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Shayfer James - Mercy Down
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ม.ค. 2019
- Note: this song was written in 2018 and released in 2019. Just to clarify any socio-political confusion that might arise. 🖤
Director of Photography: Christopher M. Elassad
Editor: Chris Wronka
Featured Performers: Alex Abene, Juli Abene, Alyssa Kempinski, Sammy Wong and Agent Topchik
Makeup: Erica Ensminger
Costumes: Atelier Abene (Alex and Juli Abene)
Lights: Lance Michel
1st Assistant Camera: Yvonne Vairma Elassad
Director: Shayfer James
Producers: Thunderfoot Productions in conjunction with Aphelion 14 Music
Special thanks to Merseles Studios at Jersey City Theater Center
A montage-style video featuring B-roll film, such as old comedy shots, news-reel, landscape scenery, and wildlife footage providing a chilling reminder of the dark realities of humanity and modern imperialism - including scenes of war, environmental destruction and social crisis. Cut with surreal imagery of Shayfer singing and gothic pole and lyra dance this video is an intense, noir-soaked spectacle.
Despite the darkness, the lyrics in the bridge are words of resilience and revolution. Mercy Down is commentary on the current state of affairs in America. Things are messed up, but I truly believes that humans are good at heart and that this era is a death throe before a new, more positive age begins. Words are far more powerful than guns or bombs, they just take a hell of a lot more time to accumulate and make impact. Words. Love. Resistance. Those are the weapons I’m referring to in the song.
The visual inspiration for “Mercy Down” was taken from some of my favorite movies like Mulholland Drive and Natural Born Killers, as well as television shows like True Blood and True Detective. I find so much musical inspiration watching films from directors like David Lynch, Oliver Stone, Quentin Tarantino, Tim Burton, Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott.
![Shayfer James - Crack A Bottle, Run A Bath - [EXPLICIT]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RVKQh2IKXeE/mqdefault.jpg)
this song is actually just me thinking about how gay and evil i am converted into audio form
🥰🥰🥰🥰 perfect
This is the kind of music that Dorian Gray listens to
Nice
@@nikkospelledlikethat8140 yes
Can we take a moment appreciate the fact that this gorgeous musician took the time to like and respond to nearly every comment for this video?
Why thank you for noticing ;) 🖤❤️
Here's the lyrics if anyone needs them!
There’s a dead canary in the coal mine
And a lamb’s head growing from a grapevine
There’s an old man laughing in the backyard
Catching crooks and crickets in the bell jar
I’ve been waiting for my woman to relieve me
But she’s outside climbing on the oak tree
There’s a dead canary in the coal mine
And a lamb’s head growing from a grapevine
Growing from a grapevine
Yea-ah, it’s getting biblical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy down
Yea-ah, it’s getting mythical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy, throw your mercy down
Throw your mercy down
There’s a mad-man tapping at the window
With a pocket full of innuendo
There’s a joker poking at the doorbell
And a sparrow drowning in the inkwell
I’ve been waiting for my lover to relieve me
But they’re outside swinging from the oak tree
Swinging from the oak tree
Yeah, it’s getting biblical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy down
Yeah, it’s getting mythical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy, throw your mercy down
There’s a tyrant on the throne
And a clown on every screen
Compelling us to stay at home
In this low-grade fever dream
But we’re gathering our strength
We’re becoming less afraid
That there’s hope for us in
This unholy mess we’ve made
Hey! It’s getting biblical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy down
Yeah, it’s getting mythical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy, throw your mercy down
It’s getting biblical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy down
Yeah, it’s getting mythical now
(wo-oah)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy, throw your mercy down
Throw your mercy down
Nice
Underated artists like this make me feel my taste is elite.
HARRIS 2024
Gotta say besides being obsessed with the vibes of this song I’m also so in love with how in the second verse he says “lover” and uses and gender non specific pronoun in there. It’s really such a small thing but it’s the icokg on top of an already beautifully decorated cake.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I don't know how you do it, but I never get tired of your music. Even if I listen to one song too much, by the time I'm tired of a different song I love the first again. Your music is magical and I love it
Thank you my friend ✨✨
James goth steampunk king
💀👑
U give off “I’m a villain but a respectful one” vibes
One must always maintain their classiness.
This song came out about a year too early, it's downright prophetic in 2020.
Whoda thunk?!
"Compelling us to stay at home."
