Marvin Gaye — Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Album: What's Going OnAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2708
Length: 3:10
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Whoa, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Whoa, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Oil wasted on the oceans
And upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Oh, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, no, no, no
My sweet Lord
No, no, no, no, no
My, my, my Lord
My sweet Lord
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Whoa, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Oil wasted on the oceans
And upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Oh, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, no, no, no
My sweet Lord
No, no, no, no, no
My, my, my Lord
My sweet Lord
Comments (223)add comment
My wife just told me “Sorry, but this song always reminds me of The Love Boat”. That makes me sad for her.
...and the angels sing!
For as long as I've enjoyed the most special music I find day and night on RP, this song was a high 8, low 9 for me. And. It. Never. Gets. Old. It occurred to me on probably the 1000th time I heard it, by whatever measure, if this isn't a 10, seeiously what is?
More perfecter? Coupling it with the song preceding it: God is Love. It’s this ascendant thing that, as it’s about to end you wonder what could be the culmination? And then this. There is beauty in the world!
Great song. Great album. But not the No. 1 album of all time, in my opinion.
joejennings wrote:
I Agree!!
glad someone does
I Agree!!
glad someone does
jp33442 wrote:
I Agree!!
one of these rare songs that i wish would be above 10
I Agree!!
one of these rare songs that i wish would be above 10
I bow to no one... except Marvin.
Another one with still so much to do. Of blessed memory Marvin.
Always liked Marvin from his early days to Sexual Healing. Just a great voice and so much soul!
kingart wrote:
For the longest time, I misheard "Don't punish me with brutality" as "reality".
A tear-inducing classic. So question: what the f*** is it about the race of brilliant human morons that 50 YEARS later we're still having the same freaking conversation?
For the longest time, I misheard "Don't punish me with brutality" as "reality".
Godlike 12
These go to 11.
Stratocaster wrote:
At least in the past 9 years, only 7 more have added their "1" votes. But you are not wrong!
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
At least in the past 9 years, only 7 more have added their "1" votes. But you are not wrong!
JayHavvic wrote:
I'm sure i don't know how you could possibly know that!
We've only ever been told what they want us to believe. How do any of us actually KNOW that ANY of it was actually true?
"We learnt more from a 3 minute record baby, than we ever learned in school" - Bruce Springsteen - 'No Surrender'.
The most important thing i ever learnt was from 'Suspect Device' by Stiff Little Fingers and it was this - "Question everything you're told"
Best advice i ever heard.
Man will destroy this planet, or this planet will cull us before that happens, to protect itself from us. We are doomed. Meanwhile, enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Let's party!!!!
You know, the dinosaurs were lucky. They did not know they were going extinct.
I'm sure i don't know how you could possibly know that!
We've only ever been told what they want us to believe. How do any of us actually KNOW that ANY of it was actually true?
"We learnt more from a 3 minute record baby, than we ever learned in school" - Bruce Springsteen - 'No Surrender'.
The most important thing i ever learnt was from 'Suspect Device' by Stiff Little Fingers and it was this - "Question everything you're told"
Best advice i ever heard.
Man will destroy this planet, or this planet will cull us before that happens, to protect itself from us. We are doomed. Meanwhile, enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Let's party!!!!
You know, the dinosaurs were lucky. They did not know they were going extinct.
Instant time-shift out of body experience. Current time and concerns melt away. For a brief moment the body and spirit float in the original whole-body experience of a pit connection to this song.
Stratocaster wrote:
Now it's 17. This was posted in 2013, so 9 years later, an additional 7 is not so bad. Still, that number, like so many others, is trending in the wrong direction. Have mercy on us. If those 17 don't get it, they should please eat some pcb's. (go ahead, look that up, we''ll wait.)
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
Now it's 17. This was posted in 2013, so 9 years later, an additional 7 is not so bad. Still, that number, like so many others, is trending in the wrong direction. Have mercy on us. If those 17 don't get it, they should please eat some pcb's. (go ahead, look that up, we''ll wait.)
Land is not over crowded, mis-appropriated maybe
still mercury in fish
eugenicist
still mercury in fish
eugenicist
No other voice like Marvin's. Major personal issues aside, his voice was beautiful (and so was he).
