The Rolling Stones Perform ‘Mercy’ Mercy’ For 1st Time In 50 Years

A few weeks ago, The Rolling Stones returned to the road, kicking off their rescheduled No Filter North American Tour at Chicago’s Soldier Stadium. Following Mick Jagger‘s heart surgery and subsequent recovery, the iconic rock act has been working their way across the United States. On Wednesday night, the group stopped at Landover, Maryland’s FedEx Field outside Washington D.C., where they delighted fans with a bust-out of Don Covay’s “Mercy, Mercy.”

Before the bust-out, Jagger noted to the audience, “It’s a long time ago, so we’re going to try to remember it.” The frontman wasn’t exaggerating when he noted it’s been a long time, as the performance marked the first time the band had performed the hit 1964 single in almost exactly 50 years. The classic rockers last performed the song, sometimes referred to “Have Mercy,” on July 5, 1969, during their career-defining festival, The Stones In The Park, at Hyde Park in London.

“Mercy, Mercy” came during the relatively short first half of the show, which opened with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” During the frame, the band also performed “Rocks Off” by request, “You Got Me Rockin’,” “Tumbling Dice,” “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll” and a final take on “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The second half of the night found the band work through some of their most beloved catalog, including “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Midnight Rambler,” “Paint It Black” and “Start Me Up.” To close the show, the Stones performed a two-song encore of “Gimme Shelter” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”

Watch The Rolling Stones bust out “Mercy, Mercy” for the first time in 50 years, plus a number of other songs from the night, below, courtesy of Steve Easton:

Mercy, Mercy and Rocks Off

Angie and Let It Bleed

Gimme Shelter and Satisfaction