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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — Let the Bells Ring
Album: Abattoir Blues / The Lyre Of Orpheus
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2956









Released: 2004
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 6
C'mon, kind Sir, let's walk outside
And breathe the autumn air
See the many that have lived and died
See the unending golden stair
See all of us that have come behind
Clutching at your hem
All the way from Arkansas
To your sweet and last amen

Let the bells ring
He is the real thing
Let the bells ring
He is the real, real thing

Take this deafening thunder down
Take this bread and take this wine
Your passing is not what we mourn
But the world you left behind
Well, do not breathe, nor make a sound
And behold your mighty work
That towers over the uncaring ground
Of a lesser, darker world

Let the bells ring
He is the real thing
Let the bells ring
He is the real, real thing

There are those of us not fit to tie
The laces of your shoes
Must remain behind to testify
Through an elementary blues
So, let's walk outside, the hour is late
Through your crumbs and scattered shells
Where the awed and the mediocre wait
Barely fit to ring the bells

Let the bells ring
He is the real thing
Let the bells ring
He is the real, real thing
Comments (179)add comment
 Lanky_Yoda wrote:

I used to think he sang (C'mon, Cancer, let's walk outside) as if to guide the disease away from harm...then I realized its about Jesus!


HAHA I always thought he said cancer too.
 Lanky_Yoda wrote:

I used to think he sang (C'mon, Cancer, let's walk outside) as if to guide the disease away from harm...then I realized its about Jesus!



This song is actually about Johnny Cash.
every time I hear this I go to bump it up another notch. It's at 10 e'ry time. 
 johnalexford wrote:

I just saw that I had originally given this a 7. I went back and made it 8, and before the end of the song made it a 9. Great tune!



i'll probably be following your lead in a few seconds!

**edit, a week later and i'm still mesmerized at how beautiful this is. please don't play it too repeatedly. once in a while. keep it a special surprise.
7-8-9-10
that was the time from the first verse and chorus to get to that rating!
More cowbell!

love him
I just saw that I had originally given this a 7. I went back and made it 8, and before the end of the song made it a 9. Great tune!
He does the best impersonation of Madrugada! 😝
This has a Madrugada vibe to it. Or maybe Madrugada has a Nick Cave vibe to him. Either way, me likes!!! At first listen, an easy 8, and prolly next listen on its way to a 9.
Musikalisch etwas vom Besseren, was im 21. Jahrhundert bisher veröffentlicht wurde.
Wim Wenders.
I used to think he sang (C'mon, Cancer, let's walk outside) as if to guide the disease away from harm...then I realized its about Jesus!
 drucev wrote:
(always reminds me of Win Wenders' Wings of Desire)


Amazing film! I forgot about that one until you mentioned it. It's been many years since I've seen it - will need to dust it off again.
(always reminds me of Win Wenders' Wings of Desire)
 Audiacity wrote:

Not familiar with Gilligan's Island, but I am hearing a mash-up between Greensleeves and House of the Rising Sun. Still a very interesting song!




I hear Secret Agent Man
 DW4554 wrote:
Cave is a bad ass force to be reckoned with. 
 
Hemorrhoids, huh? No wonder he can sound a little angry in his songs. Poor guy.

Fun fact: Preparation H, the hemorrhoid creme, used to have shark liver oil as an ingredient.
Glorious. 10.

No work today...
Cave is a bad ass force to be reckoned with. 
 malouna wrote:
Love the timbre of his voice so much. He is touching something special inside myself. Really deep
 
Almost exactly what I was gonna say. So I'll say ditto, +1 to 9, and and LLRP!!
 Kaw wrote:
Nick Cave, Lennard Cohen and Tom Waits. Their songs mature when you mature.
 
For all but some pop songs, most music appreciates with age. In fact, you'll find artists you despised when younger speak to you.
What I like especially about this album is that it sounds like a live performance without audience - not at all the typical studio sound.  Kudos to the producer!
Nick Cave, Lennard Cohen and Tom Waits. Their songs mature when you mature.
A kind genius. “I do not believe in God, but I sure miss him”.
tremendous talented people - glad I'm sharing this earth with them ... just a little thought
Nick always giving it his all....

I like this man..
 KevinM wrote:
He sounds too much like Jim Morrison to me (and a Doors song plays right after) so I have to rate this low
 
You could be wrong
He sounds too much like Jim Morrison to me (and a Doors song plays right after) so I have to rate this low
 oppositelock wrote:
Nick Cave and Warren EllisNick Cave and Warren Ellis
 

You start to appreciate their friendship even more after Nick's personal loss a few years ago.  
 SaintAwesome wrote:
This song is a tribute to Johnny Cash.
 
