Studio Album · No. 4
Mary Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by Lauryn Hill, Chucky Thompson, Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Holds writing credit on 7 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 7 / 14 documented
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Mary J. Blige carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Mary spreads its authorship across a large cast of collaborators: Blige co-wrote much of the album, but several songs come fully from outside writers like Lauryn Hill, who wrote and produced the opener 'All That I Can Say,' and Diane Warren, who wrote 'Give Me You.' Interpolations of Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Burt Bacharach put veteran songwriters in the credits, reflecting the album's reach back into classic soul.
Mary is the fourth studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in August 1999 and her most musically ambitious record to that point. Reaching back to classic 1970s soul, she worked with a wide cast that included Lauryn Hill, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Elton John, who guests on 'Deep Inside.' Blige co-wrote much of the album, which traded heavy sampling for live instrumentation and featured duets with Aretha Franklin and K-Ci Hailey. The record went platinum and showed her stretching beyond hip-hop soul toward a richer, more traditional R&B sound. It remains one of her most artful and grown-up statements.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
All That I Can Say
#44
|
Lauryn Hill | Lauryn Noelle Hill | Lauryn Hill | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Sexy
|
Mary J. BligeJadakissStevie WonderSusaye Greene | Mary Jane BligeJason Terrance PhillipsStevland Hardaway MorrisSusaye Greene | Floyd HowardKiyamma Griffin | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Jadakiss (Featured Artist) |
| 3 |
Deep Inside
|
Mary J. BligeTara GeterKevin DeaneElton JohnBernie Taupin | Mary Jane BligeTara GeterKevin DeaneReginald Kenneth DwightBernard John Taupin | Kevin Deane | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Elton John (Piano) |
| 4 |
Beautiful Ones
|
Rich HarrisonCecil WardBurt BacharachHal David | Richard Wendell HarrisonCecil WardBurt Freeman BacharachHarold Lane David | Rich HarrisonChucky Thompson | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
I'm in Love
|
Ronnie WilsonLonnie Wilson | Ronnie WilsonLonnie Wilson | Mary J. Blige | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Time
|
Mary J. BligeChucky ThompsonStevie Wonder | Mary Jane BligeCarl ThompsonStevland Hardaway Morris | Mary J. BligeChucky Thompson | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Memories
|
Carsten SchackKenneth KarlinChanette HiggensChannoah HiggensMary J. Blige | Carsten SchackKenneth KarlinChanette HiggensChannoah HiggensMary Jane Blige | Soulshock & Karlin | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Don't Waste Your Time
|
Gen RubinDenise Rich | Gen RubinDenise Rich | Babyface | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Aretha Franklin (Featured Artist) |
| 9 |
Not Lookin'
|
Mary J. BligeJean MorrisDean HostlerIke Lee | Mary Jane BligeJean MorrisDean HostlerIke Lee | Ike LeeDean Hostler | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)K-Ci Hailey (Featured Artist) |
| 10 |
Your Child
|
Gerald Isaac | Gerald Isaac | Gerald Isaac | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
No Happy Holidays
|
Mary J. BligeKiyamma GriffinTara Geter | Mary Jane BligeKiyamma GriffinTara Geter | Kiyamma Griffin | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
The Love I Never Had
|
Jimmy JamTerry LewisJames WrightMary J. Blige | James Samuel Harris IIITerry Steven LewisJames WrightMary Jane Blige | Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Give Me You
#56
|
Diane Warren | Diane Eve Warren | Manuel SealNate-Love Clemons | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Let No Man Put Asunder
|
Bruce GrayBruce Hawes | Bruce GrayBruce Hawes | Malik PendletonBryant CrockettMoise LaPorte | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |