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Have Mercy (Chlöe song)

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"Have Mercy" is the debut solo single by American singer Chlöe. It was released on September 10, 2021, after earning fame as part of R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle. Prior to its release, a snippet of the song went viral on TikTok. It was written by Chlöe, Theron Thomas, and Nija Charles, and was produced by Murda Beatz, Chlöe, Joseph L'étranger, FnZ and BoogzDaBeast.

"Have Mercy"
Single by Chlöe
ReleasedSeptember 10, 2021 (2021-09-10)
RecordedApril 2021
Genre
Length2:29
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
Chlöe singles chronology
"Have Mercy"
(2021) 		"Treat Me"
(2022)
Music video
"Have Mercy" on YouTube

Positively reviewed by critics, "Have Mercy" debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Musically, the song is an uptempo song, with music critic Kyle Denis describing it as a "raucous and joyous ode to large derrières".[1] A music video directed by Karena Evans was released alongside the song itself, and stars Chlöe as the head of a sorority full of gorgons who seduce men in order to turn them into stone. She gave her debut live performance of the song at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, which earned praise from critics.

Background and release

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Prior to releasing "Have Mercy", Chlöe found fame performing alongside her sister as part of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. In 2021, the two embarked on solo careers, with Halle starring in the 2023 film The Little Mermaid, and Chlöe releasing covers of popular songs on social media.[2] On July 1, 2021, Chlöe's 23rd birthday, she teased "Have Mercy" by posting a TikTok video of her dancing and twerking on a bed to a snippet of the song, with the caption "This is 23… HAVE MERCY".[3] The snippet went viral and was used in over 8,000,000 videos on the platform.

Promotional photos for the single, taken by Edwig Stenson (who also did Chlöe's makeup for the photos) were released on August 24.[4] She revealed the release date and cover art for the song, the latter of which depicts Chlöe in a revealing outfit, on September 6.[5][6] "Have Mercy" was released on September 10, 2021, as Chlöe's debut solo single, and as the lead single from her debut album.[7]

Composition

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"Have Mercy" was produced by Canadian record producer Murda Beatz with Chlöe, Joseph L'étranger, FnZ and BoogzDaBeast, and its uptempo, bass-heavy beat is built around a sample of the Jersey club and Baltimore club song "Off the Chain" by TT the Artist and Uniiqu3.[8] It was written by the song's producers along with Marquis Gasque, Theron Thomas, and Nija Charles. It is an upbeat song that Chlöe described as pop,[9] with boastful lyrics that focus on Chlöe's buttocks and curvaceous figure and men's infatuation with her.[10][11][12]

Critical reception

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Jessica McKinney of Complex called Chlöe "hypnotizing" on "Have Mercy", and wrote that the song "boasts major sex appeal".[11] Teen Vogue's Jazmine Denise wrote that Chlöe "came out swinging" with "Have Mercy", calling it a "spicy anthem".[13] Billboard's Andrew Unterberger called the song a "booty anthem for the ages".[14] Margaret Farrell of Flood wrote that the song, which she called "seductive" and "confident", is "beaming with sexual autonomy and next-level bravado" and "overflowing with nods to her mentor Mrs. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter".[15] Jandrew Johnson of The Afro Desk complimented Chloe's songwriting ability, adding that she "truly understands how to write a hit single".[16]

In a review of Chlöe's debut album In Pieces, Pitchfork's Heven Haile compared "Have Mercy" to Beyoncé's performance of "Crazy in Love" at the 2003 BET Awards, writing that the song "aspired to a similar 'debuting on top of a neon sign of her name' moment, but landed like a song from the Empire soundtrack—'body language like speaking Spanglish' is something Lucious Lyon would come up with."[17]

Music video

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The music video for "Have Mercy" was directed by Karena Evans and filmed in late July 2021. The video was released on the same day as the song. Largely inspired by 1990s teen films, it stars Chlöe as the head of a sorority house full of undercover gorgons who seduce a group of fraternity brothers and turn them into stone.[18] It was compared by critics to the story of Medusa.[19]

