Earlier this week, we wrote about Smith’s amazing 1969 Youngbloods cover “Let’s Get Together” for our The Best Covers of 1960s One Hit Wonders list. Now Smith is back with another cover!
Wait a second. Turns out, this is a different Smith. That other band broke up in 1971. This SMITH (all caps) is…well, it’s not quite clear. She has never revealed her name or her face, saying “I’m afraid it’ll take something from the art vs add to it.” We do know that she — whoever she is — has earned a Grammy-nomination for her writing and production for Jack Harlow’s album and become the first female artist to have a Billboard Top 40 charting song at Alternative Radio and Urban Radio.
Now she’s covered the Victoria Williams song “Crazy Mary.” Though, as she notes, many ’90s grunge listeners may know it better through another version.
“I covered “Crazy Mary” because I love it,” she said. “It’s a brilliant song that does something to me every time I hear or sing it. Victoria Williams wrote a beautiful song and I’m grateful to her for this. Pearl Jam covered it years ago so I know there’s no need for improvement in my little version. I just wanted to record it because it’s a great song. It gets to me and almost always makes me cry. Cry with varied tears. Something about it felt familiar.”
Love Victoria Williams. Wonder what became of her?