Born and raised in rural Victoria, Cave studied art before fronting The Birthday Party, one of Melbourne's leading post-punk bands, in the late 1970s. They relocated to London in 1980, but, disillusioned by life there, evolved towards a darker, more challenging sound, and acquired a reputation as "the most violent live band in the world". At this time, Cave, with his shock of black hair and pale, emaciated look, became an unwilling gothic rock poster boy. Soon after the band's break-up in 1983, Cave formed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Much of the band's early material was set in a mythic American Deep South, drawing on spirituals and Delta blues, while Cave's preoccupation with Old Testament notions of good versus evil culminated in what has been called his signature song, "The Mercy Seat" (1988). The 1990s saw Cave achieve greater commercial success with quieter, piano-driven ballads, notably the Kylie Minogue duet "Where the Wild Roses Grow" (1996), and "Into My Arms" (1997). More recent releases, including the band's 17th and latest LP, Ghosteen (2019), feature increasingly abstract lyrics from Cave, as well as elements of ambient and electronic music. Grinderman, Cave's garage rock side project, has released two albums since 2006.
Cave co-wrote, scored and starred in the 1988 Australian prison film Ghosts... of the Civil Dead (1988), directed by John Hillcoat. He also wrote the screenplay for Hillcoat's bushranger film The Proposition (2005), and composed the soundtrack with frequent collaborator Warren Ellis. The pair's film score credits include The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), The Road (2009), Lawless (2012), and Hell or High Water (2016). Cave is the subject of several films, including the semi-fictional "day in the life" 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), and the documentary One More Time with Feeling (2016). Cave has also released two novels: And the Ass Saw the Angel (1989) and The Death of Bunny Munro (2009).
Cave's work has become the subject of academic study, and his songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, including Johnny Cash ("The Mercy Seat"), Metallica ("Loverman") and Snoop Dogg ("Red Right Hand"). He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, and named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2017.
I'm Your Man
Nick Cave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
And if you want a partner, take my hand
And if you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand, I'm your man
And if you want boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
And if you want a driver, climb inside
If you want to take me for a ride
You know you can 'cause I'm your man
Ah, the moon's too bright, the chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
I've crawled to you, baby
And I fall at your feet
I've howled at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
And I've called at your heart
And I tear at your sheet
I said please, 'cause I'm your man
And if you got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work this street alone
I'll disappear for you
And if you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while
'Cross the sands, well, I'm your man
Ah, the moon's too bright, the chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
I've crawled to you, baby
And I fall at your feet
I've howled at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
I've called at your heart
And I tear at your sheets
I said please, 'cause I'm your man, I'm your man
Cause I'm your man
In "I'm Your Man," Nick Cave offers himself up to his lover, willing to be whoever or whatever she needs him to be. He promises to be her lover, partner, boxer, and doctor. He is willing to do anything for her, even if it means wearing a mask or being struck down in anger. The lyrics are a testament to the lengths that love can drive someone to go. The chorus further emphasizes this devotion, as Cave declares that he is her man, and will do whatever it takes to prove that to her.
The verses meanwhile have the underlying message that Cave is human, and that his efforts to fulfill promises to his lover have failed in the past. The image of a "beast" that won't go to sleep evokes a sense of restlessness and discontent within himself, and the lines "Ah, but a man never got a woman back/Not by begging on his knees" show the emotional toll his previous failed promises have taken on him. Despite this, however, he is still willing to do whatever it takes to be what his lover needs.
Overall, "I'm Your Man" is a song about the all-encompassing power of love, that one is willing to go to any length or effort to prove their devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
I am willing to go above and beyond to fulfill your desires if you want me as your lover.
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a different kind of love than what I offer, I will adapt and change myself to meet your expectations.
And if you want a partner, take my hand
If you want a partner in life, someone to share your journey with, I am here for you.
And if you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand, I'm your man
Even if you become angry with me and want to hurt me, I will still stand by you and be there for you as your man.
And if you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
If you need someone to fight for you or defend you, I am willing to do so, like a professional boxer.
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want someone to care for you, make sure you are healthy and whole, I will do so, like a doctor who examines every inch of their patient.
And if you want a driver, climb inside
If you want to take me for a ride
You know you can 'cause I'm your man
If you need someone to drive you around or take you for a ride, I am willing to be your chauffeur because I belong to you and am at your service.
Ah, the moon's too bright, the chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and could not keep
Sometimes life is unpredictable and there are things outside of our control. I have made promises to you and tried my best to keep them, but sometimes things happen that prevent me from doing so.
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Begging and pleading for someone's affection or forgiveness never works; actions speak louder than words.
I've crawled to you, baby
And I fall at your feet
I've howled at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
I have expressed my love and desire for you in many ways, even in ways that might seem undignified, because that is how much you mean to me.
And I've called at your heart
And I tear at your sheet
I said please, 'cause I'm your man
I have tried to appeal to your emotions and connect deeply with you, even if it means taking risks or making myself vulnerable, because I am dedicated to you as your man.
And if you got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work this street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you need to rest, I will take care of everything and make sure you are safe. If you need space or time alone, I will respect your wishes and step back.
And if you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while
'Cross the sands, well, I'm your man
Whether you are looking for someone to be a father figure to your child, or just want a companion to walk with you through life, I am willing to be that person for you.
Cause I'm your man
I am completely devoted to you and belong to you as your man.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
moenbase
on Nick Cave & Enya - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Don't fear the reaper isn't sung by Cave. It's H.I.M. And... the lyrics is from a completely different song; Disco 2000, original by Pulp, but yea, also sung by Cave.