The video features several dance sequences, and also stars Rome Flynn as Chlöe's main love interest, a 21-year-old man who goes missing after being turned to stone by her, Bree Runway as a sorority sister who spanks one of the fraternity brothers (played by Mark Young) who is dressed only in a jockstrap, and Tina Knowles as a sorority house mother.[20][21][22][23] Throughout the video, Chlöe wears a number of different oufits, including a pink plaid blazer with hot pants, square sunglasses, and a diamond choker, as well as another outfit made up of a matching pink bralette and short shorts with socks and heeled sandals.[24][25] One of the outfits in the video includes a gold jacket originally worn by Diana Ross in a 1981 Vogue spread.[15] Ann Powers of NPR compared Chlöe's role in the video to that of Aaliyah in the 2002 film Queen of the Damned.[10]

Chlöe's blonde dreadlocks in the video were styled by Kari Williams, Tinisha Meeks, Brittny Chere, and Jehcara Nelson.[26] Her outfits were styled by Zerina Akers.[24]

Reception

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Bianca Betancourt of Harper's Bazaar wrote that the video for "Have Mercy" proved that Chlöe was "Beyoncé's ultimate protégé", calling the choreography "high-power" and "sultry" and the outfits "standout ensembles".[21] NPR's Ann Powers described the video's premise as "a sweet flip of horrifically common frat party #metoo narratives" and added that Chlöe's dancing "might cause Normani to sweat".[10]

In response to fans who questioned Chlöe's decision to wear revealing clothing in the video, she stated, "It's my body, and I'm so proud of it."[27]

Commercial performance

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"Have Mercy" debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 10 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [28] In January 2022, the song was certified gold by the RIAA.

Live performances

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Chlöe's debut performance of "Have Mercy" took place at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards in September 2021, where she was introduced by her sister Halle Bailey.[29] The performance was prefaced by Chlöe standing in a red cape, operatically and repeatedly singing her own name before screaming and tearing off the cape.[30][31] During the performance, she energetically danced and twerked in a hot pink leotard and ankle boots, accompanied by male backup dancers in varsity jackets, while the song's lyrics flashed on the screen behind her.[32][33] She ended it by licking the microphone and smacking her buttocks.[34][35][36] After the performance was over, she left the stage and cried.[37]

The performance received praise from Simone Biles. Bianca Betancourt of Harper's Bazaar wrote that the performance "did not disappoint" and "shut down the VMA's stage", while Essence's Brooklyn White described it as "electrifying" and wrote that Chlöe "served fashion, face, choreo and vocals".[38][39] USA Today's Melissa Ruggieri wrote that Chlöe's "sassy" performance "showcased how much she has learned from mentor Beyoncé as she imbued her performance with drama, twerking and most importantly, actual vocal talent".[35] Billboard's Heran Mamo ranked the performance the second-best of the night, writing that Chlöe "made her mark on the VMAs stage" and called the choreography "tectonic plate-shifting".[36] BET regarded her performance as "one of the most memorable of the night".[40] Ellise Shafer of Variety wrote that the performance's dance break "proved [Chlöe] has the chops to be a true triple threat", and Adrian Horton of The Guardian referred to her live vocals as "impressive" and remarked that the performance was one of several that were "daring" and "high on sex appeal".[41][42] BBC News's Mark Savage also praised her vocals as "flawless" and the choreography as "whip-crack", adding that she "tore up the stage".[37] Vulture's Charu Sinha called her vocals "flawless" and the choreography "complicated", writing that she "commanded the VMAs stage with such obvious star power that it kind of rendered the night's other performances embarrassing by comparison".[32] Chlöe also injured her shoulder during the performance.[43]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[44]

  • Chlöe – lead vocals, production
  • Murda Beatz – background vocals, production, drums, bass, sampler, programming
  • Boogz – production
  • FNZ – production
  • Joseph L'étranger – production
  • Chris Godbey – mixing
  • Colin Leonard – mastering
  • James Krausse – recording
  • Jason "Cheese" Goldberg – recording
  • John Lowell Anderson – recording

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Have Mercy"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[64] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[65] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Have Mercy"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 10, 2021
[66]
United States September 21, 2021 Rhythmic contemporary radio [67]
November 2, 2021 Contemporary hit radio [68]

References

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  1. ^ Denis, Kyle (September 17, 2021). "Track Review: "Have Mercy!" Chlöe Is Here!". black boy bulletin. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Droke, Carolyn (July 1, 2021). "Chloe x Halle's Chloe Bailey Readies Solo Music With A Steamy Teaser". Uproxx. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Saint-Vil, Sweenie (July 1, 2021). "Chloe Bailey teases solo debut on her 23rd birthday". Revolt. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  4. ^ White, Caitlin (August 25, 2021). "Promo Photos For Chloe Bailey's 'Have Mercy' Stoked More Excitement". Uproxx. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Abraham, Mya (September 7, 2021). "Chlöe Bailey Reveals Cover Art For Solo Debut, "Have Mercy" And Announces Release Date". Vibe. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Pomarico, Nicole (September 7, 2021). "Chloe Bailey's Fans Are Loving Her Visible Stretch Marks in Her New Photo". HelloGiggles. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Mamo, Heran (September 10, 2021). "Chlöe Drops Her Debut Single 'Have Mercy': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  8. ^ "Chlöe Drops Debut Solo Single 'Have Mercy'". Rap-Up. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  9. ^ Aderoju, Darlene (August 27, 2021). "Chlöe Bailey Talks Feeling Her 'Most Liberated' On Upcoming Solo Album". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Powers, Ann (September 10, 2021). "Behold the Booty Positivity of Chlöe's 'Have Mercy'". NPR. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  11. ^ a b McKinney, Jessica (September 10, 2021). "Best New Music This Week: Baby Keem, Chloe Bailey, Fivio Foreign, and More". Complex. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  12. ^ Mulenga, Natasha (September 10, 2021). "Chlöe Bailey Is a Medusa-Inspired Sorority Girl in "Have Mercy" MV". Teen Vogue. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  13. ^ Denise, Jazmine (September 10, 2021). "Monsta X, Chlöe, Lisa of BLACKPINK,and More Best New Music Friday". Teen Vogue. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Unterberger, Andrew (September 10, 2021). "First Stream: New Music From Chloe, Kacey Musgraves, Ed Sheeran and More". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Farrell, Margaret (September 10, 2021). "Ari Lennox and Chlöe Pay Homage to Diana Ross and Other Divas with Their New Singles". Flood. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Johnson, Jandrew (September 12, 2021). "On "Have Mercy", An Icon Is Born Namely, Chloe". The Afro Desk. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  17. ^ Haile, Heven (March 31, 2023). "Chlöe: In Pieces Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  18. ^ Bjornson, Greta (September 10, 2021). "Chloë Bailey Drops 'Have Mercy' Music Video Featuring Beyoncé's Mom Tina Knowles-Lawson". People. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Sinha, Charu (September 10, 2021). "Chlöe Is a Sorority Siren in Solo Debut 'Have Mercy' Video". Vulture. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  20. ^ Martin, Annie (September 10, 2021). "Chloe makes solo debut with 'Have Mercy' single, music video". UPI. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Betancourt, Bianca (September 10, 2021). "Chlöe Would Like to Remind You She's Grown Now". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  22. ^ Renshaw, David (September 10, 2021). "Chlöe shares debut single "Have Mercy"". The Fader. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  23. ^ Ermac, Raffy (September 10, 2021). "Meet the Gay Model Who Got Spanked in Chlöe Bailey's 'Have Mercy' Video". Out. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  24. ^ a b Wasilak, Sarah (September 10, 2021). "Is Chlöe's Hot Pink Hourglass Blazer the Star of "Have Mercy," or What?". Popsugar. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  25. ^ Royce, Aaron (September 10, 2021). "Chlöe Bailey Goes Bold in Sporty Bralette, Short Shorts & Socks with Sandals for 'Have Mercy'". Footwear News. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  26. ^ Harrington, Jessica (September 10, 2021). "Have Mercy: Chloe Bailey's Blond Locs in Her New Music Video Took Our Breath Away". Popsugar. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  27. ^ Walton, Monica (September 12, 2021). "Chlöe Bailey Defends 'So Much Skin' Criticism In 'Have Mercy' Video". ET Canada. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  28. ^ Anderson, Trevor (September 23, 2021). "Chloe's 'Have Mercy' Debuts in Top Five on Hot R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  29. ^ Sheridan, Wade (September 12, 2021). "MTV VMAs: Lil Nas X wins big, Machine Gun Kelly closes out show". UPI. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  30. ^ Puckett-Pope, Lauren (September 13, 2021). "Give Us More of Chlöe At the VMAs". Elle. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  31. ^ Abraham, Mya (September 13, 2021). "Chlöe Brings "Have Mercy" To Life In Solo Debut At 2021 VMAs". Vibe.
