He then went on to join The Cannonball Adderley Quintet recording at least six albums with Adderley. Further collaborations with Frank Zappa and Billy Cobham came his first venture into the charts with "Reach for It" and "Dukey Stick". Reverting to his jazz roots his "Brazilian Love Affair" album even impressed his jazz critics after many accused him of selling out to pop.
Mercy
George Duke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, Muh - Mercy!
Josie - When you're all alone lookin' at the phone
Waiting for your man to get on home
Muh - Mercy!
Napi - When a fine girl catches your eye
Dogs your line and then walks on by
Lynn - Rushing around nearly crashed my car
Stubbed my toe on the mini bar
Muh - Mercy!
George - If it ain't right, then it's wrong - amen
So hit me with that thang again
Muh - Mercy! (when there's nothing left to do say)
Yeah, Muh - Mercy!
Yeah, Muh - Mercy!
Josie - When you're feeling good, understood
It won't last long so knock on wood
Muh - Mercy!
Napi - Doing the right, though you're thinking wrong
Push on through it and be strong
Muh - Mercy!
Lynn - When you lose your job'n money's hard to find
Unemployment check comes right on time
Muh - Mercy!
George - Just keep doing the right thing let me say it again
Hit me with that thang and then
Muh - Mercy! (when there's nothing left to do say)
The song "Mercy" by George Duke is a joyful and upbeat tune about perseverance and positivity in the face of life's ups and downs. The lyrics are structured as a series of vignettes, each featuring a different character facing a different struggle. The refrain of "Muh - Mercy!" is used to punctuate each story, expressing delight, surprise, and relief in equal measure.
The first character introduced is Josie, who is waiting for her man to come home. The song suggests that she is feeling lonely and possibly worried, but finds solace in the idea that something good might still happen ("Muh - Mercy!"). Next, Napi is described as seeing a beautiful woman, but being too hesitant to approach her. He is disappointed when she seems to ignore him, but still finds joy in the possibility of a future encounter. Lynn's story is more comical, describing a situation where she is in a hurry and accidentally injures herself twice. Her attitude, however, remains positive ("Muh - Mercy!") and she carries on with her day. Finally, George himself appears in the song and gives a bit of advice: if something isn't right, it's wrong. But even when things seem to be going poorly, the refrain "Muh - Mercy!" can be used as a rallying cry to keep going and keep trying.
Overall, "Mercy" is a fun and lighthearted blues-tinged song with an inspiring message about the power of positivity and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, Muh - Mercy!
Expression of amazement and astonishment
Josie - When you're all alone lookin' at the phone Waiting for your man to get on home Muh - Mercy!
Feeling anxious and lonely while waiting for someone special to come back
Napi - When a fine girl catches your eye Dogs your line and then walks on by Muh - Mercy!
Being captivated by someone who's out of reach
Lynn - Rushing around nearly crashed my car Stubbed my toe on the mini bar Muh - Mercy!
Being overwhelmed and having a bad day
George - If it ain't right, then it's wrong - amen So hit me with that thang again Muh - Mercy! (when there's nothing left to do say)
When things aren't going well, try again and give it your all
Yeah, Muh - Mercy!
Expression of amazement and astonishment
Josie - When you're feeling good, understood It won't last long so knock on wood Muh - Mercy!
Enjoying a moment of happiness and hoping it will last
Napi - Doing the right, though you're thinking wrong Push on through it and be strong Muh - Mercy!
Making the right decision even when it's difficult
Lynn - When you lose your job'n money's hard to find Unemployment check comes right on time Muh - Mercy!
Being relieved and grateful for unexpected help in tough times
George - Just keep doing the right thing let me say it again Hit me with that thang and then Muh - Mercy! (when there's nothing left to do say)
Persevering and staying true to oneself, even when faced with adversity
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mikey
on Sausalito
Are the lyrics to the song a secret? Why can’t I find them written down anywhere?
Mikey
on Sausalito
Words to Sausalito?