Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedMercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Soul1970s93BPM
B minKey
More around 90 BPM → · More in B minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed sole songwriter (Marvin Gaye), no dispute found — a pioneering environmental anthem from the “What’s Going On” album.
Quick Facts
Released1971
AlbumWhat’s Going On
GenreSoul, R&B
LabelTamla / Motown Records
ProducerMarvin Gaye
Recorded atHitsville U.S.A., Detroit
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Marvin Gaye (sole credit)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Motown/Tamla; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A pioneering environmental anthem (air pollution, poisoned oceans, radiation) from the “What’s Going On” album (this batch); no dispute of its own.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same album, “What’s Going On” (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Marvin Gaye (sole credit)
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Proving Gordy wrong
Berry Gordy was skeptical the album’s socially-conscious direction (established via “What’s Going On,” this batch) would be commercially marketable — the success of both the title track and this second single directly proved him wrong.
Songfacts · read it →
Gaye’s spiritual outlook
In a 1976 interview Gaye described himself as “a student of Don Juan and Carlos Castaneda,” expressing a desire to become “an impeccable warrior” without need for material things. No lyrics reproduced.
Songfacts · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A pioneering environmental anthem
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
MM
Marvin Gaye (Tamla)
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
Was this page helpful?
Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 24)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass