There is more than one group called the Tubes:

1) The Tubes is a San… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one group called the Tubes:

1) The Tubes is a San Francisco-based theater rock band popular in the mid 1970s and early 1980s. Their eponymous 1975 debut album included the single "White Punks on Dope," while their 1983 single "She's a Beauty" was a top-10 U.S. hit and its music video was frequently played in the early days of MTV.
Known for their live performances that combined music performances, the band used many different unique costumes (in some acts they wore leotards with painted on nipples and pubic hair). They made satires of life in the USA; the media, consumerism, and politics. They were often banned in the Midwest USA.
The Tubes continue performing live, with several members of the original band still in the touring lineup.

2) The Tubes is a five-piece Garage Funk band from Switzerland. Brainchild of Harry Tuttle and Barbie Tube, and formed in 2006, they released their first recordings in 2007.
Rob Tube : Bass & Vocals
Harry Tube : Guitar
Rosie Tube : Horns & Vocals
Tube Tube : Keys & Vocals
Barbie Tube : Drums

NO MERCY
The Tubes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well it's a shame when you got nobody
And it's a drag when you got no friends
But it's a worse when you get no mercy
And you're startin' all over again

And back in my own world
Nobody bugs me
But down on the shop floor

They show me no mercy

I've been down to the railway station
I've been over to the taxi stand
I've been standing in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel
But I've never seen a helpin' hand

I'm lookin' for someone
Not out to get me
I'm keepin' my guard up
Expectin' no mercy

[Chorus:]
No mercy
No pity
There's no mercy for me
No sympathy

They say it's just like a gentle rainfall
But it ain't never rained on me
And back in my own world
Nobody bugs me
But down on the shop floor
They show me no mercy

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The Tubes’s song "No Mercy" is about feeling lonely and neglected by society. The first verse expresses the sadness and frustration of not having anyone and starting anew. The singer is letting us know how much it hurts to be alone and friendless, and the pain is exacerbated when he's victimized without any mercy. The second verse tells us about how the singer feels when he is alone vs. when he goes to work. At work, he is vulnerable and the subject of contempt from colleagues. In contrast, when he is at home and alone, no one bugs him or adds to his stress.

The chorus implies that the singer is seeking compassion, pity, and sympathy. However, nobody is willing to extend a loving hand to the afflicted. No mercy, no pity, no sympathy, and no compassion are society's answers. The singer's desire is simple, to find someone who is willing to empathize with him in his stressful situation.

In summary, The Tubes’s song "No Mercy" is about how alone someone can feel in society when they are struggling to get by. It reflects the feeling of being neglected, enduring socially inflicted wounds, and how society turns a blind eye to those screaming for help.

Line by Line Meaning

Well it's a shame when you got nobody
It's disappointing when you have no one to rely on.

And it's a drag when you got no friends
It's difficult when you don't have any friends to support you.

But it's a worse when you get no mercy
It's even more challenging when you don't receive any compassion.

And you're startin' all over again
You have to restart from scratch.

And back in my own world
When alone, in one's mind or personal space.

Nobody bugs me
No one is bothering, interrupting, or annoying me.

But down on the shop floor
In a working environment or place of business.

They show me no mercy
They don't offer kindness, forgiveness, or leniency.

I've been down to the railway station
I've been to a transportation hub.

I've been over to the taxi stand
I've looked for help from a taxi service.

I've been standing in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel
I've been waiting in a high-end hotel's public area.

But I've never seen a helpin' hand
No one has extended a helping hand to me.

I'm lookin' for someone
I'm searching for a person who can help me.

Not out to get me
Not intending to harm or take advantage of me.

I'm keepin' my guard up
I'm remaining alert and cautious.

Expectin' no mercy
Anticipating that no one will show me any mercy.

No mercy
No kindness, leniency, or forgiveness.

No pity
No compassion or understanding.

There's no mercy for me
I'm not receiving any mercy.

No sympathy
No empathy or concern for my situation.

They say it's just like a gentle rainfall
They say that receiving mercy is as simple as a gentle rainfall.

But it ain't never rained on me
I've never experienced receiving mercy.