"Mary Anne" is a 1982 song by American rock musician Marshall Crenshaw.
Written from the perspective of trying to console someone, the song's title was not based on a specific girl.
Despite this, it has since become one of Crenshaw's most famous songs, seeing positive critical reception and becoming a live favorite.
"[1] The song was not written with anyone in mind—Crenshaw recalled, "I didn’t really know anybody named Mary Anne.
[1]"Mary Anne," like many other songs on the album, features layered harmonies and lush production.
It has also been covered by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; their version was later praised by Crenshaw as "really beautiful.
"[2] Crenshaw also recorded an acoustic version of the song for the 2008 movie God Is Dead.
"[6][7] The Washington Post's Brett Anderson said the song was "as timeless as a vintage Chevy—and just as well engineered.