The Strokes

Released: September 26, 2006

Featuring: Josh Homme Eddie Vedder

Songwriter: Marvin Gaye

Producer: David Kahne

[Verse 1: Eddie Vedder]
Oh, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, oh, no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east

[Verse 2: Julian Casablancas]
Well, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, oh, no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury, oh

[Verse 3: Eddie Vedder]
Oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no, no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying

[Verse 4: all]
Oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can you stand?

The Strokes burst onto the scene at a time when rock fans were desperate for an alternative to the rap-rock that was dominating the airwaves. That the band lived up to expectations after being hailed ‘saviors of guitar rock’ solely based on the strength of a three song EP is a testament to the quality of their flawless debut, July 2001’s Is This It.

Ultimately, they are a band that truly relies on the strength of the entire lead singer Julian Casablancas, lead guitarist Nick Valensi, drummer Fabrizio Moretti, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. However, much of The Strokes' output has been influenced by the domineering vision of Casablancas' songwriting.

Before he took a small step back on their third album, January 2006’s First Impressions of Earth, and then isolated himself to record March 2011’s Angles, Casablancas was involved in almost every step of The Strokes' recording process. He wrote all of the lyrics and the music on their first two albums and was constantly involved in the mixing of the records.

more tracks from the album

You Only Live Once - Single

From the albums

You Only Live Once - Single (2006)
Live From Nowhere Near You, Vol. II (2011)

The Strokes popular songs

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)The Strokes

The Strokes

You Only Live Once - Single