Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Mercy Seat (BoxedSet 2001)

ok, I uploaded this long time ago here on youtube, this one is with enhanced audio.

[@mechroboticon]

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.

[@jeffwhite3625]

Great analysis and synopsis. It truly is a masterpiece indeed.

[@meme6335]

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

[@timward276]

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."

[@henrysgigs1]

Taped for Scottish TV. Trust me this one of the most dynamic performances ever recorded on TV

[@ZedP]

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.

[@weeleetube]

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

[@Mr.Melmoth]

Просто невероятно... какая-то совершенно высшая степень искусства, когда песню не СЛУШАЕШЬ, а ПРОЖИВАЕШЬ...

[@marekdostal3854]

The best version of this masterpiece ever.... Nick seems to be not just singing, but even living that song... soooo intensive...

[@djacobs47]

Hmm - best version of this song? Definitely up there. It catches the mood; the anxiety - everything.

[@don.gilchrist.2980]

Unbeatable talent. A true musician.

[@1963johnbhoy]

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.

[@langstongrandma]

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?!!!

[@1963johnbhoy]

The lucky audience probably witnessed the best 5 minutes ever in the history of music.

[@pepislover1]

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 💗

[@1980Kotbegemot]

This song was by far the most intense song performance I've ever seen live. He really gives it all for his audience.

[@GeTheFly]

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.

[@sparrowestes962]

+TheFly They are not calm. They are just too blown away to move.

[@GeTheFly]

+Sparrow Estes I think you're right :)

[@cedricbuotdelepine5068]

They just can't breath (neither do I) .

[@osmark86]

I get shivers from this song every damn time. so powerful.

[@clownsechonk]

Fuck yeah, Nick Cave is a beast, and this is one hell of an epic performance.

[@jensfahrenbach6162]

Absolute one of the best song

[@linxde1]

One of the best songs ever! Intense is indeed the right word.

[@fractiousperson303]

Oh my god. That was fucking incredible.

[@flyinspirals]

This isn't a song, it's an experience.

[@violator9696]

Reynard Winters

[@s3077769]

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.

[@pinkduvetdiva]

I heard this song for the first time this morning-this is simply awesome!

[@freedomfunwithjlbfriends7193]

yup

[@jamesfiske4352]

The ultimate sermon given by the ultimate preacher man!

[@guitaristroz]

My favourite performance EVER! I watch this almost every time I do a gig to get me in the right 'zone' !!! X

[@doncoyneyone6194]

I would be jumping up and going mad. The build up. Fuck me..

[@sadbaby01]

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.

[@dafteverton7218]

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.

[@whufciironworkes]

Only just found this video, how good was that

[@Zwischenderwelt]

wow, that´s a great version to feel the madness of the song. Make it louder & louder...Thx !

[@ulrikemayer6911]

this is so intense! Fantastic performance.

[@veganrican606]

So expressive on so many levels, definitely feeling this vibe.

[@jproena]

the best version ever...

[@akoe1968]

I've seen him often live. but this is one of the most intensive versions I know from that song. epic.

[@kumakuma111]

i've heard so many versions of nick singing this song, but never one as moving as this. breathtakingingly genius....

[@nondweller]

I can't get this out of my head

[@jeffwhite3625]

Transcendent piece of music, visceral ! Astonishing performance !

[@aerts2000]

Best version. Gives me energy...

[@MUsicplusSExisMUSE]

Wow, just wow. And now I can breath....it's almost impossible while he is singing...

[@emilkolaric5435]

Kakav lik...svaka čast

[@shineeis5657]

Fucking amazing. I never get tired of this song.

[@DrGrotesk]

it cant get better than this

[@1963johnbhoy]

Best crescendo ever.

[@alinainavova9746]

One live - one love... Милостивый Боженька! Все мои мурашки аплодируют стоя

[@sparrowestes962]

So much yes. If I was at this show I might have died.

[@flyinspirals]

Yeah, it would surely be the highlight of my live music life.

