Mercy (Muse song)

"Mercy"
Single by Muse
from the album Drones
Released	18 May 2015
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2014 at The Warehouse Studio (Vancouver, British Columbia)[1]
Genre	Alternative rock[2] electronic rock[3]
Length	3:51
Label	Warner Bros. Helium-3
Writer(s)	Matthew Bellamy
Producer(s)	Robert John "Mutt" Lange Muse
Muse singles chronology
"Dead Inside" (2015) "Mercy" (2015) "Revolt" (2015)
Music video "Mercy" on YouTube Drones track listing 12 tracks "Dead Inside" "[Drill Sergeant]" "Psycho" "Mercy" "Reapers" "The Handler" "[JFK]" "Defector" "Revolt" "Aftermath" "The Globalist" "Drones"

"Mercy" is a song by English rock band Muse from their seventh album, Drones. It was released as the second single from the album on 18 May 2015.^[4]

Background

The song is part of a concept album about "the journey of a human, from their abandonment and loss of hope, to their indoctrination by the system to be a human drone, to their eventual defection from their oppressors".^[5] On the band's website, writer and singer Matthew Bellamy stated that "[t]he opening line of ‘Mercy’ - Help me I’ve fallen on the inside - is a reference to the protagonist knowing and recognizing that they have lost something, they have lost themselves. This is where they realize they’re being overcome by the dark forces that were introduced in ‘Psycho’."^[6]

Song description

In his review of Drones, NME's Mark Beaumont described the song as "infectious electro-rock".^[3] Consequence of Sound's Collin Brennan called it an "anthem" reminiscent of "latter-day U2".^[7] In similar fashion, Gigwise's Andrew Trendell described the song as a "driving and pulsing piano-led arena power-anthem". Likening it to the music from the band's fourth album Black Holes And Revelations, he called the song a "close cousin to 'Starlight'[...], albeit with a rejuvenated energy and very forward-looking approach".^[8]

Music video

The music video is directed by Sing J. Lee. Shot in Los Angeles.

Usage in media

"Mercy" was used in promotional spots and launch trailer for the video game Batman: Arkham Knight.^[9]

Reception

Upon the album's release, the song was met with mixed reactions. Gigwise's Andrew Trendell praised the song as being "heartfelt" and "a pristine stadium gem".^[8] In his album review for Consequence of Sound, Collin Brennan, however, was less favourable, criticising that the song's "supposedly trenchant political commentary [is] negated by its almost palpable yearning to be played on commercial rock radio".

Charts

Chart (2015)	Peak Position
France (SNEP)[10]	40
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[11]	49
UK Rock and Metal (Official Charts Company)[12]	1
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[13]	38
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14]	10
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[15]	23
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[16]	14

References

1. "MUSE ARE FINISH WITH THE FIRST SESSION OF THE NEW ALBUM!". Matter of Sound. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
2. "Record Release Rundown: The Latest From Muse, Of Monsters And Men, Sharon Van Etten, Tamia, Ash and More". ABC News. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
3. Beaumont, Mark (27 May 2015). "NME Reviews - Muse - 'Drones'". NME. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
4. "Muse to premiere new single 'Mercy' on Monday". GIgwise. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
5. Morris, Andy; Trendell, Andrew (11 March 2015). "Muse announce Drones album and UK Psycho Tour". Gigwise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
6. "MUSE: NEWS - Mercy". muse.mu. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
7. Brennan, Collin (8 June 2015). "Muse - Drones". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
8. Trendell, Andrew (6 June 2015). "Muse, Drones - A Track-By-Track Review". Gigwise. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
9. "Official Batman: Arkham Knight TV Spot". YouTube, Google. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
10. "Lescharts.com – Muse – Mercy" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
11. "Spanishcharts.com – Muse – Mercy" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
12. "Archive Chart: 2015-23-05" UK Rock Chart. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
13. "Muse – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Muse. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
14. "Muse – Chart history" Billboard Alternative Songs for Muse. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
15. "Muse – Chart history" Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs for Muse. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
16. "Muse – Chart history" Billboard Rock Airplay for Muse. Retrieved 7 November 2015.