What’s That Song? Prince’s “Mary Don’t You Weep” in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman

For as undeniable as Spike Lee’s influence as a filmmaker may be, it’s been more than a few years since the director has earned the sort of rave reviews that he’s pulling in for his latest flick, BlacKkKlansman. There’s also something else that’s particularly notable about the film: it features a Prince song, “Mary Don’t You Weep,” which – until it found its way into the mix for consideration for the soundtrack – had never before been released.

Lee spoke with Rolling Stone about the film, during which time he was asked about how the song found its way into his hands.

“I knew that I needed an end-credits song. I’ve become very close with Troy Carter, one of the executives at Spotify [and a Prince estate advisor], so I invited Troy to a private screening,” Lee told Rolling Stone. “And after, he said, ‘Spike, I got the song.’ And that was ‘Mary Don’t You Weep,’ which had been recorded on cassette in the mid-Eighties. Prince wanted me to have that song, I don’t care what nobody says. My brother Prince wanted me to have that song. For this film. There’s no other explanation to me. This cassette is in the back of the vaults. In Paisley Park. And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it’s discovered? Nah-ah. That ain’t an accident!”

“Mary Don’t You Weep” is currently available for purchase digitally, but please be aware that it will also appear on the upcoming album PIANO & A MICROPHONE 1983, which hits stores on September 21, a.k.a. what would’ve been Prince’s 60th birthday. But don’t get bummed out: when the day arrives, just go buy the album and remember the greatness that he gave us in his lifetime.