MERCY - LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY - 1969 ***I Love You, Julie (see: greghusby.com)

[barbaraannish1]

Is Sharon Taylor in this? -- a bit Blurry and I haven't talked to her since the '90s ...

[deberns]

Somebody must know the name of this Bar and its exact wherabouts? Unbelievable video, unbelievable times! Thanks, Oh those memories, there something that no one can marr.

Lauren aka Skip Ft Lauderdale Fl September 1968 - March 1987

[StudioZ7]

Notice the Falstaff Beer product placement. Interesting film relic. Anybody know where this is from?



[desert3347]

God, I Loved this song..still do......

[cruyeda]

This song was popular my first year of college. I had forgotten about it. Thanks for the memories.

[PRKentucky]

I was at my folks for Christmas and playing a few videos with my mom and sister when my dad came into the room when he heard this song. He said it was the song that made him think of mom when he was in the army. He asked to hear it again and I swear he had a tear in his eye as he came over and gave mom a big hug! I love this song more now than before, Thank you!

[TheSpiralnotebook]

@PRKentucky wow, great story, and I believe it because this song really breaks through just like that for me... hits me in a tender spot.

[JustAFocus]

People singing about love and joy instead of bitches and ho's and poppin' a cap in somebody. Who woulda thunk it?

[robertg925]

... and beer, makes me happy!

[cforssi]

They were from Tampa, Fl. and included Debbie Lewis and Jack Sigler.

[roysmemorylane]

I was dating my wife to be in April 1969. This song was playing on WFIL one evening, It was our "first" time. I will never forget. Thank you Mercy for all the memories.

[balves1960]

LOVE THIS!!!



[acertainblue]

Thank you!

[artedelidav]

A time when people had to sing...no technology to "help" lie to the public...you had to have talent back then!!!!1

[zelda5729]

No lip syncing. A real, and rare performace by a 1960's rock group.

[revwjh]

hauntingly beautiful...... Blessings, jon

[funkadelphiarecords]

I just love the way the entire band is just SHOVED into a corner of the room!

GREAT CLIP!

[scdevon]

The lead female vocals in this song are fantastic. I think that cute little blonde in the center of the group who has the sweet voice.

[11xzxzxz]

A really sweet beautiful song. I always think of my sister when I listen to this as she loved this song. Reminds me I have to write her now. True loves doesn't come to everyone but as a one-percenter I can buy love .. just kidding and sorry I am not with my true love .. she is off with some guy, mercy mercy mercy me.

[robertabramson]

This reminds me of my mom who passed away when I was 9 in 1971.

[PoppaZoe]

@robertabramson I cannot imagine how hard that must have been. I am sure she would be proud of your sentiments. Good luck to you, always.

[robertabramson]

@PoppaZoe Thank you for the kind comments.

[larciabella]

@robertabramson The Beauty of Music is it's healing.Our loved ones live on in us in our hearts always.god Bless you. may the memories be sweet.

[scdevon]

This is a fantastic alternate take. I love the slightly different vocals!

[funkadelphiarecords]

Ahrrrrr! THIS IS THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG! WHERE CAN I GET A COPY? IS THIS THE SAME BAND AS ON THE COVER OF THE WARNERS LP? WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE TWO DIFFERENT LPS! THIS QUESTION HAS BUGGED ME FOR YEARS! THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT TUNE!

[reallyrarestuff]

@funkadelphiarecords I can give you the background on the two LPs but it's too much to type here.

[The096757]

am i the only one who finds this to be a melancholy song that sounds so good?

i always loved this song but i feel it has a melancholy sound about longing for love rather than cherishing it. a lot good 60s songs have a melancholy sound to me.

[doorswhofan]

Wow -- I can still remember when things were pretty much like this. Another time. Anyone note how the red oval on the wall says LSD?  :-) Believe it or not, I remember seeing some psychedelic posters in the background of an old BATMAN episode that said LSD and stuff even more radical. :-D

[Mstrblu]

Terrific piece of history! This group could have been so much more had it not been for the change in labels, the bogus withdrawn album and lawsuits.

[chuckbuckbobuck]

Boy this video has late 60's written all over it, including the broad dumping her ashes on the bar room floor---how sophisticated! Good song though! The little blonde in the front I remember her from Mercy's appearance on the Mike Douglas show, summer of 69. She was wearing a granny skirt and boots; ungodly cute to say the least.

