Today’s little-known 1980s remake of a little-known 1970s pop song of the day is “Jimmy Loves Maryann” by Josie Cotton. This is a New Wavish remake of the second single from the band Looking Glass, which wasn’t near as big a hit as their previous “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” which was my Classic Song of the Day yesterday.
The song itself was written by Elliott Lurie, Looking Glass’ lead vocalist, who also penned “Brandy.” The original’s title was “Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne,” not “Maryann,” if you’re a stickler for these things, and it was released in July of 1973. It only went to #33 on the Billboard Hot 100, far short of the band’s #1 single the prior year. Ms. Cotton released her version in 1984. It was also not a big hit, rising only to #82 on the Billboard Hot 100.
I like the Looking Glass version and I like Ms. Cotton’s cover, too. The cover is very of its time, with a harder edge than the “Brandy”-sounding original that I think benefits the song. In any case, it’s got a good melody and, at least in this version, you can dance to it.
Josie Cotton hails from Dallas, Texas, but migrated to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. She made a splash with “Johnny Are You Queer?” in 1981, which went to #38 on Billboard’s Dance Clubs Chart (and #8 in Canada). The song was written by Larson Payne (Josie’s then-boyfriend) and his brother Bobby and first performed live (but not recorded) by the Go-Go’s. Josie performed “Johnny” in the 1983 film Valley Girl, so you might have heard it there if you were a teenager back then.
Given the poor performance of “Jimmy Loves Mary Ann,” many consider Ms. Cotton’s recording of “Johnny Are You Queer?” a one-hit wonder. It’s certainly true that she didn’t have any bona fide hits afterwards. She kept performing, however, and doing bit parts in various movies. Josie Cotton is still out there today doing her thing, aged 67. Good for her.
