THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

697-Sutherland Brothers and Quiver-Arms of Mary.

1976-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.37.Mary sounds like she was an excellent teacher. I wonder if she made a career out of it.

The brothers Gavin, and Iain Sutherland were active between 1968-1979, originally calling themselves ‘A New Generation.’Gavin was born on October 6th, 1951, in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and Iain was born on November 17th, 1948, in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, he died November 25th, 2019.’Arms of Mary’ was written by Iain, but their best known song ‘Sailing’ (see also best songs 179.) was written by Gavin.

In 1973 the brothers joined forces with the English Progressive Rock/Soft Rock band ‘Quiver,’ and became known as ‘Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. Together they released six studio Albums between 1973-1977, and nine singles.’Arms of Mary’ failed to chart in America, and because of this, in the States they are primarily remembered for their 1973 Number 48 single ‘( I Don’t Won’t To Love You But) You Got Me Anyway.’

After Quiver split in 1978 Tim Renwick, and Willie Wilson toured with Pink Floyd during the 1980’s, and 1990’s,Bruce Thomas became the bass player with the Attractions, and Peter Wood who died in 1993, who also toured with Pink Floyd, was also the co-writer of ‘Year of the Cat’ (see also best songs 130.)

‘Arms of Mary’ is the tale of a boys first sexual encounter, as the narrator fondly reminisces.

‘Mary was the girl who taught me all I had to know, she put me right on my first mistake.’