[ViennaForever]

Jack Sigler, Jr,, singing and playing guitar on the right, wrote this song. The poor guy was in the Navy when this became a hit. They re-recorded the song and grabbed some girls for the chorus so that they could tour. I think Jack's sister, Ann, sang on the first recording. There are two versions of this song out there somewhere, both with Jack Sigler, Jr, but we probably hear the later Warner Brothers RE-recording the most.

[PsychLion]

Awesome footage!

[scottslaught]

Heard this song on the radio in a restaraunt tonight...Lovely..... had to look up who it was.

[scottslaught]

Check out the LSD sign on the wall!

[soxfan5027]

probably one of the greatest love songs of all time.this song sums up my life to my beautiful wife paula as we met in 1971 and have been happily married for 38 years.it is true that love can make you happy if you find the right one to share life with.

[pigurine]

Please someone take me to the summer of 69

14 yrs old nothing could compare to it and nothing

ever will.

[reallyrarestuff]

@pigurine The film is "Fireball Jungle" from 1969

[pigurine]

@reallyrarestuff Thanks, somehow I missed that one.

[AngelaRed]

I always thought it was just one guy and one girl!

[kar120cus]

I remember this was "the" song for me in early 1969 getting ready for prom. I went with the guy who eventually became my husband. We have been married 37 years. I always get tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat when I hear this song. That was such an incredible time.

[Muddyrich]

What film is this?

[sacollectiblesii]

one of my all time top 20 favs of all time and favorite of '69. fantastic to see video footage of this gem. saul stars above texas music

[Corrigan61]

Always been a favorite of mine from the Good Ol Days. Great ~!~!~

[aimeemannfan2010]

Such a great song! Thanks for posting.

[doozydoozy]

What a gem...to be able to see and hear this song performed "live"! Thanks for posting. Is this movie (Fireball Jungle) available on DVD anywhere??

[indygeocub]

This song was one of my high school band's big half-time performance numbers. I hadn't thought of it for years! Really brings back the memories of The Fightin' 'Chucks from Wood H.S. Go "Chucks!

[tamadrummer65]

oh my Goodness my dad was young back then he was the guitar player ronald caudill

[DaysOfPineAndRoses]

@tamadrummer65

We were all young back then.

Please thank your dad for me. I have loved this song since it first came out.

[BUDDIESII]

HEY POPPA THANK YOU FOR THIS VERY MUCH !!!

[dan11856]

my all time favorite one hit wonders.as well as one of my favorite all time songs.

[JSP1996]

I love this video. Yeah, it's rough, but it's REAL. People sitting or standing around, talking, while the group is performing. That's why it's so good.

[savitonni]

The girls are , left to rioght.... Ann Smith,

Brenda Register and Debbie Lewis..... I don't know the guys.... The girls , I went to school with....

[auhs70]

@savitonni So brenda register is the lead female vocalist. Very cute girl. I was a junior in high school when this came out, always wondered what they looked like in person. What a thrill it must be for you to know these folks.

[savitonni]

I lov ethis video... That is Debbie Louis on the far right. I went to school with her and her brother Randy..... Great kids and THANKS for the video.......

Ron Buzbee

[BR01097]

How do we know this unattributed except was actually original to the Sixties? 1) people are seen smoking in public, 2) women bothered to look beautiful, and 3) the joint is advertising for LSD (see sign on wall)!

[70bluestar]

love this song. Did they make it in a bowling alley?

[Robinbyrd11]

folky flowerpower choir and still ok for straight people back then. perfectly made. i've been 17 when it came out...

[LACraig621]

love this song.

[loveitoldschool]

Absolutely priceless. Great song. Never even knew who did it. Thanks.

[mercman53]

Such and Awesome song...Brings back memories of the late sixties...Great group...

[billyjack1973]

Love the sign above that guys head the reads "LSD Sandwich" lol 

[jERRYKIEFER]

Falstaff beer must have paid to make the video...

[The096757]

i always think of the northeast and california as being the happening places during the 1960s and florida being nothing but fruit and old people but i'm sure it was a cool place to be in the 1960s. i would have assumed this band to be from san francisco not tampa.

[nolegirl315]

@mcintyro : It was actually called Fireball Jungle. I have a copy of it. My dad is one of the original band members in that clip.

[reallyrarestuff]

@nolegirl315 is your dad buddy or jack?

[nolegirl315]

Thanks for sharing. My dad was in the original band (and in this clip.) I have an old VHS of the movie and was so glad to find this clip posted.

[jjohnmil51]

@nolegirl315 any idea where the band members are today?

[dtplatypus25]

this song is so inspirational! I have loved it forever!

[aimeemannfan2010]

This song has always been a favorite of mine . Is this clip from a TV show?? Great post. Thanks.

