Megadeth - Mary Jane / Hook In Mouth Picture Disc

"Mary Jane" is not about marijuana, as is commonly thought; it is actually about a girl who takes up witchcraft, and seeks forgiveness from her father only to be buried alive as punishment.

High Resolution Photo Megadeth Mary Jane / Hook In Mouth Picture Disc Vinyl Record

"Mary Jane" / "Hook in Mouth" Album Description:

Megadeth's "Mary Jane" / "Hook in Mouth" picture disc is a fascinating slice of thrash metal history. While often sought for its collectible artwork, the songs themselves pack a powerful thematic punch.

"Mary Jane": Misconceptions and Dark Realities

The enduring misperception that "Mary Jane" is a song about marijuana speaks to rock music's tendency to associate that name with the drug. However, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has always been clear on the song's true inspiration: witchcraft. The lyrics paint a harrowing picture of a young woman drawn into the occult, desperately seeking forgiveness from her father, and ultimately facing a horrifying punishment of being buried alive.

The song's driving riffs and Mustaine's raw vocals mirror the intensity and desperation of the narrative. "Mary Jane" becomes an exploration of the dangers of unchecked belief systems and the potential for cruelty lurking behind blind faith.

"Hook in Mouth": Power, Corruption, and Censorship

The B-side of the picture disc, "Hook in Mouth," was lifted from Megadeth's seminal album 'So Far, So Good... So What!'. This track dives into the themes of power, societal control, and censorship. The title is a reference to the Parental Music Resource Center (PMRC), an organization in the 1980s that campaigned to censor music it deemed offensive.

Mustaine's lyrics rage against attempts to stifle artistic expression, the dangers of unchecked authority, and the hypocrisy of those wielding power corruptly. "Hook in Mouth" resonates with Megadeth's rebellious spirit and is a defiant stand for the freedom of speech and creativity.

The Picture Disc Legacy

The "Mary Jane" / "Hook in Mouth" picture disc is more than a visual novelty. It houses two tracks that showcase Megadeth's depth and willingness to explore challenging subject matter. These songs are snapshots of a band constantly evolving, refusing to compromise their artistic vision, and always ready to confront social and political issues head-on.

Album Production Information:

The album: "Mary Jane" was produced by: Dave Mustaine and Randy Burns

Dave Mustaine – Vocals, Guitars

Thrash metal’s original grudge match: one guy, one guitar, and enough spite to power Los Angeles for decades. Read more...

Dave Mustaine is the razor-edged singer-guitarist who turned getting fired into a lifelong fuel source. To my ears, the story starts in Panic (late 1970s–1981), where those early riffs already sounded like trouble with a pick. From 1981–1983 he was Metallica’s original lead guitarist and co-writer, shaping key early songs before his April 11, 1983 dismissal. Back in Los Angeles he formed Megadeth in 1983 and has fronted it ever since, steering speed, spite, and precision through decades. Side quests like MD.45 (1996) just prove the volume never really drops.

Dave Mustaine Wiki

Michael Wagener - Producer, Mix Engineer

Michael Wagener – Producer, Sound Engineer Michael Wagener is a legendary music producer and sound engineer, known for crafting the signature sounds of hard rock and heavy metal. He co-founded Accept before shifting to production, working with top bands like Metallica, Skid Row, and Dokken. His powerful, polished mixes defined an era of rock.

Read his biography

Paul Lani - Producer, Sound Engineer

Randy Burns - Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician

Randy Burns is a renowned record producer and sound engineer who played a pivotal role in shaping heavy metal’s evolution. His work with bands like Megadeth, Death, and Kreator helped define the raw, aggressive sound of thrash and death metal. With a legacy spanning decades, his productions remain legendary. Learn more about his career here.

Tim Carr - Executive Producer

Mark Wilkinson - Cover Art

Pete Cronin - Photography.

