"Mercy" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Duffy | ||||
from the album Rockferry | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released | 11 February 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007 | |||
Studio | Bookerland [1] | |||
Genre | Soul | |||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Steve Booker | |||
Duffy singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Duffy - Mercy" on YouTube |
"Mercy" is a song performed by the Welsh soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut studio album, Rockferry (2008). Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released worldwide in 2008 to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success. As Duffy's first international release, the song is credited with firmly establishing her career and is now considered her signature song. "Mercy" received comparisons to Duffy's previous single, "Rockferry". Critical reviewers of "Mercy" noted similarities between the song to releases by Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and the Supremes, as well as contemporaries such as fellow British singer Amy Winehouse.
"Mercy" was nominated for several awards in 2008, including the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 51st Grammy Awards. [2] [3] Well received by the public, "Mercy" peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in February 2008, remaining atop the chart for five weeks, and went on to become the third-best-selling single of 2008 in the United Kingdom, with sales of over 500,000 copies in the UK that year. [4] It achieved worldwide chart success, topping the charts in Austria, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Turkey, and peaked within the top five of the charts in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Spain and Sweden. Duffy attributed the chart success to the fact that "everyone is searching for liberty ... from themselves or from the world they’ve created around them" and "everyone would like to be set free". [5] It is Duffy's best-selling single to date.
The song has been covered several times since its original release, most notably by the cast of American musical television series Glee as well as by both The Fratellis and OneRepublic on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge . The Glee version charted on the UK Singles Chart and in Ireland, and Duffy herself performed the song for the Live Lounge. The song was performed live at various music festivals as well as on Duffy's 2008–09 tour. Lynda Carter released her version of the song on her 2018 album "Red Rock & Blues."
"Mercy" was written by Duffy and Steve Booker during the final stages of completion for Rockferry. [5] In an interview with Mojo , Duffy noted that she "felt something was missing and 'Mercy' was that missing thing", saying that herself and Booker were "writing it literally at the end, when the strings were being put on 'Rockferry' and 'Warwick Avenue". [5] Duffy first met Booker by chance because she bought the flat in Ladbroke Grove that Booker had been renting. [6] Booker's girlfriend met Duffy and then introduced the pair. [6] Duffy has later noted of the experience: [5]
"We went for coffee and I had this gut feeling that we should write together. I asked Jeanette [Lee] what she thought and she just said, we’ve made this record so go and have fun, be creative. By the end of hanging out in the studio for two weeks we had 'Mercy' and 'Stepping Stone'."
Duffy had already written the lyrics to "Mercy" before her meeting with Steve Booker, although she has since said that she "never [has] a plan as that always fails", in reference to the writing of the song. [5] Duffy has noted that during recording with Booker, "Mercy" "was like this melodic poem in my mind, which I just had to get out, and I knew exactly what I wanted it to sound like". [5] She has also said that they "built the song from the bottom up", also noting that it is "very important that my songs start from an organic source, rather than a drum loop". [5] When asked of the lyrical meaning of the song, Duffy said: [5]
"The lyrics were about having a feeling towards someone, whether it’s a romantic feeling or just some chemistry that you don’t want, and you desperately want to be released from that feeling."
According to Duffy, "Mercy" is autobiographical and is about "sexual liberty" and "not doing something somebody else wants you to do". [7] Duffy has also said in an interview with Observer Music Monthly that she sings "Mercy" "several times a day and it's just like having sex every time". [8] However, Duffy has expressed fear "about saying what a song is about" because she felt that the lyrical interpretation is her "issues and baggage and when someone else listens to the song it isn’t about my baggage anymore it’s about their baggage". [5] According to Mark Edward Nero of About.com, the song is "a tale of lust". [9]
In an interview with HitQuarters Booker said he searching for a song that you could imagine sending the audience crazy on the 1960s UK pop show Ready Steady Go! . [6] After first trying to match "Stepping Stone" with this idea he then sang the fledgling "Mercy" and found it fit. [6]
"Mercy" is set in common time, with a tempo of 130 beats per minute and is written in the key of G major. [10] Duffy's vocal range spans from D4 to D6. [11]
Lyrically, "Mercy" is about "intense longing for an attractive guy". Mark Edward Nero of About.com noted that "[although] the song sets the stage for who Duffy is as an artist as well as a person" it was "still fairly tame, lyrically". [9] The BBC Chart Blog compared the song to Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" and "Where Are You Baby?" by Betty Boo. [12]
The introduction to "Mercy" is similar to the opening bars of "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King. The sound is slightly different from that of "Stand by Me", however, because "Mercy" uses the 1st, 5th and flattened 7th degrees of the scale, instead of the 1st, 5th and major 7th. This change creates a bluesy sound. The song is written in the 12-bar blues form, using the chords I7, IV7 and V7.
