Take A Letter Maria

Album

Soul Classics

Label

ATCO Records

Genre

Film Soundtrack

Media Type

45s

Duration

2:44

Composer(s)

Ronald Bertram Greaves

Entered Chart

Oct 18, 1969

Peak Date

Nov 22, 1969

Released

September 1969

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Atco 45-6714

B-Side

Big Bad City

"Take a Letter Maria" is the debut single written and recorded by American soul singer R. B. Greaves. It was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio on August 19, 1969, using the house studio musicians. These include Donna Jean Thatcher on vocals (later Donna Jean Godchaux of the Grateful Dead), Roger Hawkins on drums, Barry Beckett on electric piano, Eddie Hinton and Jimmy Johnson on guitar, David Hood on bass, and Mel Lastie on trumpet. "Take a Letter Maria" was released in September 1969, and quickly gained regular airplay. The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100,and was kept from the top spot by the 5th Dimension's "Wedding Bell Blues" It was the last #2 hit of the 1960s. The single was certified gold by November 1969; one million copies had shipped. By 1970, sales totalled 2.5 million

Last night, as I got home, about a half past ten
There was the woman I thought I knew in the arms of another man.
I kept my cool, I ain't no fool. Let me tell ya what happened then.
I packed some clothes and I walked out .and I ain't goin' back again.

So take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home.gotta start a new life
Oh Take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer.gotta start a new life
You've been many things but most of all a good secretary to me
And it's time like this I feel, you've always been close to me
Was I wrong to work nights, to try to build a good life?
All work, and no play has just cost me a wife

So take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home.gotta start a new life
Take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
I never really noticed, how sweet you are to me
It just so happens I'm free tonight, would you like to have dinner with me?
So take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home.gonna start a new life
Ohhhh, Take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer.Gonna have a new life
Take a letter Maria.address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home.fade out