Robert Allen Palmer (January 19, 1949 – September 26, 2003), born in Batley… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Allen Palmer (January 19, 1949 – September 26, 2003), born in Batley, Yorkshire, England, was a British singer. He was known for his soulful voice and the eclectic mix of musical styles on his albums, combining soul, jazz, rock, reggae, blues, and even yodeling.

His eighties hits were promoted by particularly striking award winning videos, featuring an all-female, black-clad backing band. The memorable videos, directed by Terence Donovan, featured heavily on MTV and played a large part in his transatlantic success.

His eighties success was kickstarted by his participation in supergroup The Power Station, along with Andy Taylor and John Taylor of Duran Duran and Tony Thompson of Chic.

Robert Palmer died on September 26, 2003 in Paris, France, while staying at the Warwick de berri Hotel. The cause of death was of a heart attack. He was in Paris promoting his Drive CD which had been released in May of 2003. He was joined there by his longtime friend, Jack Bruce. He was survived by his parents, Anna and Leslie Palmer, his brother, Mark Palmer, and his children, James, Jane, Anna, Anthony and Martin. He is interred in London, England.

Solo Albums:

Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley (1974)
Pressure Drop (1975)
Some People Can Do What They Like (1976)
Double Fun (1978)
Secrets (1979)
Clues (1980)
Maybe It's Live (1982) (live)
Pride (1983)
Riptide (1985)
Sweet Lies (1987) (single)
Heavy Nova (1988)
Addictions Volume I (1989) (compilation)
Don't Explain (1990)
Addictions Volume II (1992) (compilation)
Ridin' High (1992)
Honey (1994)
Very Best Of Robert Palmer (1995) (compilation)
Woke Up Laughing (1998) (compilation)
Very Best Of Robert Palmer (1997) (re-release of the 1995 compilation feat: "Addicted To Love '97)
Rhythm & Blues (1999)
Best Of Both Worlds: The Robert Palmer Anthology (1974-2001) (2002) (compilation)
Drive (2003)
At the BBC (2010)

Albums by the group Power Station (Feat: Robert Palmer):

Power Station (1985)
Living in Fear (1997)
The Best of The Power Station (2002)

Albums by the group Vinegar Joe (Feat: Robert Palmer):

Vinegar Joe (1971)
Rock n Roll Gypsies (1972)
Six Star Generals (1973)
Six Star Gypsies (1994) (Compilation)
Speed Queen of Ventura: An Introduction to Vinegar Joe (2003) (Compilation)

Albums by The Alan Bown Set (Feat: Robert Palmer on vocals)

The Alan Bown (1969) (Only the UK release featured Palmer on vocals)
Listen (1970) (although was re-recorded with Gordon Neville on vocals when Palmer left)

Have Mercy
Robert Palmer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(D Covay)

Have mercy, have mercy baby
Please have mercy,have mercy on me
Oh have mercy, please have mercy baby
Have mercy mercy, have mercy on me

Went to see the gypsy, to have my fortune read

She said your baby's gonna leave you
She's got her bags stashed under the bed

Have mercy, have mercy baby
Please have mercy,have mercy on me

If you stay here baby, tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna work to a job, seven days a week
Bring my money home to you

Have mercy mercy mercy , have mercy baby
Oh have mercy,have mercy on me

Hey baby, hey now
What you tyrin' to do
Hey baby, hey now
Please don't say we're through

Have mercy mercy, have mercy baby
Oh have mercy,have mercy on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robert Palmer's "Have Mercy" tell a story of a man who is pleading with his lover to have mercy on him. He goes to see a gypsy to have his fortune read, and she tells him that his lover is going to leave him. The man is begging his lover to show him mercy, to not leave him and to work through their problems together. He promises to work hard to support her, but he needs her to have mercy on him.

The repetition of the phrase "have mercy" is an interesting choice by the songwriter. It shows just how desperate the man is and how much he needs his lover to show him mercy. The use of the word "mercy" implies that the man has done something wrong, but the lyrics do not specify what he has done or what their problems are.

The phrase "tell you what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna work to a job, seven days a week, bring my money home to you" shows the man's commitment to his lover and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make things work. The repetition of the phrase "have mercy" towards the end of the song shows that the man is still begging his lover to forgive him and to give him another chance.

Overall, "Have Mercy" is a song about redemption and the power of love to overcome difficult times. It speaks to the universal experience of needing forgiveness and second chances in relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Have mercy, have mercy baby
Please be compassionate towards me, dear

Please have mercy,have mercy on me
I beg of you to show me kindness

Oh have mercy, please have mercy baby
I implore you to spare my feelings

Have mercy mercy, have mercy on me
I plead with you to be gentle with me

Went to see the gypsy, to have my fortune read
I visited a fortune teller to learn about my future

She said your baby's gonna leave you
She predicted that your lover will abandon you

She's got her bags stashed under the bed
She has already planned to leave you and packed her belongings

If you stay here baby, tell you what I'm gonna do
If you choose to stay with me, I'll make a promise

I'm gonna work to a job, seven days a week
I'll work hard every day to provide for us

Bring my money home to you
I'll bring my earnings home to you

Hey baby, hey now
Listen to me, dear