Nick Cave recalled in his 2020 book Stranger Than Kindness how he came to write "The Mercy Seat." "Songs are ingenious devices that have their own demands. They find their way, whether you like it or not. In the early 80s I was fully engaged in the writing of my novel And the Ass Saw the Angel (1989). I sat in a small room in Berlin, typing away, day and night, sleeping little. When I reached an impasse with the novel, I would scroll the odd lyric line on a scrap of paper beside me, ostensibly a song about a man going to the electric chair. The song was at best a distraction, a doodle, a song I never looked fully in the eye, or thought much about. But songs have their own journeys and in time assert their sovereignty. 'The Mercy Seat' was such a song. Even when I was singing it I had no idea that the song was important or that I would play it at every gig for the next 35 years, or that my hero Johnny Cash would one day record it. It was, as far as I was concerned, an afterthought. I often find that when it comes to songwriting I am the last to know. The songs hold within them a far greater understanding of their potential than I do."
Ive been a fan of Nick Cave for decades. This week he released a new album Carnage. Cave is one of the best lyricists of all times... Dylan/Cohen level. Poetic, philosophical, dark, morbid, sarcastic, ironic, spiritual, often hilariously funny. Pure beauty. Please please dive into this mans music.. he will broaden your horizon and deepen your understanding of mankind.
People rarely react to Nick Cave, which is a shame as he is so fantastic!! He is dark and quirky but such a masterful storyteller. My favorites are Tupelo, Red Right Hand, Where the Wild Roses Grow, Into My Arms, and so many more!! I had tickets to his concert here in Nashville this year but it was cancelled. One day!
My god! Nick Cave at last!! I have been listening to NC (Bad Seeds and solo stuff) for decades. "The Good Son" is one of the best albums I own. I have never heard this version of this song - used to the original, very hard-driving version.
So glad your analysing Nick Cave, brilliant artist with more than 40years of material, some very dark and some just beautiful. Great songwriter and story teller. Is a legend in Australia.
Nick often changes the lyrical context live. I guess it's so iconic that you're supposed to know the originial lyrics. Or don't give a fuck. Thanks for reacting
I like the last line "But I'm afraid I told a lie" because it lives a mystery about what the lie is. That he is innocent ? Or that he's not afraid to die, like he's been saying throughout all the song ?
The wheel trolley's wheels are wicked, because every time you hear them it means another meal time has passed, which means you are another day closer to your execution date.
Nick Cave is a wonderful song writer, he started with a post punk giants the birthday party as nasty a badass rock n roll outfit to ever grace the stage(as you can tell major fan worth listening too by anyone), then after they split formed the bad seeds who have to be one of the greatest rock collectives ever members join and depart but all of them are equally sublime artists there own right. I would suggest that listening to the other projects and bands that any member of the bad seeds past or present it is an education in alternative rock. some of my favourites are Blixa Bargeld of the staggering einstruzende neubauten(industrial pioneers), Mick Harvey who was both in the birthday party, the bad seeds, solo projects, works with PJ Harvey(another high recomendation) and a lovely fella in person, Barry Adamson who was in magazine and does wonderful solo work, Kid Congo Powers who was in the cramps, other bands bad seeds were in include dirty three,gallon drunk(my favourite live act), sonic youth the list goes on it gets silly.
Its still open somehow, was he telling a lie about beeing innocent or was he telling a lie about not beeing afraid to die in the electric chair. The song was written in 1987 so its over 30 years old and people still debate wheter he was innocent or guilty =) and 30 years down the line this is played at every concert.
Music linked to an incredible work / literary poem! From a literary perspective, as soon as a poem is published its "meaning" no longer belongs to his author. That poem gains as many meanings as its readers. If we search the web, we will find several interesting interpretations for this song, but many others can still be suggested. This poem is rich and significant because its reading becomes a creative challenge and a game. A type of "Lego" game in the form of poetry with multiple meanings that can be constructed. Beautiful!
UGH! I LOVE that you’re doing some Nick Cave, but the other versions are so much more fire!! The pace of this one isn’t the best. He’s such an intense storyteller. I’ll pick another more exciting song and try to get it on the request lists. He’s an all time fave and I’d love to see some more.
