Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — Jesus of The Moon
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Length: 3:18
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I stepped out of the St. James hotel
And I left you behind curled up like a child
A change is gonna come
And as the door whispered shut
I walked on down the high-windowed hall
You lay sleeping on the unmade bed
The weatherman on the television in the St. James hotel said
That the rains are gonna come
And I stepped out on the streets
All sparkling clean with the early morning dew
Maybe it was you or maybe it was me?
You came on like a punch in the heart
Lying there with the light on your hair
Like a Jesus of the moon
A Jesus of the planets and the stars
Well, I kept thinking about what the weatherman said
And if the voices of the living can be heard by the dead
Well, the day is gonna come when we find out
And in some kind of way I take a little comfort from that
Now and then
'Cause people often talk about being scared of change
But for me I'm more afraid of things staying the same
'Cause the game is never won
By standing in any one place
For too long
Maybe it was you or maybe it was me?
But there was a chord in you that I could not find to strike
You lying there with all the light in your hair
Like a Jesus of the moon
A Jesus of the planets and the stars
I see the many girls walking down the empty streets
Maybe once or twice one of them smiles at me
You can't blame anyone for saying hello
I say hey
I say hello... I say hello...
Will it be me or will it be you?
One must stay and one must depart
You lying there in the St. James hotel bed
Like a Jesus of the moon
A Jesus of the planets and the stars
I say hello... hello... hello...
And I left you behind curled up like a child
A change is gonna come
And as the door whispered shut
I walked on down the high-windowed hall
You lay sleeping on the unmade bed
The weatherman on the television in the St. James hotel said
That the rains are gonna come
And I stepped out on the streets
All sparkling clean with the early morning dew
Maybe it was you or maybe it was me?
You came on like a punch in the heart
Lying there with the light on your hair
Like a Jesus of the moon
A Jesus of the planets and the stars
Well, I kept thinking about what the weatherman said
And if the voices of the living can be heard by the dead
Well, the day is gonna come when we find out
And in some kind of way I take a little comfort from that
Now and then
'Cause people often talk about being scared of change
But for me I'm more afraid of things staying the same
'Cause the game is never won
By standing in any one place
For too long
Maybe it was you or maybe it was me?
But there was a chord in you that I could not find to strike
You lying there with all the light in your hair
Like a Jesus of the moon
A Jesus of the planets and the stars
I see the many girls walking down the empty streets
Maybe once or twice one of them smiles at me
You can't blame anyone for saying hello
I say hey
I say hello... I say hello...
Will it be me or will it be you?
One must stay and one must depart
You lying there in the St. James hotel bed
Like a Jesus of the moon
A Jesus of the planets and the stars
I say hello... hello... hello...
Comments (71)add comment
This is such a great overall album!
nick is a treasure, can’t get enough of him
Mr Cave is a genius. This is Radio Paradise. I’ll tell that truth.
jimmy99s wrote:
I know what you're saying, BUT, Neil Young could sing like a bird in his early days!
I knew David Crosby was, but I never thought Neil Young was in...
The Byrds
Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, etc
I like them all. They always gave me hope that if you could write good songs, (and maybe play a pretty good guitar) people might forgive the occasional wayward pitching.
Sadly for me, I could do neither...
I know what you're saying, BUT, Neil Young could sing like a bird in his early days!
I knew David Crosby was, but I never thought Neil Young was in...
The Byrds
Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, etc
I like them all. They always gave me hope that if you could write good songs, (and maybe play a pretty good guitar) people might forgive the occasional wayward pitching.
Sadly for me, I could do neither...
oppositelock wrote:
Count me in. That is how I discovered him and I love the movie too.
+1 here. Wings of Desire led to Nick Cave, and then to Crime+City Solution, and then to the Einstürzende Neubauten craziness (poetry not just music), and the rest is history. It all started with the unforgettable chemistry between her and Bruno Ganz.
Count me in. That is how I discovered him and I love the movie too.
+1 here. Wings of Desire led to Nick Cave, and then to Crime+City Solution, and then to the Einstürzende Neubauten craziness (poetry not just music), and the rest is history. It all started with the unforgettable chemistry between her and Bruno Ganz.
Proclivities wrote:
No one would ever allege that Bob Dylan or Neil Young could ever "sing" either; it didn't seem to damage their careers.
Leonard Cohn says to say 'Hello.'
No one would ever allege that Bob Dylan or Neil Young could ever "sing" either; it didn't seem to damage their careers.
Leonard Cohn says to say 'Hello.'
Proclivities wrote:
No one would ever allege that Bob Dylan or Neil Young could ever "sing" either; it didn't seem to damage their careers.
I know what you're saying, BUT, Neil Young could sing like a bird in his early days!
No one would ever allege that Bob Dylan or Neil Young could ever "sing" either; it didn't seem to damage their careers.
I know what you're saying, BUT, Neil Young could sing like a bird in his early days!
Byronape wrote:
No one would ever allege that Bob Dylan or Neil Young could ever "sing" either; it didn't seem to damage their careers.
I have to put Nick Cave in the same category I put Neil Young and Bob Dylan (but maybe not quite to that level, let's see if he's still making music in another 20 years and see what happens). Just listening to his voice, I would say that the man can't sing. However, his voice has a quality that I just love. It's the gruff tone and the obsession with death and Elvis that makes it for me.
No one would ever allege that Bob Dylan or Neil Young could ever "sing" either; it didn't seem to damage their careers.
His latest, Skeleton Tree, is brutally good.
RabbitEars wrote:
Count me in. That is how I discovered him and I love the movie too.
I wonder how many people were turned on to NC when they saw Wings of Desire. That's how it happened for me, 1988, Key Theatre.
Count me in. That is how I discovered him and I love the movie too.
hayduke2 wrote:
I think I've been to that theater. Back in the early 80s there was definitely a theater on upper Bway I used to go to for foreign movies and retrospectives.
WoD has so many memorable moments... such a masterpiece of a movie.
cool Rabbit! Wenders' angel movie was romantic as hell, saw it at Lincoln Plaza theater on B'way and 63rd (same tiny theater in which I experienced the Manchurian Candidate : )
lovely Solveig, an angels temptation (rip)
lovely Solveig, an angels temptation (rip)
I think I've been to that theater. Back in the early 80s there was definitely a theater on upper Bway I used to go to for foreign movies and retrospectives.
WoD has so many memorable moments... such a masterpiece of a movie.
The_Professional wrote:
probably my favorite movie of all time
RabbitEars wrote:
I won't sing about a girl. I won't sing about a girl.
"I am going to sing about a girl"
I wonder how many people were turned on to NC when they saw Wings of Desire. That's how it happened for me, 1988, Key Theatre.
Yes. Same here.I won't sing about a girl. I won't sing about a girl.
"I am going to sing about a girl"
probably my favorite movie of all time RabbitEars wrote:
He has been putting out consistently good music for over 25 years... more consistent than Neil or Bob, really (far fewer clunkers). Dylan has only had a small handful of good records since he was 20 years into his career.
Agree 100%
He has been putting out consistently good music for over 25 years... more consistent than Neil or Bob, really (far fewer clunkers). Dylan has only had a small handful of good records since he was 20 years into his career.
Agree 100%
RabbitEars wrote:
I won't sing about a girl. I won't sing about a girl.
"I am going to sing about a girl"
I wonder how many people were turned on to NC when they saw Wings of Desire. That's how it happened for me, 1988, Key Theatre.
Yes. Same here.I won't sing about a girl. I won't sing about a girl.
"I am going to sing about a girl"
Is this Richard Harris singing "McArthur Park'?
The cake was left out in the rain!!!!!
The cake was left out in the rain!!!!!
cool Rabbit! Wenders' angel movie was romantic as hell, saw it at Lincoln Plaza theater on B'way and 63rd (same tiny theater in which I experienced the Manchurian Candidate : )
lovely Solveig, an angels temptation (rip)
lovely Solveig, an angels temptation (rip)
I wonder how many people were turned on to NC when they saw Wings of Desire. That's how it happened for me, 1988, Key Theatre.
Byronape wrote:
Time flies when we're having fun... I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma... I was saved by my love of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll... everybody in my homeless camp loves this song...
hope life is grand for you, Byronape, and you are having fun right this minute...