[@kines68]

What a great recording! Thanks very much for having updated the music quality! I think this is my favorite version of that song, too!

[@sanvean277]

The best version ever.

[@FuckingCocoBryce]

an all time high in emotional music and poetry. You can feel he's "feeling " it as well

[@kines68]

What a great recording! Thanks very much for having updated the music quality!

[@CountZurich]

Fucking Hell. Nick, Blixa, Warren, and Mick all in one room hammering out this masterpiece.

[@dumplingsistasty]

Sooo much energy. Slow but so powerful!

[@arnonsha1]

Such a great performance!

[@prityschreurs6795]

THE PASSION!!! I'm beyond words..

[@flyinspirals]

aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that was refreshing!

[@s3077769]

Holly shit. That was amazing

[@Miqel101]

Simply stunning...!!

[@1979sterling]

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......)

[@andrasdura47]

Burned the house down.

[@MEMORIES-OF-PSYCHONAUT]

for you dude bill... in the yard of paradise

[@claudiaduque1270]

This is a great version indeed !

[@wirtragensterne]

Great! Gänsehaut! The cover of Johnny Cash ist just very good, too!

[@SLB4523]

Magnificent though it is, I’ve got a live dvd from france in ‘02 which is even better! The whole show is phenomenal!

[@HeartbreakingBravery]

@Jefflebowski95 - this is quite possibly the best summary of this song I've seen.

[@dafragsta]

@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.

[@000xeno]

I saw Stefani Keogh's stunning cover a few weeks back on Badseeds teevee. Amazing song.

[@lashwhip]

I knew the version well and it is the best version and I missed it's prescence on You Tube greatly.

[@godpatton4765]

Escalofrios... Piel de gallina... Versión final.

[@grischef]

can't stop listening this song

[@sofarfromme]

Thanks for uploading this.

[@svetimasskausmas]

Thanks, my favourite version.

[@tylerdurden4368]

epic performance...

[@cattalkbmx]

Best song ever.

[@joseantoniovazferreira5272]

Best Nick Cave's song!!!!!

[@pena.3302]

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"...

[@BloodyVagabond]

wow! what a performance!

[@vasilisboudourakis]

i began to warm and chill to objects and their fields

[@jackragnarok8141]

vasilis boudourakis Yeah, the lyrics are brilliant.

[@HighPisi]

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!

[@Ponkinette.Veronika66]

Superbe prestation.

[@PortalEMCioranBrasil]

This song is my hymn

[@nondweller]

This is good for my hangover.

[@annebeth66]

wow this was intense!

[@kaberis7]

just perfect......

[@inyangb]

BRILLIANT!!!

[@RIPmyers]

This is awesome!

[@vedeer8355]

This is just wow

[@meridithbolster]

He reminds me of a darker modern day Jim Morrison

[@meridithbolster]

Amazing

[@100thingsbefore2012]

Don't you HATE how the audience is just sitting there, not feeling it, not getting it? What a effin waste.

[@didipipibi]

Is everybody in that studio deaf? Had this been filmed in a deaf-folks home??

[@MrSmartyou]

awesome!

[@lecktmich1000]

GREAT!!!

[@Jugglerclown]

intense and immense!

[@jackragnarok8141]

AWESOME

[@trillyblack531]

Chapeau

[@MEMORIES-OF-PSYCHONAUT]

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.

[@lifeofreilly4493]

awesome

[@climaticomusto]

And eye for an eye and a truth for a truth

[@woodspirit7701]

Live by the nail -.... Briliant lirics.

[@wirtragensterne]

Gänsehaut!

[@trialsanderrors2707]

The all too brief Blixa-Warren phase. Frantic madness.

[@Smeagoltje90]

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...

[@lunapark010]

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...

[@lunapark010]

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...

[@sandelic1]

@mechroboticon i share your opinion, it does seems like a brief moment in, i get the feeling, courtroom, where justice is made of wood and wire, and god is never far away :D