"Mercy" Lyrics U2
Origins: Recording Sessions for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)
"Mercy" was first conceived during the sessions for U2's 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. At that time, the band was working with multiple producers, including Steve Lillywhite and Chris Thomas, to create a bold rock sound while still maintaining the introspective depth seen in their earlier works.
As the recording process evolved, several songs went through multiple versions and were either radically altered or scrapped altogether. "Mercy" was one such song, initially planned for inclusion in the final tracklist.
It was ultimately left off the final cut of the album. Bono later described the decision as difficult, saying that while the song had potential, the band wasn't entirely satisfied with its final form. Nonetheless, the song's exclusion from the album was not the end of its story.
The 2004 Demo Leak
In 2004, a demo version of "Mercy" surfaced on the internet, offering fans a rare glimpse into U2's recording process. The song's unfinished form, though rough, was enough to captivate listeners and generate significant buzz among U2 enthusiasts.
The leaked version had a sprawling structure, with lyrics full of personal and spiritual themes. The emotional weight of lines like "I want to be the end of the world for you" and "Love, lift me out of these blues" combined vulnerability with the soaring optimism often found in U2's music. This version became somewhat of a cult favorite among fans, though it remained an unofficial and unpolished recording.
3. Reworking the Song: 2009–2010 Sessions for No Line on the Horizon
As U2 began recording No Line on the Horizon in 2009, they revisited several unfinished ideas from earlier sessions, including "Mercy". During this period, the band was experimenting with more ambient and atmospheric sounds, working with producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to expand their sonic palette.
Although reports suggested that "Mercy" was being reconsidered for the album, it ultimately did not make it onto No Line on the Horizon (released in 2009). However, during the accompanying U2 360° Tour, fans began to speculate that the band had once again revived the song.
4. Live Debut: 2010 U2 360° Tour
After years of remaining an unfinished demo, "Mercy" made its official live debut on September 12, 2010, during a concert in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of U2's 360° Tour. The live rendition was notably different from the 2004 demo, both in structure and arrangement.
The 360° Tour version of "Mercy" featured a more focused and concise form, clocking in at just under five minutes. The live arrangement brought a raw energy to the song, with Edge’s guitar riffs anchoring the emotional intensity of Bono’s vocal delivery. Although lyrically it retained much of its core, there were notable edits and new phrasing compared to the 2004 demo.
5. Release in Wide Awake in Europe (2010)
In November 2010, U2 released a limited-edition vinyl EP titled Wide Awake in Europe. One of the key features of this release was a live recording of "Mercy" from the 360° Tour. This marked the song’s first official release, albeit in live form, giving fans an opportunity to own a polished version of the track after years of waiting.
Wide Awake in Europe was limited to only 5,000 copies, making it a sought-after collector's item among U2 fans.
6. 'How to re-assemble an Atomic Bomb' features a reworked version of the song, it is called The Luckiest Man Alive.
This live version of Mercy featured a set of revised lyrics from Bono:
Mercy Lyrics
I was drinking some wine
And it turned to blood
What’s the use of religion
If you’re only good
I know I’m weed killer, honey
And you’re
sugar
If you’re the prosecution
I get away with murder
You’re gravity searching for the ground
I’m silence searching for a sound
Your heart is aching
Your heart is my home
It’s fascinating
I know I’ll never be alone
You’re gonna kill me and I wanna die
We were meant for each other, you and I
Souls allowed to love
And there’s nowhere else to turn
You’re not sorry, you’re not gonna cry
You put the blue back in my eye
It’s just us
Because, because, because we can
We must
If you’re hunger, baby let me feed it
If your heart is full, baby let me bleed it
And happiness is for those who don’t really need it
You love me too much
You wanna kill me and I wanna die
We’re a perfect match, you and I
Slaves without the drug
And there’s no one else to trust
I’m not sorry, you’re not gonna cry
You put the blue back in my eye
It’s just us
Because, because, because we can
We must
I’m gonna kill me and I wanna die
We were meant for each other, you and I
Souls allowed to trust
And there’s no one left to trust
I’m not sorry, you’re not gonna cry
You put the blue back in my eye
It’s just us
Because, because, because we can
We must
Because, because, because we can
We must
Because, because, because we can
We must