@@traktician Henry Lee Official Video. Starting off with another tragic love song from Murder Ballads album. These two were actually falling in love during the filming of the video. He made an entire album about the breakup (Boatman's Call), but then soon met his Ride or Die, Susie.
Hey mate you don't have to stop the song every 5 seconds to understand the song, it's all revealed at the end and for those listening along its frustrating! I shouldn't speak for anyone else. The impact of this song is only truly felt when you just listen. And yeah he was not actually in prison! He was telling a story and you got the story, you say you like songs that tell a story so you'll love many of Nick Cave songs as he does tell stories and his stories have characters. But I do appreciate your reaction, kind regards from Australia
@@traktician no worries, my frustration was mostly because I really wanted to see you listening to the song and then getting to the last line which the character reveals "I told a lie"
His original version is better. Very manic and escalating from defiant innocence, to defensive excuses, to admission. One of the few songs Johnny Cash covered during his later days that I wish he would have just left alone.
Nick Cave recalled in his 2020 book Stranger Than Kindness how he came to write "The Mercy Seat."
"Songs are ingenious devices that have their own demands. They find their way, whether you like it or not. In the early 80s I was fully engaged in the writing of my novel And the Ass Saw the Angel (1989). I sat in a small room in Berlin, typing away, day and night, sleeping little. When I reached an impasse with the novel, I would scroll the odd lyric line on a scrap of paper beside me, ostensibly a song about a man going to the electric chair. The song was at best a distraction, a doodle, a song I never looked fully in the eye, or thought much about. But songs have their own journeys and in time assert their sovereignty. 'The Mercy Seat' was such a song.
Even when I was singing it I had no idea that the song was important or that I would play it at every gig for the next 35 years, or that my hero Johnny Cash would one day record it. It was, as far as I was concerned, an afterthought. I often find that when it comes to songwriting I am the last to know. The songs hold within them a far greater understanding of their potential than I do."
Ive been a fan of Nick Cave for decades. This week he released a new album Carnage. Cave is one of the best lyricists of all times... Dylan/Cohen level. Poetic, philosophical, dark, morbid, sarcastic, ironic, spiritual, often hilariously funny. Pure beauty. Please please dive into this mans music.. he will broaden your horizon and deepen your understanding of mankind.
thanks for letting me know about his new album! i'm a cave/seeds big fun
People rarely react to Nick Cave, which is a shame as he is so fantastic!! He is dark and quirky but such a masterful storyteller. My favorites are Tupelo, Red Right Hand, Where the Wild Roses Grow, Into My Arms, and so many more!! I had tickets to his concert here in Nashville this year but it was cancelled. One day!
Blind Lemon Jefferson is genius
My god! Nick Cave at last!! I have been listening to NC (Bad Seeds and solo stuff) for decades. "The Good Son" is one of the best albums I own. I have never heard this version of this song - used to the original, very hard-driving version.
So glad your analysing Nick Cave, brilliant artist with more than 40years of material, some very dark and some just beautiful. Great songwriter and story teller. Is a legend in Australia.
He's a legend everywhere.
Nick often changes the lyrical context live. I guess it's so iconic that you're supposed to know the originial lyrics. Or don't give a fuck. Thanks for reacting
I like the last line "But I'm afraid I told a lie" because it lives a mystery about what the lie is. That he is innocent ? Or that he's not afraid to die, like he's been saying throughout all the song ?
The wheel trolley's wheels are wicked, because every time you hear them it means another meal time has passed, which means you are another day closer to your execution date.
Nick Cave is a wonderful song writer, he started with a post punk giants the birthday party as nasty a badass rock n roll outfit to ever grace the stage(as you can tell major fan worth listening too by anyone), then after they split formed the bad seeds who have to be one of the greatest rock collectives ever members join and depart but all of them are equally sublime artists there own right. I would suggest that listening to the other projects and bands that any member of the bad seeds past or present it is an education in alternative rock. some of my favourites are Blixa Bargeld of the staggering einstruzende neubauten(industrial pioneers), Mick Harvey who was both in the birthday party, the bad seeds, solo projects, works with PJ Harvey(another high recomendation) and a lovely fella in person, Barry Adamson who was in magazine and does wonderful solo work, Kid Congo Powers who was in the cramps, other bands bad seeds were in include dirty three,gallon drunk(my favourite live act), sonic youth the list goes on it gets silly.
