This song is singular in most of rock music for several reasons: 1) It is written from the first person perspective of a character who is not the writer 2) It seems to be a stream of consciousness 3) As such, there is the sense that the whole song takes place over the span of only a brief moment or so in the speaker's mind 4) The song builds in intensity without overtly changing its structure. It's really very impressive --you get the sense this is the very moment before electrocution.
Absolutely, another good song about execution that has a similar effect although perhaps form the perspective of the Electrocutioner instead is The Electrician by The Walker Brothers
That this song is superb - it is more than clear. But have you noticed what great band Bad Seeds are? The way they build up through the song is incomparable, one of the best bands ever.
perhaps the best version I've ever heard of this song and I could not help but come hear it every October 10th, the international day against death penalty
Probably the finest live performance by any band ever,the way it builds is amazing would love to have been there,if i was i would still be sitting there unable to move.
I love the way it builds and builds - so typical of his songs - and I will never understand how people sitting in the audience can just SIT there - with that musical power - how could you resist moving/tapping/bobbing/dancing/nodding/clapping?!!!
Great performance... One of their best songs ever... I don't understand why the public is so calm (they look like statues). I had the chance to see them the same year at Olympia hall in Paris - an intimate place with a great acoustic - and we were on fire during this song. It was so intense and we could hardly breathe at the end... Masterpiece musical memory.
Absolutely extraordinary!. Nick Caves music helped me get over a difficult break up. I get the feeling that he will not be compromising and I hope not virtue signalling in any way. Love you and your amazing musicians 💗
IT's like he covered and bettered his own song. Like Buckley to Cohen's Hallelujah, but Cave to Cave's Mercy Seat. Just saying I really like this version. It sounds different in a good way. For better or worse is hard to say but Mercy seat has been a favourite of mine for a long time and to hear a such different take on the song that's really good, by the same artist I love, is amazing. Whew I had to get that out.
Thamk you for posting this beautiful version! re: the comment "singular in most of rock music": yes, it does seem stream of consciousness, especially since he switches up the lyrics every time he performs it, which is probably why he's not a master-of-masters in the USa, where we like our burgers to be the same everywhere... (...this is what the pure Terror before Acceptance of "The End" sounds like......)
Its A Classic..Like Rusty Cage Hurt.We wish More love to Johnny #-Ric Rubin..Chk out Ric talking wth Nick.."Think Johnny Kinds Makes you Think 'He s Innocent"...
@mechroboticon You pretty much summed up most of Nick Cave's work. He tells stories in a stream of consciousness that never really derails from the narrative and quite a few of the Bad Seeds songs don't really change key or structure. A few have chord changes and a few have breakdowns, but most of his songs just start rolling and don't let up. They just keep building and building.
this is just insane! i love when he goes so wild ! i think he should be more wild in all the performences! i want to see more of his rough punk roots! i want him screaming, jumping , giving his soul and at the end recovert it again!
And the mercy seat is waiting And I think my head is burning And in a way I'm yearning To be done with all this measuring of truth. An eye for an eye And a tooth for a tooth And anyway I told the truth And I'm not afraid to die.
Просто невероятно... какая-то совершенно высшая степень искусства, когда песню не СЛУШАЕШЬ, а ПРОЖИВАЕШЬ...
This song is singular in most of rock music for several reasons:
1) It is written from the first person perspective of a character who is not the writer
2) It seems to be a stream of consciousness
3) As such, there is the sense that the whole song takes place over the span of only a brief moment or so in the speaker's mind
4) The song builds in intensity without overtly changing its structure.
It's really very impressive --you get the sense this is the very moment before electrocution.
Great analysis and synopsis. It truly is a masterpiece indeed.
Absolutely, another good song about execution that has a similar effect although perhaps form the perspective of the Electrocutioner instead is The Electrician by The Walker Brothers
My favorite thing about this song is the way the singer's guilt is in doubt until the end: "But I'm afraid I told a lie."
Taped for Scottish TV. Trust me this one of the most dynamic performances ever recorded on TV
That this song is superb - it is more than clear.
But have you noticed what great band Bad Seeds are? The way they build up through the song is incomparable, one of the best bands ever.
perhaps the best version I've ever heard of this song and I could not help but come hear it every October 10th, the international day against death penalty
The best version of this masterpiece ever.... Nick seems to be not just singing, but even living that song... soooo intensive...
Unbeatable talent.
A true musician.
Hmm - best version of this song? Definitely up there. It catches the mood; the anxiety - everything.
Probably the finest live performance by any band ever,the way it builds is amazing would love to have been there,if i was i would still be sitting there unable to move.
I love the way it builds and builds - so typical of his songs - and I will never understand how people sitting in the audience can just SIT there - with that musical power - how could you resist moving/tapping/bobbing/dancing/nodding/clapping?!!!
The lucky audience probably witnessed the best 5 minutes ever in the history of music.
This song was by far the most intense song performance I've ever seen live. He really gives it all for his audience.
I get shivers from this song every damn time. so powerful.
Great performance... One of their best songs ever...
I don't understand why the public is so calm (they look like statues). I had the chance to see them the same year at Olympia hall in Paris - an intimate place with a great acoustic - and we were on fire during this song. It was so intense and we could hardly breathe at the end... Masterpiece musical memory.
+TheFly They are not calm. They are just too blown away to move.
+Sparrow Estes I think you're right :)
They just can't breath (neither do I) .
