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)
Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You
Robert Palmer 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?
Robert Palmer's song "Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You" is a powerful song that speaks about how the world has changed over time. It talks about the various environmental issues that the world is facing such as pollution, deforestation, radiation, and overpopulation. The opening lines "Woo ah mercy, mercy me / Ah, things ain't what they used to be" set the tone for the song, and the chorus "Oh mercy, mercy me / Ah things ain't what they used to be" emphasizes the fact that the world has changed and not for the better.
The second verse of the song talks about the pollution of the ocean and the effect it has on marine life. The line "Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh" refers to the environmental disaster caused by the oil spill that happened in the 1960s. The next line talks about overpopulation and how it has caused more abuse to the environment, which is a pressing issue in today's world.
The last verse of the song talks about radiation and its harmful effects on animals and birds that live near the contaminated areas. The song concludes with the line "Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?" which is a poignant question we should all ask ourselves.
Overall, "Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You" is a thought-provoking song that reminds us of the environmental issues that we are facing today. It encourages us to take action and do something before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing concern about the state of the world.
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
Acknowledging that the world has changed and is not as good as it once was.
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Wondering about the disappearance of clear blue skies.
Poison is the wind that blows
The air is polluted and harmful to breathe.
From the north and south and east
Air pollution is massive and widespread.
Woo mercy, mercy me
Expressing concern and empathy towards the state of the world.
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
The oil has been spilled, wasted and is harming the ocean.
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
The fish in the ocean are poisoned with mercury.
What about this over crowded land
Raising concerns about overpopulation and urbanization.
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Asking how much more the earth can take before it breaks and collapses.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Recognizing the worrisome exposure to radiation on the earth's surface and atmosphere.
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
The impact of radiation is causing the death of nearby wildlife and animals.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
The degradation of the world is evident and noticeable.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Reinforcing concerns about the presence of radiation all around.
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
The world can no longer bear the harmful nature and deteriorating influence of human activity and mistreatment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ginafrancis-wilson9527
“Back in the day (1990)” I had a cassingle of this song and I’d play it every morning getting ready for work. Just had moved in with my boyfriend. 30 years later, 25 years married, it still gets me right in my heart! Such cool dudes - both he and My very own Robert 😌😌
@newedition2006
2:55 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@marcelinobenavente5909
GRAN TALENTO , GRAN VOZ SE FUE DEMASIADO JOVEN ,TENIA 55 AÑOS CUANDO NOS DEJO ,QUE EN PAZ DESCANSE.
@baudelaire2984
Great idea to do a medley of these two great songs. And he nailed it.
@newedition2006
2:55 YEEEEEEES 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@ruthmarcano631
Such a talent. RIP.
@BazookaTooth707
Now that I'm older I can actually appreciate the lyrics
@CristianPalmer
The best cover ever!!!
@newedition2006
2:55 NEVER ESCAPED ME
@newedition2006
2:55 2020 AND STILL LISTENING SINCE 1992!!!!!!