About the song
“Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” is a poignant and powerful anthem that has become an iconic representation of Marvin Gaye’s commitment to social and environmental awareness. Released in 1971 as the second single from his groundbreaking album “What’s Going On”, this song is a masterclass in musical storytelling, weaving together a tapestry of emotions, sounds, and messages that continue to resonate with listeners to this day.
Written solely by Gaye, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” is a deeply personal and introspective song that speaks to the urgent need for environmental protection and social justice. The song’s lyrics are a poignant lament, with Gaye’s soaring vocals conveying a sense of desperation and urgency as he pleads for mercy and compassion in the face of ecological disaster.
Musically, the song is a stunning achievement, featuring Gaye’s virtuosic piano playing, lush string arrangements, and a memorable saxophone solo by Wild Bill Moore. The song’s distinctive percussive sound, created by striking a wood block with a rubber mallet, adds a sense of tension and urgency to the track, while the multi-tracking vocals and harmonies from Gaye and the Andantes create a sense of depth and texture.
“Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” was a major commercial success, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and number one on the R&B Singles chart. The song’s impact was felt far beyond the charts, however, as it helped to cement Gaye’s reputation as a socially conscious artist and a powerful voice for change. Today, the song remains a beloved classic, a testament to Gaye’s enduring legacy and his commitment to using his music as a force for good.
Video
Lyrics
Here we have something for you folks, we hope
You enjoy it as we enter our social section, thank you
Woah, ah, mercy, mercy me
Ah, things ain’t what they used to be (ain’t what they used to be)
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east
Woah mercy, mercy me, yeah
Ah, things ain’t what they used to be (ain’t what they used to be)
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh Jesus, yeah, mercy, mercy me, ah
Ah, things ain’t what they used to be (ain’t what they used to be)
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Hey, mercy, mercy me, oh
Hey, things ain’t what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na, na, na
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hey, ooh, wo