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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — Let the Bells Ring
Album: Abattoir Blues / The Lyre Of Orpheus
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3132









Released: 2004
Length: 4:19
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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C'mon, kind Sir, let's walk outside
And breathe the autumn air
See the many that have lived and died
See the unending golden stair
See all of us that have come behind
Clutching at your hem
All the way from Arkansas
To your sweet and last amen

Let the bells ring
He is the real thing
Let the bells ring
He is the real, real thing

Take this deafening thunder down
Take this bread and take this wine
Your passing is not what we mourn
But the world you left behind
Well, do not breathe, nor make a sound
And behold your mighty work
That towers over the uncaring ground
Of a lesser, darker world

Let the bells ring
He is the real thing
Let the bells ring
He is the real, real thing

There are those of us not fit to tie
The laces of your shoes
Must remain behind to testify
Through an elementary blues
So, let's walk outside, the hour is late
Through your crumbs and scattered shells
Where the awed and the mediocre wait
Barely fit to ring the bells

Let the bells ring
He is the real thing
Let the bells ring
He is the real, real thing
Comments (181)add comment
For those that may have missed The Red Hand Files, Nick displays excellent wordsmanship in his musings outside his song lyrics. Google it if, like good netizens, you'd prefer not to click on a link. Otherwise:

https://www.theredhandfiles.com/
Posted 1 week ago by Wok    [ Reply ]


LOVE you, Nick 
November live, in Leeds.
BOOM!!
Posted 6 months ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
 Lanky_Yoda wrote:

I used to think he sang (C'mon, Cancer, let's walk outside) as if to guide the disease away from harm...then I realized its about Jesus!


HAHA I always thought he said cancer too.
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
 Lanky_Yoda wrote:

I used to think he sang (C'mon, Cancer, let's walk outside) as if to guide the disease away from harm...then I realized its about Jesus!



This song is actually about Johnny Cash.
Posted 1 year ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
every time I hear this I go to bump it up another notch. It's at 10 e'ry time. 
Posted 1 year ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 johnalexford wrote:

I just saw that I had originally given this a 7. I went back and made it 8, and before the end of the song made it a 9. Great tune!



i'll probably be following your lead in a few seconds!

**edit, a week later and i'm still mesmerized at how beautiful this is. please don't play it too repeatedly. once in a while. keep it a special surprise.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
7-8-9-10
that was the time from the first verse and chorus to get to that rating!
Posted 1 year ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
More cowbell!
Posted 1 year ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]

love him
Posted 1 year ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
I just saw that I had originally given this a 7. I went back and made it 8, and before the end of the song made it a 9. Great tune!
Posted 1 year ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
He does the best impersonation of Madrugada! 😝
Posted 1 year ago by bobbycantrelle    [ Reply ]
This has a Madrugada vibe to it. Or maybe Madrugada has a Nick Cave vibe to him. Either way, me likes!!! At first listen, an easy 8, and prolly next listen on its way to a 9.
Posted 1 year ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
Musikalisch etwas vom Besseren, was im 21. Jahrhundert bisher veröffentlicht wurde.
Posted 2 years ago by Majoran    [ Reply ]
Wim Wenders.
Posted 2 years ago by Anatol    [ Reply ]
I used to think he sang (C'mon cancer lets walk outside) as if to guide the disease away from harm...then I realized its about Jesus!
Posted 2 years ago by Lanky_Yoda    [ Reply ]
 drucev wrote:
(always reminds me of Win Wenders' Wings of Desire)


Amazing film! I forgot about that one until you mentioned it. It's been many years since I've seen it - will need to dust it off again.
Posted 3 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
(always reminds me of Win Wenders' Wings of Desire)
Posted 3 years ago by drucev    [ Reply ]
 Audiacity wrote:

Not familiar with Gilligan's Island, but I am hearing a mash-up between Greensleeves and House of the Rising Sun. Still a very interesting song!




I hear Secret Agent Man
Posted 3 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
 DW4554 wrote:
Cave is a bad ass force to be reckoned with. 
 
Hemorrhoids, huh? No wonder he can sound a little angry in his songs. Poor guy.

Fun fact: Preparation H, the hemorrhoid creme, used to have shark liver oil as an ingredient.
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Glorious. 10.

