"What's the New Mary Jane" is a song written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and performed by the English rock band the Beatles. Composed during the Beatles' retreat to Rishikesh, India in early 1968, it was recorded in August of that year, during sessions for the double album The Beatles (also known as "the White Album"), but was omitted from the album's running order during its final banding session. The song features Beatles band members Lennon and George Harrison, as well as Lennon's future wife Yoko Ono and Beatles assistant Mal Evans.
Lennon resurrected the song in November 1969, when he and Ono added further overdubs with the intent to issue it as a single credited to Plastic Ono Band, although the release was ultimately put on hold. The song remained unreleased until the archival Beatles compilation Anthology 3 in 1996.
Background and composition
"What's the New Mary Jane" was part of a large quantity of songs written by the Beatles during their stay in Rishikesh, India in early 1968 and features a discordant melody and surreal lyrics containing multiple references to India. Although credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was composed solely by John Lennon. In a 1969 interview with NME, Lennon also credited friend and head of Apple Electronics, Magic Alex, with writing half of the song, though this credit was later revoked without explanation.
"What's the New Mary Jane" also demonstrated the new influence of Yoko Ono on Lennon's music. After Lennon had returned from his India trip, he began an extramarital affair with Ono and created a number of experimental home recordings with her.
Release
On 27 September 1974, Lennon was a guest DJ on 93 KHJ (AM) in Los Angeles and received a call from a fan requesting that the song be played on air. Lennon expressed surprise that the fan had heard it and explained that he didn't have it and could not play it. The caller asked who appeared on the track, to which Lennon replied, "It's me, George and Yoko, actually [...] out of our minds on the floor of EMI one day. And it's a wonderful song, you'll hear it one day. We'll put it out on one of those repackages."
The song was remixed by Emerick in 1984 for inclusion on the aborted album Sessions. Lennon's original mono mix acetate was later featured in episode 140 of the radio show The Lost Lennon Tapes. The song was not made available until 1996, when it was issued on Anthology 3.
Personnel
Personnel per The Beatles Bible, except where indicated.
- John Lennon – lead vocals, piano, tambourine, effects
- George Harrison – vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, effects
- Yoko Ono – vocals, percussion, effects (Swanee whistle, football rattle, ripping paper percussion