Should be the constant background theme song at Davos...
The moment this started, I was transported to that special place in my mind where the best songs live forever. Thanks, RP. A solid eternal 10 😊
Stratocaster wrote:
They're already out of their mind so what does it matter!
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
They're already out of their mind so what does it matter!
Oh, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be...
As true as that is, we should not use "what used to be" as the baseline for making decisions about our environment because what "used to be" may still have been messed up - just not as messed up as what it is today.
We should have one goal for judging the environment (and ecosystems): Does it (do they) function naturally?
Oh, things ain't what they used to be...
As true as that is, we should not use "what used to be" as the baseline for making decisions about our environment because what "used to be" may still have been messed up - just not as messed up as what it is today.
We should have one goal for judging the environment (and ecosystems): Does it (do they) function naturally?
Timeless
bliss
Stratocaster wrote:
So shoot everyone with a different opinion? I don't like the song , not the message.
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
So shoot everyone with a different opinion? I don't like the song , not the message.
bitbanger wrote:
Perhaps because these problems are as old as the species. Although there is much that yet needs to be done, we have come a long way in the last 250 years or so.
And this is a great song, easy 10!
Perhaps because these problems are as old as the species. Although there is much that yet needs to be done, we have come a long way in the last 250 years or so.
And this is a great song, easy 10!
Marvin hits us with the truth every time this is played.
This guy had it goin on 4 sure....9, no less
kingart wrote:
apparently we're not so brilliant. and capitalism.
A tear-inducing classic. So question: what the f*** is it about the race of brilliant human morons that 48 YEARS later we're still having the same freaking conversation?
apparently we're not so brilliant. and capitalism.
Tomasni wrote:
Which goes to show how amazing this song is. Normally when someone doesn't like a song as much as the rest of us, they give it a 1 and tell Bill that he's an idiot, along with the rest of us.
In this case, you give it "only 7", which goes to show how excellent this song is.
Only 7 from me
Which goes to show how amazing this song is. Normally when someone doesn't like a song as much as the rest of us, they give it a 1 and tell Bill that he's an idiot, along with the rest of us.
In this case, you give it "only 7", which goes to show how excellent this song is.
Amazing how 90% of the votes are an 8 or above. This song deserves it.
A tear-inducing classic. So question: what the f*** is it about the race of brilliant human morons that 50 YEARS later we're still having the same freaking conversation?
Only 7 from me
cherylg4 wrote:
Heh, recent is a relative term.
"Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956. It was caused by the release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater from the Chisso Corporation's chemical factory, which continued from 1932 to 1968. "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease
"fish full of mercury"
Damn, I thought that was a recent problem.
Heh, recent is a relative term.
"Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956. It was caused by the release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater from the Chisso Corporation's chemical factory, which continued from 1932 to 1968. "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease
I just realized Bill doesn't have You're All I Need on the playlist! One of my favorites!
Yes - Thanks Bill for letting it play to the end! Amazing song, esp in only 2:26!
This song deserves an 11. 
Shame about the "pock" reverb on the snare. Can't unnotice it.
Can I rate it a 10 again?!
marvin almost completely went by me when he was alive when it seemed we listened to a lot of english or southern lads singing the blues or playing metal. he was a true maestro. trouble man is a masterpiece. so much music . . .
Another prophetic song from the past that is relevant today, 
Ulises wrote:
Nothing else tastes like an onion.
Stratocaster wrote:
colt4x5 wrote:
Or maybe the problem is the tyranny of the majority.
The 10 people ...
colt4x5 wrote:
... on a tour of the world.
Or maybe the problem is the tyranny of the majority.
Nothing else tastes like an onion.
Stratocaster wrote:
colt4x5 wrote:
Maybe that's the issue. Maybe we should take them on a tour of the world.
Or maybe the problem is the tyranny of the majority.
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
colt4x5 wrote:
Maybe that's the issue. Maybe we should take them on a tour of the world.
Or maybe the problem is the tyranny of the majority.
LizK wrote:
Thank you. I never heard the proper end to this song. It is, as you noted, haunting. And thank you to BillG, for fixing it so the song could be heard in its entirety.
