Music
Duffy: 'Mercy'
Released on Monday, Feb 25 2008
Published Tuesday, Feb 12 2008, 12:12 GMT | By Nick Levine | 9 comments

Still, there's no quibbling with the sassy delights of 'Mercy', her first proper single. A catchy, danceable Northern soul pastiche – that bassline practically reeks of sweat and stale cigarette smoke - it conjures up images of Twiggy strutting down the King's Road in a mini-skirt and kinky boots. When combined with the swingin' nightclub video, Duffy's sixties stylings teeter towards the contrived, but her rich, quivering voice is powerful enough to banish any doubts. Brit Award or no Brit Award, that Adele should be watching her back.

> Click here for our review of Duffy's debut album
Your Views
9 Comments
Your Responses
Helen, Newcastle, on February 14th, 2009
My Review of “Mercy” by Duffy. This song has a simple melody with a repetitive drum beat that carries on throughout the song. It is catchy and will stick in your head, although it does have an annoyingly repetitive chorus. This was a massive hit in 2008, being number one in the singles chart for five weeks and the third biggest selling single of 2008. I like this song as it reminds me of sunshine and summer, therefore it is perfect for a rainy day when I want to have some sun shining down on me.
My Review of “Mercy” by Duffy. This song has a simple melody with a repetitive drum beat that carries on throughout the song. It is catchy and will stick in your head, although it does have an annoyingly repetitive chorus. This was a massive hit in 2008, being number one in the singles chart for five weeks and the third biggest selling single of 2008. I like this song as it reminds me of sunshine and summer, therefore it is perfect for a rainy day when I want to have some sun shining down on me.
Paul. Grimsby, on June 14th, 2008
the song is northern soul having been into northern soul nearly 40 years i know a northern sound when i hear one and this is one, this kind of sound as nothing to do with Twiggy or the kings road as the genre is northern soul northern being the opretive word then it would have nothing to do with the south . but i disagree i think she does sound a bit like dusty spring filed which tomhy mined is a good thing because she was realy good singer ,and she had a lot to do with fetching a lot of soul artists to england, this song takes me back to those days and i think it is excellent it made me want to get up and dance.l
the song is northern soul having been into northern soul nearly 40 years i know a northern sound when i hear one and this is one, this kind of sound as nothing to do with Twiggy or the kings road as the genre is northern soul northern being the opretive word then it would have nothing to do with the south . but i disagree i think she does sound a bit like dusty spring filed which tomhy mined is a good thing because she was realy good singer ,and she had a lot to do with fetching a lot of soul artists to england, this song takes me back to those days and i think it is excellent it made me want to get up and dance.l
Glenn, Vancouver, Canada, on April 19th, 2008
Marvin Gaye's Mercy,Mercy me in another time has been Reborn C/O Duffy. WOW!!! Truly a song for all time.
Marvin Gaye's Mercy,Mercy me in another time has been Reborn C/O Duffy. WOW!!! Truly a song for all time.
Shanice Irons, Kettering, England, on March 25th, 2008
I think Duffy is absolutely fantastic! I love all, of her songs especially Mercy. She has an amazing voice. at the moment Duffy is one of my favourite artists/Singers.
I think Duffy is absolutely fantastic! I love all, of her songs especially Mercy. She has an amazing voice. at the moment Duffy is one of my favourite artists/Singers.
Alan, Cork, on March 5th, 2008
Brilliant debut! Best of 2007 so far!
Brilliant debut! Best of 2007 so far!
Mandy, London, on February 29th, 2008
Really good voice and song
Really good voice and song
Lorraine, Southend, on February 18th, 2008
When i first heard i said she was going to be massive excellent, go on girl!
When i first heard i said she was going to be massive excellent, go on girl!
Nigel Osborne, Birmingham, on February 15th, 2008
Wow what a voice shes going to be massive. Great catchy single with powerful vocals and great range.
Wow what a voice shes going to be massive. Great catchy single with powerful vocals and great range.







Not a day goes by without me wanting to listen to the song. Takes everything good about the last forty years of music and combines it into four minutes of the best song I have ever heard. If there is anything close to rivaling it on her next album, I will die a happy man