The song was flowing and I was reading the lyrics and thought of Johnny immediately. Then saw comments like this. Happy to report that Google confirms:

“[‘Let the Bells Ring’ is about Johnny Cash, who’s obviously been a very central musical figure for you – Ed].

I got asked to sing with Johnny Cash, and the night before, I was thinking, ‘How do you do that?’ By the time I got in the studio I was feeling like a fucking gnat. But as soon as he came in, it was like, ‘Nick!’ And I thought, ‘It’s okay, I can do this’.”


— Nick Cave

I had the honor of meeting briefly and completely by chance Johnny and June in the lobby of a hotel, circa 1980. They were warm, patient, generous, and organically humble folks who tolerated our gawking and blathering without the slightest hint of boredom, annoyance, or condescension. As if they’d bumped into old and distant friends is how it felt, except, of course: They were stars of great stature and yet they displayed a completely natural, cheerful, quiet demeanor while accosted by strangers at close to midnight. It makes my heart smile to this day.
 oppositelock wrote:
Nick Cave and Warren EllisNick Cave and Warren Ellis
 
Looks like a Quentin Tarantino movie promo shot
good to hear the cave man
 chyk5 wrote:
This double album is a masterpiece. 

 agreed! Among his best works, if not the best.  

I like Nick Cave he always seems to be edgy.
 oppositelock wrote:
Just had this played at a friends funeral.  The tears flowed.
 
I bet they did. This song is emotional enough for me even at happy times. Powerful stuff. 
I saw Distant Sky movie, recording from his DK concert...
Top notch movie, and also concert
trailer from movie...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0__GvBnzgY 
 sktillman wrote:
Plug: "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis" score film soundtracks and everything I have heard so far is brilliant. Almost exclusively instrumental, generally with a kind of western vibe, and almost entirely acoustic. So you have guitar and keyboards, but also violin, viola, mandolin, and an occasional, tasteful horn, etc. They keep it pretty elemental and very real. All of it moody, emotionally satisfying and performed with an easy, yet gritty, eclecticism. Sort of acoustic chill music with a feel for spaghetti westerns. For me there is an actual visceral interaction with the music. Really feel it. It's almost nothing like the Bad Seeds at all... more subtle and laid back, but still solid. I can't say enough good things about this 'underground' duo.

 
Thank you for that, I just listened to White Lunar. Absolutely beautiful!
This double album is a masterpiece. 
 oppositelock wrote:
Just had this played at a friends funeral.  The tears flowed.

 
Abattoir Blues... {#Eek}
Love the timbre of his voice so much. He is touching something special inside myself. Really deep
Just had this played at a friends funeral.  The tears flowed.
Plug: "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis" score film soundtracks and everything I have heard so far is brilliant. Almost exclusively instrumental, generally with a kind of western vibe, and almost entirely acoustic. So you have guitar and keyboards, but also violin, viola, mandolin, and an occasional, tasteful horn, etc. They keep it pretty elemental and very real. All of it moody, emotionally satisfying and performed with an easy, yet gritty, eclecticism. Sort of acoustic chill music with a feel for spaghetti westerns. For me there is an actual visceral interaction with the music. Really feel it. It's almost nothing like the Bad Seeds at all... more subtle and laid back, but still solid. I can't say enough good things about this 'underground' duo.
Got to love a bad seed!
 
you can never go wrong with Nick and the Bad Seeds!  {#Notworthy}
This is beautiful stuff.

I am not objective when it comes to Nick Cave. I simply adore all his work. {#Hearteyes}


 taswegian wrote:
While we're on the subject of Aussie artists Bill, how about a Jimmy Barnes track?
 
Or how about Nick's old buddy, J. G. Thirlwell.
While we're on the subject of Aussie artists Bill, how about a Jimmy Barnes track?
 Poacher wrote:
Probably the choice track of this fantastic album, for me anyway. 10

Just finished reading https://www.thedeathofbunnymunro.com/ by Nick. . . If you are a Cave fan it is an interesting insight into his mind. . . which as we already know, seems a twisted yet magical place.  

 
now I'm seeking it out, thanks Poacher     (Nick does admit to his having a "multi-storied forehead", gotta be an awesome read!)
Nick Cave and Warren EllisNick Cave and Warren Ellis
Nick and Suzy Cave
A strong contender for one of my Desert Island Disks. 