😊
Thank you. I never heard the proper end to this song. It is, as you noted, haunting. And thank you to BillG, for fixing it so the song could be heard in its entirety.
😊
oohhh now I'm dancing a few inches above the floor
olivertwist wrote:
Thank you. I never heard the proper end to this song. It is, as you noted, haunting. And thank you to BillG, for fixing it so the song could be heard in its entirety.
Great song, but this is a shortened version that cuts out the haunting keyboards at the end. Please play the entire song!
Thank you. I never heard the proper end to this song. It is, as you noted, haunting. And thank you to BillG, for fixing it so the song could be heard in its entirety.
Timeless music. Unfortunately, so are the lyrics...
I''m so glad Marvin was able to do what he wanted. His talent got him to a place where he didn't have to toe the line w/ the record exec's and they let him take a chance. And people bought it. 40 yrs later it is still relevant. not to mention awesome.
I''m so glad Marvin was able to do what he wanted. His talent got him to a place where he didn't have to toe the line w/ the record exec's and they let him take a chance. And people bought it. 40 yrs later it is still relevant. not to mention awesome.
Djoy wrote:
Yes.
I used to sit in front of my record player, playing one side through, playing the other side through, thinking, "So *this* is what is possible. I get it now."
All time fave - Marvin sends me. One of the great albums.
You are on quite a roll & here we go Rolling
You are on quite a roll & here we go Rolling
Yes.
I used to sit in front of my record player, playing one side through, playing the other side through, thinking, "So *this* is what is possible. I get it now."
Stratocaster wrote:
Maybe that's the issue. Maybe we should take them on a tour of the world.
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
Maybe that's the issue. Maybe we should take them on a tour of the world.
Still relevant and still class.
A 10 for me. Don't understand those low votes.
Sometimes I ignore the words and just listen to the sweet voice.
Gone too young.
Gone too young.
Me likey like.
But not the outro, but hey, Bill very smoothly merged into 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by Rolling Stones
So I figured that....
But not the outro, but hey, Bill very smoothly merged into 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by Rolling Stones
So I figured that....
All time fave - Marvin sends me. One of the great albums.
You are on quite a roll & here we go Rolling
You are on quite a roll & here we go Rolling
gigio wrote:
Good memories indeed!
Mercy... but this is good enough to make revisit my past... good memories!
Good memories indeed!
Brilliant artist, Mr. Gaye fabulous song even the album's cover photo stirs my emotions Peace
Mercy... but this is good enough to make revisit my past... good memories!
aaronm wrote:
There is a very distinctive and beautiful melody to this song, but apparently, you know more about melody and songwriting than Marvin Gaye did.
Oh, so that's what it would sound like if you surgically removed all the melodic effort from "What's Going On".
(EDIT: I didn't really care for the song, as my comment would suggest, but I didn't mean to come off like quite that much an a-hole.)
(EDIT: I didn't really care for the song, as my comment would suggest, but I didn't mean to come off like quite that much an a-hole.)
There is a very distinctive and beautiful melody to this song, but apparently, you know more about melody and songwriting than Marvin Gaye did.
Oh, so that's what it would sound like if you surgically removed all the melodic effort from "What's Going On".
(EDIT: I didn't really care for the song, as my comment would suggest, but I didn't mean to come off like quite that much an a-hole.)
(EDIT: I didn't really care for the song, as my comment would suggest, but I didn't mean to come off like quite that much an a-hole.)
The 10 people who rated this a "1" should never be allowed out of the house. Ever.
Zzzzzzzzzz..........not in the mood for this, i guess.....psd,,,
BillG wrote:
Fixed. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Bill!
Fixed. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Bill!
olivertwist wrote:
Fixed. Thanks for the reminder.
Great song, but this is a shortened version that cuts out the haunting keyboards at the end. Blasphemy - we need to hear the entire song!
Fixed. Thanks for the reminder.
Love the echoing percussion, but it reminds me of the depth-sounding noise in submarines from 60s-era movies and/or "Voyage To The Bottom of The Sea."
Jesus wept, Bill: that was an absolutely butchered segue into "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Normally you're a genius at this kind of thing, though.
Jesus wept, Bill: that was an absolutely butchered segue into "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Normally you're a genius at this kind of thing, though.