Ahead of your time sir..
I do my best ;)
I've been searching for music with the flavour of a gentlemen villan for a long time, and your music is exactly what i had been looking for thank you!
This makes me very very happy
it is a pity that all the best music is only discovered on accident. I found you completely by random Mr. James, , and I am now in love with your work.
happy accidents 🖤
this feels like stumbling into a magical forest; i don't know where i am, or what's happening, but i'm happy to be here!!
Welcome to my brain new friend.
The White House on screen as “tyrant on the throne” plays is SO good
Thanks for noticing :)
I agree :)
Not sure if it was ment to be political or symbolic but was a nice touch
I don't know how you manage to make lawful evil into music but also make it so damn good?? seriously all your songs are amazing!
Thank youuu 🖤
I am not sure if "Compelling us to stay at home" line aged extremely poorly or extremely well. Regardless, just wanted to thank you for your wonderful music. As most people here found you randomly in my suggestions several months ago and since then your music takes up easily 80% of all my playlists and I already annoyed everyone with suggestions to listen to you. You opened my eyes to the very tiny and specific genre of music that I didn't even know about and for that I can't thank you enough. I hope the entire situation we all are stuck in right now doesn't inconvenience you much and I sincerely wish you all the best.
Thank you my friend! And thank you for sharing the music far and wide!!! Means the world
@@ShayferJames My please!
It’s almost heartbreaking to see you only have ten thousand subscribers when you make such great and talented music
Why thank you. Good news is that it was 4K a few months ago. Keep spreading the word 🖤
This music video has an incredibly cryptic aesthetic and I'm in love with it.
It loves you right back ;)
This definitely hits differently in 2020...damn.
For both of us my friend, for both of us
So I heard a D&D youtuber (Davvy Chappy) talk about this channel so I looked you up and I gotta say this music is underrated as hell. you need to be way more well known. I'm gonna show you to all of my friends.
Amazing! Yes please spread the word!!
I came here for the same reason! Glad to see others had the same response!
Amazing!
Funny, our epic DM recommended me a lot of songs from Shayfer James, wonder if thats where he found him :D
lyrics :D
There's a dead canary in the coal mine
And a lamb's head growing from a grapevine
There's an old man laughing in the backyard
Catching crooks and crickets in the bell jar
I've been waiting for my woman to relieve me
But she's outside climbing on the oak tree
There's a dead canary in the coal mine
And a lamb's head growing from a grapevine
Growing from a grapevine
Hey, it's getting biblical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up and throw your mercy down
Hey, it's getting mythical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy
Throw your mercy down
Throw your mercy down
There's a madman tapping at the window
With a pocket full of innuendo
There's a joker poking at the doorbell
And a sparrow drowning in the inkwell
I've been waiting for my lover to relieve me
But they're outside swinging from the oak tree
Swinging from the oak tree
Hey, it's getting biblical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up and throw your mercy down
Hey, it's getting mythical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy
Throw your mercy down
There's a tyrant on the throne
And a clown on every screen
Compelling us to stay at home
In this low-grade fear between
But we're gathering our strength
We're becoming less afraid
There is hope for us in this
Unholy mess we've made
Hey, it's getting biblical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up and throw your mercy down
Hey, it's getting mythical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy
Throw your mercy down
It's getting biblical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up and throw your mercy down
Hey, it's getting mythical now
(oh, oh)
You better pick your weapons up
And throw your mercy
Throw your mercy down
Throw your mercy down
:)
the only artist and or song i will be listening to when i write my next dramatic over-detailed love story
Yessss
Wow this song is just amazing
Best part is seeing James in the comments giving some love to the community
🖤🖤🖤
Thank you. How could I not?! Y’all are so damn lovely all the time :)
The audio and visuals are phenomenal.
Thank you friend 🖤🖤
I really feel that this part:
"There's a tyrant on the throne
And a clown on every screen
Compelling us to stay at home
In this low grade fever dream
But we're gathering our strength
We're becoming less afraid
There is hope for us in this
Unholy mess we've made"
Is very very very relevant to 2020.
I wrote these lyrics in 2017 and yes, yes unfortunately it feels quite, quite relevant.
I love the way that biblical and mythical are sung, the triplets are just perfect
Love me some triplets ✨🖤✨
How does this guy only have like 1000 subscribers he needs more
I absolutely agree
Hi i came from villainous thing..Your music is really good,you're underrated man...
