"Mercy, Mercy"
Song by the Rolling Stones from the album Out of Our Heads
Released	July 30, 1965 (1965-07-30) (US)
Recorded	Chess studios, Chicago, May 10–11, 1965
Genre	Rock, soul
Length	2:45
Label	London
Writer(s)	Don Covay, Ronnie Miller
Producer(s)	Andrew Loog Oldham
ISWC	T-070.242.160-0

"Mercy, Mercy" (sometimes referred to as "Have Mercy") is a soul song first recorded by American singer/songwriter Don Covay in 1964. It established Covay's recording career and influenced later vocal and guitar styles. The songwriting is usually credited to Covay and Ron Alonzo Miller, although other co-writers' names have also appeared on various releases.

In late 1964, the song became a hit, reaching number one on the Cash Box R&B chart and number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Several artists have recorded "Mercy, Mercy", including a well-known version by the Rolling Stones in 1965. More recently, Covay's original version has received attention as one of Jimi Hendrix's first recordings as a sideman.

In 1964, after years of writing and recording songs for several record labels, Don Covay was again in search of a record deal. A recording session was arranged for May 13, 1964, at the A1 Recording Studio in New York City, operated by Atlantic Records co-founder Herb Abramson. New York radio station WWRL disc jockey Nathaniel "Magnificent" Montague provided financing for the session. Covay has given differing accounts about the recording. In one, "Mercy, Mercy" was recorded the day following a well-received performance by Covay and his band the Goodtimers the previous night. For the session, various members of the Goodtimers have been mentioned, including guitarist Ronald Alonzo Miller (also suggested as the bassist), backup singer George "King" Clemons, bassist Horace "Ace" Hall, drummer Bernard Purdie, guitarist Bob Bushnell, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, and a young Jimi Hendrix.

Music critic Richie Unterberger describes "Mercy, Mercy" as a "soul tune with a gospel overlay in the pleading tone of the lyrics". It opens with the refrain, sung by Covay with a higher-register harmony:

Have mercy, have mercy baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me

Covay's vocal is described as "impassioned" and "assured". Music historian Peter Guralnick notes that the guitar part "established a new guitar dominated soul sound". It plays a prominent role, beginning with the chorded lead-in, which music writer Keith Shadwick describes as "rhythmic patterns that are tasteful modifications of the motifs favored by Curtis Mayfield and Jimmy Johnson – and there have been suggestions that it is Johnson himself on the record". Covay recalled that the song was recorded in one or two takes and additional single-note fills at the fade-out suggest a second guitarist or an overdub.

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Wikipedia