By MussoliniHeadkick
So, cards on the table, I don’t really like the concept of mercy. Quick Google search (provided by Oxford Languages apparently) and there it is:
Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
I suppose it’s that historical element of it being something in the hands of an all- powerful creator, or an all-powerful mortal, to dispense according to their will, whim or grace.
From that perspective it often seemed to me to be the least powerful and most desperate who felt compelled to beg for, or seek, forgiveness from the not particularly merciful who had ‘the power to punish or harm’ or condemn to everlasting damnation.
Given that ‘I don’t believe in an interventionist God…..’ and am not particularly enamoured of the powerful, my choices for the A list (mercifully no B list) were based on a number of thoughts.
Choose songs sung and played by people that have no reason really to ask for mercy or forgiveness because they’ve actually just been completely shafted by a system of belief or society that has instilled a fear of ‘someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.’
Choose songs that you like because you just like the sound or lyrics or the band/singer
Choose songs that are not in the other two categories but fit nicely into my C-90 style Gen X (possibly neuro-diverse) list loveliness
Wildcard choices – Why not?
PS. If this sounds a little rushed and lacking in narrative coherence or cogency I do beg forgiveness as when I volunteered to guru at the last minute from a spirit of empathy and community spirit. I had not twigged that write-up day would be the 8th April …
You guessed it, or perhaps you didn’t, but I am writing this modest missive on my birthday so do have a little mercy on me. X
PPS. I enjoyed this unexpected stint as guru, by the way and, really liked loads of nominated songs. Thank you again to all at the Song Bar!
The Mercifully All-In-One A-List Playlist:
Cannonball Adderley Quintet – Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (BanazirGalbasi)
Vera Hall – Death Have Mercy (Nicko)
Fred McDowell – Lord Have Mercy (Sara Vano)
Sister Rosetta Tharpe – Forgive Me Lord and Try Me One More Time (Tarquin Spodd)
Varetta Dillard – Mercy Mr Percy (Nicko)
ZZ Hill – Have Mercy Someone (Nicko)
United Freedom Collective – Mercy (Uncleben)
Beyoncé – Amen (VikingChild)
Duffy – Mercy (VikingChild)
The Rolling Stones – Mercy Mercy (Severin)
10,000 Maniacs – Please Forgive Us (Uncleben)
Ultra Vivid Scene – Mercy Seat 12” (Shoegazer)
Spacemen 3 – Walkin’ with Jesus (Traktor Albatrost)
Max Richter – The Quality of Mercy (Uncleben)
Burial – Forgive (Uncleben)
Wildcard Picks:
Swans – Saved (well I nommed it before volunteering so not gonna waste a nom)
Butthole Surfers – Sweat Loaf (This has no connection to mercy that I can discern but it popped into my head and……..SATAN!)
Cabaret Voltaire – Slugging for Jesus (Mercy for cash)
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Grace notes: songs about mercy. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
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