"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.
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 ( full-name: David Scott Mustaine ) born 1961 in La Mesa, California. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist, and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Megadeth, which was formed in 1983. Mustaine is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the thrash metal genre and is considered a pioneer of the American thrash metal scene. Mustaine was originally a member of the band Metallica , but he was eventually fired from the band due to personal and musical differences. He went on to form Megadeth , which became one of the "big four" of the thrash metal genre along with Metallica , Slayer , and Anthrax . Throughout his career, Mustaine has been recognized for his musical abilities and innovative style, and he has been awarded numerous accolades and awards, including several Grammy nominations. He is known for his fast and complex guitar playing, as well as his powerful vocals and distinctive songwriting. In addition to his work with Megadeth, Mustaine has been involved in various other musical projects and has collaborated with a number of other musicians. He is also a published author and has been involved in various business ventures and charitable causes throughout his career. Michael Wagener - Producer, Mix Engineer Michael Wagener is a renowned music producer, mixer, and engineer hailing from Hamburg, Germany. He is highly recognized for his work with numerous prominent hard rock and heavy metal bands, particularly during the late 1980s, when he achieved considerable success and acclaim for his production contributions. Before his rise as a producer, Wagener had a musical career of his own. He was a guitarist and part of a German band called "Band X" in the pre-1970 era. Notably, Udo Dirkschneider, known for his involvement with the bands Accept and U.D.O., also performed alongside Wagener in Band X. This early collaboration between Wagener and Dirkschneider acted as a precursor to the formation of Accept, the influential German heavy metal band. While Michael Wagener began as a guitarist for Accept, he eventually transitioned into the realm of music production, where he found his true calling. His talent, expertise, and meticulous approach to producing and mixing led him to work with some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal. Wagener became highly sought after for his ability to capture the energy and power of these genres in the studio. In addition to his work as a music producer, mixer, and engineer, Michael Wagener is also the president of Double Trouble Productions. This production company, headed by Wagener, focuses on providing high-quality production services to various artists and bands in the music industry. Over the years, Wagener's production credits have included collaborations with iconic bands such as Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Dokken, White Lion, and many others. His contributions to the sound and success of these bands have solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the world of rock and metal production. Michael Wagener's work is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, ability to capture powerful performances, and his knack for creating an impactful and polished sound. His contributions to the music industry, particularly in the hard rock and heavy metal genres, have left a lasting imprint and have helped shape the sonic landscape of numerous iconic albums. Paul Lani - Producer, Sound Engineer Randy Burns - Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician Randy Burns is an American Music producer , Sound Engineer , and sound mixer. Responsible for the recorded sound of many Heavy Metal bands during the 1980s. Bands he has worked with include: 3rd Stage Alert , Agent Steel , Aversion , Bitter End , Chris Poland ( Band ) , Crumbsuckers , Dark Age , Dark Angel , DBC , Dead End , Death , Excel , Helstar , Kreator , Leatherwolf , Lizzy Borden , Ludichrist , Megadeth , Morgoth , Mortal Sin , Nuclear Assault , Possessed , Suicidal Tendencies , Uncle Sam , Zoetrope. 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 DiscAlbum weight: xxx gram |
Year & Country: 1988 |
Photos of Megadeth Mary Jane / Hook In Mouth Picture Disc on the Single Picture Sleeve
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Photo of picture back
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