"Mercy" garnered overwhelming acclaim from critics, often being praised for its catchy bass line and "summery", jazzy themes. Digital Spy gave the single a positive review, noting that the single was "a catchy, danceable Northern soul pastiche" and that the "baseline practically reeks of sweat and stale cigarette smoke". [13] The Times in a review for Rockferry said that "Mercy" is "a slight but darned catchy number" and "a classic radio hit". [14] The reviewer also drew comparisons between "Mercy" and Amy Winehouse's critically acclaimed single "Rehab". [14] The Independent said that "Mercy" and "Rockferry" "are tracks that stand out as something special", whilst noting that the "uptempo organ funk" provides "the album's one truly memorable groove". [15] PopMatters said that the song was "still grounded in a bouncing Motown rhythm but [with] the added colour of jaunty keyboards", whilst again comparing the song to "Rehab". [16]
The Observer , in an extremely positive review for Rockferry, said that "Mercy" "is a big, booming, finger-wagging sashay worthy of the Supremes". [17] In a positive review for Rockferry, American music magazine Billboard said that "Mercy" "is about as summery as summery gets". [18] NME , giving Rockferry a negative review, had a mixed attitude towards "Mercy", comparing the song's "Austin Powers organ" to work by Aretha Franklin. [19] Slant said that the song has a "bass-heavy syncopated beat, "Yeah, yeah, yeah" refrain [and an] obvious '60s-pop frame of reference". However, the song was given negative comparisons to Amy Winehouse. [20] "Mercy" also appeared on various critics' "Top" lists. Bill Lamb of About.com placed "Mercy" at number 29 in a list of his favourite 100 songs of 2008. [21] Fred Bronson of Billboard placed "Mercy" at number two, [22] whilst the magazine's Keith Caulfield placed "Mercy" in an alphabetical list of his favourite songs of 2008. [23]
"60's pop star Dusty Springfield is smiling from beyond every time Duffy opens her mouth to sing."
"Mercy" won the 2008 MOJO Award for Song of the Year. [5] MOJO editor Phil Alexander called the song a "timeless" classic that "could really have come from any period in time over the last 50 years". [24] The single was nominated for a BRIT Award in 2009, for Best British Single. [25] Duffy's performance of "Warwick Avenue" at the ceremony helped to increase sales of "Mercy" by double the market average before the broadcast. [26] The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the category "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". [2] [3] The song was also nominated during various award ceremonies including the MTV Europe Music Awards (Most Addictive Track), [27] Q Awards (Best Track) [28] and the 2009 Music Producers Guild Awards (UK Single of the Year). [29] "Mercy" was also nominated for PRS for Most Performed Work and Best-selling British Song at the 2008 Ivor Novello Awards, [30] winning in the former category. [31] The song was the fourth most played anywhere in the United Kingdom in 2009, revealed in a list compiled by music body PRS. [32]
"Mercy" peaked at number-one on the UK Singles Chart solely on digital downloads on 17 February 2008 ― for the week ending dated 23 February 2008 ― three weeks before the physical release of the single. It remained at the top of the charts for five weeks until it was dethroned by "American Boy" by Estelle featuring Kanye West. "Mercy" was one of only three singles, all debuts, to achieve a five-week run at the top of the UK Singles Chart in 2008 ― the other two being "Now You're Gone" by Basshunter, which was ironically replaced at the top spot by "Mercy", and "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. [33] [34] [35] "Mercy" became Britain's third-best-selling single of 2008, [4] selling 536,000 copies in 2008 alone. [36] The song remained inside the UK Singles Chart for over a year. [35] One of the B-sides to the song, titled "Tomorrow", peaked far outside the top 100 of the UK Singles Chart. [37]
Internationally, "Mercy" became Duffy's first single to chart on the American Billboard charts. "Mercy" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 87. [38] On the chart date 22 May 2008, the single reached its peak of 27 on the Hot 100, becoming the chart's greatest digital gainer of that week, selling 59,000 downloads. [39] The song also topped the magazine's Eurochart Hot 100, [33] spending in total six weeks atop the chart, including four consecutive weeks. [40] "Mercy" also reached other Billboard charts, including number 3 on the Japan Hot 100, [41] number 27 on the Pop 100 [42] and 13 on the Hot Digital Songs. [42] The single was also a minor dance crossover success, reaching a peak of 35 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart, [42] as well as peaking at a position of sixteen on the Adult Pop Songs chart. [43] In the United States overall, "Mercy" was certified Platinum for sales of one million copies by the American recording industry association, the RIAA. [44] In Canada, "Mercy" debuted at number 94 on the Canadian Hot 100 on 12 April 2008, [45] eventually peaking at 11 on 23 April 2008. [46]
"I think I’m a bit all-over the place, I can't quite handle it. I was aiming for top 40, possibly top 10, so I can genuinely tell you I am really blown away."
Duffy, speaking to the Daily Post North Wales after the song reached number-one in the UK. [47]
"Mercy" entered the Australian ARIA Singles Chart at number 50 on the issue date of 4 May 2008, [48] reaching a peak of 26 nearly five months later, on 14 September 2008, after staying on the chart for eighteen weeks. [49] Despite its small impact on the Australian charts, the single was the 72nd-best-selling single of 2008, [50] and was certified Platinum for sales of 70,000 copies. [51] "Mercy" debuted on New Zealand's RIANZ singles chart at 40, [52] eventually peaking at number four. [53] The single was the 30th-best-selling song of 2008 in New Zealand, [54] where the song carries Gold certification, for sales of 7,500 copies. [55]
In Europe, "Mercy" was a chart success, reaching number-one in at least eight countries in the region alone. [56] In Ireland, "Mercy" proved very successful, spending two separate runs at number one in 2008. [57] "Mercy" also topped the Hungarian Airplay Chart, [58] Dutch Top 40, German Singles Chart, Greek IFPI Singles Chart, Norwegian Singles Charts, Swiss Singles Chart and the Ö3 Austria Top 40, amongst others. [59] [60]
The main-release music video for "Mercy", directed by Daniel Wolfe, [61] features Duffy standing on top of a platform performing the song. Featured in the video are Northern soul dancers who dance to "Mercy". Choreographed by Natricia Bernard, [61] the dancing involves elaborate moves, including the use of fire. "Mercy" was nominated for two awards at the UK Music Video Awards, for "People’s Choice Award" and "Best Pop Video". [62] The music video was released to the UK iTunes Store on 26 January 2008, being the first release of "Mercy". [63] In reaction to the video, RealMusic noted that Duffy "does manage to stand atop those platforms very well and sing without falling off in [the] video, so top marks for that". [64]
A second music video release was made for the United States market, directed by Adria Petty. [65] [66] It shows Duffy performing live on stage whilst people dance to the song. The US version was given a positive review by Nick Levine of Digital Spy, who wrote that "It's glossy, full of young, good-looking types and proudly features a drum with Duffy's name printed on its skin – hey, that's success for you." [67]
"Mercy" has been covered several times since its release. In 2008, American band OneRepublic recorded a version of the song which was first heard as a live cover on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge . Their version of the song later appeared, in live format, on the band's third single "Say (All I Need)". [68] OneRepublic then recorded a studio version of "Mercy" as a bonus track for their second album Waking Up (note that the track is not to be confused with another OneRepublic song and single, also titled "Mercy" and released on their debut studio album, Dreaming Out Loud ).
The Fratellis also recorded "Mercy", mixed with the Minder theme tune, specially for broadcast on the Live Lounge. [69] Duffy herself also recorded "Mercy" live for the Live Lounge. In the broadcast, Duffy also sang a cover of Hot Chip's single "Ready for the Floor". [70] British production team The Third Degree recorded a version, released 9 March 2009 on the Acid Jazz label as a 7-inch vinyl record. Singer John Mayer also covers the song as a slow blues in many of his live shows.
The cast of the US "musical comedy" television series Glee covered the song for the third episode of the first series, "Acafellas". [71] The cover was called "leg-splits-over-shoulders exciting" by The Wall Street Journal . [72] The Glee cast's cover version was released as a single worldwide to promote the series, and reached numbers 94 [73] and 49 [74] on the UK and Irish singles charts, respectively.
This song also appeared on the soundtrack of the video game FIFA 09 .