Listen to the change in lyrics....im not afraid to die....im afraid that i told a lie....he was inocet, the he told was not being afraid to die...😢
I knew Nick Cave from 'Where the Wild Roses Grow'. But when I started watching "Peaky Blinders" I fall in love with song "Red Right Hand".
Its still open somehow, was he telling a lie about beeing innocent or was he telling a lie about not beeing afraid to die in the electric chair. The song was written in 1987 so its over 30 years old and people still debate wheter he was innocent or guilty =) and 30 years down the line this is played at every concert.
Ooooh I enjoyed this ..loved your breakdown ...quite a story .. thanku Tom ...lovely piece of music thanku fi much love and god bless x
🙏
The lie is .... he is not afraid to die.
Thank you SO much for this...
When it comes to storytelling Nick Cave is hard to beat =) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Cave_and_the_Bad_Seeds
Another nick cave mistery... what the heck is «Jubilee Street» about. Can you figure it out?? Please try... you will enjoy the ride ❤️
Or is the lie "I am not afraid to die". i.e. he never denied the crime he just was scared to die for it
Music linked to an incredible work / literary poem! From a literary perspective, as soon as a poem is published its "meaning" no longer belongs to his author. That poem gains as many meanings as its readers.
If we search the web, we will find several interesting interpretations for this song, but many others can still be suggested. This poem is rich and significant because its reading becomes a creative challenge and a game. A type of "Lego" game in the form of poetry with multiple meanings that can be constructed. Beautiful!
nick cave is god beautiful !!!!
the mercy seat is the electric chair
You should do Leonard Cohen! Avalanche, Famous Blue Raincoat, or his (original!) version of Hallelujah (most people only know this one from covers)
UGH! I LOVE that you’re doing some Nick Cave, but the other versions are so much more fire!! The pace of this one isn’t the best. He’s such an intense storyteller. I’ll pick another more exciting song and try to get it on the request lists. He’s an all time fave and I’d love to see some more.
You're more than welcome to drop the request here. I will do it for you. 🙂
@@traktician Henry Lee Official Video. Starting off with another tragic love song from Murder Ballads album. These two were actually falling in love during the filming of the video. He made an entire album about the breakup (Boatman's Call), but then soon met his Ride or Die, Susie.
@@tankergirl23 Hi Nancy, great pick, Fable recently did Where the wild roses grow =)
@@traktician btw I noticed you have 2 Nick Cave playlist with one song in each
mercy seat = electric chair
I can't stop watching this reaction. Wow, here in italy It's 4 Am and .... wow
i love Fils breakdowns on lyrics, thats why i requested this one =)
It might be interesting to react to Johny Cash's cover of this song.
If you just listened to the song you’d know it was about a guy on death row.
Hey mate you don't have to stop the song every 5 seconds to understand the song, it's all revealed at the end and for those listening along its frustrating! I shouldn't speak for anyone else. The impact of this song is only truly felt when you just listen. And yeah he was not actually in prison! He was telling a story and you got the story, you say you like songs that tell a story so you'll love many of Nick Cave songs as he does tell stories and his stories have characters. But I do appreciate your reaction, kind regards from Australia
Thanks very much. I really appreciate the constructive critism. Thank you. 🙂
@@traktician no worries, my frustration was mostly because I really wanted to see you listening to the song and then getting to the last line which the character reveals "I told a lie"
I've always wondered if the lie was that he wasn't afraid to die.
"LIE"
@@lillynietz17 that was an autocorrect that I did not catch. I'll fix it.
@@keturahspencer Thanks K!....
I love Nick Cave. Poems. Pls react to "where the wild roses grow". Love
P. S. Also to Fairytale of New York
By Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues. Thanks
He lied about being afraid to die
His original version is better. Very manic and escalating from defiant innocence, to defensive excuses, to admission. One of the few songs Johnny Cash covered during his later days that I wish he would have just left alone.
Nick cave biggest hit song song where the wild roses grow a duet with Kylie minogue
This song isn't Mercy Seat, btw.
?
What?! Of course it is
What IS the Mercy Seat song larindy.....mikos?