[pjstrupp]

This song came out the year before I was born. WCBS in NY often played it in the 80's (They are an oldies station) So I went to Record Town--about 1986-- and found the 45 in the oldies rack. Used to play it on my record player.

It was and is an eerie, haunting, unique and BEAUTIFUL song. I actually heard it on CBS again tonight, so I came on here and looked it up. Listening to it is like being in a dream. Thanks for posting this!

[zappadead13]

this is real pop this was music's peak 65 - 75 and movies!

[Alpha8497]

One of my favourite songs since i was a child. Always made me feel peaceful.

[roysmemorylane]

One group,one hit and in 1969 it meant so much..Now in 2010 it still does. I hope the members of Mercy are still alive and well like I am at age 63.

[karmices]

@roysmemorylane They had a another big hit in the South in 1969, "Forever" which was a great tune. I think it made the Top 100 on Billboard as well. It was top 20 in most markets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

[zimmerman2000]

At 13 this was, and still is, one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of my life. I always wondered what it would be like for two people to be in love with each other. I still wonder. I have loved, but have never been loved.

[PoppaZoe]

@zimmerman2000 It's never to late, bro. Keep looking with open eyes. Love is as perennial as the grass.

[The096757]

@zimmerman2000

i wish classic vh1 would have shows that only show rock and bubblegum pop '60s videos.

[LadyOfMaine]

@zimmerman2000

Hey! We're the same age!

I loved this song when it first came out too. I used to hear it on AM radio.

What great days those were!

[Majikart]

@zimmerman2000 i was 13 also when this came out in 1969, Reminds me so much of Jr high school; I agree with you 100%, It's a Classic love song.

[zismoura]

@zimmerman2000 Hang in there. It took fifty four years for me to find true love. Until then I too had loved but never been loved. It won't take as long for you.

[w9x7cv3vg6]

yes we like it original,justin beiver probably dont know this tune !

[GBS1043]

I saw them do this live in 1970, they were all off key then..They opened an Association concert

[zjfmlmes8]

I love this song and am convinced that my generation wrote and recorded the BEST music ever! Such sweet memories I remembered when listening to it! 

[torchidman]

Brings back memories as a young boy who, on the day he heard this tune, lost his lovely pet poodle in a car back over.........every time I hear it, that time, a sad time, comes back.....

[Mur825]

Young love... that is what I remember from this song and May of 1969. I am 58 now, but back then I was 16 and in love with a girl named Julie. This song made me so happy but now it makes me sad. I will never forget Julie. Whereever you are Julie, I will always think of you when I hear this song.

[VALLEZ505]

My husband and I have been married for 38 years...THIS SONG was OUR song when we were 17 years old...Sweet Memories...Thank-You=)

[laurelpeople]

@VALLEZ505 That is so cool!! nice song to have!!

[Atomank68]

Ahhh, the group MERCY: Mmmm, great! *Kisses*, & :)! I remember when I was a 'tween; this group were among, admitedly many artists over the radio that gently woke me up at morning, and then lulled me serenely to sleep at night during the late 60s and and early 70s. As diverse as the 5th. Dmensions, Aretha, Roberta, and Dionne; and then Glen Campbell and Merlanie(w\The Edwin Hawkins Singers). And-would'ja believe-NANCY SINATRA! (Yeah, those DJs knew how to soothe their audiences.) Not like today!

[nicelobsters]

This song shall forever be associated with the summer of '69.

[kismet818]

You need not worry about the quality of the video buddy. Just watching this sends chills up and down my spine. I had NEVER seen footage of this GREAT song and didn't even know who the group was composed of. In my opinion, this is truly one of THE GREATEST and BEST love songs ever written and performed. I grew up in the 60s with all of the great songs of that era and to this day, I feel it was the best time for music and the best music came out during that time. Thanks for posting. Love it!!!!!

[EastCoastDude]

@kismet818 I'm with you on that 100%, kismet. This video posting is a real find-- one of the great love ballads of the '60's. It is indeed loveable.

[porridgeeveryday]

mercy me! oomph!

[GUN90GRL]

My favorite LP of all time!-MERCY rules! :-)

[phildirt3]

nice outfits

[1979Saluki]

This is a gem! I would like to find the move from which this taken. It is good to hear the original soundtrack!

[Feneter]

Beautiful song, but the "director" of this should have been shot. Close-ups of some moron drinking beer but not a single close-up of any member of the band!!! Yikes.

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

@Feneter , You are so right. The director of this video needs a serious beating. Close ups of seemingly EVERYONE except any members of the group! Sheer idiocy! I've watched it twice and I still don't really know what Mercy looks like. Beautiful song. Great memories of the summer of '69 when I was 10.