No work today...
Posted 3 years ago by SECA_Alan    [ Reply ]
Cave is a bad ass force to be reckoned with. 
Posted 3 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 malouna wrote:
Love the timbre of his voice so much. He is touching something special inside myself. Really deep
 
Almost exactly what I was gonna say. So I'll say ditto, +1 to 9, and and LLRP!!
Posted 3 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 Kaw wrote:
Nick Cave, Lennard Cohen and Tom Waits. Their songs mature when you mature.
 
For all but some pop songs, most music appreciates with age. In fact, you'll find artists you despised when younger speak to you.
Posted 3 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
What I like especially about this album is that it sounds like a live performance without audience - not at all the typical studio sound.  Kudos to the producer!
Posted 4 years ago by Lemmes    [ Reply ]
Nick Cave, Lennard Cohen and Tom Waits. Their songs mature when you mature.
Posted 4 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
A kind genius. “I do not believe in God, but I sure miss him”.
Posted 4 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
tremendous talented people - glad I'm sharing this earth with them ... just a little thought
Posted 4 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Nick always giving it his all....
Posted 4 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]

I like this man..
Posted 4 years ago by stanohlohovec5    [ Reply ]
 KevinM wrote:
He sounds too much like Jim Morrison to me (and a Doors song plays right after) so I have to rate this low
 
You could be wrong
Posted 4 years ago by jasko    [ Reply ]
He sounds too much like Jim Morrison to me (and a Doors song plays right after) so I have to rate this low
Posted 4 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
 oppositelock wrote:
Nick Cave and Warren EllisNick Cave and Warren Ellis
 

You start to appreciate their friendship even more after Nick's personal loss a few years ago.  
Posted 5 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
 SaintAwesome wrote:
This song is a tribute to Johnny Cash.
 
The song was flowing and I was reading the lyrics and thought of Johnny immediately. Then saw comments like this. Happy to report that Google confirms:

“[‘Let the Bells Ring’ is about Johnny Cash, who’s obviously been a very central musical figure for you – Ed].

I got asked to sing with Johnny Cash, and the night before, I was thinking, ‘How do you do that?’ By the time I got in the studio I was feeling like a fucking gnat. But as soon as he came in, it was like, ‘Nick!’ And I thought, ‘It’s okay, I can do this’.”

— Nick Cave

I had the honor of meeting briefly and completely by chance Johnny and June in the lobby of a hotel, circa 1980. They were warm, patient, generous, and organically humble folks who tolerated our gawking and blathering without the slightest hint of boredom, annoyance, or condescension. As if they’d bumped into old and distant friends is how it felt, except, of course: They were stars of great stature and yet they displayed a completely natural, cheerful, quiet demeanor while accosted by strangers at close to midnight. It makes my heart smile to this day.
Posted 5 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
 oppositelock wrote:
Nick Cave and Warren EllisNick Cave and Warren Ellis
 
Looks like a Quentin Tarantino movie promo shot
Posted 5 years ago by Ihatethissong    [ Reply ]
good to hear the cave man
Posted 5 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
 chyk5 wrote:
This double album is a masterpiece. 

 agreed! Among his best works, if not the best.  

Posted 6 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
I like Nick Cave he always seems to be edgy.
Posted 6 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 oppositelock wrote:
Just had this played at a friends funeral.  The tears flowed.
 
I bet they did. This song is emotional enough for me even at happy times. Powerful stuff. 
Posted 6 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
I saw Distant Sky movie, recording from his DK concert...
Top notch movie, and also concert
trailer from movie...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0__GvBnzgY 
Posted 6 years ago by Vakse    [ Reply ]
 sktillman wrote:
Plug: "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis" score film soundtracks and everything I have heard so far is brilliant. Almost exclusively instrumental, generally with a kind of western vibe, and almost entirely acoustic. So you have guitar and keyboards, but also violin, viola, mandolin, and an occasional, tasteful horn, etc. They keep it pretty elemental and very real. All of it moody, emotionally satisfying and performed with an easy, yet gritty, eclecticism. Sort of acoustic chill music with a feel for spaghetti westerns. For me there is an actual visceral interaction with the music. Really feel it. It's almost nothing like the Bad Seeds at all... more subtle and laid back, but still solid. I can't say enough good things about this 'underground' duo.

