During the 70s, while still in his teens, Mitchell began playing with local bands in the city of Sarnia. After evolving through a few name changes with essentially the same band, Mitchell and a group titled "Zooom" headed off for Toronto, Ontario. The band eventually dissolved, with Mitchell travelling over to the Greek islands.
Upon his return to Canada, he formed the band Max Webster, which managed to finally break through commercially. Besides playing the group, Mitchell and wrote most of the band's songs with fellow Sarnia native and lyricist, Pye Dubois (Paul Woods). Max Webster toured extensively and built a string of hits. Mitchell's solo career began after his departure from Max Webster, with session work and a succession of solo albums.
In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and perhaps remains his best known song outside of his native Canada.
In 2004, Mitchell entered the radio broadcasting industry, becoming afternoon drive time host on Toronto classic rock radio station Q107.
As of 2005, Mitchell, still does the afternoon drive time on Q107, and is working on a new double CD set for a Spring 2006 release.
In December of 2005, Mitchell had proposed to the Q107 listeners that they write a Christmas song together. The resulting song is entitled "A Christmas Smile". At the end of the song, Mitchell advises his fans not to drink and drive, but to "go for a soda" instead.
O Mercy Louise
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm forever losing you
I even wave at you in my dreams
Losing you is a bad, bad dream
O mercy Louise
O mercy Louise
My life is flashing before us
Falling in our hearts
I'll do anything to save us
The sunshine's on
Don't be troubled by stormy clouds
Hold me close 'til they clear
And any woman
Any woman who could hold me so
Oh, it's gonna be a long night
If we get hot it could be a long life
I'll do anything to save us
O mercy Louise
O mercy Louise
My life is flashing before us
Can we survive a little rain
Falling in our hearts
I'll do anything to save us
I'm losing you and the argument
How can you be so nonchalant
Losing you is a bad, bad dream
Tell me, am I in or am I out, Louise
Walkin' beside you makes me tall, Louise
Talkin' with you makes me stutter baby
I'm yellin' at you and I'm turnin' blue, Louise
How can you be so nonchalant at a time like this in my life
O mercy Louise
O mercy Louise
My life is flashing before us
Can we survive a little rain
Falling in our hearts
I'll do anything to save us
My life is flashing before us
And I'll do anything to save us
Oh, Louise
The song O Mercy Louise by Kim Mitchell is about the singer's struggle to keep his relationship together with a woman named Louise. The lyrics suggest that their relationship has been tested by arguments and disagreements which have caused the singer to feel like he is losing Louise. He even dreams about losing her and feels like he is on the verge of losing her in waking life as well. However, he is determined to save their relationship and will do anything to make it work.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "O mercy Louise" which can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be a plea to Louise for mercy or forgiveness, or it could represent the singer's desperation for mercy from the universe as he tries to save his relationship. He reflects on the fact that their life is flashing before them, which is a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing what they have.
The song also explores the intimacy and connection between the singer and Louise. He describes how being with her makes him feel tall and how talking to her makes him stutter. He is clearly deeply attached to her and is struggling to accept the possibility of losing her.
Line by Line Meaning
Louise
Addressing the person named Louise
I'm forever losing you
Expressing that the singer has difficulty holding onto Louise
I even wave at you in my dreams
The singer has fond memories of Louise and is even trying to hold onto her in their subconscious
Losing you is a bad, bad dream
The artist views losing Louise as a nightmare
O mercy Louise
A plea for Louise's mercy regarding their relationship
My life is flashing before us
The singer is reflecting on their past and present relationship with Louise
Can we survive a little rain
The singer is questioning whether they can weather relationship troubles
Falling in our hearts
The artist is feeling emotional and vulnerable
I'll do anything to save us
The artist is committed to working through the relationship's problems
The sunshine's on
Things are going well in the moment
Don't be troubled by stormy clouds
The singer is reminding Louise not to worry about potential relationship obstacles
Hold me close 'til they clear
The artist wants comfort and support from Louise in difficult times
And any woman
The singer is potentially considering other romantic partners, but considers Louise irreplaceable
Any woman who could hold me so
The singer values intimacy and feels that Louise provides that
Oh, it's gonna be a long night
The singer anticipates a trying time ahead
If we get hot it could be a long life
The artist implies that things could become difficult long-term, but it's worth it with Louise
I'm losing you and the argument
The artist is losing ground in their relationship with Louise
How can you be so nonchalant
The singer is frustrated with Louise's apparent indifference to their problems
Tell me, am I in or am I out, Louise
The singer needs reassurance of their status in the relationship
Walkin' beside you makes me tall, Louise
The artist feels confident and secure with Louise
Talkin' with you makes me stutter baby
The artist is struck with strong emotion when communicating with Louise
I'm yellin' at you and I'm turnin' blue, Louise
The artist is heated and passionate about their relationship with Louise
My life is flashing before us
The singer reiterates their sense of reflection
And I'll do anything to save us
The artist reaffirms that they will go to great lengths to preserve their relationship with Louise
O mercy Louise
Again, the singer pleads for mercy and understanding from Louise
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dean S.
it is a shame this was not a more popular tune. one of my favs
Kathy Bernatchez
The best of Kim Mitchell. The whole album is amazing. This is so rare nowdays.
Dayanul Lima
the whole album is outstanding!!
Darcy B
ty hazelsister for adding this great rock tune to you tube! :D
Evan Ham
love Kim
Evan Infante
Mercy