More News From Nowhere
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See my friends in high places
I don't know which is which or who is whom
They've stolen each other's faces
Janet is there with her high head and hair
Full of bedroom feathers
Janet is known to make dead men groan
In any kind of weather
I crawl over to her
I say hey baby
I say hey Janet
You are the one, you are the sun
And I'm your dutiful planet
But she ain't down with any of that
'Cause she's heard that shit before
And I say "Uh huh, oh yeah, you're right"
'Cause I see Betty X standing by the door
With more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
And it's getting strange in here
Yeah it's getting stranger every year
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere
Alright now
Now Betty X is like Betty Y minus that fatal chromosome
Her hair is like the wine dark sea in which sailors come home
I say hey baby I say hey Betty X
I lean close up to her throat
This light you are carrying is like a lamp
Hanging from a distant boat
"It is my light" says Betty X
Betty X says "This light ain't yours"
And so much wind blew through her words
That I went rolling down the hall
For more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
More news from nowhere, uh huh huh (more news from nowhere)
And it's strange in here
Yeah it gets stranger every year
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere, uh huh huh
I turn another corner
I go down a corridor
And I see this guy
He must be about one hundred foot tall
And he only has one eye
He asks me for my autograph
I write nobody and then
I wrap myself up in my woolly coat
And I blind him with my pen
'Cause someone must have stuck something in my drink
Everything's getting strange lookin'
Half the people have turned into squealing pigs
The other half are cooking
Well let me out of here I cried
And I went pushing past
And I saw Miss Polly singing with some girls
I cried, "Strap me to the mast"
For more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere, uh huh huh (more news from nowhere)
It's getting strange in here
And it gets stranger every year
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Well then a black girl with no clothes on
She danced across the room
We charted the progress of the planets
Around that boogie woogie moon
I called her my Nubian princess
Gave her some sweet back fatass jive
Spent the next seven years between her legs
A-pining for my wife
But then by and by it all went wrong
I fell washed up on a shore
She stared down at me from up in the storm
And I sopped up on the floor
For more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere uh huh huh (more news from nowhere)
And don't it make you feel alone
Don't it make you wanna get right on home
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
More news from nowhere, let me hear it now
Well here comes Elena with two black eyes
She's given herself a transfusion
She's filled herself with panda blood
To avoid all the confusion
I say the sun rises and falls with you
And various things about love
But a rising violence in me cuts all my circuits off
Well Elena she starts screaming
Her cheeks are full of psychotropic leaves
Her extinction was nearly absolute
When she turned her back on me
For more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
I said more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
And it's getting strange in here
Yeah it gets stranger every year
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere
Alright
Alright
I bump and crash into Deanna
Hanging pretty in the door frame
All the horrors that have befallen me
Well Deanna is to blame
Every time I see you baby
You make me feel so unalone
And I wipe my face into her dress
Long after she'd gone home
With more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
And don't it make you feel alone
Yeah and don't it make you wanna get right back home
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere
Alright
And don't it make you feel so sad
Don't the blood rush to your feet
To think that everything you do today
Tomorrow is obsolete
Technology and women
And little children too
Don't it make you feel blue
Don't it make you feel blue
For more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
With more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Don't it make you feel alone
Yeah and don't it make you wanna get right back home
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Yeah more news from nowhere
One last time
Well I gotta say
Yeah I gotta say
Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye
The lyrics to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds's song "More News From Nowhere" are a surreal and stream-of-consciousness narrative that explore themes of identity, love, technology, and existentialism. The song begins with the singer in his room, surrounded by friends who have "stolen each other's faces." He crawls over to Janet, who is known to make dead men groan, only to be rebuffed as he sees Betty X standing by the door with more news from nowhere. Betty X is described as being like Betty Y minus a chromosome, with hair like the wine-dark sea. The singer leans in close to her throat and tells her that the light she is carrying is like a lamp hanging from a distant boat. Betty X replies that the light is hers, and a gust of wind blows through her words. The singer is then thrown down the hall as he hears more news from nowhere.
