Meaning

This is one of my absolute favorite Nick Cave songs. It’s a prime example of Nick’s ability to keep you mesmerized by telling a dark and apocalyptic story. The imagery here (“Lynch mobs/Death Squads/Babies being born without brains”) is so memorable. “The tears that we will weep today will all be washed away by the tears that we will weep again tomorrow…” Nick has a real way with words.

I have to say, though, that I prefer the version on Live Seeds. Some minor lyrical changes in that version are an improvement…for example “And the walls...

Positive
Subjective
Enjoyment
Imagery
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Meaning

such a good song i love lbp

Positive
Subjective
Enjoyment
Music Appreciation
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Meaning

About the ignorance of peaople who treat Irish as being less intelligent.

Negative
Subjective
Anger
Ignorance
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Meaning

I think this is about a man and a woman dating. The woman believes that when a man pursues her that he loves her because he serves her. Then when she gets married and gets the ring, he quits. He doesn’t love her anymore. He just rules over her. Her face turns to alabaster because the romance is gone and he’s just her master.. hence the reason for the most divorced initiated by women.

Song Meaning
Negative
Subjective
Sadness
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Meaning

Nobody has picked up on the 2nd gun in the dresser drawer. He knows his wife could have another, maybe better, life without him. The gun in the closet gives his wife the option - she can use it on herself to leave life altogether, or use it on him to start a new life. The second gun is for him to use on himself if she chooses the first option. It's a love song and their love is unconditional.

Negative
Subjective
Fear
Love
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Back in the Day

Hmmm... Well we all know Kurt was famous for having multiple complex meanings behind his lyrics. I dont think anybody except Kurt himself knows EXACTLY who or what his songs are about. But anyway, here's my guess:

(This is all just my opinion)

I really think Kurt lied about the song being completely about children with cancer. Just read the lyrics and you can figure that out... Im not saying the song isn't about that at all, I just dont think he wanted to give the whole meaning of the song away. However, since Pisces and Cancer are both zodiac...

My Interpretation