Pete Cronin has been a photographer for over 30 years and has photographed rock bands like: Demon Pact, Avenger, Metallica, Exciter, English Dogs, Plasmatics, Briar, Bow Wow, Thin Lizzy, Alice in Chains, Megadeth and others.

Music Genre: Speed / Thrash Metal

Collector's Information:

7" Picture Disc

Tracks side 1: Mary Jane

Tracks side 2: Hook in Mouth

Record Label: Capitol

Vinyl Format:

7" Record, Picture Disc
Album weight: xxx gram

Year & Country:

1988

Photos of Megadeth Mary Jane / Hook In Mouth Picture Disc on the Single Picture Sleeve

High Resolution Photo Megadeth Mary Jane / Hook In Mouth Picture Disc Vinyl Record

Photo of picture back

Index of MEGADETH Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

MEGADETH - Anarchy in the UK Laser Etched Vinyl

MEGADETH - Anarchy in the UK album front cover vinyl record

"Anarchy in the U.K." is originally a song by the English punk rock band "The Sex Pistols" . It was released as the band's debut single on 26 November 1976 and was featured on their only album, Never Mind the Bollocks, This is Megadeth's cover of it, originally released on the album: "So far, so good, so what?"

Anarchy in the UK 12" Laser Etched Vinyl LP

Updated

Capitol Records 798531 , 1992 , EEC

MEGADETH - Countdown to Extinction

Released in 1992, “Countdown to Extinction” marks the moment Megadeth streamlined thrash metal without defanging it. Produced by Dave Mustaine and Max Norman, the album trades excess speed for precision, hooks, and political bite. Dark, disciplined, and sharply focused, it became the band’s breakthrough while still sounding unapologetically hostile.

MEGADETH - Death in the Fire

"Death in the Fire" 180g White Label Transparent Vinyl 12" Vinyl LP Album offers a thrilling glimpse into the raw intensity of Megadeth's live performances during their early years. While an unofficial release, this limited edition LP

Death in the Fire 12" Transparent Vinyl LP <

MEGADETH - Killing is My Business and Business is Good

This is the Picture Disc version "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" the debut album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was originally released in 1985 on Combat Records.

Killing is my Business and Business is Good 12" Vinyl Picture Disc

MEGADETH - Killing is My Business and Business is Good (Canada & Holland)

"Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" is the debut album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was originally released in 1985 on Combat Records. Mustaine wanted a picture of Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead

- Killing is my Business and Business is Good (1985, Canada) - Killing is my Business and Business is Good (1985, Holland)

MEGADETH - Mary Jane

This isn’t just a thrash metal maxi-single, it’s a coffin lid slammed shut at 45 r.p.m. Mary Jane crawls from the grooves with banshee wails and bone-splintering riffs, a teenage séance pressed in black vinyl. Flip it, and the B-side detonates with Megadeth’s trademark venom, each track a Molotov cocktail hurled at silence itself.

MEGADETH - Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth

Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth 7" Picture Disc

MEGADETH - No More Mr. Nice Guy (European and USA Releases) 12" Vinyl LP

MEGADETH - No More Mr Nice Guy (European and USA Releases) album front cover vinyl record

"No More Mr. Nice Guy" was originally a song by Alice Cooper, released in 1973. It became a popular hit and was covered by various artists over the years. In 1989, Megadeth decided to cover the song and release it as a single.

- No More Mr Nice Guy (1989, EEC Europe) - No More Mr Nice Guy (1989, USA)

MEGADETH - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (International Releases)

Formed in 1983 by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine, Megadeth quickly gained recognition for aggressive sound, complex guitar work, and conscious lyrics. "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" became their second studio album

- Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, Canada) - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, Germany) - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, USA)

MEGADETH - So Far So Good So What (International Releases)

Megadeth's "So Far, So Good, So What" 12" vinyl LP album was released on 19 January 1988, on Combat Records. The Canadian release of the album features a slightly different track listing than the US version

- So Far So Good So What (1988, Canada) - So Far So Good So What (1988, Germany) - So Far So Good So What (1988, USA)