Thank you new friend :)
If I ever come to America I will buy a hundred tickets to your tour - Love from the U.K.
Thank you so so much! Perhaps I’ll make it your way before then :)
Absolutely amazing. Spotify introduced me to your music about a week ago and I fell in love and binged all your songs in the span of a few days. You have such a way with words and music that your pieces just fall together in a perfect symphony of emotion.
Spotify is a hell of a match maker. So glad you found me, welcome to my world
this has the mood, I cant explain it but this is part of a very specific and elusive mood.
what I want to say with this is: this is really amazing music!!!
Thank you friend! ✨🖤💀
Recently found your music, and by god did this music video make me tear up. Love the passion you put into your music and productions. My absolute favorite moment was at 3:00, where the chorus, "you better pick your weapons up" is paired with the image of someone holding a sapling. Absolutely inspiring to portray planting and nurturing life as a weapon, as a tool of resistance. Thank you for making great music that has been accompanying me on my walks to class these past weeks.
It means SO much that my intended message hit home for you. I’m
So glad you found me and that I can join you on your strolls :)
Needed this today, thank you for the apparently occasionally prophetic but always fantastic music.
Sometimes I’m right. Mostly I’m wrong. Always I’m happy to be creating. And I’m so so glad you enjoy.
It’s insane how underrated you are. Your music is really awesome man
Thank you new friend! 🖤
I love how authentic you are, your voice and how you look match perfectly. Amazing :D
Thank you friend 🖤🖤
Found this in my spotify recommendations & I love it
This pleases me very, very much.
It’s a crime that I never have found this song until now. Seriously one of my favorite musicians of all time
🙏 glad you found it!
"Compelling us to stay at home" This man predicted 2020
;)
@@ShayferJames though in this case, we really should listen to that advice. and then when it's over get back out there and get back to smashing the patriarchy.
@@belugaval144 hey now no roiting
@@calamityroad5145 honestly in my experience systems of oppression are so fragile that they see just kneeling during the anthem as a major threat. but all in all if riots are what needs to happen then like... i wont stop yall.
Haha indeed. I wrote this long before Covid and the l lyric references a systemic philosophy. Not a literal event or activity 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Woah new fans are coming, hi guys! We are a great community
This is very true. The best community ✨🖤
if supervillains were real,theyd have your songs in their playlist
That is the best compliment. 🖤💀
Currently going through and adding your songs to my "Happy moosic" and "Singing" playlists, rediscovering songs I loved listening to years back has been fun, thanks for all the wonderful songs ❤
🙏🙏
I'm far not the only one to think the song is absolutely great but also kudos to the videomakers! The imaginary fits the song with perfection and is very stylish on itself.
I wish your songs were more popular though! A shame it's only now that I stumbled across your channel.
Thank you my friend!! You’re right on time. Spread the word
Jesus christ I was at home just letting youtube choose my music an then this popped on and I have not heard such a BOP in years, it's criminal this isn't better known, good luck with whatever you are doing and thank you for making isolation more bearable
Thank you for this kind message. So glad you dig it ;)
The way he says everything, in those first 30 seconds is just,,,,
So nice.
Why thank you 🖤💀
My spotify discover weekly thing just hit me with this a day ago. I love it SO MUCH. Amazing song, it will appear on my "on frequent repeat" section no doubt.
So so happy you found me! Glad you enjoy. Welcome to my world 🖤
I can do nothing but thank Spotify's mythical algorithms for placing this gem of a song in a radio. Damn it's good
I must thank the mythic creature as well. Welcome to my world.
oh my god. a friend of mine introduced me into your music, wish she had done that before. I've missed a whole world. now I'm listening to all of your songs since I love your music
your music is truly amazing! and you're talented as hell. I'm hooked.
Welcome to my world new friend! So glad you like it here :)
"clown on every screen compelling us to home" that has a lot more meaning now just a few months later
Same meaning. Different lens. Helllllo friend :)
I found you through “for the departed” and was absolutely hooked. Every song I find by you is an absolute bop. I love your music so much
Why thank you my friend. I appreciate it so much
Thank you for your music. Yourself and the handsome devil got the same vibe, and the brilliant lyrics, glad to have found you. ❤
The music created by Shayfer is just delightful in a dark manor you don't see too often! I'm loving this entire rabbit hole I'm going through.