Yes it is... and Nick Cave is exercise for the brain.
Time flies when we're having fun... I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma... I was saved by my love of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll... everybody in my homeless camp loves this song...
hope life is grand for you, Byronape, and you are having fun right this minute...
Just saw Nick live a few days ago; incredible.
An experience not to be missed if you have the chance.
An experience not to be missed if you have the chance.
Nenelena wrote:
Me too
. Missed their concert last year in Prague, never again.
Incredible version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp13gAq2dUc
Love Nick!! 
Me too
. Missed their concert last year in Prague, never again.Incredible version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp13gAq2dUc
Love Nick!!
Byronape wrote:
He has been putting out consistently good music for over 25 years... more consistent than Neil or Bob, really (far fewer clunkers). Dylan has only had a small handful of good records since he was 20 years into his career.
I have to put Nick Cave in the same category I put Neil Young and Bob Dylan (but maybe not quite to that level, let's see if he's still making music in another 20 years and see what happens). Just listening to his voice, I would say that the man can't sing. However, his voice has a quality that I just love. It's the gruff tone and the obsession with death and Elvis that makes it for me.
He has been putting out consistently good music for over 25 years... more consistent than Neil or Bob, really (far fewer clunkers). Dylan has only had a small handful of good records since he was 20 years into his career.
romeotuma wrote:
This song is good for the ears...
Yes it is... and Nick Cave is exercise for the brain.
This song is good for the ears...
Yes it is... and Nick Cave is exercise for the brain.
jools wrote:
That does not surprise me.
Saw Nick Cave on the train from Brighton last year. He wears very cool clothes and shiny shoes!
That does not surprise me.
Jesus on the moon as the song title, though the lyric has it Jesus of the moon. At least on iTunes ...
it's no "Kicking against the Pricks"....frickin easy listening..thank the gods for Grinderman
this sucks
I'm beginning to enjoy the Nick's experimental style. It has taken a while. Maybe an acquired taste? Was the same for thing for Tom Waits, now I love the guy! I gave this one a 7.
I can hear Psycho Killer in there ;)
Great great great
I have to put Nick Cave in the same category I put Neil Young and Bob Dylan (but maybe not quite to that level, let's see if he's still making music in another 20 years and see what happens). Just listening to his voice, I would say that the man can't sing. However, his voice has a quality that I just love. It's the gruff tone and the obsession with death and Elvis that makes it for me.
It is jest not my taste
Saw Nick Cave on the train from Brighton last year. He wears very cool clothes and shiny shoes!
Title song and More News From Nowhere are very good from this album. This song leaves me unmoved.
Like this song and think the DLD album is great. Nick Cave's newest album came out a few days ago, Grinderman 2. Been on constant rotation at my place. :)
https://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content.php?contentid=11748
The current record industry trend towards major artists releasing and promoting new albums every two or three years is not the kind of schedule that suits the workaholic tendencies the godfather of doom and gloom, Nick Cave. To fill the gaps between Bad Seeds albums he writes books, composes soundtracks, undertakes solo acoustic tours and, in 2007, unleashed upon the garage rock monster that isGrinderman. Their self-titled debut had the feel of a group of teenagers being let loose in a studio and told to do exactly what they wanted with no consequences. The result was a loose, sleazy but slightly throwaway album that, fun though it is, doesn’t linger long in the memory.
Now they are back with the imaginatively titled Grinderman 2 and it is clear that Cave & the boys have taken things a lot more seriously this time round. The result is nothing short of stunning. The gentle opening to ‘Mickey Mouse And The Goodbye Man’ soon explodes in to a cacophony of wailing guitars, heavy drums and lascivious lyrics that leave you breathless for more. ‘Worm Tamer’ and lead off single ‘Heathen Child’ continue in the same gloriously rambunctious and raucous vein that you can’t help but revel in Cave’s playful wordplay that provide a stark counterpoint to some of the Bad Seeds more sombre outings. ‘When My Baby Comes’ and the stoner rock of ‘What I Know’ calm things down a tad but, just as you are starting to chill out, the hard edged jolt of ‘Evil’ comes at you like an electric eel on acid. ‘Palaces of Montezuma’, with it’s bonkers but genuinely witty lyrics, has a delivery that is the only point on the album here you are reminded of Cave’s “day job”. That jolts you in to the realisation that, with some tender love and nurturing , Grinderman could challenge the Bad Seeds supremacy.
