Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi's in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension -- both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s "hip" clothing -- though the Friends' music was generally more soulful.
The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.
Their first single, "Grazin' In the Grass," was a Elston-sung vocal remake of a Hugh Masekela instrumental cut, and hit the top 5 on both Pop and Soul charts in 1969. The group's follow-up, "Going In Circles," was a brilliant ballad that also charted high. Love took some time off to have a baby, and Charlene Gibson stepped in and sang lead on the group's third big hit, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely." She also sang on the wonderful album cut, "Crazy Mary."
The Friends were quite prolific from 1969-71, releasing 5 albums (a sixth appeared in 1973). They also released a number of great singles, including "Check It Out" (later remade by Tavares) and a terrific cover of Neil Sedaka's "Time Waits for No One." Their best cuts are excellently compiled in The Best of the Friends of Distinction, which was released in 1996.
As popular music changed in the mid-70s, the Friends' fortunes declined. Jessica Cleaves was featured with Earth Wind and Fire,first appearance on the"Last Days and Time" release. A grueling touring schedule and the lack of a hit for several years led the group to call it quits in 1975. Elston and Butler continued to write and perform for a few years, then ultimately went their separate ways, taking jobs outside of music.
Over the next two decades, there was a rediscovery of the great music that the Friends had made together, and their biggest hits were remade by several artists, with "Going In Circles" charting for the Gap Band and Luther Vandross and "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" for pop artist Paul Davis. Most recently, "Grazin In the Grass" was released by Disney star Raven.
In 1990, Elston and Butler decided to bring the Friends back together. Tragically, Butler died (at Elston's side) before the group reunion could be realized. After Butler's death, Elston spent several years forming a new Friends group, ultimately bringing together Geno Henderson, Wendy Bruné and Berlando Drake to sing with Elston. That lineup currently tours and continues to entertain audiences nearly 40 years after the world first heard the Friends of Distinction.
Crazy Mary
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crazy Mary
Because I still love him
Though society says to shun him
They said that he left me
But I feel no regret
For I loved with my best
And my love is slow to die
For I'm loved him raw
With my eyes open wide
Open wide
They called me crazy
Crazy Mary
Because I still love him
Even though he left me
But is it crazy
To love, love free
Show what you feel
Make no compromise
To satisfy the world
Outside, outside
But is it crazy
To love, love free
Show what you feel
Make no compromise
To satisfy the world
Outside, outside
Call me Crazy (crazy) Mary (Mary)
Mary (Mary)
Mary...
But is it crazy
to love (like Mary)
Give all (Like Mary)
When love comes (like Mary)
To Be (like Mary)
So free (Like Mary)
The world should be (like Mary)
Just like me (Like Mary)
Call me crazy
Call me crazy
Crazy Mary
Mary
Ooh Mary
The world should be like me
You see I'm living so free
Call me, call me
Call me crazy
Crazy...
The Friends of Distinction's song "Crazy Mary" is a poignant exploration of love that goes against societal norms. Mary is labeled as crazy by outsiders because she still loves someone who society tells her she should shun. Although her lover has left her, Mary feels no regret because she loved him with her best and is slow to let go. When Mary states that she loved him "raw", she means that she loved him without any inhibitions and with her eyes open to all the possibilities and risks of heartbreak. Mary takes pride in her love being pure and unapologetic, which clashes with social expectations that demand that one should temper their passions and desires to be accepted.
The chorus of "Crazy Mary" celebrates the beauty of loving freely and openly without letting outside judgments dictate one's actions. Mary questions whether it is truly crazy to be so vulnerable and authentic with one's emotions, especially when the world wants us to compromise and conform to its expectations. As she repeats "Call me, call me, call me crazy" at the end of the song, Mary claims her right to be unconventional and proud of it. In essence, the song is a rallying cry for those who dare to love with abandon and reject conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me crazy, Crazy Mary
People label me as insane because I still love him in spite of society's pressure to cut ties with him.
Because I still love him, Though society says to shun him
I haven't stopped loving him even though people advise me to reject him.
They said that he left me, But I feel no regret
People have informed me that he abandoned me but I don't have any guilt for loving him.
For I loved with my best And my love is slow to die
I gave my all and my devotion doesn't fade away easily.
For I'm loved him raw With my eyes open wide Open wide
I loved him wholeheartedly and paid close attention to all the elements of the relationship.
But is it crazy To love, love free Show what you feel Make no compromise To satisfy the world Outside, outside
Isn't it reasonable to love someone without any hindrance, expressing our emotions honestly without trying to meet society's criteria, and not think about what others would say or expect outside?
Call me Crazy (crazy) Mary (Mary) Mary (Mary) Mary...
They can call me by different titles but I remain the same person irrespective of their opinion.
But is it crazy to love (like Mary) Give all (Like Mary) When love comes (like Mary) To Be (like Mary) So free (Like Mary) The world should be (like Mary) Just like me (Like Mary)
Loving passionately, with no limits and being oneself like me is rational, and the world should be the same way
Crazy Mary Ooh Mary The world should be like me You see I'm living so free Call me, call me Call me crazy Crazy...
My craziness isn't the one they perceive, I'm just living in the truest form of myself and they can call me whatever they want.
Contributed by Landon R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.