"Cross-Eyed Mary" is a song by the British progressive rock band Jethro Tull from their album Aqualung (1971).[2]
| "Cross-Eyed Mary" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Jethro Tull | |
| from the album Aqualung | |
| Released | 19 March 1971 |
| Recorded | December 1970 – February 1971 |
| Studio | Island, London |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:06 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Ian Anderson |
| Producer(s) |
|
The song is about "Cross-Eyed Mary", a schoolgirl prostitute[3] who prefers the company of "leching greys" over her schoolmates. It was intended as a companion piece to "Aqualung", the opening album track about a homeless man.[citation needed] The Aqualung character is given a cameo in "Cross-Eyed Mary".[citation needed]
"Cross-Eyed Mary" was ranked the 12th best Jethro Tull song in the book Rock - Das Gesamtwerk der größten Rock-Acts im Check.[4]
Recorded appearances
Personnel
- Jethro Tull
- Ian Anderson – vocals, acoustic guitar, flute
- Martin Barre – electric guitar
- John Evan – piano, organ, mellotron
- Jeffrey Hammond – bass guitar
- Clive Bunker – drums, percussion
- Additional personnel
- Terry Ellis - producer
Iron Maiden version
| "Cross-Eyed Mary" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Iron Maiden | |
| A-side | "The Trooper" |
| Released | 1983 |
| Genre | Heavy metal |
| Length | 3:52 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Ian Anderson |
| Producer(s) | Martin Birch |
Iron Maiden[8] has covered the song, which has been released in different ways (see Piece of Mind, "The Trooper", The First Ten Years and Best of the 'B' Sides). In a 2022 interview with BraveWords, Anderson discussed his thoughts about Maiden's cover, stating, "A spirited rendition by a young Bruce testing out his vocal range in a key not really suited to him!”[9]