No Mercy (The Stranglers song) explained

No Mercy
Type:single
Cover:No Mercy.jpeg
Artist:the Stranglers
Album:Aural Sculpture
B-Side:In One Door
Genre:Rock
Length:3:39[1]
Label:Epic
Producer:Laurie Latham
Prev Title:Skin Deep
Prev Year:1984
Next Title:Let Me Down Easy
Next Year:1985

"No Mercy" is a song and single written by Hugh Cornwell, Dave Greenfield, Jet Black and Jean-Jacques Burnel performed by the Stranglers and released in November 1984.

The single made number 37 in the UK Singles Charts in 1984 staying in the charts for eight weeks.[2] The song was performed as part of their set-list in 1985.[3]

Song and release

The song was the second single released from the band's 1984 album Aural Sculpture. One review of the album describes "No Mercy" as “a strong song, with often repeated simple guitar line”. It also notes it as The Stranglers first ever use of backing singers.[4]

The song was released on 1 December 1984 in 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl single formats as well as an ear sculpture shaped picture disc.[4]

Video

The video was shot at St Olave's Hospital in Rotherhithe, London in November 1984. It features the band dressed as doctors and patients. One version of the ending showed a dummy of Hugh Cornwell's body filled with tomato sauce hitting the floor in a bloody heap. Considered too gruesome, the video was never shown with this ending.[5]

Legacy

No Mercy” is also the title of an authorised biography of The Stranglers, written by David Buckley and issued in 1998.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aural Sculpture - The Stranglers | Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic.
  2. Web site: STRANGLERS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company. www.officialcharts.com.
  3. Web site: Glasgow Apollo / Who Played. www.glasgowapollo.com.
  4. Book: Robert Endeacott. Peaches: A Chronicle Of The Stranglers 1974-1990. 1 July 2014. Soundcheck Books. 978-0-9575700-4-7. 134–.
  5. http://www.thestranglers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Never_To_Look_Back_DVD_Reference_Guide.pdf|title=The Stranglers video collection 1983-2012
  6. Book: Buckley, David. No mercy: the authorized and uncensored biography of The Stranglers.. May 7, 1998. Hodder & Stoughton. 60139692. Open WorldCat.