Absolutely extraordinary!. Nick Caves music helped me get over a difficult break up. I get the feeling that he will not be compromising and I hope not virtue signalling in any way. Love you and your amazing musicians 💗
Fuck yeah, Nick Cave is a beast, and this is one hell of an epic performance.
Absolute one of the best song
Only just found this video, how good was that
One of the best songs ever! Intense is indeed the right word.
The ultimate sermon given by the ultimate preacher man!
My favourite performance EVER! I watch this almost every time I do a gig to get me in the right 'zone' !!! X
I heard this song for the first time this morning-this is simply awesome!
yup
I was there: it was incredible. I wish there was a better and longer recording somewhere of the whole thing, would love to see it again.
IT's like he covered and bettered his own song. Like Buckley to Cohen's Hallelujah, but Cave to Cave's Mercy Seat. Just saying I really like this version. It sounds different in a good way. For better or worse is hard to say but Mercy seat has been a favourite of mine for a long time and to hear a such different take on the song that's really good, by the same artist I love, is amazing. Whew I had to get that out.
Oh my god. That was fucking incredible.
This isn't a song, it's an experience.
Reynard Winters
So expressive on so many levels, definitely feeling this vibe.
wow, that´s a great version to feel the madness of the song. Make it louder & louder...Thx !
I've seen him often live. but this is one of the most intensive versions I know from that song. epic.
I can't get this out of my head
the best version ever...
this is so intense! Fantastic performance.
Best version. Gives me energy...
Best crescendo ever.
Wow, just wow.
And now I can breath....it's almost impossible while he is singing...
i've heard so many versions of nick singing this song, but never one as moving as this.
breathtakingingly genius....
an all time high in emotional music and poetry. You can feel he's "feeling " it as well
Fucking Hell. Nick, Blixa, Warren, and Mick all in one room hammering out this masterpiece.
it cant get better than this
Fucking amazing. I never get tired of this song.
The best version ever.
Magnificent though it is, I’ve got a live dvd from france in ‘02 which is even better! The whole show is phenomenal!
Transcendent piece of music, visceral ! Astonishing performance !
Thamk you for posting this beautiful version! re: the comment "singular in most of rock music": yes, it does seem stream of consciousness, especially since he switches up the lyrics every time he performs it, which is probably why he's not a master-of-masters in the USa, where we like our burgers to be the same everywhere...
(...this is what the pure Terror before Acceptance of "The End" sounds like......)
One live - one love...
Милостивый Боженька! Все мои мурашки аплодируют стоя
Simply stunning...!!
What a great recording! Thanks very much for having updated the music quality! I think this is my favorite version of that song, too!
can't stop listening this song
Sooo much energy. Slow but so powerful!
What a great recording! Thanks very much for having updated the music quality!
Kakav lik...svaka čast
@Jefflebowski95 - this is quite possibly the best summary of this song I've seen.
THE PASSION!!! I'm beyond words..
Boss. Go ed. Im sorry but if I was in the audience id be up on a chair with my arms wide open looking at the ceiling screaming with my fists clenched.
Such a great performance!
So much yes. If I was at this show I might have died.
Yeah, it would surely be the highlight of my live music life.
Best Nick Cave's song!!!!!
Its A Classic..Like Rusty Cage Hurt.We wish More love to Johnny #-Ric Rubin..Chk out Ric talking wth Nick.."Think Johnny Kinds Makes you Think 'He s Innocent"...
for you dude bill...
in the yard of paradise
Great! Gänsehaut! The cover of Johnny Cash ist just very good, too!
@mechroboticon You pretty much summed up most of Nick Cave's work. He tells stories in a stream of consciousness that never really derails from the narrative and quite a few of the Bad Seeds songs don't really change key or structure. A few have chord changes and a few have breakdowns, but most of his songs just start rolling and don't let up. They just keep building and building.
I would be jumping up and going mad. The build up. Fuck me..
I saw Stefani Keogh's stunning cover a few weeks back on Badseeds teevee. Amazing song.
Best song ever.
I knew the version well and it is the best version and I missed it's prescence on You Tube greatly.
Thanks for uploading this.
This is a great version indeed !
Escalofrios... Piel de gallina...
Versión final.
This song is my hymn
Thanks, my favourite version.
epic performance...
Holly shit. That was amazing
aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that was refreshing!
wow! what a performance!
Burned the house down.
i began to warm and chill to objects and their fields
vasilis boudourakis Yeah, the lyrics are brilliant.
BRILLIANT!!!
this is just insane!
i love when he goes so wild ! i think he should be more wild in all the performences! i want to see more of his rough punk roots! i want him screaming, jumping , giving his soul and at the end recovert it again!
Superbe prestation.
just perfect......
This is good for my hangover.
This is just wow
He reminds me of a darker modern day Jim Morrison
Don't you HATE how the audience is just sitting there, not feeling it, not getting it?
What a effin waste.
And eye for an eye and a truth for a truth
Gänsehaut!
Live by the nail -.... Briliant lirics.
This is awesome!
GREAT!!!
Amazing
wow this was intense!
intense and immense!
yes
They were stupified by the awesomeness of the performance
awesome!
Chapeau
AWESOME
The all too brief Blixa-Warren phase. Frantic madness.
awesome
I would be so scared. I was scared when he was acting like that to me during a Grinderman gig, but this looks even more intense...
And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this measuring of truth.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And anyway I told the truth
And I'm not afraid to die.
All Hail the Bad Seeds!!!
I'm not afraid to die