As the song progresses, the singer encounters a giant with one eye, half of the people in the room turning into squealing pigs while the other half are cooking, and a black girl with no clothes on dancing across the room. The singer calls her his Nubian princess and spends the next seven years with her. However, it all goes wrong, and he finds himself washed up on a shore. Elena then enters with two black eyes and has filled herself with panda blood to avoid confusion. Deanna is then blamed for all the horrors that have befallen the singer.
The final verse considers themes of technology and existentialism, reflecting on how everything the singer does today is obsolete tomorrow. The song ends with the singer bidding farewell and goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk into the corner of my room
I enter a state of introspection and solitude
See my friends in high places
Observe the influential and powerful people in my life
I don't know which is which or who is whom
Unable to distinguish the true character or motives of those around me
They've stolen each other's faces
They have adopted personas or masks, hiding their true identities
Janet is there with her high head and hair
Janet presents herself with confidence and extravagance
Full of bedroom feathers
Exuding sensuality and allure
Janet is known to make dead men groan
Janet has a seductive power over men, capable of arousing desire
In any kind of weather
Regardless of circumstances or conditions
I crawl over to her
I move closer to her with a mix of curiosity and desire
I say hey baby
I greet her with affection and intimacy
I say hey Janet
I address her by name, acknowledging her presence
You are the one, you are the sun
You are my only love, my source of warmth and light
And I'm your dutiful planet
I am devoted to orbiting around you, supporting you
But she ain't down with any of that
However, she is not interested or impressed by my affection
'Cause she's heard that shit before
She has previously encountered insincere or repetitive declarations of love
And I say 'Uh huh, oh yeah, you're right'
I reluctantly agree and reassure her that she is correct
'Cause I see Betty X standing by the door
Because I notice that Betty X, another person of interest, is nearby
With more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
Betty X brings her own mysterious and captivating experiences or stories
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
She adds to the enigmatic and uncertain atmosphere
And it's getting strange in here
The situation is becoming increasingly bizarre and unsettling
Yeah it's getting stranger every year
Each passing year brings more unpredictability and confusion
Now Betty X is like Betty Y minus that fatal chromosome
Betty X resembles Betty Y, but without a specific genetic factor
Her hair is like the wine dark sea in which sailors come home
Her hair possesses a captivating and alluring quality
I say hey baby I say hey Betty X
I address Betty X in an affectionate and intimate manner
I lean close up to her throat
I approach her closely, showing vulnerability and closeness
This light you are carrying is like a lamp
I compare the radiance or aura she possesses to a guiding light
Hanging from a distant boat
Like a distant, unreachable source of illumination
'It is my light' says Betty X
Betty X claims ownership of her own inner radiance
Betty X says 'This light ain't yours'
She asserts that her light does not belong to anyone else
And so much wind blew through her words
Her words conveyed a sense of uncertainty or instability
That I went rolling down the hall
I was emotionally overwhelmed or disoriented by her statement
I turn another corner
I continue on my journey or exploration
I go down a corridor
I move along a long passageway or path
And I see this guy
I encounter an unfamiliar individual
He must be about one hundred foot tall
He appears extremely tall and imposing
And he only has one eye
He possesses a single eye, indicating a unique perspective
He asks me for my autograph
He requests my signature or endorsement
I write nobody and then
I sign the autograph with the word 'nobody'
I wrap myself up in my woolly coat
I protect myself or retreat into my comfort zone
And I blind him with my pen
I use my pen to obscure or dazzle his vision
'Cause someone must have stuck something in my drink
I suspect that someone tampered with my beverage
Everything's getting strange lookin'
The surroundings or circumstances appear increasingly peculiar
Half the people have turned into squealing pigs
Some individuals have transformed into repulsive, animalistic beings
The other half are cooking
The remaining people are engaged in unusual or disturbing activities
Well let me out of here I cried
I express a desperate desire to escape the unnerving situation
And I went pushing past
I forcefully maneuvered my way through the crowd