The fuzzed up psychedelia of closer ‘Bellringer Blues’ leaves you with particularly apt closing line “We are the sole survivors”. This leaves you wondering just how is it possible that a bunch of men closer to pension age than their rebellious teenage years have managed to produce an album of such astonishing power and poise that is light years ahead of the competition? The simple answer is “Who cares?”Grinderman 2, album of the year. No question.
https://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content.php?contentid=11748
The current record industry trend towards major artists releasing and promoting new albums every two or three years is not the kind of schedule that suits the workaholic tendencies the godfather of doom and gloom, Nick Cave. To fill the gaps between Bad Seeds albums he writes books, composes soundtracks, undertakes solo acoustic tours and, in 2007, unleashed upon the garage rock monster that isGrinderman. Their self-titled debut had the feel of a group of teenagers being let loose in a studio and told to do exactly what they wanted with no consequences. The result was a loose, sleazy but slightly throwaway album that, fun though it is, doesn’t linger long in the memory.
Now they are back with the imaginatively titled Grinderman 2 and it is clear that Cave & the boys have taken things a lot more seriously this time round. The result is nothing short of stunning. The gentle opening to ‘Mickey Mouse And The Goodbye Man’ soon explodes in to a cacophony of wailing guitars, heavy drums and lascivious lyrics that leave you breathless for more. ‘Worm Tamer’ and lead off single ‘Heathen Child’ continue in the same gloriously rambunctious and raucous vein that you can’t help but revel in Cave’s playful wordplay that provide a stark counterpoint to some of the Bad Seeds more sombre outings. ‘When My Baby Comes’ and the stoner rock of ‘What I Know’ calm things down a tad but, just as you are starting to chill out, the hard edged jolt of ‘Evil’ comes at you like an electric eel on acid. ‘Palaces of Montezuma’, with it’s bonkers but genuinely witty lyrics, has a delivery that is the only point on the album here you are reminded of Cave’s “day job”. That jolts you in to the realisation that, with some tender love and nurturing , Grinderman could challenge the Bad Seeds supremacy.
The fuzzed up psychedelia of closer ‘Bellringer Blues’ leaves you with particularly apt closing line “We are the sole survivors”. This leaves you wondering just how is it possible that a bunch of men closer to pension age than their rebellious teenage years have managed to produce an album of such astonishing power and poise that is light years ahead of the competition? The simple answer is “Who cares?”Grinderman 2, album of the year. No question.
FlatCat wrote:
And those are the good points. These guys really annoy me.
Loathsome tuneless bombastic pretentious monotonous...
And those are the good points. These guys really annoy me.
Fables85 wrote:
Durn tootin!!
Glorious...
DLD was a tremendous effort, and a nice surprise. I thought it was time for him to blow it... Not only he didn't blow it, but this one was one of the very best albums of 2008.
DLD was a tremendous effort, and a nice surprise. I thought it was time for him to blow it... Not only he didn't blow it, but this one was one of the very best albums of 2008.
Durn tootin!!
sirdroseph wrote:
No taste, doesn't listen to lyrics, likes top 40.......
I too like big titties.
No taste, doesn't listen to lyrics, likes top 40.......
I too like big titties.
Glorious...
DLD was a tremendous effort, and a nice surprise. I thought it was time for him to blow it... Not only he didn't blow it, but this one was one of the very best albums of 2008.
DLD was a tremendous effort, and a nice surprise. I thought it was time for him to blow it... Not only he didn't blow it, but this one was one of the very best albums of 2008.
FlatCat wrote:
No taste, doesn't listen to lyrics, likes top 40.......
Loathsome tuneless bombastic pretentious monotonous...
No taste, doesn't listen to lyrics, likes top 40.......
Chi_Guy wrote:
This isn't representative of this whole album. Although it IS a great song. Just saw Nick and the Seeds tear down the house at
The Riviera Theater in Chicago. INFRIGGINCREDIBLE SHOW!