Thank you so so much! 🖤🖤🖤
have no clue what it is about these songs but they're so addictive, incredible songs.
Ghost in the machine ✨👻⚙️
Found you like a week ago and I love it. "There's a tyrant on the throne
And a clown on every screen
Compelling us to stay at home" you didn't know in advanced how the Corona pandemic would play out, did you?
Ha! I did not know...at least I don’t think I did.... 🤔 , but you aren’t the first person to ask me this. I suppose prescient given the stare of things! I’m SO very glad you found me. Welcome.
Well, a wise Jedi once said there are no coincidences :D
i love that shayfer james was my most listened to artist of 2021 and i was in their top percentage of listeners. lovely music, always inspires fantastical moods in me!
I love that too! ✨🖤
Same
bro this song reminds me of the battle between Percy Jackson and Luke castellan/Kronos on the bridge in the last olympian
Yesss ✨✨✨
I am baffled by how many bangers you release
😁✨🙏
how does it feel being a gay icon mr james?
If that is true, it feels damn good my friend. Damn good.
Honestly, I discovered this song much later (From your short on it). But the "compelling us to stay at home" line now has, another edge to it.
Also I love the switch of pronous, it's touching. Thank you Shayfer James for this and so many other amazing works of art.
Thank YOU 🙏
I am very glad I discovered this wonderful musician. As one who adores the dark and gothic, Shayfer James is right up my alley.
I’m so glad you discovered me too ;) have a beautiful day!
@@ShayferJames Why thank you!
Literally discovered you through someone doing one of your songs for a theater lip sync project. And now I’m in love. Stay awesome.
So glad you found me. New music coming soon!
every single song i hear from this guy is such a banger
Why thank you :)
i accidently found you through villainous thing on soundcloud and ive been in love with your music ever since
So happy you found me! New music coming soon!
This song is old, yes, but Mr.James is very underrated
Thank you friend 🖤
Legends say that he hearts every comment
P.S love the song man keep it up
You know what they say about legends...
omg this is so dark academia lol
I take that as a massive compliment. Thank you new friend 💀
@@ShayferJames OMG I LOVE UUUU
I love you right back 🖤🖤🖤
Ikr? I'm a big Dark Academic and Counterfeit Arcade in particular is amazing for the aesthetic.
this man is still replying to comments on a song he made 4yrs ago
absolute mad-lad, my hat off to you good sir. also, hi Shayfer. song and video are both amazing! (sorry for all the rambling)
Rude not to reply :)
And thank you!
HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD THIS SONG BEFORE??? HELP ITS SO GOOD-
This is about to inspire me to write more villains you don’t even understand
I fully support ths
I love how the message is so unclear yet very clear through scattered images and lyrics.
✨🖤
I've been jamming to this song for like three straight days 😂 I love it so much
This pleases me greatly!!
Your music is so good I can't even find the words to explain how good it is.
You found them. Thank you so so much 🖤💀🖤
How can so many of your songs be so goood!
Thank you for the kind words. I just make what I feel and never compromise the voices in my head :)
I finally got to see this man live at the 9:30 club, fricking amazing performance, vocals are even better in person. couldn't get the songs out of my head. Loved it!!
Means the world my friend, so glad you got to catch the live show!
@@ShayferJames ❤
its been a while since i listened to this song but it reminded me how good this musician is 😭 i will now in fact be listening to this guy almost exclusively for the next two weeks 🕺💃
🙏✨🖤
Please Don't Ever Stop Making Music
Can’t stop, won’t stop
i only just discovered this but im imediately in love with it oh my god
I’m so so glad! Thank you :)
this aged really well what the hell
;)
This popped up on my Spotify "Discover weekly" list and wow, I love it! Awesome song! The find of my week, for sure! :)
So glad you found it! Welcome to my world 🖤
I can’t believe I didn’t find this earlier, i was missing out lol
You’re here now. This is all that matters. 🖤🖤🖤
This guys music never fails to remind me that I'm the hot fun loving cheeky queer coded villain in my story lol😈
✨✨✨
@@ShayferJames omg you actually replied!!
Your music has really helped boost confidence! So thank you :D
I’ve been playing everything Shayfer James. It’s been on constant rotate at work. Love!!
Thank youuuu ✨🖤✨
This song is so good! I love the beat.