And I saw Miss Polly singing with some girls
I observe Miss Polly, along with other female companions, engaged in singing
I cried, 'Strap me to the mast'
I pleaded for restraint or protection against the chaos surrounding me
Well here comes Elena with two black eyes
Elena approaches with visible injuries or bruises
She's given herself a transfusion
She has undergone a self-administered medical procedure
She's filled herself with panda blood
She has injected herself with panda blood, seeking a radical change or transformation
To avoid all the confusion
In order to escape the tumultuous and bewildering circumstances
I say the sun rises and falls with you
I declare that her presence affects the entire course of my life
And various things about love
And various aspects or concepts related to love
But a rising violence in me cuts all my circuits off
However, an increasing aggression or hostility within me disrupts my emotional balance
Well Elena she starts screaming
Elena begins to cry out or express distress
Her cheeks are full of psychotropic leaves
Her face exhibits the effects of consuming mind-altering substances
Her extinction was nearly absolute
She came dangerously close to experiencing total annihilation or disappearance
When she turned her back on me
When she rejected or abandoned our connection
And don't it make you feel alone
Doesn't this situation evoke a sense of isolation or loneliness?
Don't it make you wanna get right on home
Doesn't it make you desire to return to a place of comfort and familiarity?
I bump and crash into Deanna
I accidentally collide with Deanna
Hanging pretty in the door frame
She stands gracefully and attractively in the doorway
All the horrors that have befallen me
All the terrible experiences or events that have affected me
Well Deanna is to blame
I attribute these hardships to Deanna
Every time I see you baby
Whenever I encounter you, my affection is reignited
You make me feel so unalone
You provide a sense of companionship and connection
And I wipe my face into her dress
I seek comfort or solace by burying my face in her clothing
Long after she'd gone home
Even after she has left or departed
And don't it make you feel so sad
Doesn't it evoke a profound sense of sorrow?
Don't the blood rush to your feet
Doesn't it create an intense emotional response?
To think that everything you do today
To consider that every action you take today
Tomorrow is obsolete
Will be rendered irrelevant or insignificant tomorrow
Technology and women
Advancements in technology and the complexities of relationships
And little children too
As well as the innocence and vulnerability of children
Don't it make you feel blue
Doesn't it evoke a deep sense of melancholy?
Well then a black girl with no clothes on
Next, a naked black woman enters the scene
She danced across the room
She energetically and sensually moves through the space
We charted the progress of the planets
We observed the movement and alignment of celestial bodies
Around that boogie woogie moon
Around the vibrant and lively moon, representing joy and celebration
I called her my Nubian princess
I affectionately referred to her as a regal and beautiful African woman
Gave her some sweet back fatass jive
Engaged in flirtatious and playful banter with her
Spent the next seven years between her legs
Engaged in a prolonged sexual relationship with her
A-pining for my wife
However, I longed for my wife during this time
But then by and by it all went wrong
Gradually, everything turned sour or went awry
I fell washed up on a shore
I became stranded or emotionally wounded
She stared down at me from up in the storm
She looked down upon me with disdain or indifference
And I sopped up on the floor
I remained on the ground, soaked in defeat or sadness
Well here comes Elena with two black eyes
Elena returns, now with visible injuries or bruises
She's given herself a transfusion
She has once again administered a self-induced medical procedure
She's filled herself with panda blood
She has injected herself with panda blood once more
To avoid all the confusion
In a desperate attempt to escape the chaos and uncertainty
I say the sun rises and falls with you
I reiterate that her presence greatly influences my world
And various things about love
And various aspects or components of love
But a rising violence in me cuts all my circuits off
Yet again, my increasing aggression disrupts my emotional balance
Well Elena she starts screaming
Once again, Elena cries out or expresses distress
Her cheeks are full of psychotropic leaves
Her face displays the effects of consuming mind-altering substances
Her extinction was nearly absolute
She was on the brink of complete destruction or annihilation
When she turned her back on me
When she rejected or abandoned me once more
And don't it make you feel alone
Doesn't this situation evoke a sense of isolation or loneliness?