Great song, but this is a shortened version that cuts out the haunting keyboards at the end. Please play the entire song!
MiracleDrug wrote:
Everybody in my church loves this song...
everybody in EVERY room loves this song...
Everybody in my church loves this song...
jimmpypowder wrote:
You got that right, jimmpy. He died way too young, right at the peak of his career.
Good lord what a talent!
If only most singers could sing with this passion!
If only most singers could sing with this passion!
You got that right, jimmpy. He died way too young, right at the peak of his career.
I never appreciated this song when it came out, but now I can relate. Mercy, mercy.
AliGator wrote:
In Bill's defense: any song would sound bad after the perfection that is Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Looks like BillG hasn't read the comments about the bad segue to Grant-Lee Phillips. *sigh*
In Bill's defense: any song would sound bad after the perfection that is Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Very, very nice !
Stratocaster wrote:
Yep.
Godlike.
Yep.
Good lord what a talent!
If only most singers could sing with this passion!
If only most singers could sing with this passion!
On Jan 24, 2010, AliGator wrote:
Aaaaand two years later nothing has changed.
Looks like BillG hasn't read the comments about the bad segue to Grant-Lee Phillips. *sigh*
Aaaaand two years later nothing has changed.
Godlike.
Damn.
romeotuma wrote:
Everybody in my hotel room loves this song...
everybody in EVERY room loves this song...
Everybody in my hotel room loves this song...
everybody in EVERY room loves this song...
*classic*
cc_rider wrote:
gee, I wonder what it could be.
Something about this song makes me well up a little bit. Every single time. Damn.
gee, I wonder what it could be.
As relevant today as it was "in the day."
dmax wrote:
Oh, my yes.
That whole song cycle that this is part of is so incredibly brilliant. It's more than a single pop song. Much more.
Roger that. There's a flow to that album you just gotta hear all the way through.
Oh, my yes.
That whole song cycle that this is part of is so incredibly brilliant. It's more than a single pop song. Much more.
Roger that. There's a flow to that album you just gotta hear all the way through.
May 21 will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of the album that held this song, "What's Going On."
AliGator wrote:
+1 ;)
Looks like BillG hasn't read the comments about the bad segue to Grant-Lee Phillips. *sigh*
+1 ;)
Timeless!
So far ahead of his time and his people. A prophetic song. And beautiful to boot.
Obama is just getting on message with the ecology some 40 years later...
Obama is just getting on message with the ecology some 40 years later...
Just AWESOME...
Love this man! Great stuff...such a shame he's no longer available to create ear candy like this anymore!
Something about this song makes me well up a little bit. Every single time. Damn.
classic coolness!
Yes, it is hard not to like this one!
AliGator wrote:
+1
Looks like BillG hasn't read the comments about the bad segue to Grant-Lee Phillips. *sigh*
+1
Propayne wrote:
Absolutely!
Brilliant. But skip the "best of" and get "What's Going On". Actually, everyone should already have that in there collections.
Absolutely!
I work hard for a living but this darn single click on my computer takes my brain to an easy spot and I just don't have to thinks so darn much... is that Grant?
It's a perfect song.
Brilliant. But skip the "best of" and get "What's Going On". Actually, everyone should already have that in there collections.
One of the greatest songs ever made.
Looks like BillG hasn't read the comments about the bad segue to Grant-Lee Phillips. *sigh*
This is a twelve.
MM13 wrote:
What a beautiful, beautiful story... Goes to show what a true hero Stevie Wonder is. Thomas Dolby just went up a few knotches in my admiration as well, for telling it so heartfelt.
seconded, thank you for that...not something I might have ordinarily sought out, but you had such a great review I couldn't resist :)
...oh...and DAMN if Marvin didn't NAIL it :) ...sent shivers up my spine
What a beautiful, beautiful story... Goes to show what a true hero Stevie Wonder is. Thomas Dolby just went up a few knotches in my admiration as well, for telling it so heartfelt.
seconded, thank you for that...not something I might have ordinarily sought out, but you had such a great review I couldn't resist :)
...oh...and DAMN if Marvin didn't NAIL it :) ...sent shivers up my spine
at the time this was playing ( came out) it was not that good to me
with time it Marvin just seemed to get better and better
it's just sweet
but that was really a short version
with time it Marvin just seemed to get better and better
it's just sweet
but that was really a short version
Marvin was way ahead of the curve here. = => 10.
sirrus wrote:
I couldn't find anything about it with a brief Google search, but I did turn up this gem:
Stevie and Marvin
I really do love the internet sometimes...