[The096757]

@TIMOTHYSAARINEN

i like seeing bands perform in these 1960s movies which were made for young people in the 1960s. the movies are never seen on tv anymore.

[tomk773]

Truly a classic song..

[billhallsongs]

thanks for posting this. I forgot what a beautiful song it is

[jceowoodard]

groovy

[STEV1968]

I was a 10 year old in 1969 when I first heard this song.  I was up in Loch Sheldrake, NY for the summer; loved this song then and more so now.

[MyDadsRubberBroke]

Flashback! That waitress is beautiful. I'd like to see her today, anyone know her name?

[exthomes]

thank you for such sweet memories

[mrob75]

Wow...A snapshot of life BEFORE hip-hop and Lady Ga-Ga! What I wouldn't give to be one of those kids chilling and grooving to the sounds of Mercy.

[firesidechet]

does the red sign on wall really say LSD ?

[jERRYKIEFER]

They were from Tampa, had one hit and that was it. I assume the vido was underwritten by Falstaff Beer. Great song and a great time.

[roysmemorylane]

Like this is my favorite song just about..They're in some bar likely somewhere in Florida(the group was from Florida)...and the people sitting around hanging out don't appreciate ONE OF THE FINEST LOVE SONGS FROM THE 60's!!! I'm glad to see them actually live for the first time but it's just a little depressing..Where are the members of Mercy today? They'd be around my age early 60's...

[tamadrummer65]

@roysmemorylane i know ronald caudill is well i don't know about the other people in mercy ronald is my dad he still plays my 16 year old plays drums in the band

[roysmemorylane]

AWESOME!!!!! That's why I love You Tube...My favorite song from 1969!!!!

[calvintoronto]

This is a lighter, sweeter version than the radio cut, and it's actually better, I think.

This scene, though....whoa! I wasn't sure if the guy in blue is cruising the waitress or the chain-smokin' mama in the orange dress. A very weird dynamic!! Still, an interesting throwback to a different era.

[MaceMn]

Arguably the most beautiful song ever.

[rlnau62]

Falstaff Beer

[tomk773]

groovy..!

[jam5bryce]

This song was to be featured on the unreleased movie: Fireball Jungle, if I remember correctly and topped off at #2 in the Billboard Top 100.

[yadneerg2]

thats my piano teacher!!!!

[sixstring039]

It's nice to hear the original.ronnie's guitar is easy to hear in this version{low in the mix on the single}and roy's organ instead of the piano on the hit version.I have a cleaner copy on dvd but it's a shorter edit

[sixstring039]

jack & ann sigler,debbie lewis,brenda register,ronnie caudell,john hudson,roy shultz and lou facenda.jack sang lead on this version,the sundi 45.and the warner bro's remake.james marvell was not the"original"lead singer.check out wikapedia Mercy{band}

[vortersle]

And they were only 16 when they recorded this song. "A song so beautiful it hurts" says it all. I have the MP3 on my IPOD, hard drive and other locations so I will not ever lose it. This song is fantastic.

[ImAGrasshopper]

Really big thanks for posting. This takes me back...

[storrs19]

This must be from a movie or tv show. Nice version here. I had never seen the group Mercy before. Thanks for sharing.

[jwkent1973]

A song so beautiful it hurts.....

[njmhk]

jwkent1973 well said!!

[sixstring039]

Wait untill you hear the brand new remake available soon on I-tunes

[chenarch]

What an incredible memory of Junior High to hear this song and see this bizarre scene. Is this from a movie?

[The096757]

before youtube the only thing i knew about this group was what a friend( who worked in radio) told me in that it was a "studio" group and that they were from miami( which may not be right) but they are from florida. now with a video we actually see them and they aren't phantom, faceless, unknown studio singers anymore.

love this song, it softens me up and always will. wish 1960s retro radio would play it instead of the same crap they play.

[nolegirl315]

@The096757 They are from the Tampa-bay area of Florida.

[EastCoastDude]

Thank you for posting this. Great to hear the original soundtrack, even if the copy is a little rough. It sounds like the female singers are actually sinigng in the clip, so what a find! This was truly one of the most beautiful ballads of the 1960's, and the singers did a fantastic job with the harmonies. One wonders where these ladies might be today, would be something to see them. Just a wonderful arrangement., with tender and idealstic lyrics sung beautifully by these terrific women. Bravo!