Doesn't it make you wanna get right back home
Doesn't it make you desire to return to a place of comfort and familiarity?
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The cycle of unexpected events and revelations continues
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The flow of unfamiliar and perplexing information persists
And it's getting strange in here
The environment or situation is becoming increasingly bizarre and unsettling
Yeah it gets stranger every year
Each passing year presents new levels of strangeness and confusion
I bump and crash into Deanna
Once again, I collide with Deanna
Hanging pretty in the door frame
She remains poised and attractive in the entrance
All the horrors that have befallen me
All the terrible experiences or events that have affected me
Well Deanna is to blame
I continue to attribute these hardships to Deanna
Every time I see you baby
Whenever I encounter you, my affection is reignited
You make me feel so unalone
You provide a sense of companionship and connection
And I wipe my face into her dress
I seek comfort or solace by burying my face in her clothing
Long after she'd gone home
Even after she has left or departed
And don't it make you feel so sad
Doesn't it evoke a profound sense of sorrow?
Don't the blood rush to your feet
Doesn't it create an intense emotional response?
To think that everything you do today
To consider that every action you take today
Tomorrow is obsolete
Will be rendered irrelevant or insignificant tomorrow
Technology and women
Advancements in technology and the complexities of relationships
And little children too
As well as the innocence and vulnerability of children
Don't it make you feel blue
Doesn't it evoke a deep sense of melancholy?
Well then a black girl with no clothes on
Once again, a naked black woman enters the scene
She danced across the room
She energetically and sensually moves through the space
We charted the progress of the planets
We observed the movement and alignment of celestial bodies
Around that boogie woogie moon
Around the vibrant and lively moon, representing joy and celebration
I called her my Nubian princess
I affectionately referred to her as a regal and beautiful African woman
Gave her some sweet back fatass jive
Engaged in flirtatious and playful banter with her
Spent the next seven years between her legs
Engaged in a prolonged sexual relationship with her
A-pining for my wife
However, I longed for my wife during this time
But then by and by it all went wrong
Gradually, everything turned sour or went awry
I fell washed up on a shore
I became stranded or emotionally wounded
She stared down at me from up in the storm
She looked down upon me with disdain or indifference
And I sopped up on the floor
I remained on the ground, soaked in defeat or sadness
Well here comes Elena with two black eyes
Elena returns, now with visible injuries or bruises
She's given herself a transfusion
She has once again administered a self-induced medical procedure
She's filled herself with panda blood
She has injected herself with panda blood once more
To avoid all the confusion
In a desperate attempt to escape the chaos and uncertainty
I say the sun rises and falls with you
I reiterate that her presence greatly influences my world
And various things about love
And various aspects or components of love
But a rising violence in me cuts all my circuits off
Yet again, my increasing aggression disrupts my emotional balance
Well Elena she starts screaming
Once again, Elena cries out or expresses distress
Her cheeks are full of psychotropic leaves
Her face displays the effects of consuming mind-altering substances
Her extinction was nearly absolute
She was on the brink of complete destruction or annihilation
When she turned her back on me
When she rejected or abandoned me once more
And don't it make you feel alone
Doesn't this situation evoke a sense of isolation or loneliness?
Doesn't it make you wanna get right back home
Doesn't it make you desire to return to a place of comfort and familiarity?
