There are several artists that go under the name Carmel:
1) A British fe… Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists that go under the name Carmel:
1) A British female singer, her eponymous band Carmel uniting bassist Jim Parris, and drummer Gerry Darby.
2) An electronic pop duo from Argentina.

1) The band formed in Manchester twenty six years ago during an interesting time when punk had lost steam, and change was in the wind. Two students with music in their soul, Carmel McCourt and Jim Parris got together and with drummer Gerry Darby (Jim's cousin) began a long career of defeating definition.

Their first single - "Storm" - reached No. 1 in the independent charts and Carmel was signed immediately to London Records. Their first album "The Drum is Everything" (produced by Mike Thorne) drew praise for the fiery passion of all three members. Parris and Darby remarkably conjured the effect of a full ensemble backing to McCourt's powerful vocals and were able to alternate between soulful ballads, gospel, blues and stomping jazz. The singles "Bad Day" and "More More More" both went Top 25 in the UK. The following album, "The Falling" (produced by Brian Eno, Hugh Jones, David Motion) made Carmel one of the biggest names in France achieving Gold status as well as charting in Belgium, Germany and Holland. "Sally" the first single lifted from the album sold 500.000 copies in France alone. With the critical and commercial success awarded both "The Falling" and the next album "Everybody's Got A Little Soul", producers queued up to work with Carmel.

1989 saw the release of "Set Me Free", with the likes of Brian Eno and veteran R&B producer Pete Wingfield adding their individual touches to the broad range of their material. The critics were bowled over with a Five Star Q review describing the album as "incendiary". 1990's best-of compilation "Collected" put the band's career into perspective culling songs from all their albums and highlighting the breadth, depth and vitality of their sound, while 1992's "Good News" saw Carmel moving to East West with Jim producing. In 1997 Ronnie Scott provided the venue to record their last album, "Live at Ronnie Scotts", which was a collection of their work and some previously unreleased material.

Mercy
Carmel Lyrics

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Don't leave me this way
I'm beat and afraid
Don't know where to turn
Don't know where to go

I've cried and I've cried
I've cried and I've cried
And I'm wrong inside

Please, please help me
I'm broken in two now
You're all I desire
There's no turning back on me now

I've cried and I've cried
And I've cried and I've cried
And I'm sure inside
Inside of me

Don't leave me this way
With you I'm alive
Just touch me again
I know I'll survive

I've cried and I've cried
And I've cried and I've cried
And I've cried and I've cried

Have mercy on me
Mercy mercy
Have mercy on me
Mercy yeah mercy
Have mercy on me
Yeah mercy mercy
You're all I desire

Have mercy on me
Say mercy mercy

Have mercy on me
Mercy mercy
Have mercy on me
Mercy mercy
Have mercy on me
Yeah mercy mercy
Oh mercy on me
Yeah mercy mercy
You're all I desire

You're all to me

Sweet mercy on me
Mercy mercy
Sweet mercy on me
Mercy mercy
Sweet mercy on me
Now mercy mercy

I've cried and I've cried

And I've cried and I've cried
And I'm broke inside

Overall Meaning

The song "Mercy" by Carmel expresses a sense of desperation and hopelessness. The singer is pleading with their lover not to leave them, as they feel broken and lost, unsure of where to turn or go. They have cried and are "wrong" and "broke inside," feeling like they are divided into two parts. The singer acknowledges that they are dependent on their lover's touch and presence to feel alive and survive.

The repeated phrase "have mercy on me" suggests that the singer is in a state of vulnerability and in need of compassion and forgiveness. The word "mercy" can also have religious connotations, invoking a plea for divine intervention or salvation. The repetition of "mercy mercy" and "sweet mercy" adds to the emotional intensity of the song.

Overall, "Mercy" is an emotional and honest portrayal of a person struggling with their own feelings and dependence on another. The lyrics showcase the pain of feeling lost and alone without someone to turn to, while also expressing a sense of hope that the relationship can survive if their lover shows them mercy.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't leave me this way
I don't want you to leave me alone and helpless

I'm beat and afraid
I'm exhausted and scared

Don't know where to turn
I'm lost and don't know what to do

Don't know where to go
I don't have a clear direction or destination

I've cried and I've cried
I've shed many tears

And I'm wrong inside
I feel guilty or regretful about something

Please, please help me
I'm asking for assistance and support

I'm broken in two now
I'm emotionally shattered and in pain

You're all I desire
You're the only thing I want and need

There's no turning back on me now
I can't go back to the way things were before

With you I'm alive
I feel alive and energized when I'm with you