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.
Cosmic Dancer
Nick Cave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was dancing when I was twelve
I was dancing when I was out
I was dancing when I was out
I danced myself right out the womb
I danced myself right out the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon?
I was dancing when I was eight
I was dancing when I was eight
Is it strange to dance so late?
Is it strange to dance so late?
Oh
Oh
I danced myself into the tomb
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it strange to dance so soon?
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it wrong to understand
The fear that dwells inside a man?
What's it like to be alone
I liken it to a balloon
Oh
Oh
I danced myself out of the womb
I danced myself out of the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon?
I danced myself into the tomb
The lyrics to Nick Cave's song "Cosmic Dancer" are introspective and thought-provoking. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the repetition of "I was dancing when I was twelve" and "I was dancing when I was out" creating a sense of rhythm that is mirrored in the following verses. The second and fourth lines of each verse change slightly, with the singer replacing "twelve" with "eight" and "out" with "into the tomb," respectively. This repetition and variation creates a sense of circularity, as though the singer is trapped in a cycle of dance and death.
The chorus, "Is it strange to dance so soon?" is repeated throughout the song, implying that the singer is dancing towards their own death. The second half of the song introduces new concepts, with the singer questioning the nature of fear and loneliness, and likening the latter to a balloon. The final verse features a change in tense, with the singer describing how they "danced" themselves out of the womb, suggesting that dance and movement are central to their sense of self.
Overall, the lyrics to "Cosmic Dancer" are poetic and elliptical, leaving much open to interpretation. The repetition of certain phrases creates a sense of rhythm and circularity, while the questions raised by the singer invite the listener to contemplate larger philosophical issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I was dancing when I was twelve
The singer began dancing at a young age of twelve.
I was dancing when I was out
The singer was still dancing even when they were outside.
I danced myself right out the womb
The singer metaphorically danced their way through birth and into the world.
Is it strange to dance so soon?
The artist questions whether it's unconventional to enjoy something as early as birth.
I was dancing when I was eight
The artist continued dancing even as they grew older.
Is it strange to dance so late?
The singer questions whether it's odd to enjoy something at an older age like eight.
I danced myself into the tomb
The singer metaphorically danced their way through life and into the afterlife.
Is it wrong to understand
The fear that dwells inside a man?
The artist contemplates whether it's admirable to understand and accept the fear that's present within people.
What's it like to be alone
I liken it to a balloon
The artist compares the feeling of solitude to a balloon that can either be afloat or deflate depending on external factors.
I danced myself out of the womb
The artist reaffirms that they've always enjoyed dancing since birth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Marc Bolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@evaknebel6185
My son took his own live on the first of may this year, he was 20 years old. This song is writen for young people with old souls. I know he is in an other atmosphere right now looking at me and giving me comfort. Just by knowing that he is at peace I can go on with my life. Live this life he no langer had to live.
@kidovthe1truekingahillbill586
So sorry to hear . I understand I lost my baby brother I loved dearly we was really close he passed at 40 14 years ago it was tragic he fell on a construction site. Peace and love to you and your family.
@chrisnash6992
My heart goes out to you -our daughter took her own life over 2 years ago. It's a grief like no other. Music is one of the few things which helps.
@scarletTryst
Much love and strength to you <3
@evaknebel6185
@@kidovthe1truekingahillbill586 thank you for your kind words, I wish you and your loved ones all the best.
@evaknebel6185
@@chrisnash6992 It is such a pain, only those who have gone trough the same can understand. I have lost my parents and a sister, but nothing compares to this. My writing helps me, and music also. I hope you will get to terms with the desicion that your daughter has made and wish you all the best. Thank you for your reaction.
@DJB_1993
Cave brings so much emotion into this song. He's singing for Marc, but also his father, and his son.
@LeonElse
if you like nick cave maybe you will like my song WEB OF LIES would be awesome if you could check it out if you hav time :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4-TjjTrU1Y&lc=Ugy_-dwmZ15BzXBNFZp4AaABAg
@truefunksoul8638
How on Earth would you know who or what Nick is singing this song for?
@ricardojmestre
@@truefunksoul8638 good point