[EastCoastDude]

Update: Good news, the beautiful female singers in this clip, who sang on the original single, are apparently all alive and well. They are from left to right Ann Sigler, Brenda McNish, and Debbie Lewis. Debbie posted a year ago on youtube that she and the others were doing OK. She posted a comment on James Marvell's rendition of this song. Hoo-ray!

[jkat2000]

if not for this song i wouldn't have lost my virginity @12 yrs old...also smoking cigs @ that age helped..check out the chick in orange smoking a cig at the bar

[The096757]

@jkat2000

who is the girl in the yellow at 1:16? i guess she is about 23 years old and that was 41 years ago.

[steveasat2]

Don't just sit there, Nimoy! Get up and invite Melanie Hutsell over to your table. You guys could make sweet improv together.

[jkat2000]

@steveasat2 orange chick just might be Melanie Hutsell

[TheGent2]

I remember another posting of this - one of the members of Mercy responded & thanked the poster, saying she didn't have a copy of this.

[sanseidancer]

Haven't heard this song in years until today and had to immediately do some research on it. This clip is priceless in all of its' low brow glory - really a time capsule of the times. I can almost picture Marcia and Greg Brady standing in the corner groovin' to the tune. Have always loved the song. Thanks for the posting.

[alloyrat]

That guy sitting over by the wall reminds me of an old friend of mine named Tim Hale. What a beautiful song.

[AnnaMayWongSociety]

Thanks for posting this. There is someone here on youtube making claims that some guy who played for a time with a later incarnation is the original member and singer of the hit. In the government regarding military claims, there is trouble for people falsely claiming acts of heroism Too bad music credit claims have no recourse.

[nfahwi]

One of the best songs ever...

...the drum is subtle yet hot!

Love it...

[tallulah1961]

I know this  is a bit out there but how old do you think the older woman behind the counter is? Just a guess...Makes one wonder what all these people in this scene are up to 40 almost 41 years later..lol

[The096757]

@tallulah1961

she has probably pased away. if you check out this movie on IMDB it will probably give information on her.

loved this song since i first heard it, i

know i heard it in the late 70s and think i heard it in the late 1960s.

would have been nice to have seen this on tv in the 1980s( and info about the artist) when cable was a big thing when most of these people would stll have been alive.

[billyjack1973]

This clip is so awesome! I love this song. Thanks for posting.

[24nancy24]

Thank you PoppaZoe!! You have a copy of the movie or this video?

[magicalfriend21]

The club setting is so awesome and cool as the people kick back to the sweet sounds of Mercy! One of the most meaningful and inspirational songs ever!!

[hdecre55]

@magicalfriend21 I totally agree with you! I am always moved by this song and its meaning!

[24nancy24]

Is this from a movie? If it is, I would love to know what movie it is from.

[bluebeetle585]

According to my copy of One Hit Wonders by Wayne Jancik, this is a scene from the unreleased movie Fireball Jungle

[24nancy24]

Thank you bluebeetle585 for the info!! If this was an unreleased movie, how did anyone get the video?

[karmices]

Mercy also placed another song on the Billboard Top 40, "Forever" in 1969.

[bluebeetle585]

I love the song Forever, have the 45. Sure wish I knew how they got the video of this song, I'd like to see the whole movie

[The096757]

@karmices

if they made another song i'd like to hear it.

[karmices]

I'll have to see if I can dig out there LP and upload the songs.

[Nemeses24]

@The096757 .... They did make another Billboard Top 100 song, called 'Forever' in 1969. I remember just basically part of the melody, but that's all. Unlike this song that stayed in my head since it came out. I'm glad Mercy was given a gold record for this song (Love), but it's a shame it wasn't awarded until just October of last year (2009). Oh well, better way late than never.

[The096757]

@Nemeses24

i'm dying to hear "forever" now that i know it exists. did they make an entire album back in 1969?

[Nemeses24]

@The096757, wish I could give you a definitive answer on whether 'Forever' was included in one of their albums, but I'm just not sure. During the peak times of the original 'Love Can Make You Happy', a fake group calling themselves 'The Mercy' (as opposed to the original 'Mercy') came out without any legal ties to the movie, song, or group, and recorded an album. The original group used the law to ban the fake group's album and their posing as Mercy. I can't find where 'Forever' ended up :(

[The096757]

@Nemeses24

if someone depicted themselves as the original band, the original band must have been a well known band.

i assumed this was not a real big song in 1969 because since the early 1980s when

60s music has been on radio it never got a lot of play.

but i now know only certain retro songs are played and it has nothing to do with their popularity at the time they were out.

[reallyrarestuff]

@Nemeses24 I have the albums (both - the fake band and real band) and Forever is on the real WB LP