Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston subway stations (particularly on the Red Line, as noted by the name she chose for her music and lyric publishing company, On the Red Line Music.)
She has claimed that she had a romantic relationship with Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain before the group's rise to mainstream fame. This claim was disputed by some, including Cobain himself, though it has been suggested that Cobain's wife Courtney Love made him publicly lie about his past relationships to prove his devotion to her. In 1994, Lord showed up uninvited at a party for Courtney Love's band Hole, which ended with Love chasing Lord down Sunset Strip.
Lord toured three separate times with Elliott Smith during the 1990s. He also wrote and helped Lord record a song called, "I Figured You Out", in 1997. Smith would later say that, "I gave that song away 'cause I thought it sounded like The Eagles and that it sucked."
Her recordings have been a mixture of covers (including songs by Elliott Smith and Richard Thompson) and original material, with a number of songs written by, or in collaboration with, Nick Saloman of the British band The Bevis Frond.
Her recording of Daniel Johnston's "Speeding Motorcycle" (which was originally featured on her self-titled 8-song Kill Rock Stars release) was featured in commercials for Target stores, after which her label reissued the song as the lead-off track of a CD single which also included two demo recordings from the sessions for Got No Shadow.
In 2001, Lord released Live City Sounds. This was a self-released disc of Mary Lou playing live in the Boston subway. The disc was later re-released after Mary Lou signed to Rubric Records.
She announced in 2005 that she suffered from a rare vocal chord affliction known as spasmodic dysphonia. She thereafter became more involved in A&R work and started Jittery Jack Management with her husband, Kevin Patey.
Salem '76
Mary Lou Lord Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But other than that it's the same old scene
All that history all that mystery
For years I walked that hollowed ground
And soon they passed their judgment down
And they'll never know they killed me years ago
And I drown in the sound of yesterday's raid
I burned at the stake of yesterday's raid
From the gallow's pull seven curses on a hangman's soul
The spirit of the beating heart the blessed and the magic arts
Rid my soul they took control
They pulled my masquerade away
And made mew hat I am today for all to see go on - look at me
I'm not the one who danced with you then
And I'm not the one who asked to see you again
And in my own hometown there's no attempt to help me down
From the gallow's pull seven curses on a hangman's soul
This time I'll have the final word this time I'll win the case
I won't become a Sarah Good again
No one's gonna make me change my mind's made up and rearranged
If they had their way they'd lynch me all over again
And in my own hometown there's no attempt to help me down
From the gallow's pull seven curses on a hangman's soul
In Mary Lou Lord's song Salem '76, she talks about the town of Salem, Massachusetts and its historical significance around Halloween due to the infamous witch trials that took place in the late 17th century. However, she laments that the rest of the year, the town is just an ordinary place. She describes walking the grounds where the trials took place and feeling the weight of history and judgment passed down on those accused of witchcraft. The lyrics take on a personal note as she sings from the perspective of one of the accused, who was put to death and now haunts the town as a ghost.
Mary Lou Lord describes the curse that haunts her as a result of her wrongful conviction and the way her persecution has shaped her identity. She tries to regain control and assert her innocence by having the "final word" and winning her own case against the townspeople who condemned her. The song ends on a bitter note as she acknowledges the continued lack of sympathy or understanding from those around her, who have failed to acknowledge the past and rectify their mistakes.
Overall, the song Salem '76 is a poignant reflection on the lasting impact of historical events, as well as a call for justice and redemption for those who were wrongly accused and punished in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
This town's pretty cool around Halloween
The town of Salem in Massachusetts is known for its spooky history and celebrations around Halloween.
But other than that it's the same old scene
Outside of the Halloween season, Salem is just like any other town.
All that history all that mystery
Salem is known for its complex and fascinating history, including the infamous witch trials and other mysterious events.
For years I walked that hollowed ground
The singer has spent a lot of time exploring the historical sites and landmarks in Salem.
And soon they passed their judgment down
The singer is referring to the Salem witch trials, where many people were falsely accused and sentenced to death.
And they'll never know they killed me years ago
The singer feels a connection with the victims of the witch trials and feels as though her own life was taken away by the injustices of the past.
And I drown in the sound of yesterday's raid
The singer is overwhelmed by the weight of the past and feels like she is drowning in it.
I burned at the stake of yesterday's raid
The singer is using figurative language to describe how deeply she feels the impact of the witch trials and their outcomes.
And in my own hometown there's no attempt to help me down
The singer feels trapped by the legacy of the witch trials and doesn't feel like anyone is trying to help her escape the past.
From the gallow's pull seven curses on a hangman's soul
The singer is using imagery to describe the curse that she feels has been placed on Salem and its inhabitants.
The spirit of the beating heart the blessed and the magic arts
The singer is referring to the magic and folklore that has been a part of Salem's history for generations.
Rid my soul they took control
The singer feels like the history and legacy of Salem has taken control of her life and soul.
They pulled my masquerade away
The singer feels like the facade she has been presenting to the world has been stripped away and she is left exposed.
And made mew hat I am today for all to see go on - look at me
The singer is embracing her identity and challenging others to accept her for who she is.
I'm not the one who danced with you then
The singer is rejecting the past and declaring that she is not the same person she was then.
And I'm not the one who asked to see you again
The singer is also rejecting the idea that she wants to go back to the way things were in the past.
This time I'll have the final word this time I'll win the case
The singer feels empowered to stand up for herself and her convictions and feels like she will come out on top.
I won't become a Sarah Good again
The singer is referencing an actual victim of the witch trials and is declaring that she will not allow history to repeat itself.
No one's gonna make me change my mind's made up and rearranged
The singer is resolute in her convictions and feels like she has completely reorganized her priorities and perspectives.
If they had their way they'd lynch me all over again
The singer feels like there are still people in Salem who would like to see her punished for her rejection of the past and for her individuality.
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.