Marshall Crenshaw (born November 11, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan) is an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴Marshall Crenshaw (born November 11, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He grew up in the suburb of Berkley. Crenshaw began playing guitar at age 10 and got his first break playing John Lennon in the off-Broadway company of a musical, Beatlemania. While in New York, he recorded a single for Alan Betrock's Shake Records, Something's Gonna Happen, after which he was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Robert Gordon took Someday, Someway to #76 in 1981, and Crenshaw's version made #36 the next year.

His first album, Marshall Crenshaw, was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving Crenshaw a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, Field Day, sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but Field Day is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album, and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation."

Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era, with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly -- to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film La Bamba. In 1989 he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1, which was extremely well-received. In 1993 he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994 he published a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies. He continues to record, and in 1999 released the critically acclaimed #447.

Crenshaw has recently been playing guitar with the reunited members of the MC5.

Mary Anne
Marshall Crenshaw Lyrics

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It isn't such a crime
It isn't such a shame
It happens all the time
You shouldn't take the blame
Go on and have a laugh
Go have a laugh on me
Go on and have a laugh
At all your misery

Mary Anne, Mary Anne (don't cry Mary Anne)
I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne
I'm thinking of you
Mary Anne, Mary Anne (don't cry Mary Anne)
I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne

You take a look around
And all you seem to see
Is bringing you down
As down as you can be
Go on and have a laugh
Go have a laugh on me
Go on and have a laugh
At how bad it can be

Mary Anne, Mary Anne (you'll be all right)
I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne
I'm thinking of you
Mary Anne, Mary Anne (you'll be all right)
I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne

Mary Anne, Mary Anne (goodnight Mary Anne)
I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne

I'm thinking of you Mary Anne, Mary Anne (goodnight Mary Anne)
I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne

Overall Meaning

The song "Mary Anne" by Marshall Crenshaw is a comforting ode to someone named Mary Anne who is going through a difficult time. The lyrics suggest that whatever Mary Anne is going through is not uncommon and not her fault. The singer encourages her to have a laugh at the situation, even if it seems miserable. The repetition of "Mary Anne, Mary Anne" throughout the song emphasizes his focus on her and his desire to help her feel better.

The chorus of the song is especially poignant, as the singer reassures Mary Anne that everything will be okay. He reminds her not to cry, and that he is thinking of her. It's unclear if the singer has a romantic interest in Mary Anne, but the song is tender and focused solely on her, suggesting a deep connection.

Overall, "Mary Anne" is a touching song that emphasizes the importance of being there for someone who is struggling.

Line by Line Meaning

It isn't such a crime
What you did wasn't so bad

It isn't such a shame
It's not the end of the world

It happens all the time
This is a common occurrence

You shouldn't take the blame
Don't blame yourself for what happened

Go on and have a laugh
Try to find some humor in the situation

Go have a laugh on me
I don't mind if you laugh at me

At all your misery
Even though you are feeling down

Mary Anne, Mary Anne (don't cry Mary Anne)
Addressing Mary Anne to console her

I really wanna tell you Mary Anne, Mary Anne
I want to communicate with you

I'm thinking of you
Considering your situation