What a beautiful, beautiful story... Goes to show what a true hero Stevie Wonder is. Thomas Dolby just went up a few knotches in my admiration as well, for telling it so heartfelt.
I couldn't find anything about it with a brief Google search, but I did turn up this gem:
Stevie and Marvin
I really do love the internet sometimes...
What a beautiful, beautiful story... Goes to show what a true hero Stevie Wonder is. Thomas Dolby just went up a few knotches in my admiration as well, for telling it so heartfelt.
One of the ALL-TIME GREATS - both Song & (most of all) Artist
preineil wrote:
I couldn't find anything about it with a brief Google search, but I did turn up this gem:
Stevie and Marvin
I really do love the internet sometimes...
Can someone confirm a story I'd heard about Stevie and Marvin?
Stevie was receiving some music award and upon taking the stage, invited Marvin up, and reminded the judges about Marvin's two recent songs: Mercy Mercy Me and What's Going On. He told the judges that Marvin deserved the award more than he and walked off stage, leaving his award with a slack jawed Marvin. ?? Gotta love Marvin at his best.
Stevie was receiving some music award and upon taking the stage, invited Marvin up, and reminded the judges about Marvin's two recent songs: Mercy Mercy Me and What's Going On. He told the judges that Marvin deserved the award more than he and walked off stage, leaving his award with a slack jawed Marvin. ?? Gotta love Marvin at his best.
I couldn't find anything about it with a brief Google search, but I did turn up this gem:
Stevie and Marvin
I really do love the internet sometimes...
The Ecology! Perfect song for MAY DAY! 
kaybee wrote:
Is the song rating intended to be for Radio Paradise or the song?
A 7 as it stands and it'll get an 8 or a 9 as soon as it is played in full as it's meant to be. 
Is the song rating intended to be for Radio Paradise or the song?
Divine.
velvetglove wrote:
This hasn't been fixed yet. Very BAD!
(The cut-off and poor segue, I mean, NOT the song!!!!)
Cutting off Marvin Gaye in favor of Grant-Lee Phillips. For shame.
This hasn't been fixed yet. Very BAD!
(The cut-off and poor segue, I mean, NOT the song!!!!)A GREAT Marvin Gaye tribute album to anyone interested: Inner City Blues: The Music of Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye Mercy Mercy me (the Ecology) Lyrics:
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Where did all the blue sky go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north,and south, and east
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Oil wasted on the oceans
and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who
live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from
man can she stand?
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
Lyrics: Mercy Mercy me (the Ecology), Marvin Gaye
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Where did all the blue sky go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north,and south, and east
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Oil wasted on the oceans
and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who
live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from
man can she stand?
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
Lyrics: Mercy Mercy me (the Ecology), Marvin Gaye
Totally strong, how can you sing so sweet, and be so strong? God the concerts you and your fellas must be giving in Heaven!!! Gone way too soon..... RIP, my brother
A 7 as it stands and it'll get an 8 or a 9 as soon as it is played in full as it's meant to be.
Sheer, timeless bliss!
This song always reminds me of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. That beat in the background kind of sounds like the sonar bong you always heard.
I'm not complaining! This song is excellent and got a 9 outa me!
I'm not complaining! This song is excellent and got a 9 outa me!
And I'll add my voice to the others below. 
That was a crappy segue. Does someone need to upload the entire song, or what?
That was a crappy segue. Does someone need to upload the entire song, or what?spumoni wrote:
Marvin Gaye? 
Marvin Gaye.
Marvin Gaye?
Can someone confirm a story I'd heard about Stevie and Marvin?
Stevie was receiving some music award and upon taking the stage, invited Marvin up, and reminded the judges about Marvin's two recent songs: Mercy Mercy Me and What's Going On. He told the judges that Marvin deserved the award more than he and walked off stage, leaving his award with a slack jawed Marvin.
??
Gotta love Marvin at his best.