Tuesday June 2, 2020 “Cherry Hill Park” Billy Joe Royal
It’s been a while since we have had a story song so here’s an interesting one about Mary Hill, adults only though this song is rated PG.
'Cherry Hill Park' was written by Robert Nix and Billy Gilmore who would go on to form the Atlanta Rhythm Section, who had a handful of hits of their own in the 70’s, and the song was sung by Billy Joe Royal (his real name) who had hits prior to and after 'Cherry Hill Park' that would be written by his friend Joe South who had a bunch of hits on his own.
That's a lot of hits by a lot of people.
But the real story here is Mary Hill, who 'was such a thrill after dark', and the question of how this very suggestive story song about the games she played in Cherry Hill Park (named for Cherry Hill, NJ) managed to get the airplay that it did and become a top twenty hit back in 1969 even as many radio stations banned it.
The story was troubling for some, according to the song, ‘all the girls they criticized her’ but not to everyone as “all the guys just idolized her” Not to worry though it all ends happily, well at least it does for Mary Hill.
Stay safe and well..and maybe take a trip to the park, maintaining a safe distance of course... especially from Mary Hill (unless you are in the idolizing group).
Mary Hill used to hang out in Cherry Hill Park
The game she played lasted all day till way after dark
All the girls they criticized her
But all the guys just idolized her
'Cause Mary Hill was such a thrill after dark
In Cherry Hill Park
Mary Hill used to love to ride the merry-go-round
All the guys got eager eyes watchin Mary go round
In the daytime Mary Hill was a teaser
Come the night she was such a pleaser
Oh Mary Hill was such a thrill after dark
In Cherry Hill Park
Mary Hill sure was fun down in Cherry Hill Park
Playing games with everyone till way after dark
In Cherry Hill Park, Cherry Hill Park
Then one day, Mary Hill, she married away
A man with money said come on honey
And she said okay
She went away to play a one man game
And since that day it ain't been the same
Cause Mary Hill was such a thrill after dark
Yeah in Cherry Hill Park
Now Mary Hill sure was fun down in Cherry Hill Park
Playing games with everyone till way after dark
In Cherry Hill Park (Cherry Hill Park)
In Cherry Hill Park (Cherry Hill Park)
In Cherry Hill Park (Cherry Hill Park)
In Cherry Hill Park (Cherry Hill Park)
In Cherry Hill Park (Cherry Hill Park)
