Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" was the second single from Marvin Gaye's 1971 album, What's Going On. Following the breakthrough of the title track's success, the song, written solely by Gaye, became one of his most poignant anthems of sorrow regarding the environment. Led by Gaye playing piano, strings conducted by Paul Riser & David Van de Pitte, multi-tracking vocals from Gaye & The Andantes, multiple background instruments provided by The Funk Brothers and a leading sax solo by Wild Bill Moore, the song rose to #4 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart and #1 for two weeks on the R&B singles charts on August 14 through to August 27, 1971. The song also brought Gaye one of his rare appearances on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it peaked at #34.

In 1991, a music video of the song was released by Motown Records featuring appearances by celebrities such as Smokey Robinson, Johnny Gill, Big Daddy Kane, Holly Robinson Peete, Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Rosie Perez, Bell Biv Devoe, Wesley Snipes, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie and Vanessa L. Williams.

Mercy, Mercy (Don Covay song)

"Mercy, Mercy" (sometimes referred to as "Have Mercy") is a rhythm and blues song first recorded by American R&B singer/songwriter Don Covay in 1964. It has been identified as a song that "not only established a new guitar dominated soul sound, but also proved a formative influence on white r&bers [sic] Mick Jagger and Peter Wolf". The songwriting is usually credited to Covay and Ron Alonzo Miller, although other co-writers' names have also appeared on various releases.

In late 1964, the song became a hit, reaching number one on the Cash Box R&B chart and number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Several artists have recorded "Mercy, Mercy", including a well-known version by the Rolling Stones in 1965. More recently, Covay's original version has received attention as one of Jimi Hendrix's first recordings as a sideman.

Recording and composition

In 1964, after years of writing and recording songs for several record labels, Don Covay was again hoping to land a record deal. A recording session was arranged for May 13, 1964 at the A1 Recording Studio in New York City, operated by Atlantic Records co-founder Herb Abramson. New York radio station WWRL disc jockey Nathaniel "Magnificent" Montague provided financing for the session. Covay has given differing accounts regarding the recording. In one, "Mercy, Mercy" was recorded the day following a well-received performance by Covay and his band the Goodtimers the previous night. For the session, various members of the Goodtimers have been mentioned, including guitarist Ronald Alonzo Miller (also suggested as the bassist), backup singer George "King" Clemons, bassist Horace "Ace" Hall, drummer Bernard Purdie, guitarist Bob Bushnell, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, and a young Jimi Hendrix.

Mercy, Mercy

Mercy, Mercy is a 1968 live album by Buddy Rich and his big band, recorded at Caesars Palace.

Track listing

LP side A

LP side B

Bonus tracks added to 1997 Blue Note CD reissue

Personnel

Mercy Me

"Mercy Me" is a song by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the second single from their 2005 album Crimson. It peaked at No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 89 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. The single was released as a CD backed with an acoustic recording of "Private Eye" as well as "Buried", a B-side from the album's recording sessions. It was also released as a set of two 7" records, backed with acoustic recordings of "This Could Be Love" and "Crawl".

The song's music video was directed by Ben Goldman.

Track listing

CD version

7" version 1

7" version 2

Personnel

Band

Production

References

External links