  32. ^ a b Sinha, Charu (September 12, 2021). "Chlöe Annihilates the MTV VMAs With 'Have Mercy' Performance". Vulture. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  33. ^ Willman, Chris (September 13, 2021). "'MTV VMAs' Review: Lil Nas X's 'Gay Agenda,' Machine Gun Kelly's Rock Agenda, Doja Cat's Headdress Stratagem". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  34. ^ Vaughn, Mikeisha (September 12, 2021). "MTV VMA's 2021: Chloe Bailey Made Her Solo Performance Debut Stunning In A Sexy Pink Leotard And Platinum Blonde Locs". BET. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  35. ^ a b Ruggieri, Melissa (September 13, 2021). "Brutally honest reviews of every VMAs 2021 performance, including Lil Nas X and Ed Sheeran". USA Today. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  36. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (September 13, 2021). "All the 2021 VMAs Performances Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  37. ^ a b Savage, Mark (September 13, 2021). "MTV Awards 2021: More sparks fly on red carpet than on stage". BBC News. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  38. ^ Betancourt, Bianca (September 13, 2021). "Chlöe Shut Down the 2021 VMA's with Her Performance of "Have Mercy"". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  39. ^ White, Brooklyn (September 12, 2021). "Chlöe Set The Stage On Fire With Her MTV VMAs Performance". Essence. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  40. ^ "VMAs 2021: Here Are The Best Moments From This Year's Show". BET. September 12, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  41. ^ Shafer, Ellise (September 13, 2021). "VMAs' Best Moments, From Doja Cat's Fashion to Lil Nas X's Video of the Year Victory Speech". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  42. ^ Horton, Adrian (September 13, 2021). "VMAs 2021: Olivia Rodrigo and Lil Nas X triumph in a return-ish to normal". The Guardian. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  43. ^ Willis, Jackie (September 14, 2021). "Chloe Bailey Reveals She Injured Her Shoulder During VMAs Performance". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  44. ^ "Have Mercy / Chlöe". Tidal. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  45. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of September 25, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  46. ^ "Canada CHR/Top 40: Week of March 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  47. ^ "Billboard Global 200 Chart: Week of September 25, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  48. ^ "IFPI Charts". ifpi.gr. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  49. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  50. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  51. ^ "Chlöe – Have Mercy". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  52. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 37". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  53. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  54. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  55. ^ @billboardcharts (September 20, 2021). "@ChloeBailey's "Have Mercy" debuts at No. 28 on this week's #Hot100..." (Tweet). Retrieved September 21, 2021 – via Twitter.
  56. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart: Week of December 4, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  57. ^ "Chloe's 'Have Mercy' Debuts in Top Five on Hot R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  58. ^ "Pop Airplay Chart: Week of March 12, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  59. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart: Week of December 4, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  60. ^ "Rhythmic Airplay: December 11, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  61. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  62. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  63. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  64. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Chlöe – Have Mercy". Music Canada. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  65. ^ "American single certifications – Chloe – Have Mercy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  66. ^ "Have Mercy - Single by Chlöe". September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  67. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  68. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
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