Digital download [75]
UK 7" vinyl single [79]
Australian digital download [80]
| UK B-side digital download [81]
Premium CD single [82]
|
Duffy has expressed that it was "fascinating to see people picking up on it ["Mercy"], taking it and creating something from it for their genre". [5] Duffy told Mojo that her favourite remix of the song is by the Roots, calling it "amazing" and saying it "blew [her] away". [5]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [141] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [142] | Gold | 15,000* |
Belgium (BEA) [143] | Gold | |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [144] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [145] | 2× Platinum | 30,000^ |
Germany (BVMI) [146] | Platinum | 300,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [55] | Gold | 7,500* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [147] | 3× Platinum | 60,000* |
Sweden (GLF) [148] | Gold | 10,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [149] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [150] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [151] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 11 February 2008 | Digital download [75] |
25 February 2008 | ||
Europe (aside from the UK) | 7 March 2008 | CD [59] |
21 March 2008 | Maxi single [59] | |
Australia | 11 February 2008 | Digital download [152] |
8 March 2008 | ||
21 March 2008 | Digital download EP [80] | |
Worldwide [82] | 21 March 2008 |
|
United States | 29 April 2008 | |
17 June 2008 | Digital download remix (featuring The Game) [153] | |
Japan [78] | 20 August 2008 | CD |
"Thriller" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic Records on November 11, 1983 in the UK and on January 23, 1984, in the US, as the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, Thriller.
"With You" is a song by American recording artist Jessica Simpson from her third studio album, In This Skin. "With You" was released by Columbia Records as the second single from In This Skin on November 3, 2003. Overall, "With You" was Simpson's seventh single in the United States and her fourth single in the United Kingdom. Billy Mann and Andy Marvel produced the song and co-wrote it with Simpson.
"Bubbly" is the debut single of American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat from her first album, Coco (2007). Written by Caillat and Jason Reeves and produced by Mikal Blue, the song was released as the album's lead single on May 15, 2007. "Bubbly" is Caillat's only song to peak within the top ten of US Billboard Hot 100; it remains her highest-charting song. Internationally, "Bubbly" reached number one in Australia, Brazil, and the Czech Republic. It also became a top-10 hit in several European countries, including Belgium, Germany, and Norway, as well as Japan and New Zealand. It is certified six-times platinum in the US and Australia as well as gold or higher in six additional countries.
"No Air" is a song by American singer Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Harvey Mason Jr., Steve Russell, Erik Griggs and Damon Thomas. It was released in the United States on February 11, 2008, and serves as the second single from Jordin Sparks, her first album.
Aimée Anne Duffy, known mononymously as Duffy, is a Welsh singer, songwriter and actress. Her music style has been described as a mixture of soul, blue-eyed soul, pop rock, neo soul and pop music.
Rockferry is the debut studio album by Welsh singer Duffy, released on 3 March 2008 in the United Kingdom by A&M Records. It was released in the United States by Mercury Records. Taking four years to record the album, Duffy worked with several producers and writers including Bernard Butler, Steve Booker, Jimmy Hogarth, and Eg White. Primarily a soul recording musically, Rockferry is composed of ballads, torch songs, and up tempo songs in the style of 1960s pop music. It was well received by music critics, who praised the record's musical and lyrical depth and occasional darkness, Duffy's vocal performance, and the record's contemporary instrumentation and production which created a warm sound. Music critics favourably compared Duffy's work on Rockferry to the music of Dusty Springfield and Duffy's contemporary Amy Winehouse.
"Rockferry" is the debut single by Welsh singer Duffy, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler. It is the first track on the album of the same name. The music video for Rockferry was filmed in Porthmadog.
"Better in Time" is a song recorded by English singer Leona Lewis for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). It was written by J. R. Rotem and Andrea Martin and was produced by Rotem. Lyrically, the song tells the story of a woman who cannot forget her ex-partner, and who knows that "it will all get better in time". It was released as the second single from Spirit on 10 March 2008, as a double A-side with "Footprints in the Sand", by Syco Music and J Records.
English singer Leona Lewis has released five studio albums, twenty-seven singles, one live video album, one extended play and twenty-six music videos. After winning the third series of British television talent show, The X Factor in 2006, Lewis released "A Moment Like This" in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which became the fastest selling single ever by a female artist in the UK. Her follow-up single, "Bleeding Love" reached number one in 35 countries, and was the biggest-selling single of 2008 worldwide. The song has had over two billion streams. Lewis's first studio album, Spirit was released to follow the single; it became the fastest-selling debut album of all time in the UK and Ireland, and the first debut album by a British solo artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. As of April 2012, Spirit is the 20th biggest-selling album of all time in the UK. The next single, "Better in Time", was also successful worldwide, reaching the top ten in many countries. Subsequent singles "Forgive Me" and "Run" were released across Europe and Australia; "Forgive Me" went on to moderate success, while "Run" became Lewis's third number one in the UK, and also reached the top spot in Austria and Ireland. "I Will Be" was released as the final single in North America.