Yes it is and that is a good thing! Man, what a lyricists this guy is!
This album rocks cover to cover including this song!
I especially like We call upon the Author.
This isn't representative of this whole album. Although it IS a great song. Just saw Nick and the Seeds tear down the house at
The Riviera Theater in Chicago. INFRIGGINCREDIBLE SHOW! Yes it is and that is a good thing! Man, what a lyricists this guy is!
This album rocks cover to cover including this song!I especially like We call upon the Author.There is a St. James Hotel in NYC, (incidentially it was the first hotel in NYC to have private bathrooms) built sometime in 1914 or so. It is an absolute palace; we stayed last month at the Latham, right next door to it, and walked by the St. James several times and admired the lobby. I told my wife, "boy I'll bet we could never afford to stay there." It was incredibly beautiful (at least what you can see from the street). When we checked out of the Latham, while I was settling the bill, she walked next door to check it out, see how much it cost, etc. She was stunned. It is now a homeless shelter. I don't know if this song is about the same St. James (there are probably a million of them), but it sure brings it to mind.
out_to_lunch wrote:
Try the other way around...
this totally sounds like 16 Horsepower
Try the other way around...
philinnz wrote:
This isn't representative of this whole album. Although it IS a great song. Just saw Nick and the Seeds tear down the house at
The Riviera Theater in Chicago. INFRIGGINCREDIBLE SHOW!
he's getting gentle in his old age
This isn't representative of this whole album. Although it IS a great song. Just saw Nick and the Seeds tear down the house at
The Riviera Theater in Chicago. INFRIGGINCREDIBLE SHOW! You know, I like Nick Cave but I always get the feeling that he's singing a different song than the band is playing.
he's getting gentle in his old age
FlatCat wrote:
Oh, I'm sure you're not really.
Loathsome tuneless bombastic pretentious monotonous...
Oh, I'm sure you're not really.
Loathsome tuneless bombastic pretentious monotonous...
eastcoast wrote:
What is the significanse of the St. James Hotel?
Next door to the St. James Infirmary...
I can't get enough of this song.
this totally sounds like 16 Horsepower
Ngoziman wrote:
As Nick says in one of his tracks, Messiah Ward, 'It's easy just to look away.' but those of us who look on and bear it are best rewarded.
Quite well quoted!
FlatCat wrote:
Out of either laziness, or respect for our host, I rarely turn off the music when I am listening to RP. But for Nick Cave, I just have to turn away. It's too unbearable.
As Nick says in one of his tracks, Messiah Ward, 'It's easy just to look away.' but those of us who look on and bear it are best rewarded.
Out of either laziness, or respect for our host, I rarely turn off the music when I am listening to RP. But for Nick Cave, I just have to turn away. It's too unbearable.
Cause people often talk about being scared of change
But for me I'm more afraid of things staying the same
'Cause the game is never won
By standing in any one place
For too long"
Brilliant.
What is the significanse of the St. James Hotel?
Interesting, to say the least.
mikeatlarge wrote:
Another fun RP find! Kinda catchy and playful :)
Okay. Now go and listen to his earlier stuff, like Tender Prey. Not so playful.
I'm loving this. Loving it!
squidish wrote:
How funny, I am a huge NickCave fan, but I thought this was Dylan!
He does mention the weatherman.
But, other than that, no, not even close.
Eek, I think I've heard this song every day for the last three days. A little heavy on the rotation for me.
7:50 am - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Jesus of The Moon
7:38 am - Cream - Crossroads
7:35 am - Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign
7:24 am - Christians and Lions - Skinny Fists
7:19 am - Timbuk 3 - Standard White Jesus
7:15 am - Calexico - Deep Down
7:12 am - The Vines - Vision Valley
7:08 am - Aimee Mann - Save Me
7:05 am - Solo - Prayer For The Gun
Happy Good Friday/Easter to you too, Bill! 
This is the first song I've heard from the new album, think I'll buy it on the way home today. Nick is a star.
How funny, I am a huge NickCave fan, but I thought this was Dylan!
kinda reminds me of old John Cale... lovely dark
Another fun RP find! Kinda catchy and playful :)