It Was 50 Years Ago Today
‘Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)’ Randal Hill
Well-respected rock-music critic and historian Dave a man of power.” Marsh is normally quite sparing in his praise, but Marsh Contrary to Gordy’s fears, “Mercy Mercy Me” peaked at once could barely contain his enthusiasm when he reviewed No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100; Gaye was the sole composer a Marvin Gaye single and proclaimed it to be “the greatest of a work considered by many to be the most meaningful piece of music ever written in favor of the survival of the anthem ever in regards to pollution, global warming, and environment on the greatest Black pop album ever made.” our deteriorating environment. That 45 was the now-classic “Mercy Mercy Me (The In 2002, his creation won a prestigious Grammy Hall of Ecology),” which was lifted from Gaye’s legendary 1971 LP Fame Award. What’s Going On, the first album in his extensive Motown Gaye’s lyrics pulled no punches when he delivered catalog to sell a million copies. his ethereal, thought-provoking lament of polluted When Motown owner Berry Gordy Jr. was approached skies, poisonous winds, oceanic oil slicks, and mercuryabout “Mercy Mercy Me,” he was unfamiliar with the term contaminated fish, as well as the realization that, sadly, far Photo credit: ecology and had to have it explained to him. too many creatures had become endangered. “Mercy Mercy Me Gordy was always a tough sell about including anything Those elements, and the increasing overpopulation of our (The Ecology)” political or controversial on his records and always kept an planet, inspired Gaye’s tough rhetorical question: By Marvin Gaye eye on the mainstream sales charts in seeking as wide an “How much more abuse from man can she stand?” August 1971 audience as possible. How much more indeed, Mr. Gaye! Initially, Gordy argued against releasing Gaye’s thoughtRandal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be provoking What’s Going On? He feared it could run the risk of alienating reached at wryterhill@msn.com. Gaye’s fans, who would be expecting Gaye’s usual pop/soul product, such as “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” But Gaye was growing as an artist, and he wanted to go deeper than his previous releases. “I began to reevaluate my whole concept of what I wanted my music to say,” he explained later to Rolling Stone. “I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world.” Industrialization, corporate greed, and a lack of environmental concern all fueled Gaye’s interest in creating a thoughtful message rather than another commercial ballad. Gaye’s offering arrived a year after the first Earth Day brought concern about our stewardship of the Earth, so his tune served as a clarion call for us to face responsibilities to our home. In an interview with Sounds 25th Annual magazine, Gaye said, “I’d love Edition to become only interested in Closing date: Nov. 5, 2021. knowledge and power that this Street date: Jan. 2022 Earth will give us, if we’re only willing to put in the time and To be included in the 2022 edition of 50plus effort … The power’s here. It’s in LIVING, call your marketing consultant, call the rocks, it’s in the air, it’s in the animals … I would like to become (717) 285-1350, or email info@onlinepub.com
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