"Love in This Club" is a song by American R&B singer Usher. Featuring rapper Young Jeezy, it was released on February 22, 2008, as the lead single from Usher's fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The song was written by Usher, Polow da Don, Jeezy, Darnell Dalton, Ryon Lovett, Lamar Taylor and Keith Thomas, and produced by da Don, with a Las Vegas-inspired synth-driven beat. Its lyrics refer to seducing someone in a nightclub. The song was originally leaked by da Don prior to its release.
"Warwick Avenue" is a song by Welsh singer Duffy from her debut album Rockferry (2008). The title refers to Warwick Avenue tube station in London. It was written by Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Duffy and produced by Hogarth. It was released in May 2008 as the third single from the album, but had already charted by March and April due to download sales. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart due to strong download and physical sales and has sold 249,165 copies in the UK to date. The B-side to the 7" single is "Loving You", and was written by Duffy, Richard J. Parfitt of the 60ft Dolls and Owen Powell of Catatonia.
"Forever" is a song by American singer Chris Brown. Brown co-wrote the song with Andre Merritt, Rob Allen, Brian Kennedy, and Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones; the latter two are also the producers. Initially created to be used for a Doublemint commercial, "Forever" was selected to be released as the lead single from the reissue version of Brown's second studio album Exclusive, titled the Forever Edition, and the fifth single overall from the album. It was first released for digital download on November 2, 2007, in a few countries, followed the next April with a retail single CD released in Europe.
"Closer" is a song by American recording artist Ne-Yo. The song was produced by Stargate. It was released as the lead single from Ne-Yo's third studio album, Year of the Gentleman (2008).
Welsh singer and songwriter Duffy has released two studio albums, six extended plays and one extended play, seven singles and seven music videos. Her discography began with the release of one Welsh language extended play using her birth name, Aimée Duffy, and she has appeared on two soundtrack albums, as well as on a studio album by Mint Royale in 2004. Duffy's range of musical genres incorporates styles such as blue-eyed soul, pop and pop rock. Aimée Duffy, her debut extended play (EP), was released in 2004 by Welsh music label Recordiau Awen Records, following her success on the Welsh talent show WawFfactor in 2003. Following this release, a performance of Richard J. Parfitt's "Oh Boy" brought her to the attention of Duffy's former manager, Jeanette Lee of Rough Trade Records.
"Stepping Stone" is the fourth single by Welsh singer Duffy from her debut studio album, Rockferry. The single was officially released as both a digital download and CD single on 1 September 2008 in the United Kingdom. Although it followed the massive success of previous singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue", it did not perform well in worldwide music charts. However, the single received widespread acclaim.
"Breakeven", also titled "Breakeven (Falling to Pieces)" is a song by the Irish pop rock band The Script. It was released on 24 November 2008 as the third single from their first album, The Script (2008). The song peaked at number 10 in Ireland, number 21 in the United Kingdom, number 12 in the United States Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 in Australia.
"Rain on Your Parade" is a song by Welsh singer Duffy from the deluxe version of her debut studio album Rockferry (2008). It was released as the lead and only single from the deluxe album worldwide on 9 November 2008. The song was written by Duffy and Rockferry collaborator Steve Booker and produced by Booker. It is an up-tempo pop song in which Duffy uses an idiom for ruining her lover and their intentions. The song marked a departure from the down-tempo soul and balladry of the original version of Rockferry, incorporating elements of R&B and soul. It received positive reviews from critics, with many complimenting Duffy's vocals. Musically, the song bears a striking resemblance to James Bond songs, making notable use of strings. It was called a "big, retro-sounding pop-soul number".
"Need You Now" is a song recorded by American country music trio Lady A. The band co-wrote the song with Josh Kear, and produced it with Paul Worley. It serves as the lead-off single and title track to their second studio album of the same name, and was first released in the US on August 11, 2009, and it features lead vocals from both Scott and Kelley. The song also served as their debut single in the UK and Europe, where it was released May 3, 2010. It won four Grammy Awards in 2011, including for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, the only country song to win both honors since "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Chicks won in 2006.
Endlessly is the second studio album by Welsh singer Duffy. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2010 by A&M Records and in the United States on 7 December 2010 by Mercury Records. Duffy worked almost exclusively with Albert Hammond Snr. on the album, with all but one of the album's songs being written by Hammond and Duffy. Four of the songs received additional or co-production by Stuart Price. Music is also provided by The Roots and Questlove. Musically, the album follows the soul stylings of her first album Rockferry (2008), although Duffy drew inspiration from a variety of other genres, including disco and soft rock, and was compared to pop singers such as Kylie Minogue. It has been said that Duffy wrote the album in three weeks, although recording sessions lasted between 2009 and 2010.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)