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The cycle of unexpected events and revelations continues
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The flow of unfamiliar and perplexing information persists
And it's getting strange in here
The environment or situation is becoming increasingly bizarre and unsettling
Yeah it gets stranger every year
Each passing year presents new levels of strangeness and confusion
I bump and crash into Deanna
Once again, I collide with Deanna
Hanging pretty in the door frame
She remains poised and attractive in the entrance
All the horrors that have befallen me
All the terrible experiences or events that have affected me
Well Deanna is to blame
I continue to attribute these hardships to Deanna
Every time I see you baby
Whenever I encounter you, my affection is reignited
You make me feel so unalone
You provide a sense of companionship and connection
And I wipe my face into her dress
I seek comfort or solace by burying my face in her clothing
Long after she'd gone home
Even after she has left or departed
And don't it make you feel so sad
Doesn't it evoke a profound sense of sorrow?
Don't the blood rush to your feet
Doesn't it create an intense emotional response?
To think that everything you do today
To consider that every action you take today
Tomorrow is obsolete
Will be rendered irrelevant or insignificant tomorrow
Technology and women
Advancements in technology and the complexities of relationships
And little children too
As well as the innocence and vulnerability of children
Don't it make you feel blue
Doesn't it evoke a deep sense of melancholy?
Well here comes Elena with two black eyes
Once again, Elena returns with visible injuries or bruises
She's given herself a transfusion
She has once again administered a self-induced medical procedure
She's filled herself with panda blood
She has injected herself with panda blood once more
To avoid all the confusion
In a desperate attempt to escape the chaos and uncertainty
I say the sun rises and falls with you
I reiterate that her presence greatly influences my world
And various things about love
And various aspects or components of love
But a rising violence in me cuts all my circuits off
Yet again, my increasing aggression disrupts my emotional balance
Well Elena she starts screaming
Once again, Elena cries out or expresses distress
Her cheeks are full of psychotropic leaves
Her face displays the effects of consuming mind-altering substances
Her extinction was nearly absolute
She was on the brink of complete destruction or annihilation
When she turned her back on me
When she rejected or abandoned me once more
And don't it make you feel alone
Doesn't this situation evoke a sense of isolation or loneliness?
Doesn't it make you wanna get right back home
Doesn't it make you desire to return to a place of comfort and familiarity?
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The cycle of unexpected events and revelations continues
Yeah more news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The flow of unfamiliar and perplexing information persists
And it's getting strange in here
The environment or situation is becoming increasingly bizarre and unsettling
Yeah it gets stranger every year
Each passing year presents new levels of strangeness and confusion
More news from nowhere (more news from nowhere)
The influx of mysterious and bewildering updates continues
Yeah more news from nowhere
An endless stream of unpredictable information
Alright now
The situation is accepted or acknowledged
Alright
An affirmation or acceptance of the circumstances
Alright
Peaceful acceptance of the current situation
Well I gotta say
I must express or admit
Yeah I gotta say
I really need to state or confess
Goodbye
Parting words, a farewell
Goodbye
A final farewell
Goodbye
An ending or departure
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Mute Song Limited, Sentric Music
Written by: Jim Sclavunos, Martyn Casey, Nicholas Cave, Warren Ellis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stugel1970
This song is so different from most of Nick's stuff, most of which is fantastic, but for some reason this song is stuck to me like glue since the first minute of the first time I heard it! <3
@theresalemieux6993
it is mesmerizing.
@chrisswiger6498
I love this song. I wasn't aware Nick Cave owned a t-shirt.
@susanlukachko3926
Nick cave laz
@anthonybruni1967
I am getting pulp fiction flashbacks where Vince and Jules had to wear t-shirts after they shot poor Marvin in the car. I imagine something similar happened to Nick before the shoot.
@ailijase8
😂😂🤣😂🤣
@traviscarey4142
Please see the Stagger Lee vid
@katsconcertvids
I know this comment is YEARS old but it made me LOL
@flannerymonaghan-morris4825
Bet that Nick and the band had a ton of fun making these videos, you can tell that Nick is clearly having a freaking blast.
Also, is it me, or does he look kind of like the late race car driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. with that ‘stache of his?
@elinaolifer
Okay, those dance moves at 6:17 had me choking on my whiskey.