Featured In
Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Marvin Gaye
Lead Vocals
David Van dePitte
Conductor
Alvin Score
Violin
Beatriz Budinzky
Violin
Bill Moore
Solo
Bob Babbit
Bass
Chet Forest
Drums
David Ireland
Viola
Edouard Kesner
Viola
Edward Korkigan
Cello
Felix Resnick
Violin
Gordon Staples
Violin
Italo Babini
Cello
James Waring
Violin
Lillian Downs
Violin
Max Janowsky
Double Bass
Meyer Shapiro
Viola
Nathan Gordon
Viola
Richard Margitza
Violin
Thaddeus Markiewicz
Cello
The Andantes
Background Vocals
The Funk Brothers
Instrumental Ensemble
Virginia Halfmann
Violin
Zinovi Bistritzky
Violin
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Marvin Gaye
Songwriter
David Van dePitte
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Marvin Gaye
Producer
Lawrence Miles
Recording Engineer
Joe Atkinson
Recording Engineer
James Green
Recording Engineer
Art Stewart
Recording Engineer
Bob Ohlsson
Recording Engineer
Cal Harris
Recording Engineer
Kenneth Sands
Recording Engineer
Steve Smith
Recording Engineer
Lyrics
Whoa, oh mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north, and south, and east
Whoa mercy, mercy me (mercy)
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury, oh, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, oh no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, ooh
Writer(s): Marvin Gaye
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