After three albums and two EPs Thieves Like Us, despite being sonically and ethnically uncategorizable, have finally found the comforts of home on Captured Tracks. 2012 saw the addition of Martine Duverglas, Anna De Marco and Dani Imhoff and the multilingual bunch are gearing up the release of their fourth long player, Bleed Bleed Bleed.
Mercy
Thieves Like Us Lyrics
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It's always the same
I've studied the cracks and the wrinkles
You were always so vain
Well, now you live your life like a shadow
In the pouring rain
Oh, it's called love
Yes, it's called love
And it belongs to us
Oh, it dies so quickly, it grows so slowly
But when it dies, it dies for good
It's called love
And it belongs to everyone but us
I've lived my life in the valleys
I've lived my life on the hills
I've lived my life on alcohol
I've lived my life on pills
But it's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love
And it's the only thing that's worth living for
It's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love
Yes it's called love
Oh, love is found in the east and west
When love is at home, it's the best
Love is the cure for every evil
Love is the air that supports the eagle
It's called love
And it's so un-cool
It's called love
And somehow it's become unmentionable
It's called love
And it belongs to every one of us
It's called love
And it cuts your life like a broken knife
Oh, love, love, love love love
It's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love, love, love love love
It's called love
And it belongs to everyone but us
The song "Mercy" by Thieves Like Us is a poignant meditation on the nature of love and its impact on our lives. The singer of the song has observed the object of their affection for a long time, noting the marks of time etched onto their face. The singer notes that the person used to be vain, but now lives a life like a shadow in the rain. Despite this, love still belongs to all of us, including the singer, though it dies quickly and grows slowly.
The singer then reflects on their own life, having lived in both the valleys and hills, and sometimes relying on alcohol and pills. Despite this, love is the only thing worth living for, and it belongs to all of us. Unfortunately, love is often seen as uncool and unmentionable, yet it is the cure for every evil and the support for the eagle. Ultimately, love cuts into our lives like a broken knife, yet it remains an essential component of our existence.
The lyrics of "Mercy" speak to the universal experience of love and its many facets. On the one hand, love is all-encompassing and belongs to everyone, but it can also be fleeting and painful. The song also speaks to the power of love to sustain and uplift us, even in the face of life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I've watched your face for a long time
I've observed your facial expressions for an extended period.
It's always the same
Your facial expressions remain fixed and constant.
I've studied the cracks and the wrinkles
I've analyzed the wrinkles and observable flaws on your face.
You were always so vain
You tend to be overly proud of your appearance.
Well, now you live your life like a shadow
Your existence is obscure and filled with despair.
In the pouring rain
In a situation of hardship or suffering.
Oh, it's called love
The emotions and experience I describe here are love.
Yes, it's called love
Indeed this is love, as I previously mentioned.
And it belongs to us
These feelings are personal and shared between you and me.
Oh, it dies so quickly, it grows so slowly
Love can fade away hastily or take quite some time to blossom.
But when it dies, it dies for good
Love is often permanent and, once extinguished, cannot be revived.
And it belongs to everyone but us
Others seem to have love, but we do not feel it or experience it like they do.
I've lived my life in the valleys
I've experienced life's lows and difficult moments.
I've lived my life on the hills
I've experienced life's highs and moments of success.
I've lived my life on alcohol
I've used alcohol as a crutch to deal with the hardships of life.
I've lived my life on pills
I've used medication as a coping mechanism.
And it belongs to us
Love is not just for other people, but we can also feel it.
And it's the only thing that's worth living for
Love is what gives meaning and purpose to life.
Yes it's called love
Once again, I confirm that this is love.
Oh, love is found in the east and west
Love exists all over the world, across cultures and locations.
When love is at home, it's the best
Being in a loving environment is the most fulfilling and satisfying.
Love is the cure for every evil
Love can heal and overcome any negative situation.
Love is the air that supports the eagle
Love is what provides strength and support for individuals to soar high.
And it's so un-cool
Love is not seen as trendy or fashionable by society.
And somehow it's become unmentionable
Love is not something people talk about openly or freely.
And it cuts your life like a broken knife
Love can hurt and cause deep emotional pain when it is lost or not reciprocated.
Oh, love, love, love love love
This is a verbal expression of the feeling and emotions associated with love.
It's called love
Once again confirming that this is love.
And it belongs to us
We can own and feel love just like everyone else.
It's called love, love, love love love
Repeating the idea that this is love, emphasizing it even more strongly.
And it belongs to everyone but us
Others seem to have and experience love, but we cannot seem to achieve it or feel it like they do.
Writer(s): Pontus Lars Berghe, Bjorn Olof Berglund, Anthony Christopher Grier
Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.