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.
The Road
Nick Cave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my wife's lover's smoking gun
I don't know what I was hoping for
I hit the road at a run
I was your lover
I was your man
There never was no other
I was your friend
Till we came along this road
Till we came along this road
I ain't sent you no letters, Ma
But I'm looking quite a trip
The world spinning beneath me, Ma
Guns blazing at my hip
You were my lover
You were my friend
There never was no other
I hope you understand
Till we came along this road
Till We came along this road
Till We came along this road
The opening line of "We Came Along This Road," which reads, "I left by the back door with my wife's lover's smoking gun," sets the tone for the song - it's a story about a man who has nothing left to lose. It's clear that he has killed his wife's lover and is now on the run. The man is restless and doesn't know what he's looking for as he hits the road. The lines, "I was your lover, I was your man, There never was no other, I was your friend" suggest that the man's relationship with his wife was not as straightforward as it seemed. The mention of a lover implies a kind of infidelity, but the line "There never was no other" contradicts that idea. Perhaps the man's relationship with his wife was complicated and he was never fully sure of his place in her life.
The second verse of the song is addressed to the man's mother. He tells her that he hasn't sent any letters but he's "looking quite a trip." The world is spinning beneath him and he's armed and dangerous. This verse further establishes the man's sense of restlessness and danger. The lines "You were my lover, You were my friend, There never was no other, I hope you understand" suggest that the man's relationship with his mother was similar to his relationship with his wife - complicated and not entirely straightforward. The repetition of the line "Till we came along this road" throughout the song suggests that the journey the man is on has changed everything. The road has brought him to this dangerous place where he's killed a man and is now on the run.
Line by Line Meaning
I left by the back door
I departed in secrecy and without drawing attention
With my wife's lover's smoking gun
I took a gun that belonged to the person with whom my wife was having an affair and who had just used it
I don't know what I was hoping for
I was uncertain about what I wanted to achieve by leaving and taking the gun
I hit the road at a run
I rapidly started my journey without looking back
I was your lover
I was romantically involved with you
I was your man
I was your partner and supporter
There never was no other
I was faithful to you, there was no one else
I was your friend
I was your companion and confidant
Till we came along this road
Until we encountered the challenges and obstacles of our journey
I ain't sent you no letters, Ma
I haven't communicated with you in writing, Mother
But I'm looking quite a trip
I'm embarking on a memorable and adventurous journey
The world spinning beneath me, Ma
I'm moving forward in the world, unsure of what the future holds
Guns blazing at my hip
I'm armed and prepared for anything that may come my way
You were my lover
You and I were romantically involved
You were my friend
You and I were companions and supported each other
There never was no other
I was loyal to you, and no one else mattered
I hope you understand
I trust that you can comprehend my actions and decisions
Till we came along this road
Until we encountered the challenges and obstacles of our journey
Till We came along this road
Until we faced the journey we're now on
Till We came along this road
Until we were faced with the uncertainties and hardships of life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Nicholas Cave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
acguthrie711
This song touches me on such a deep level...there is a swaying in my soul that starts and I feel like I'm transported. Love it.
Paige Wells
This song... it moved me so deeply when my baby passed away. Every time I hear it my heart soars.
Will Sk
Be strong. Im sorry for your loss. I donno what to say, I tear for you.
Edward McNulty
Sorry for Your loss
Harry Rangi
Rest In Peace for your loss and nicks, heart moving song and movie
Carol Barber
So sorry for the loss of your baby.
T D
My heart melted when I read your comment. I am so very sorry!!!
Duane Rivera
Such a lovely tune.. so touching.. so moving.. touches the crevasses of my soul.
Sarah S
Utterly beautiful. Thank you for creating such healing music that flows through my body like liquid emotion. It has helped me through the darkest times. 💖
Mateus Baia de Oliveira
Incrível!!!!!!!