🕺🕺
Love the vibe of your music. Been on a binge of it for the last month
Thank you friend :) so glad you are enjoying 🖤✨💀
@@ShayferJames Yea! Your music is so unique and straight up amazing
Smaller artists I feel often produce far better music. They are forced to produce genuinely quality music because they can’t rely on an already existing fan base, and looking at the comment section you’ve liked almost every comment, the same goes for this one artist called Bug hunter, and The Cog is Dead even liked a comment of mine. You are so invested in your community it’s very honorable. You and other small artists deserve so much more credit for the huge amount of effort you put into your music, it’s so unfortunate how little you’re getting from it.
You’d be surprised how much I get from even a comment like this. Making music is about expanding as a person and crafting my own language. Some folks are inspired to learn it and some aren’t...but ohhhh the conversations I can have with the folks who are. Like you :) I’ve got another lifetime of stories to share. 🖤
@@ShayferJames that’s really insightful of you, thanks a lot for the nice words and have fun with your art 😊
Beautiful song
Man! This song feels like it came from a movie! I’ll defiantly love exploring more of his wok!
Thank you new friend :)
Having this on loop cause damn this a decent one
🔥
Actually same-
I just found out your music...I can't believe how beautiful and dark it is...
Thank you!! 🦇🖤
Certified bop 🏅
Why thank you
Great song dad
😂👴🏻🖤
I've only been listening to your music for a few months and i just want to say:
your music is just so amazing omg
between the amazing and ever-relevant political commentary and the exquisite lyricism across every single one of your albums, you've quickly became one of my top favorite artists!
it's all very villain-y and i love it, it's exactly what i look for in music and you have captured it perfectly
keep it up, Shay!!! 🖤🖤🖤
So glad you found me! Thank you for the kind words, and welcome to my world 💀🖤
@@ShayferJames 🖤🖤🖤
So damn good! I found your channel by accident when looking for some sad and dark music, to be exact I found Battle Cry. Because of that song I got hooked up on your music and I'm yet to be disappointed ;D
What a happy accident 🖤✨🖤
This song hits on so many different levels. I love it. It also works great for DnD character ive been working on.
So so glad you love
I really do dig his stuff man it's phenomenal actually
🙏🙏
Sounds great! Easily one of my favorites!
Thankya sir!
Wait you still come back to this video to read new comments? And I thought I couldn’t love you anymore. You’re literally so real and cool and awesome and amazing for that
🙏. Seems rude not to reply. I don’t always get notifications for comments but when I do I MUST REPLY. 😊
@@ShayferJames that’s so cool!
I've never seen an artist with some many equally great songs!
Love from South America
Thank you my friend! Sending love right back to South America! 😍
Gonna be honest, ever since my best friend recommended your music, I haven't stopped sending it to everyone who lets me. This stuff's great!
Thank you!! More soon!!
I found your music a few weeks ago, and it's helped me a lot to get through. Thank you for producing these quality songs!
So glad you found it it and it’s helped a bit. Welcome to my world :)
I'm not quite sure how such a brilliant and uniquely composed song is so underground, it's almost hurtful to see such work go unnoticed, it's just too good to be unheard. A pity really, like muse and tally hall slapped together with a vibe like no other
This is a massive compliment. Thank you so very much. Welcome to my wooooorrrrrld.
@@ShayferJames ofc, your one of few soulful and mindful artists, you make the bleak and dreary viewed in a beautiful way, a black rose in a field of Poppy's.
I've listened to a little bit of Muse (I just don't see a strong connection) and Good & Evil by Tally Hall (quite similar topics, but very different tone), but despite similarities, I don't see any groups coming at all close. The instruments played in a style I have not usually heard them in and a voice made distinct; it feels like it shows the beauty of things not typically seen that way.
@@thomasoconnor this isn't a debate, it was a compliment, I wasn't talking about musical skill and or composition, more of psychological social understanding with tally halls beautiful expression of weird is good.
@@sammclogh2074 Yeah, I was trying to give my 2 cents and explanation logically, though that may make it seem a different type of theme. Also, for the similar bands, my mind shifted now; I realized that if some Saint Motel was mixed in to the mix of Tally Hall and Muse, then I would have seen that as an accurate description, but I just had a slightly different view on what makes it similar, and if it is, how much so.
Damn, this is great! The imagery in the video gave me hardcore chills.
Also bonus points for the use of the Lyra!
Thank you!! Glad you enjoy :)