 
Thank you for that, I just listened to White Lunar. Absolutely beautiful!
Posted 7 years ago by yeshetarchin    [ Reply ]
This double album is a masterpiece. 
Posted 7 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 oppositelock wrote:
Just had this played at a friends funeral.  The tears flowed.

 
Abattoir Blues... {#Eek}
Posted 7 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
Love the timbre of his voice so much. He is touching something special inside myself. Really deep
Posted 8 years ago by malouna    [ Reply ]
Just had this played at a friends funeral.  The tears flowed.
Posted 8 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Plug: "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis" score film soundtracks and everything I have heard so far is brilliant. Almost exclusively instrumental, generally with a kind of western vibe, and almost entirely acoustic. So you have guitar and keyboards, but also violin, viola, mandolin, and an occasional, tasteful horn, etc. They keep it pretty elemental and very real. All of it moody, emotionally satisfying and performed with an easy, yet gritty, eclecticism. Sort of acoustic chill music with a feel for spaghetti westerns. For me there is an actual visceral interaction with the music. Really feel it. It's almost nothing like the Bad Seeds at all... more subtle and laid back, but still solid. I can't say enough good things about this 'underground' duo.
Posted 8 years ago by sktillman    [ Reply ]
Got to love a bad seed!
 
Posted 8 years ago by MargoMallen    [ Reply ]
you can never go wrong with Nick and the Bad Seeds!  {#Notworthy}
Posted 9 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
This is beautiful stuff.
Posted 9 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]

I am not objective when it comes to Nick Cave. I simply adore all his work. {#Hearteyes}


Posted 9 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
 taswegian wrote:
While we're on the subject of Aussie artists Bill, how about a Jimmy Barnes track?
 
Or how about Nick's old buddy, J. G. Thirlwell.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
While we're on the subject of Aussie artists Bill, how about a Jimmy Barnes track?
Posted 9 years ago by taswegian    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:
Probably the choice track of this fantastic album, for me anyway. 10

Just finished reading https://www.thedeathofbunnymunro.com/ by Nick. . . If you are a Cave fan it is an interesting insight into his mind. . . which as we already know, seems a twisted yet magical place.  

 
now I'm seeking it out, thanks Poacher     (Nick does admit to his having a "multi-storied forehead", gotta be an awesome read!)
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Nick Cave and Warren EllisNick Cave and Warren Ellis
Posted 9 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Nick and Suzy Cave
Posted 9 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
A strong contender for one of my Desert Island Disks. 

Magnificent piece of music. I remember seeing him play this at Glastonbury a few years ago. . . it was a truly amazing experience. 
Posted 10 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
We need a "Nick " set.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I'm not a fan of Nick Cave. Never was. But this is just absolutely great! Love it.
Posted 10 years ago by midget    [ Reply ]
More Nick Cave please!!  Certainly I think some of his stuff is pretentious, however the trembling power of his voice makes the music so resonant.  Better than Nick Drake in my honest opinion (Drake played earlier in this playlist). cheers
Posted 11 years ago by suesblues    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"
 
yeah, well said.
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"
 
What he said.
Posted 12 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite Nick Cave & Seeds but would certainly enjoy hearing more from them on RP!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:


Greetings from Yonge and St Clair.
 
Greetings from Kingston and Main.

Posted 12 years ago by FooledAgain    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"
 
Nice!
Posted 13 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"


Posted 13 years ago by midreaming    [ Reply ]
Probably the choice track of this fantastic album, for me anyway. 10

Just finished reading https://www.thedeathofbunnymunro.com/ by Nick. . . If you are a Cave fan it is an interesting insight into his mind. . . which as we already know, seems a twisted yet magical place.  
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]

Nick Cave by ~Moneypenny
Melissa Dow   ©2004-2010 ~Moneypenny

Toon of the dark poet, Nick Cave. Turned out OK. If you know his music, you will easily get the reference.


Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
This one, very nice!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Fantastic transition from Rodrigo y Gabriela - Stairway to Heaven.
Posted 14 years ago by CortezTheKiller    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
Nick Cave's voice usually irritates me, but this is starting to grow on me.
 

Greetings from Yonge and St Clair.

Know what you mean about Nick Cave —- with me he's more miss than hit —- but I have this one in my Ipod.
Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 FlatCat wrote:
Great guitar line. But I so can't listen to the man sing. It's painful.
 
Agreed.

Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Nick Cave's voice usually irritates me, but this is starting to grow on me.
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Rubs me the wrong way.

I give him credit for trying to achieve soaring, but this sounds overblown to me, as do, to me, many of his songs played here.

Posted 15 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
Great guitar line. But I so can't listen to the man sing. It's painful.
Posted 15 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 shayde wrote:
Some Nick Cave hits me really hard - this is one of them.  Total volume-upper.  One of those tracks I want to sit down and learn all the words to (when i was younger I learned lyrics a lot quicker) - just so i can shout it loud in the car on the way back from a rough day at work.
 
me too (on the volume).  I dig this a lot (9)

Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Some Nick Cave hits me really hard - this is one of them.  Total volume-upper.  One of those tracks I want to sit down and learn all the words to (when i was younger I learned lyrics a lot quicker) - just so i can shout it loud in the car on the way back from a rough day at work.
Posted 15 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
I can generally take or leave his music, but he wrote an incredible (very dark, surprise) novel:

https://www.amazon.com/Ass-Saw-Angel-Nick-Cave/dp/1880985721/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239583969&sr=1-1


Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
 

Believe it, no-one could hear it quite as clear as you...............
Wonderful track, 9-10.
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
westslope wrote:
I'll second that motion.

Thirded; not yet heard the 'Abbatoir Blues' album, but what a tremedous title; having seen the instead of abbatoirs, animals queuing up for slaughter sure have the blues


Posted 16 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
I saw him in NYC for the first time last year. Muse Awards, at Terminal 5-- he did a 45minute set that was really great--even though I only knew 3 of the songs It was still great. An enthusiastic seasoned stage performer. Look into Dig, Lazarus Dig!!! And song Red Right Hand.
Posted 16 years ago by Nradv    [ Reply ]
I like Nick Cave in small doses... like maybe once a month.. not daily! I respect the music.. just not my cup o' whatever beverage i'm drinking at the time.
Posted 16 years ago by DrGonzo    [ Reply ]
joyjoy wrote:
As luck would have it, I was in the middle of buying tickets to Nick Cave when this song came on RP! I've never seen him live, anyone care to chime in on his live shows?
I saw him once at a pretty small place. He's really hot! Sorry but I hadn't realized that until I saw him in person. The music wasn't bad either!
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
As luck would have it, I was in the middle of buying tickets to Nick Cave when this song came on RP! I've never seen him live, anyone care to chime in on his live shows?
Posted 16 years ago by joyjoy    [ Reply ]
aragon wrote:
I was never a fan of Nick Cave but this one is good. Yeah...it is good.
I'll second that motion.
Posted 16 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Ugh...not Nick Cave again.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
I was never a fan of Nick Cave but this one is good. Yeah...it is good.
Posted 16 years ago by aragon    [ Reply ]
FlamingLotus wrote:
Dude, stick to physics.
Dude, don't insult physics like that.
Posted 16 years ago by Mindscrape    [ Reply ]
chyk5 wrote:
If you are at all a Nick fan, this is an essential double disc; great stuff.
New album is great too. Dig, Lazarus Dig! www.myspace.com/nickcaveandthebadseeds
Posted 16 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
If you are at all a Nick fan, this is an essential double disc; great stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
Dude, stick to physics.
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
Let the bells ring......, love this song and this CD, if this a tribute to Johnny Cash he should be very pleased indeed.
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
Not the Nick Cave that I like. Bad Seeds are not the same anymore, since Blixa Bargled went away.
Posted 16 years ago by mapomo    [ Reply ]
My favorite song from this album. Great tribute to Johnny Cash.
Posted 17 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
kult wrote:
Do you think he'd just taken heroin when he wrote that?
No, he sounds clean and sane (the way I like him!).
Posted 17 years ago by crushedvelvet    [ Reply ]
dionysius wrote:
Finally, a song I can really get behind.
d, you are sick man. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. c.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
slowhand wrote:
Got to be one of the top 50 unappreciated artists of all time.
WITHOUT A DOUBT!
Posted 17 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
This song has really grown on me.
Likewise. Was afraid ol' Nick was getting a little soft with this album, but I guess there's not really anything wrong with a little melody and some creamy production. 7 8 Edit: Plus, he's got fresh bunches o' street cred with Grinderman
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
This song has really grown on me. I think Physicsjenius has "left the building" by the way.
Posted 17 years ago by pinoy57    [ Reply ]
Omigosh! PhysicsGenius is dead?? Or do you mean "left the building" in the everyday sense? Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
This song has really grown on me. I think Physicsjenius has "left the building" by the way.
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
Kinda boring... sure isn't going anywhere..... OK already... time to move on...
Posted 17 years ago by jts11    [ Reply ]
This song has really grown on me.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
electronicshaman wrote:
there's every chance you ARE the only person
Wow. I just looked at Physicsjenius' ratings and he really _does_ think "90% of everything is crap". Of course he is willing to crawl way out on a limb, hang his bare ass out, and admit that Beethoven is not crap. Always easier to make "critical" comments...... Maybe an antidepressant/mood stabilizer is in order.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
This is likely true. There are probably hundreds of thousands of Coca-Cola commercials being played on radio stations and televisions around the world, and people are hearing them.
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
... what a wonderful combination of sounds in this!
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
there's every chance you ARE the only person
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
Posted 17 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
SaintAwesome wrote:
This song is a tribute to Johnny Cash.
Yup, was wondering what he was saying about Arkansas... that's where Johnny Cash was born.
Posted 17 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Yet another cool artist I would have overlooked but for RP. Thany you!
Posted 17 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
jgeyer wrote:
A letter Nick Cave wrote to MTV. TO ALL THOSE AT MTV, I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME OVER RECENT YEARS AND I AM BOTH GRATEFUL AND FLATTERED BY THE NOMINATIONS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FOR BEST MALE ARTIST. THE AIR PLAY GIVEN TO BOTH THE KYLIE MINOGUE AND P. J. HARVEY DUETS FROM MY LATEST ALBUM MURDER BALLADS HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED AND HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED. SO AGAIN MY SINCERE THANKS. HAVING SAID THAT, I FEEL THAT IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO REQUEST THAT MY NOMINATION FOR BEST MALE ARTIST BE WITHDRAWN AND FURTHERMORE ANY AWARDS OR NOMINATIONS FOR SUCH AWARDS THAT MAY ARISE IN LATER YEARS BE PRESENTED TO THOSE WHO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THESE AWARD CEREMONIES. I MYSELF, DO NOT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OF THE OPINION THAT MY MUSIC IS UNIQUE AND INDIVIDUAL AND EXISTS BEYOND THE REALMS INHABITED BY THOSE WHO WOULD REDUCE THINGS TO MERE MEASURING. I AM IN COMPETITION WITH NO-ONE. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MUSE IS A DELICATE ONE AT THE BEST OF TIMES AND I FEEL THAT IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT HER FROM INFLUENCES THAT MAY OFFEND HER FRAGILE NATURE. SHE COMES TO ME WITH THE GIFT OF SONG AND IN RETURN I TREAT HER WITH THE RESPECT I FEEL SHE DESERVES - IN THIS CASE THIS MEANS NOT SUBJECTING HER TO THE INDIGNITIES OF JUDGEMENT AND COMPETITION. MY MUSE IS NOT A HORSE AND I AM IN NO HORSE RACE AND IF INDEED SHE WAS, STILL I WOULD NOT HARNESS HER TO THIS TUMBREL - THIS BLOODY CART OF SEVERED HEADS AND GLITTERING PRIZES. MY MUSE MAY SPOOK! MAY BOLT! MAY ABANDON ME COMPLETELY! SO ONCE AGAIN, TO THE PEOPLE AT MTV, I APPRECIATE THE ZEAL AND ENERGY THAT WAS PUT BEHIND MY LAST RECORD, I TRULY DO AND SAY THANK YOU AND AGAIN I SAY THANK YOU BUT NO...NO THANK YOU. YOURS SINCERELY, NICK CAVE 21 OCT 96.
How the hell did you get a hold of my letter?
Posted 17 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
Finally, a song I can really get behind.
Posted 18 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Got to be one of the top 50 unappreciated artists of all time.
Posted 18 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
jgeyer wrote:
A letter Nick Cave wrote to MTV.
That's is brilliant. Some may read that and think it's another example of artists taking themselves too seriously, not me. I call it a class act.
Posted 18 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
This is a good Nick Cave song, not a great Nick Cave song. There are better songs on better records, like Tender Prey or Henry's Dream.
Posted 18 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
jgeyer wrote:
STILL I WOULD NOT HARNESS HER TO THIS TUMBREL - THIS BLOODY CART OF SEVERED HEADS AND GLITTERING PRIZES. MY MUSE MAY SPOOK! MAY BOLT! MAY ABANDON ME COMPLETELY!
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Do you think he'd just taken heroin when he wrote that?
Posted 18 years ago by kult    [ Reply ]
A letter Nick Cave wrote to MTV. TO ALL THOSE AT MTV, I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME OVER RECENT YEARS AND I AM BOTH GRATEFUL AND FLATTERED BY THE NOMINATIONS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FOR BEST MALE ARTIST. THE AIR PLAY GIVEN TO BOTH THE KYLIE MINOGUE AND P. J. HARVEY DUETS FROM MY LATEST ALBUM MURDER BALLADS HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED AND HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED. SO AGAIN MY SINCERE THANKS. HAVING SAID THAT, I FEEL THAT IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO REQUEST THAT MY NOMINATION FOR BEST MALE ARTIST BE WITHDRAWN AND FURTHERMORE ANY AWARDS OR NOMINATIONS FOR SUCH AWARDS THAT MAY ARISE IN LATER YEARS BE PRESENTED TO THOSE WHO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THESE AWARD CEREMONIES. I MYSELF, DO NOT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OF THE OPINION THAT MY MUSIC IS UNIQUE AND INDIVIDUAL AND EXISTS BEYOND THE REALMS INHABITED BY THOSE WHO WOULD REDUCE THINGS TO MERE MEASURING. I AM IN COMPETITION WITH NO-ONE. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MUSE IS A DELICATE ONE AT THE BEST OF TIMES AND I FEEL THAT IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT HER FROM INFLUENCES THAT MAY OFFEND HER FRAGILE NATURE. SHE COMES TO ME WITH THE GIFT OF SONG AND IN RETURN I TREAT HER WITH THE RESPECT I FEEL SHE DESERVES - IN THIS CASE THIS MEANS NOT SUBJECTING HER TO THE INDIGNITIES OF JUDGEMENT AND COMPETITION. MY MUSE IS NOT A HORSE AND I AM IN NO HORSE RACE AND IF INDEED SHE WAS, STILL I WOULD NOT HARNESS HER TO THIS TUMBREL - THIS BLOODY CART OF SEVERED HEADS AND GLITTERING PRIZES. MY MUSE MAY SPOOK! MAY BOLT! MAY ABANDON ME COMPLETELY! SO ONCE AGAIN, TO THE PEOPLE AT MTV, I APPRECIATE THE ZEAL AND ENERGY THAT WAS PUT BEHIND MY LAST RECORD, I TRULY DO AND SAY THANK YOU AND AGAIN I SAY THANK YOU BUT NO...NO THANK YOU. YOURS SINCERELY, NICK CAVE 21 OCT 96.
Posted 18 years ago by jgeyer    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
I just upped my rating to an 8.
Posted 18 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
tray wrote:
Very cool song, is it true that most of his songs are about Jesus? If so, I won't get the album
Dude, don't let me put you off buying a Nick Cave album! Anyone who's heard 'Murder Ballads' will know that he's hardly a pious Christian rocker (a friend of mine used to live next door to his heroin dealer). But he does seem to wrestle with some kind of belief in Jesus. He wrote a novel called 'And the Ass Saw the Angel', which is a re-casting of the nativity story set in a Faulkner-esque Deep South, and an absolutely magical song called 'Into My Arms', whose first line is 'I don't believe in an interventionist God.'
Posted 18 years ago by kult    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]