traumas gone
The songs are left unsung and hung upon the scars
And then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary
Then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary
And does she wanna see the stains the dead remains
Of all the pains she left the night before?
Or will their wakin' eyes reflect the lies
And make them realize their urgent cry for sight no more?
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
Sweet as the punch
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch
Sweet as the punch
Loved this one, the song hints of mystery. Lyrics are poetry Media tried to ban the song, thinking Mary was Pot. I think not. any intoxication will suffice. Excellent harmony. listen to their hit Cherish. and Never My Love. and Windy.
The lyrics of this song are intriguing. There's more going on with Mary than the music lets on. The psycho-dramas and the traumas? The gassed and flaccid kids flung across the stars? Heavy stuff, or at least trying to be. Plus even though it's upbeat, it's set in a minor key, which adds to the sense of mystery.
The song is only a tiny fragment of a 420-line poetic homage. The song is about the Holy Graal. Post from ordained Knights Templar.
Actually, according to the writer, Tandyn Almer, Mary was a reference to marijuana.
Wonderful, memorable song. Haven't heard it in over 40 years and every note, line and nuance was immediately there. Even the flute solo. Incredible.
60's music is the best! Yes, I said it!
Briefly my favorite song...I think I was 14...I'm rather old now, but still like it.
Really enjoyed your reaction to this oldie.
What a wonderful song and what great memories it brings back! You'll definitely enjoy their other songs, already suggested below. But I don't think this is a love song, at least it didn't have that reputation back in the day as "Mary" was the term for marijuana. If you listen to the lyrics again, I think you'll get the connection. Great video as always.
Like when he sings "be my steady chick and give me pick of memories" lol sounds like Mary Jane to me.
Exactly right!
There is a live version of this song from The Smothers Brothers Variety Show with an amusing intro of the band. Worthwhile looking it up on TH-cam.
Jim Yester on lead vocal (upper left). The group played the most visible live gig in their history, opening the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967.
I'd be happy with that for an epitaph.
Please have a listen to NEVER MY LOVE performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show. The performance was live and sounded almost exactly like the studio version. A couple of significant details pertaining to this was some television shows were hesitant to show Larry Ramos because he was of Philippine descent. To his credit, Ed Sullivan wanted him to be front and center since he sang lead with Terry Kirkland. It also was named by BMI, Inc. as the second most-played song on radio and television of the 20th century in the U.S. I never tire of hearing it.
Great band¡ Snubbed by the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. Try the Grass Roots next.
Loved their 'Windy'. Still do.
Great one Harri. 1966 summer hit. Thumbs up on this song.
Check out" Never My Love" by the Association,and"Cherish"Beautiful.
Man!!! Great song and well chosen Brandon Watts!! The Association had some very good music and vocals. Sunshine Pop, yeah, that's close. Thanks Harri!!!
I remember "Windy" being played over the sound system at the "Oakford Park" pool.
The Association are such a great band, They should be in the RRHOF.
I was a college drop out and a friend dropped off his girlfriend's room mate so they could some alone time. Her name was Maryjane. It was Jan 9 1970. I liked the name. By June 13 we got married. We're still married today 52 years later. This song reminds me of that time.
Singer (and guitar) is top left, drummer top right, middle is bass, bottom right is wind instruments, middle bottom electric guitar, and bottom left tambourine. Everybody on harmonies, I think.
I was only 9 years old when this came out in 1966, but I still remember listening to it on my transistor radio, WOKY 920am, Milwaukee. Never was able to sing along the whole song though, some of those lyrics were sung rapid-fire. Haven't heard it in decades though - thanks for the memory, Harri! ❤️
Loved this song!!
Very cleverly produced. Those handclaps!
larry ramos came to the association after quitting the new christy minstrels. larry sang many of the association's hits.
Their sunshiniest song was “Windy”.
They were a very great vocal group and this was one of their very best. Check out Windy, Time For Livin', Everything That Touches You, Cherish, etc.
A pretty talented vocal group of the '60's who got shunted aside by Glam Rock, Metal and Supergroups. However the recorded some of the prettiest love songs of the era.
Cherish is their best song. Quite like Windy too
I love this song. And the base.
Their best song is Never my Love!!!!
Great song, I just love these old classics, we’ll never have music like this again! I have to agree with you regarding The Beach Boys and Motown
Also the best version of this was the Association live on the Smother Brothers t.v. show. ✌
Yep I was born in 1957 and had 3 older brother in 1965 I spent 4 months in a body cast and they put the record player next to my bed this was one of my favorite groups they relaxed me and got me thru, the week after I got out of cast my 2 oldest brother were home on leave between going back to there 2 nd tours in nam. They took me to see these guys in Daytona where I lived.
Marvelous pick Brandon. I love the Association. They are in the Vocalists Hall of Fame. Thanks 🤴Harri. Hope you play more of this group of beautiful vocalists. 😉👍🔥🇺🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇺🇸🤩
I Remember This Song, I Saw Somewhere That This Song Came Out In March Of 1966, I Was 10 Going On 11 Years Old. I Liked This Song Way Back Then, And I STILL Like It, Motown And The Beach Boys......Yes, I Can Hear Both Of Those Styles In This Song. This Song Is My Favorite Song By The Association, It SURE Takes Me Back!!!!!!
