Alex G’s song “Mary,” from his 2012 album Trick, is a multifaceted exploration of desire, infatuation, and the complexities of relationships. The lyrics present Mary as a captivating figure, embodying both allure and danger.
Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, the singer expresses a deep longing for connection while simultaneously grappling with the darker implications of that desire.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Mary” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Mary is the girl that I wanna kiss
She’s got big red eyes and big red lips
She’s got big sharp teeth and big fat hips
In the opening lines, the singer expresses a strong physical attraction to Mary, describing her with vivid and somewhat exaggerated imagery: “big red eyes,” “big red lips,” “big sharp teeth,” and “big fat hips.” These descriptions can be seen as both alluring and unsettling, suggesting a mix of desire and potential danger.
The “big red eyes” may symbolize the effects of drug use, particularly marijuana, hinting at the duality of attraction and the consequences associated with it.
[Verse 2]
Mary is the girl that I wanna fuck
She’s got leather heart and leather gloves
She’s the only girl that I wanna love
The second verse intensifies the singer’s desire, explicitly stating a sexual longing: “Mary is the girl that I wanna fuck.” Here, Mary is depicted as having a “leather heart and leather gloves,” which could imply a tough exterior or emotional detachment.
This juxtaposition highlights a deeper emotional connection that the singer craves, as he acknowledges her as “the only girl that I wanna love.” This line reflects a yearning for intimacy beyond mere physicality, suggesting an emotional investment in what Mary represents.
[Bridge 1]
Listen to me, baby, I don’t mind
I wanna be with you and waste my time
In this bridge, the singer expresses a desire for companionship and acceptance: “Listen to me, baby, I don’t mind / I wanna be with you and waste my time.”
This sentiment conveys a sense of longing for connection and an acknowledgment of time spent together as valuable, even if it may not lead to anything substantial. It suggests a willingness to embrace moments of vulnerability in pursuit of love or understanding.
[Bridge 2]
Give it to me, baby, I feel good
I wanna feel whatever you think I should
The second bridge emphasizes the singer’s desire to experience life through Mary’s perspective: “Give it to me, baby, I feel good / I wanna feel whatever you think I should.”
This line further illustrates the theme of dependency—wanting to align one’s feelings with another person’s emotions or experiences. It reflects a desire for escapism through Mary, whether she represents a person or substance.
[Bridge 3]
Sing it for me, baby, play my song
I wanna hear your daddy sing along
In this bridge, there is a nostalgic reference to familial connections: “Sing it for me, baby, play my song / I wanna hear your daddy sing along.” This could symbolize a longing for comfort and familiarity in relationships.
The mention of her father might evoke feelings of safety or nostalgia but also hints at complexities within family dynamics that influence personal relationships.
[Verse 3]
Mary is the girl that leaves you to rot
She says, “I am real, and you are not”
She says, “I am real, and you are not”
The final verse takes a darker turn with lines like “Mary is the girl that leaves you to rot” and “She says, ‘I am real, and you are not.'” Here, Mary transforms from an object of desire into a source of pain or disillusionment. The phrase “leaves you to rot” suggests abandonment or neglect following initial excitement.
The declaration of being “real” juxtaposed with the singer’s perceived unreality may point to feelings of derealization often experienced by those struggling with addiction or toxic relationships.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Mary”
Some suggest that “Mary” serves as a metaphor for marijuana. The lyrics indicates a relationship with this substance, depicting it as both alluring and destructive. Phrases like “Mary is the girl that I wanna fuck” imply a desire for instant gratification associated with drug use, while later lines reflect the negative consequences of addiction.
The sentiment that “Mary will leave you to rot” captures the fleeting pleasure and subsequent emptiness that can accompany substance dependence.
Apart from that, this song seem to be suggesting some emotional and mental struggles of the singer. The lyrics express a longing for someone—symbolized by Mary—to understand his feelings and experiences.
Alex G’s plea for Mary to listen highlights his desire for connection and acceptance amid his personal turmoil. The line “Goodbye, Mary, goodbye” suggests a resignation to the fact that true understanding may be unattainable, leaving him with feelings of despair23.
Some of my friends view “Mary” as a love song about infatuation with a woman who embodies both beauty and cruelty. The singer admires her captivating qualities but also acknowledges the emotional pain she causes, leading to feelings of emptiness. This duality reflects the complexities often found in romantic relationships.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.