Magnificent piece of music. I remember seeing him play this at Glastonbury a few years ago. . . it was a truly amazing experience. 
We need a "Nick " set.
I'm not a fan of Nick Cave. Never was. But this is just absolutely great! Love it.
More Nick Cave please!!  Certainly I think some of his stuff is pretentious, however the trembling power of his voice makes the music so resonant.  Better than Nick Drake in my honest opinion (Drake played earlier in this playlist). cheers
 midreaming wrote:
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"
 
yeah, well said.
 midreaming wrote:
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"
 
What he said.
Not my favorite Nick Cave & Seeds but would certainly enjoy hearing more from them on RP!
 keller1 wrote:


Greetings from Yonge and St Clair.
 
Greetings from Kingston and Main.

 midreaming wrote:
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"
 
Nice!
what makes him priceless to me is that his music (instrum/lyrics/vocal) rides a razor edge between fragile beauty and a profane world on the verge of bursting into flames. a world where almost "all that is solid melts in to air"


Probably the choice track of this fantastic album, for me anyway. 10

Just finished reading https://www.thedeathofbunnymunro.com/ by Nick. . . If you are a Cave fan it is an interesting insight into his mind. . . which as we already know, seems a twisted yet magical place.  

Nick Cave by ~Moneypenny
Melissa Dow   ©2004-2010 ~Moneypenny

Toon of the dark poet, Nick Cave. Turned out OK. If you know his music, you will easily get the reference.


This one, very nice!
Fantastic transition from Rodrigo y Gabriela - Stairway to Heaven.
 kaybee wrote:
Nick Cave's voice usually irritates me, but this is starting to grow on me.
 

Greetings from Yonge and St Clair.

Know what you mean about Nick Cave —- with me he's more miss than hit —- but I have this one in my Ipod.
 FlatCat wrote:
Great guitar line. But I so can't listen to the man sing. It's painful.
 
Agreed.

Nick Cave's voice usually irritates me, but this is starting to grow on me.
Rubs me the wrong way.

I give him credit for trying to achieve soaring, but this sounds overblown to me, as do, to me, many of his songs played here.

Great guitar line. But I so can't listen to the man sing. It's painful.
 shayde wrote:
Some Nick Cave hits me really hard - this is one of them.  Total volume-upper.  One of those tracks I want to sit down and learn all the words to (when i was younger I learned lyrics a lot quicker) - just so i can shout it loud in the car on the way back from a rough day at work.
 
me too (on the volume).  I dig this a lot (9)

Some Nick Cave hits me really hard - this is one of them.  Total volume-upper.  One of those tracks I want to sit down and learn all the words to (when i was younger I learned lyrics a lot quicker) - just so i can shout it loud in the car on the way back from a rough day at work.
I can generally take or leave his music, but he wrote an incredible (very dark, surprise) novel:

https://www.amazon.com/Ass-Saw-Angel-Nick-Cave/dp/1880985721/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239583969&sr=1-1


 physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
 

Believe it, no-one could hear it quite as clear as you...............
Wonderful track, 9-10.
westslope wrote:
I'll second that motion.

Thirded; not yet heard the 'Abbatoir Blues' album, but what a tremedous title; having seen the instead of abbatoirs, animals queuing up for slaughter sure have the blues


