Sam Cooke, often called the King of Soul, was a trailblazing singer and songwriter known for smooth vocals and timeless hits like A Change Is Gonna Come and Cupid.
He blended gospel, R&B, and pop, leaving a lasting impact on music and civil rights.
Harve Presnell, a baritone with a powerful voice, moved from opera and Broadway to film roles like Fargo, showcasing his wide talent.
Meanwhile, The Kingston Trio brought folk music into mainstream America during the late 1950s and ’60s, with clean harmonies and hits like Tom Dooley. All left a strong legacy across music and film with their unique styles and contributions
About the Song
They Call the Wind Mariah is a sad, powerful song that tells the story of a lonely man who misses his loved ones.
He talks about the strong wind named Mariah, which seems to cry like he does. The music feels haunting and emotional.
| Artist | Released | Album | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harve Presnell | 1969 | Paint Your Wagon | Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe. | Tom Mack |
| The Kingston Trio | January 5, 1959 | NA | Alan Jay Lerner | Voyle Gilmore |
| Sam Cooke | 1961 | NA | Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe | Hugo & Luigi, Hugo Peretti & Luigi Creatore |
They Call The Wind Mariah Lyrics by Sam Cooke
Verse 1
Way out west, they’ve got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire’s Joe and
They call the wind Mariah
Oh now, Mariah blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a-flying
Mariah makes the mountain sounds
Like folks were up there dying
Chorus
Mariah, Mariah
They call the wind Mariah
Verse 2
Now before I knew Mariah’s name
And heard her wail and whining
I had a girl and she had me
And the sun was always shining
Oh, but then one day I left my girl
I left her far behind me
And now I’m lost, I’m oh so lost
Not even God can find me
Chorus
Mmm, Mariah, oh, Mariah
They call the wind Mariah
Verse 3
Oh, out here they’ve got a name for rain
For wind and fire only
But when you’re lost and all alone
There ain’t no word but lonely
Oh yeah, and I’m a lost and lonely man
Without a star to guide me
Mariah, blow my love to me
I need my girl beside me
Outro
Mmm, Mariah, oh, Mariah
I’m lonely can’t you see
Mmm, Mariah, oh, Mariah
Please blow my love to me
Mariah, blow my love to me
They Call The Wind Mariah Lyrics by Harve Presnell
MEN
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
ROTTEN LUCK WILLIE
Away out here they got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire’s Joe
And they call the wind Maria
Maria blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a-flyin’
Maria makes the mountains sound
Like folks were up there dyin’
MEN
Maria, Maria
ROTTEN LUCK WILLIE & MEN
They call the wind Maria
ROTTEN LUCK WILLIE
Before I knew Maria’s name
And heard her wail and whinin’
I had a girl and she had me
And the sun was always shinin’
But then one day I left my girl
I left her far behind me
And now I’m lost, so goldarn lost
Not even God can find me
MEN
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
ROTTEN LUCK WILLIE
Out here they got a name for rain
For wind and fire only
But when you’re lost and all alone
There ain’t no word but lonely
And I’m a lost and lonely man
Without a star to guide me
Maria, blow my love to me
I need my girl beside me
MEN
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
ROTTEN LUCK WILLIE & MEN
Maria, Maria
ROTTEN LUCK WILLIE
Blow my love to me
They Call The Wind Mariah Lyrics by Kingston Trio
Away out here they’ve got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire’s Joe
And they call the wind Maria
Maria blows the stars around
And sets the clouds a-flyin’
Maria makes the mountains sound
Like folks was out there dyin’
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
Before I knew Maria’s name
And heard her wail and whinin’
I had a gal and she had me
And the sun was always shinin’
But then one day I left my gal
I left her far behind me
And now I’m lost so gol darn lost
Not even God can find me
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
Out here they have a name for rain
Wind and fire only
But when you’re lost and all alone
There ain’t no name for lonely
I’m a lost and lonely man
Without a star to guide me
Maria blow my love to me
I need my gal beside me
Maria, Maria
They call the wind Maria
Maria, Maria
They call the wind maria
Similar Songs Like They Call The Wind Mariah
Here’s a list of similar pop songs that you might love to check out:
- I Will Never Say No: It showcases his rich baritone voice as he promises unwavering love and devotion in a powerful, emotional performance.
- Tom Dooley: This haunting folk ballad tells the story of a man facing execution, based on a true account. Their version helped kickstart the folk revival in the late 1950s.
- Cupid: It is a sweet, upbeat song where Cooke asks Cupid to help someone fall in love. Its catchy melody and smooth vocals made it a classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was They Call The Wind Mariah Popular?
Yes, it quickly became a hit. It was popular among troops during the Korean War and became a best-selling single in 1951.
What Inspired the Name Mariah for the Wind?
The name and pronunciation were inspired by George Rippey Stewart’s 1941 novel Storm, where a storm is named Maria and pronounced with the accent on the second syllable.
