
Peak
2
Weeks
15
Score
3,201
Chart Year
1969
"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
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 18, 1969 | 61 | 65 |
| 2 | Oct 25, 1969 | 37 | 89 |
| 3 | Nov 1, 1969 | 21 | 105 |
| 4 | Nov 8, 1969 | 18 | 108 |
| 5 | Nov 15, 1969 | 10 | 116 |
| 6 | Nov 22, 1969 | 2 | 124 |
| 7 | Nov 29, 1969 | 4 | 122 |
| 8 | Dec 6, 1969 | 4 | 122 |
| 9 | Dec 13, 1969 | 6 | 120 |
| 10 | Dec 20, 1969 | 8 | 118 |
| 11 | Dec 27, 1969 | 10 | 116 |
| 12 | Jan 3, 1970 | 16 | 110 |
| 13 | Jan 10, 1970 | 20 | 106 |
| 14 | Jan 17, 1970 | 29 | 97 |
| 15 | Jan 24, 1970 | 51 | 75 |