This song was on the album called The Who Sell Out. I’ve said before that titles sometimes grab my attention and this one certainly did. This one has had many covers from other bands and artists.
The Who Sell Out is A Pop Art album that was fashioned after Pirate radio. The Who created spoof promo slots for Radio London, Premier Drums and Rotosound Strings, recorded in the brash ad-speak of 60s pirate radio. John Entwistle wrote two commercial jingles for Heinz Beans and Medac spot pimple cream.
Pete Townshend: “I’d already written two songs for [co-manager] Kit Lambert for the American Cancer Society – Little Billy and Kids! Do You Want Kids? – and I had Odorono, about a girl who loses a record contract. It wasn’t meant to be a commercial, it was just a song about body odor.”
I always thought it was a brilliant idea and remains a great satirical take on 60s consumerism.
The song would be the B side in America to I Can See For Miles.
The album was released on December 16, 1967. It peaked at #13 in the UK and #48 in the Billboard Album Charts. Their album Tommy would be released 2 years after this one and it would be their breakthrough all over the world.
Critic Dave Marsh called it “the greatest rock and roll album of its era” and “the Who’s consummate masterpiece, the work that holds together most tightly as concept and realization”.
Pete Townshend on the album: I’d demoed ‘Tattoo’ in my hotel room in Las Vegas during our three-day vacation, and a song called ‘Odorono’, named after a deodorant stick. ‘Odorono’ led us to the most perfect pop idea of all time: we would make our next record a vehicle for advertising. When we called Kit to explain, he was as excited as we were. I suggested we link the gaps between songs with jingles like those on commercial pirate radio.
John and Keith leapt on the idea, and, inspired by ‘Odorono’, began making up advertising jingles for all kinds of things, like Medac spot cream, Premier Drums and Heinz Baked Beans. But when the album was ready to be put together we were still short of tracks. John’s track didn’t feel right either, so he quickly produced a demo for another song called ‘Silas Stingy’, which, to be honest, was equally eccentric. But this was obviously going to be a very eccentric record.
Who – Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand
I danced with Linda
I danced with Jean
I danced with Cindy
Then I suddenly see
Mary-Anne with the shaky hands
What they’ve done to her man
Those shaky hands
Mary is so pretty
The prettiest in the land
Guys come from every city
Just to shake her shaky hands
Linda can cook
Jean reads books
Cindy can sew
But I’d rather know
Mary-Anne with the shaky hands
What they’ve done to her man
Those shaky hands
Mary-Anne with the shaky hands
What they’ve done to her man
Those shaky hands
Mary-Anne with the shaky hands
What they’ve done to her man
Those shaky hands
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Your right about a song title grabbing your attention Max. lol
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The Who is one of my most favorite bands, and this album has such a cool title and those iconic images, but I don’t connect to it at all, other than ‘I Can See For Miles’. So basically, I love everything about this album but 9/10 of the music. It’s just too much weirdness for me. I will say that ‘Mary Anne’ fits neatly into this album.
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What I like most is the concept…very cool concept they did.
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I agree it was very cool, and made a lasting impact, as a concept.
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I like it. sounds a bit like ‘Magic Bus’ to me, maybe its the percussion. Certainly a pretty interesting and different concept for an album. Did Heinz have anything to say about it?
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No I don’t think so….they tried to get sponsers… Daltry ended up with near pneumonia sitting in those cold beans lol.
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Got that one on LP but never listened very often. I’ll put it back on my player right now. Thanx for the advice.
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I do like this album from The Who.
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While I was well aware of the album and the concept behind it, except for “Armenia City in the Sky” and the excellent “I Can See For Miles”, I couldn’t recall any of the other tunes. It’s been a long time I’ve listened to it!
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Nice wee number I’d forgotten. I preferred the early Who, I lost interest after they went all conceptual.
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I always thought their early singles and albums are criminally overlooked. Those singles back then were great….same as the Kinks.
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Yeah, I like the early garage band feel. Somehow the later stuff,’You Better You Bet’ etc just left me cold.
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After Moon….it was never the same. I did like Who’s Next but Who Are You was a step down for them before Face Dances.
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Doesn’t do to take oneself too seriously and I think the concept is good. The song’s not bad.
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You inow I love this stuff. Just watched a recent “Two” concert on PBS. It was very good. Something about them exudes coolness. A couple of guys that have aged well and still bring the music with a punch and integrity. Didnt feel forced or like going through the motions. I changed the line from the song you posted tp “Linda CAN’T cook” I like it better.
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Good to see you CB!!! I don’t think Pete would mind at all! about the change I love this album…what a brilliant concept!
Have a happy new year man….you and your family dude!
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I wore the album out. I came to it after ‘Leeds’ ‘Next’ and probably a couple more. I ate it up. I bought a reissue that was a twofer with “A Quick One’ kind of cool.
Same to fella.
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