Mercy Mercy Me
The Strokes / Eddie Vedder & J Lyrics

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Woo ah mercy, mercy me
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

Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
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?

Overall Meaning

The Strokes' song Mercy, Mercy is a poignant commentary on the degradation of the environment and its impact on our world today. The lyrics express a sense of concern and worry about the state of our planet, highlighting issues such as pollution, overcrowding, and radiation. The lines, "No, no, where did all the blue skies go, Poison is the wind that blows" powerfully capture the loss of natural beauty due to pollution and environmental degradation. The song also highlights the impact of human activities like oil spills, overfishing, and littering, which have led to a decline in marine life and other ecological disasters. The chorus "Oh mercy, mercy me. Ah things ain't what they used to be" further emphasize a sense of lament for the world we once knew, and the pressing need for change to save our planet.

Line by Line Meaning

Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing a sense of desperation and a plea for help

Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
Observing a decline in the state of the world compared to the past

No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Questioning the disappearance of clear skies and clean air

Poison is the wind that blows
Describing the air as toxic and harmful

From the north and south and east
Conveying the pervasiveness of pollution from all directions

Woo mercy, mercy me
Repeating the opening plea for mercy and help

Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
Expressing regret and sadness over the careless use of oil

Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Noting the dangerous levels of mercury in seafood due to pollution

What about this over crowded land
Questioning the impact of overpopulation on the environment

How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Asking how much harm the planet can take before it reaches a breaking point

No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Expressing concern over the presence of radiation in the environment