If you check out songs like "Cherish" and "Never My Love" you will find they sound uniquely like The Association. Few songs are better than Cherish.
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! I have been requesting this many many times! You need to see the live version!
The lyrics to Along Comes Mary were written by Tandyn Almer - the inventor of the 'Tandyn slave-master' water pipe. Famous from the book : 'A Child's Garden of Grass' . hah
Thanks!
Windy was their best song . They turned down MacArthur Park which Richard Harris had a massive hit with.
Please do WINDY By the Association and HERE COMES MY BABY BY the TREMALOES!!
I think this is from around 1965 or 66. I was about 10 yrs. old. These guys were pretty famous back then. They had around 4 or 5 Hit songs on the Billboard top 100. I guess you'd put them in the "Folk Rock" genre along with The Mamas and The Papas, Bob Dylan, Donovan, and The Lovin Spoonful. The Byrds, were another "Folk Rock 60s Band. The 60s and 70s were just the best period for all genres of music.
Late 60s gem.
Have a go at "Time for Livin'" and "Windy" - both superb pop tracks. Windy in particular is a masterclass example of how to build a pop song from a simple start to a huge multi-layered harmony counterpointed ending.
The whole 'Birthday" LP 1968 with "Time for Livin'" is spot on. Very Psych
Great pick, Brandon! Hope the channel sees more requests for the Association in the near future. Good stuff!
Harri, it's Mary as in Mary Jane, or so commonly believed at the time. Cheers1
I feel 14 again! Thanks. 🌟
In the 60s, the song was believed to be about 'marijuana' - In 1985, Jim Yester (singer/songwriter) confirmed, to me, it was about the herb and was written with the help from the herb. So, yeah, does she want to give me kicks?
Think you'll dig : 'Wear Your Love Like Heaven' by Donovan.
When we met ‘I was sure out to lunch’ which meant clueless back in the day!
Try the live version of One Too Many Mornings (written Bob Dylan) I think it was 1967. My personal favorite, along with Cherish.
It's absolutely spectacular that so many different music bands seem to play the same eclectic, hard to categorize in any specific genre for the 1960's.
Please react to Never My Love! It’s really beautiful.
Try the songs, Cherish, and Requiem of the Masses
I wonder if mary has ever met windy as she was tripping down the streets of the city.
These guys were like a gateway drug into rock and roll. People have mentioned their best hits. IMO the song Dubuque Blues was maybe their most memorable.
The "happy sound" that you're hearing is indeed American, Harri, but it's specifically from Southern California. The arrangement, the playing and--of course, the five-part harmony--is far more musically sophisticated than most of the pop music heard in 1965. But the song is about marijuana. The songwriter, Tandyn Almer, said so.
Along comes Mari-uana. It’s a reefer party song!
windy is the best
Fun to hear Harri's first reaction to Along Comes Mary. The phrase sunshine pop captures a few of their songs but does not do justice to their full range and repertoire. They had some amazing albums. As for Motwown influence, they actually did perform on occasion with one of the big Motown groups. Might be mere coincidence but the bands hit it off really well.
Lead singer was great friends with Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys. Motown was kicking into gear. The sounds was of the time.
I agree, their production and vocal arrangements are very Beach Boy-ish.
The song was rumored to be about what majority would be doing on 420 at 4:20.not sure if it was confirmed?the song was almost banned for airplay because of it.maybe why Ed sullivan show had them slow the tempo down so everyone could hear the words be enunciated clearly.the group started in California despite having Jules Alexander come from Tennessee,jim yester from Alabama,terry kirkman from Kansas,Russ giguire from New Hampshire,Ted bluechel Jr.I think moved all around the country before settling in California,and the late brian cole from Washington state and the late Larry Ramos from Hawaii.
"Mary" is weed. Mary Jane. Listen again with that in mind.
they were part of the 60s folk rock movement
although the BEACH BOYS may have been considered the standard in harmonies in the 60's THE ASSOCIATION set a new bar for me. they had a ton of radio hits and a different sound from the rest. my favorite song from them rarely got any airplay and was called 'everything that touches you'. the vocal harmonies are unsurpassed imo. here is an actual video of very high quality from 1968 of the song : th-cam.com/video/NWFs6nopHM8/w-d-xo.html
That's a beautiful song !
@@User_vjp_92753 stunning song imo. misty moments of times long ago. thank goodness for youtube for keeping them alive. i will be seeing the 'happy together tour' at the calvin theatre here in northampton mass. next sat. nite jun 18th. the turtles , gary puckett, the cowsills, the buckinghams and yes -THE ASSOCIATION ! can't wait
Song about that funny weed Mary-juana!!. You'll also love Time Is Livin and No Fair At all-great harmonies on each. there more of a harmony sunshine pop band which was a popular sound in the mid to late 60s (Spanky & Our Gang, Fifth Dimension)
aaah Mary-Jane, got to remember to factor that into assessments like these. Now where'd I put it...