Love and Mercy

Album: Brian Wilson (1988)
Play Video


  • I was sittin' in a crummy movie with my hands on my chin

    Oh the violence that occurs seems like we never win


    Love and mercy that's what you need tonight

    So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight


    I was lyin' in my room and the news came on T.V.

    A lotta people out there hurtin' and it really scares me


    Love and mercy that's what you need tonight

    So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight


    I was standin' in a bar and watchin' all the people there

    Oh the lonliness in this world well it's just not fair


    Oooooo-ooooooo-ooooooo

    Oooooo-ooooooo-ooooooo-ooooooo-ooooooo

    Ahhhhh-ahhhhhh-ahhhhhh-ohhhhhh-ohhhhhh


    Hey love and mercy that's what you need tonight

    So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight


    Love and mercy that's what you need tonight

    Love and mercy tonight


    Love and mercy



    Writer/s: Brian Douglas Wilson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Gav from LouisianaThe harmonies at the end are incredible. Rest in peace to the immortal Brian Wilson.
  • Jim from Ocean Grove, NjBrian Wilson is a musical genius. He wrote all the great Beach Boys songs that some guys with Mike Love still perform. After finishing the spectacular album Pet Sounds, Brian created the song Good Vibrations and was working on an album called Smile. But, Brian was overwhelmed by Sargent Peppers by the Beatles and felt he could not write songs as good (remember Beatles had 3 songwriters) and he started having psychiatric problems.
    After 20 years, Brian finally began to record again and opened his 1988 solo album with this gem. He is basically talking about how difficult it can be living in this world. When you look around, you see loneliness, people drinking to escape, tragedies shown on TV, violence in movies. But, love and mercy TONIGHT, one day at a time, can help you keep going rather than sink into depression.
    The harmonies are as beautiful and sublime as songs by the Beach Boys in the 1960s.
    See the movie, Love and Mercy. Excellent.
    And, if you get a chance, see Brian live, still performing in 2017 with a great band.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.