Johnny and Mary

Last updated

"Johnny and Mary"
Robert Palmer - Johnny and Mary.jpg
Single by Robert Palmer
from the album Clues
ReleasedAugust 1980
Studio Compass Point Studios
Genre
Length3:59
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Robert Palmer
Robert Palmer singles chronology
"Can We Still Be Friends"
(1979)
"Johnny and Mary"
(1980)
"Looking for Clues"
(1980)
Music video
"Robert Palmer - Johnny and Mary" on YouTube

"Johnny and Mary" is a song written and originally performed by Robert Palmer. Palmer's version was recorded in 1980 at Compass Point Studios, New Providence, in the Bahamas. The song was featured on Palmer's album Clues (1980).

Contents

"Johnny and Mary" went to No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart, [5] and was a top 40 hit in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and several European countries. In Germany, it peaked at No. 7 on the singles chart and spent a total of 23 weeks in the top 20. [6] [7] In Spain, it peaked at No. 1 on the Spanish singles chart (AFYVE). [8]

Though the single did not chart in the US Hot 100, it did reach No. 18 on Billboard's Club Play Singles chart. [9]

"Johnny and Mary" was used as the signature tune in advertisements promoting Renault cars throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Early adverts used Palmer's original version, while a range of special recordings in different styles were produced during the 1990s, most famously an acoustic interpretation by Martin Taylor, which he released on his album Spirit of Django. Taylor recorded alternate versions for Renault; the last being in 1998 for the launch of the all-new Renault Clio. In 2021, Swedish singer Hanna Hägglund recorded a new version of the song, used again by Renault in TV ads to launch its latest version of model Clio. [10] [11]

Chart performance

Todd Terje featuring Bryan Ferry version

"Johnny and Mary"
Todd Terje and Bryan Ferry - Johnny and Mary cover art.jpg
Single by Todd Terje featuring Bryan Ferry
from the album It's Album Time and Avonmore
Released7 April 2014 (2014-04-07)
Genre Electronica [3]
Length
  • 6:32(album version)
  • 5:10 (radio edit)
Label Olsen
Songwriter(s) Robert Palmer
Producer(s) Todd Terje
Todd Terje singles chronology
"Leisure Suit Preben"
(2013)
"Johnny and Mary"
(2014)
"Alfonso Muskedunder"
(2015)
CD single [25]
No.TitleLength
1."Johnny and Mary"6:32
2."Johnny and Mary" (Radio edit)5:10
Digital download [24]
No.TitleLength
1."Johnny and Mary" (Radio edit)5:10

Charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
France (SNEP) [25] 185

Other versions

See also

Related Research Articles

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