I saw him in NYC for the first time last year. Muse Awards, at Terminal 5-- he did a 45minute set that was really great--even though I only knew 3 of the songs It was still great. An enthusiastic seasoned stage performer. Look into Dig, Lazarus Dig!!! And song Red Right Hand.
I like Nick Cave in small doses... like maybe once a month.. not daily! I respect the music.. just not my cup o' whatever beverage i'm drinking at the time.
joyjoy wrote:
As luck would have it, I was in the middle of buying tickets to Nick Cave when this song came on RP! I've never seen him live, anyone care to chime in on his live shows?
I saw him once at a pretty small place. He's really hot! Sorry but I hadn't realized that until I saw him in person. The music wasn't bad either!
As luck would have it, I was in the middle of buying tickets to Nick Cave when this song came on RP! I've never seen him live, anyone care to chime in on his live shows?
aragon wrote:
I was never a fan of Nick Cave but this one is good. Yeah...it is good.
I'll second that motion.
Ugh...not Nick Cave again.
I was never a fan of Nick Cave but this one is good. Yeah...it is good.
FlamingLotus wrote:
Dude, stick to physics.
Dude, don't insult physics like that.
chyk5 wrote:
If you are at all a Nick fan, this is an essential double disc; great stuff.
New album is great too. Dig, Lazarus Dig! www.myspace.com/nickcaveandthebadseeds
If you are at all a Nick fan, this is an essential double disc; great stuff.
physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
Dude, stick to physics.
Let the bells ring......, love this song and this CD, if this a tribute to Johnny Cash he should be very pleased indeed.
Not the Nick Cave that I like. Bad Seeds are not the same anymore, since Blixa Bargled went away.
My favorite song from this album. Great tribute to Johnny Cash.
kult wrote:
Do you think he'd just taken heroin when he wrote that?
No, he sounds clean and sane (the way I like him!).
dionysius wrote:
Finally, a song I can really get behind.
d, you are sick man. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. c.
slowhand wrote:
Got to be one of the top 50 unappreciated artists of all time.
WITHOUT A DOUBT!
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
This song has really grown on me.
Likewise. Was afraid ol' Nick was getting a little soft with this album, but I guess there's not really anything wrong with a little melody and some creamy production. 7 8 Edit: Plus, he's got fresh bunches o' street cred with Grinderman
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
This song has really grown on me. I think Physicsjenius has "left the building" by the way.
Omigosh! PhysicsGenius is dead?? Or do you mean "left the building" in the everyday sense? Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
This song has really grown on me. I think Physicsjenius has "left the building" by the way.
Kinda boring... sure isn't going anywhere..... OK already... time to move on...
This song has really grown on me.
electronicshaman wrote:
there's every chance you ARE the only person
Wow. I just looked at Physicsjenius' ratings and he really _does_ think "90% of everything is crap". Of course he is willing to crawl way out on a limb, hang his bare ass out, and admit that Beethoven is not crap. Always easier to make "critical" comments...... Maybe an antidepressant/mood stabilizer is in order.
physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
This is likely true. There are probably hundreds of thousands of Coca-Cola commercials being played on radio stations and televisions around the world, and people are hearing them.
... what a wonderful combination of sounds in this!
physicsgenius wrote:
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
there's every chance you ARE the only person
I can't be the only person who is hearing a Coca-Cola commercial.
SaintAwesome wrote:
This song is a tribute to Johnny Cash.
Yup, was wondering what he was saying about Arkansas... that's where Johnny Cash was born.
Yet another cool artist I would have overlooked but for RP. Thany you!
jgeyer wrote:
A letter Nick Cave wrote to MTV. TO ALL THOSE AT MTV, I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME OVER RECENT YEARS AND I AM BOTH GRATEFUL AND FLATTERED BY THE NOMINATIONS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FOR BEST MALE ARTIST. THE AIR PLAY GIVEN TO BOTH THE KYLIE MINOGUE AND P. J. HARVEY DUETS FROM MY LATEST ALBUM MURDER BALLADS HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED AND HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED. SO AGAIN MY SINCERE THANKS. HAVING SAID THAT, I FEEL THAT IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO REQUEST THAT MY NOMINATION FOR BEST MALE ARTIST BE WITHDRAWN AND FURTHERMORE ANY AWARDS OR NOMINATIONS FOR SUCH AWARDS THAT MAY ARISE IN LATER YEARS BE PRESENTED TO THOSE WHO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THESE AWARD CEREMONIES. I MYSELF, DO NOT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OF THE OPINION THAT MY MUSIC IS UNIQUE AND INDIVIDUAL AND EXISTS BEYOND THE REALMS INHABITED BY THOSE WHO WOULD REDUCE THINGS TO MERE MEASURING. I AM IN COMPETITION WITH NO-ONE. