<… Read Full Bio ↴What can you say about Everette Harp, smooth, real smooth sax playing!
Everette Harp started playing piano at two and began practicing saxophone at the age of four. The youngest of the eight children of a minister, gospel music was one of Harp's earliest influences. Harp started playing jazz in high school, and graduated from North Texas State University with a music major in the early 1980s. While there he joined Phi Beta Sigma. Working as an accountant for a short time, Harp played in local bands before moving to Los Angeles in 1988. He immediately toured briefly with Teena Marie, and then internationally with Anita Baker. In 1992, Harp released his self-titled solo debut.
Soon after Harp played at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and began weekly appearances on The Arsenio Hall Show. He continued to play & tour with notables, including Chaka Khan, George Duke, Chante Moore, Anita Baker, Kenny Loggins, Brenda Russell, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, and many more. Harp is also known for his performances with Marcus Miller along with David Sanborn and Wayne Shorter. In the past few years Harp has reduced his side gigs to focus on his solo career. Harp has also performed at the Omaha Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival held annually in North Omaha, Nebraska in August. He also performed "Soul Train '93" (You Know You Want to Dance)" with the rap group Naughty by Nature in 1993.
Mercy Mercy Me
Everette Harp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, 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
Woo mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this over crowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
The song "Mercy Mercy Me" by Everette Harp is a socially conscious composition that reflects on the changes and challenges facing the planet. The lyrics lament the negative impact humans have had on the environment and its consequences. The song begins by invoking mercy and acknowledges that "things ain’t what they used to be." The lyrics suggest that the blue skies have disappeared, replaced by poison winds blowing from the north, south, and east. The song later suggests that oil has been wasted on the ocean and seas, and as a result, the fish are contaminated with mercury.
Moreover, the song also talks about overcrowded land that is being abused by humans. The lyrics ponder how much more abuse the planet can withstand from humans. The mention of underground and sky radiation indicates that nuclear weapons and power plants are poisoning the environment. Additionally, animals and birds that live near those areas are affected by the radiation, and this abuse could lead to a severe environmental situation that needs mercy. Thus, the song is a reflection of the negative impact humans have had on the environment and a call for mercy and a call to protect the planet.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing a desperate plea for mercy and compassion
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
The current state of the world is worse than before
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
The skies have become polluted and unclear
Poison is the wind that blows
The wind carries harmful toxins
From the north and south and east
The areas affected by pollution are widespread
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Reiterating that the world has changed for the worse
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
Oil spills have harmed the ocean
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Fish in the ocean have been contaminated with harmful chemicals
What about this over crowded land
The world is overpopulated
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
How much more damage can the world take from human actions?
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Radiation is harming both the pollution sources and living beings
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
The wildlife is suffering from the pollution and radiation
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
Repeating the sentiment about the world's decline
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Reiterating the effect of harmful radiation
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
How much more abuse can the world and its creatures take?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind