# Why I would invite Nick Cave to that mythical dinner party **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 11, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208 "2005-01-11T14:27:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/1 "2005-01-11T14:27:48Z")
From his newest CD _Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus_: **Nature Boy** _I was just a boy when I sat down To watch the news on TV I saw some ordinary slaughter I saw some routine atrocity_ Now that’s how to start a love song. Later he meets his gal (at the flower show): \*You said, hey, nature boy are you looking at me With some unrighteous intention? My knees went weak, I couldn’t speak, I was having thoughts That were not in my best interests to mention. And she moves among the flowers And she floats upon the smoke She moves among the shadows She moves me with just one little look\* Really lovely song but really what goes on in your head: _The Firstborn is Dead Your Funeral… My Trial Tender Prey Murder Ballads_ cheery album titles. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/2 "2005-01-11T15:13:10Z")
I love Nick Cave, but my perception of him is that only “music people” know who he is, kind of like Tom Waits. He is ignored by radio, and fans have to know him or seek him out–everyone else is clueless. Is he more of a star or celebrity in his native Australia, or does his music receive any mainstream airplay? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/3 "2005-01-11T15:30:25Z")
No he doesn’t have hits in Australia but he is well known. However we have a national radio station that is government sponsored - JJJ, triple J or “the Js”, it has no advertising and they play whatever they like. They broadcast all over the country and can be heard anywhere even out in the bush. Currently the albums they are featuring are: Pinback - ‘Summer In Abaddon’ Kaada/Patton - ‘Romances’ 2UP - ‘Player’s Club’ Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - ‘Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus’ Blues Explosion - ‘Damage’ Dresden Dolls - ‘Dresden Dolls’ Urthboy - ‘Random Sense Of Menace’ The Dears - ‘No Cities Left’ Bang Gang - ‘Something Wrong’ Aberfeldy - ‘Young Forever’ If you go [here](http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/default.htm) you can listen to them live 24/7. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/4 "2005-01-11T15:30:40Z")
I don’t think he’s really lived in Australia for years - I thought he flitted between Germany and the UK. He’s huge in certain circles, but otherwise not so well known. But…I think a lot of people know “Red Right Hand” and don’t neccesarily know the artist, as it seems to crop up on a lot of soundtracks. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/5 "2005-01-11T15:33:48Z")
I think he’s fairly well known in the UK, if only for doing the duet with Kylie Minogue a few years ago. I know he’s basically unheard of in the States, aside from the music people Lou states. Man’s one of the finest lyricists of our time IMO. Theres a great sense of humour in what would appear deadly serious music there too, plus the Bad Seeds are some of the most talented multi instrumentalists musicians around. Saw him live last November. It was fucking brilliant. “Woke up this morning, a frappachino in my hand…” ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/6 "2005-01-11T15:40:42Z")
My favorite is Deanna, which is truly a twisted love song. It is about him and Deanna, who go on a murder spree and are in love. I just love the lines: > [@](#): > > We discuss the murder plan > We discuss murder and the murder act > Murder takes the wheel of your Cadillac > And death climbs in the back You can totally hear this psychotic killer just manic about murder and just talking about it with his lover like a bizarre sexual fetish. He often manages to twist the strangest things into his prettiest love songs. Like when he sings “Come loose your dogs upon me” in The Ship Song. When he tries to be dark (“The Mercy Seat”, “Curse of Millhaven”, “Papa Won’t Leave You Henry”) it is just a thing of majesty. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/7 "2005-01-11T15:47:03Z")
Oh I just wanted to add that I got into him through Israeli relatives. He seems to have quite a following over there. But I have turned a number of people onto him (I’m in the US). He doesn’t get much acclaim, but he is one of those people that a lot of music people know. I think the comparison with Tom Waits is a good one: lyrically driven, often dark music. I’ve seen him once, in 1994, when he was one of the main acts on the Lollapalooza tour along with people like Green Day, A Tribe Called Quest, The Breeders, Smashing Pumpkins, the Beastie Boys, and the P-Funk Allstars (Stereolab, the Boo Radleys, Shonen Knife, and a few others were on the second stage when I saw it). He definitely has a following and will definitely fill up shows. ---
**Author:** ![Hot\_Buttered\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b38774/32.png) [@Hot\_Buttered\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hot_Buttered_Toast)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/8 "2005-01-11T15:50:18Z")
Sadly, most of my friends only know him as “that guy who sang Where The Wild Roses Grow with Kylie”. I love his voice, though. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/9 "2005-01-11T16:00:24Z")
I might just add that you don’t sell out 3 nights at the Brixton Academy by being an unknown also. Plus anyone who can write a 40 verse, 15 minute long song like ‘Babe, i’m on fire’ kicks arse in my book. The videos DVD is also highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/10 "2005-01-11T16:04:26Z")
Have Nick Cave and Tom Waits ever collaborated? Does anyone know if they even know each other, or are friends or fans of each other’s work? It seems like they have a lot in common, lyrically and musically, and it might be an amazing thing if they ever combined efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/11 "2005-01-11T17:14:06Z")
I just love Murder Ballads for their dark dark humour. > [@](#): > > And the fire of '91 that razed the bella vista slum > There was the biggest shit-fight this country’s ever seen > Insurance companies ruined, land lords getting sued > All cause of wee girl with a can of gasoline > Those flames really roared when the wind started blowing > La la la la la la la lie > Rich man, poor man, all got to die ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/12 "2005-01-11T17:38:56Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > Man’s one of the finest lyricists of our time IMO. Second that. ---
**Author:** ![Alma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alma)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/13 "2005-01-11T17:56:30Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > Man’s one of the finest lyricists of our time IMO. Theres a great sense of humour in what would appear deadly serious music there too And thirded. “Poor Orpheus woke up with a start All amongst the rotting dead His lyre tacked safe under his arm His brains all down his head” Brilliant. I’m so in love with the new album. ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/14 "2005-01-11T18:00:19Z")
My Ecclectic sampling and packrat habits left me with a bootleg copy of ‘Tender Prey’ that I’d play from time to time. When I heard that Johnny Cash had covered ‘Mercy Seat’, my jaw dropped. When I actually heard it, I was amazed at how much justice he did it. Plus it was the first time I actually understood all the lyrics. Nick can Mumble, at times. As sick tribute to the wide range of my musical collection, the other side of that particular TDK90 is Soft Cell’s _Non Stop Erotic Caberet_ ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/15 "2005-01-11T18:16:07Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > Man’s one of the finest lyricists of our time IMO. Theres a great sense of humour in what would appear deadly serious music there too Fourthed. Nick Cave is one of the few musicians who sings angry and depressing stuff without a heavy metal background (Leonard Cohen is another one). And when he stops singing about death and mutilation for a second and sings about something nice - its devine. Prime example - Into My Arms. I know he has a small but very loyal fan base in Russia, a lot of famous people over there have publicly claimed to be enjoy his work. Now if only we could find out why wikipedia lists him as a goth? ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/16 "2005-01-11T18:22:22Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > No he doesn’t have hits in Australia but he is well known. However we have a national radio station that is government sponsored - JJJ, triple J or “the Js”, it has no advertising and they play whatever they like. They broadcast all over the country and can be heard anywhere even out in the bush. Currently the albums they are featuring are: > > \ > > Dresden Dolls - ‘Dresden Dolls’ The Dresden Dolls are getting international exposure? Cool! If you like Nick Cave, you should check out the Dresden Dolls–they’re vaguely like what Cave does when he’s being showtuney. You should also check out A Midnite Choir–imagine the unholy offspring of Tom Waits and Spike Jones. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/17 "2005-01-11T22:12:11Z")
Love Nick Cave. I have been rather remiss and have failed so far to pick up his latest release. All the buzz seems to suggest that it’s one of the best albums going around right now. I think i’ll get online right now and order it. How many people have it? How do you think it compares to his previous stuff? ---
**Author:** ![blackhobyah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blackhobyah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blackhobyah)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/18 "2005-01-11T23:56:54Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > Theres a great sense of humour in what would appear deadly serious music there too, " That’s one of the things I love about Nick Cave, the sly thread of humour that runs through even the Bad Seed’s most violent work. “Murder Ballads” is both terribly blood thirsty and violent and laugh out loud funny. And he’s a brilliant lyricist, with a grasp of melody that should make hacks like Andrew Llyod Webber cry themselves to sleep. If I had to choose only one album to listen to for the rest of my life it would probably be “The Good Son”, but I’ve loved most of the stuff Cave and his band have done since the Boy’s Next Door. “Prayers on Fire” still gives me the chills, and I have a very soft spot for “Tender Prey” and “Kicking Against the Pricks”, which is a collection of covers. The Bad Seeds are a killer live band as well. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/19 "2005-01-12T00:20:17Z")
Must just ‘fifth’ the former compliments to The Man. It annoys me, but only slightly, that newcomers to Cave hear him as a misery when he compared to so many over-serious, po-faced pretenders, he’s as witty as they come. To the Russian (?), he’ll probably be referred to as a goth due to his general darkness plus his 80s outfit the Birthday Party, and involvement with the dodgy German industrialists Einstuerzende Neubauten, who, in my tiny knowledge, are fairly darned creepy, melancholic yet beautiful (at times). Now can anyone remind me of the serious cosmological poser I was meaning to post? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-invite-nick-cave-to-that-mythical-dinner-party/284208/20 "2005-01-15T16:27:59Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Love Nick Cave. I have been rather remiss and have failed so far to pick up his latest release. All the buzz seems to suggest that it’s one of the best albums going around right now. I think i’ll get online right now and order it. > > How many people have it? How do you think it compares to his previous stuff? Well, i can answer my own question now, having taken delivery of _Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus_ yesterday. I’ve listend to it a couple of times now, and it’s well up to his usual standards. Excellent music and brilliant lyrics, as usual, all in a nice understated cloth case. Two thumbs up.