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.
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"...
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, might I say.........might I know...)
@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!
wrong the electric chair is a metaphor for a bar stool and Nick's ongoing struggle with addiction, could reference this a million times over too busy for just that keep it a simple Green Mile link to the Weeping Song etc...
wrong the electric chair is a metaphor for a bar stool and Nick's ongoing struggle with addiction, could reference this a million times over too busy for just that keep it a simple Green Mile link to the Weeping Song/John Finns wife/Murder Ballads that followed etc...
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.