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MUSE IS A DELICATE ONE AT THE BEST OF TIMES AND I FEEL THAT IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT HER FROM INFLUENCES THAT MAY OFFEND HER FRAGILE NATURE. SHE COMES TO ME WITH THE GIFT OF SONG AND IN RETURN I TREAT HER WITH THE RESPECT I FEEL SHE DESERVES - IN THIS CASE THIS MEANS NOT SUBJECTING HER TO THE INDIGNITIES OF JUDGEMENT AND COMPETITION. MY MUSE IS NOT A HORSE AND I AM IN NO HORSE RACE AND IF INDEED SHE WAS, STILL I WOULD NOT HARNESS HER TO THIS TUMBREL - THIS BLOODY CART OF SEVERED HEADS AND GLITTERING PRIZES. MY MUSE MAY SPOOK! MAY BOLT! MAY ABANDON ME COMPLETELY! SO ONCE AGAIN, TO THE PEOPLE AT MTV, I APPRECIATE THE ZEAL AND ENERGY THAT WAS PUT BEHIND MY LAST RECORD, I TRULY DO AND SAY THANK YOU AND AGAIN I SAY THANK YOU BUT NO...NO THANK YOU. YOURS SINCERELY, NICK CAVE 21 OCT 96.
How the hell did you get a hold of my letter?
Finally, a song I can really get behind.
Got to be one of the top 50 unappreciated artists of all time.
jgeyer wrote:
A letter Nick Cave wrote to MTV.
That's is brilliant. Some may read that and think it's another example of artists taking themselves too seriously, not me. I call it a class act.
This is a good Nick Cave song, not a great Nick Cave song. There are better songs on better records, like Tender Prey or Henry's Dream.
jgeyer wrote:
STILL I WOULD NOT HARNESS HER TO THIS TUMBREL - THIS BLOODY CART OF SEVERED HEADS AND GLITTERING PRIZES. MY MUSE MAY SPOOK! MAY BOLT! MAY ABANDON ME COMPLETELY!
Do you think he'd just taken heroin when he wrote that?
A letter Nick Cave wrote to MTV. TO ALL THOSE AT MTV, I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME OVER RECENT YEARS AND I AM BOTH GRATEFUL AND FLATTERED BY THE NOMINATIONS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FOR BEST MALE ARTIST. THE AIR PLAY GIVEN TO BOTH THE KYLIE MINOGUE AND P. J. HARVEY DUETS FROM MY LATEST ALBUM MURDER BALLADS HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED AND HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED. SO AGAIN MY SINCERE THANKS. HAVING SAID THAT, I FEEL THAT IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO REQUEST THAT MY NOMINATION FOR BEST MALE ARTIST BE WITHDRAWN AND FURTHERMORE ANY AWARDS OR NOMINATIONS FOR SUCH AWARDS THAT MAY ARISE IN LATER YEARS BE PRESENTED TO THOSE WHO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THESE AWARD CEREMONIES. I MYSELF, DO NOT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OF THE OPINION THAT MY MUSIC IS UNIQUE AND INDIVIDUAL AND EXISTS BEYOND THE REALMS INHABITED BY THOSE WHO WOULD REDUCE THINGS TO MERE MEASURING. I AM IN COMPETITION WITH NO-ONE. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MUSE IS A DELICATE ONE AT THE BEST OF TIMES AND I FEEL THAT IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT HER FROM INFLUENCES THAT MAY OFFEND HER FRAGILE NATURE. SHE COMES TO ME WITH THE GIFT OF SONG AND IN RETURN I TREAT HER WITH THE RESPECT I FEEL SHE DESERVES - IN THIS CASE THIS MEANS NOT SUBJECTING HER TO THE INDIGNITIES OF JUDGEMENT AND COMPETITION. MY MUSE IS NOT A HORSE AND I AM IN NO HORSE RACE AND IF INDEED SHE WAS, STILL I WOULD NOT HARNESS HER TO THIS TUMBREL - THIS BLOODY CART OF SEVERED HEADS AND GLITTERING PRIZES. MY MUSE MAY SPOOK! MAY BOLT! MAY ABANDON ME COMPLETELY! SO ONCE AGAIN, TO THE PEOPLE AT MTV, I APPRECIATE THE ZEAL AND ENERGY THAT WAS PUT BEHIND MY LAST RECORD, I TRULY DO AND SAY THANK YOU AND AGAIN I SAY THANK YOU BUT NO...NO THANK YOU. YOURS SINCERELY, NICK CAVE 21 OCT 96.
I just upped my rating to an 8.
tray wrote:
Very cool song, is it true that most of his songs are about Jesus? If so, I won't get the album
Dude, don't let me put you off buying a Nick Cave album! Anyone who's heard 'Murder Ballads' will know that he's hardly a pious Christian rocker (a friend of mine used to live next door to his heroin dealer). But he does seem to wrestle with some kind of belief in Jesus. He wrote a novel called 'And the Ass Saw the Angel', which is a re-casting of the nativity story set in a Faulkner-esque Deep South, and an absolutely magical song called 'Into My Arms', whose first line is 'I don't believe in an interventionist God.'
tray wrote:
Very cool song, is it true that most of his songs are about Jesus? If so, I won't get the album
I would not say that they were "about" Jesus. His songs are not really religous at all in the traditional sense. He does use a lot of religous imagery in his songs in a sort of "non-traditional" questioning, sometimes angry way. (There was a good discussion about this on one of the Forums a while back and I know that there are several people here that are a lot more into Nick Cave that can help me out with this rambling response).
aristoteles wrote:
6.9 on the average rating? ...a 9 from me.
... and a 8 from me!