Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — Hold on to Yourself
Album: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!Avg rating:
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Total ratings: 2944
Length: 5:45
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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I'm so far away from you
I'm pacing up and down my room
Does Jesus only love a man who loses?
I turn on the radio
There's some cat on the saxophone
Laying down a litany of excuses
There's madhouse longing in my baby's eyes
She rubs a lamp between her thighs
And hopes the genie comes out singing
And she lives in some forgotten song
And moves like she is zombie-strong
Breathes steady as the pendulum keeps swinging
You better hold on to yourself
Well, cities rust and fall to ruin
Factories close and cars go cruising
In and around the borders of her vision
She says oh woah woah woah
As Jesus makes the flowers grow
All around the scene of her collision
Oh you know, yes, I would
I would hold on to yourself
In the middle of the night
I try my best to chase outside
The phantoms and the ghosts and the fairy-girls
On 1001 nights like this
She mutters open sesame and Ali Baba and his forty thieves
Launch her off the face of the world
Well, you know
Oh baby, I'll come back
And I'll hold on to yourself
Babe, I'm 1000 miles away
And I just don't know what to say
'Cause Jesus only loves a man who bruises
But darling we can clearly see
It's all life and fire and lunacy
And excuses and excuses and excuses
Well, you know if I could I would
Yeah, I would lie right down
And I'd hold on to yourself
Yeah, I would lie right down
And I would hold on to yourself
One day I'll come back to you
And I'll hold on to yourself
Yeah, I'm gonna come back
Gonna lie down
And I'll hold on to yourself
I'm pacing up and down my room
Does Jesus only love a man who loses?
I turn on the radio
There's some cat on the saxophone
Laying down a litany of excuses
There's madhouse longing in my baby's eyes
She rubs a lamp between her thighs
And hopes the genie comes out singing
And she lives in some forgotten song
And moves like she is zombie-strong
Breathes steady as the pendulum keeps swinging
You better hold on to yourself
Well, cities rust and fall to ruin
Factories close and cars go cruising
In and around the borders of her vision
She says oh woah woah woah
As Jesus makes the flowers grow
All around the scene of her collision
Oh you know, yes, I would
I would hold on to yourself
In the middle of the night
I try my best to chase outside
The phantoms and the ghosts and the fairy-girls
On 1001 nights like this
She mutters open sesame and Ali Baba and his forty thieves
Launch her off the face of the world
Well, you know
Oh baby, I'll come back
And I'll hold on to yourself
Babe, I'm 1000 miles away
And I just don't know what to say
'Cause Jesus only loves a man who bruises
But darling we can clearly see
It's all life and fire and lunacy
And excuses and excuses and excuses
Well, you know if I could I would
Yeah, I would lie right down
And I'd hold on to yourself
Yeah, I would lie right down
And I would hold on to yourself
One day I'll come back to you
And I'll hold on to yourself
Yeah, I'm gonna come back
Gonna lie down
And I'll hold on to yourself
Comments (263)add comment
Someone said to me once "I don't get Nick Cave"
My reply, "well, you obviously don't get music"!
My reply, "well, you obviously don't get music"!
Same opening guitar riff as Sister Morphine
bam23 wrote:
Yes, I hear it. Great tune. Love the seagulls on background vocals. Hope they got credit for their contribution.
Amazing cacophony writhing in the background. I probably need to listen through headphones to get the totality. It's like some sort of aural slightly screechy riot is emerging from somewhere.
Yes, I hear it. Great tune. Love the seagulls on background vocals. Hope they got credit for their contribution.
chyk5 wrote:
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
Indeed...and doesn't this pic make you want to watch him again -- as the rocker, "Freak Storm," with Bowie-style blonde hair-do -- in the movie Johnny Suede, telling Brad Pitt to go ahead and eat that chicken...
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
Indeed...and doesn't this pic make you want to watch him again -- as the rocker, "Freak Storm," with Bowie-style blonde hair-do -- in the movie Johnny Suede, telling Brad Pitt to go ahead and eat that chicken...
melzabutch wrote:
yum
yumThis song has snuck up on me. I'm not sure ho many times I've heard it, but suddenly I'm hearing it. These slow burners are the ones your cherish the longest.
I saw Nick and Warren in Asheville this last year. I am an agnostic, but they almost converted me into a believer. Cliche, but transcendent.
Nick rocks ... everything
The Squeaky Axles on background instruments.
Looking at the album cover, is the name of the album Dig, Lazurus, Dig!!! or Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! ? No idea why this is bothering me but it is at this moment, ya dig?
Great song from an excellent, and provocative, album - I encourage you to take the journey, if you dare!
geodesmo wrote:
Hope you've made it to a gig in the meantime. I saw him for the first time 2 weeks ago at Primavera Sound Barcelona. Despite being 57 and a veteran of a fair few gigs I just stood open-mouthed for the first 15 minutes. One of the best live acts I've ever seen.
Nick Cave is right at the top of my bucket list of acts to see live...... thanks to being reintroduced a few years ago by RP. Great stuff.
Hope you've made it to a gig in the meantime. I saw him for the first time 2 weeks ago at Primavera Sound Barcelona. Despite being 57 and a veteran of a fair few gigs I just stood open-mouthed for the first 15 minutes. One of the best live acts I've ever seen.
Read this morning that he has lost another son.
Tragic for him
Tragic for him
Especially poignant in light of the news of the death of his son---the 2nd son he's lost.
All his stuff is fabulous, but some of his dark moods make me remember his wild acting performance as the homeless musicican named Freak Storm in the wonderfully wacky film Johnny Suede (one of Brad Pitt's earliest adult roles), especially when he convinces Johnny (Pitt) to go ahead and eat that piece of chicken -- it's okay...
chyk5 wrote:
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
I think we can also add Tom Waits to this short list.
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
I think we can also add Tom Waits to this short list.
8>9 this morning.
dpaws wrote:
If you ever get the chance to dem a pair of Stax headphones you'll reach another level of immersion with his music - just incredible!
If your Neighbors like the same music as you, try the KLIPSCH 2.1 Computer Speaker Set. You wont be disappointed! ( I went and bought a second set the day after I hooked them up; just in case mine got stolen or something)
If you ever get the chance to dem a pair of Stax headphones you'll reach another level of immersion with his music - just incredible!
If your Neighbors like the same music as you, try the KLIPSCH 2.1 Computer Speaker Set. You wont be disappointed! ( I went and bought a second set the day after I hooked them up; just in case mine got stolen or something)
I really love that song. Great tune.
Nick is a badass
jhorton wrote:
Cheers!
Nick's music always makes me drink more. And faster. And for that, I thank him....
Cheers!
Now here's a Bruce Springstein song I've never heard
malamucha wrote:
Exactly! I'm listening now via decent pair of headphones and the sound from my phone is much better than what I used to get when listening to this album on my PC. So there's something about more details when listening to the FLAC, what kind of headphones is used and the source of sound is important too. I have not even noticed that seagulls in the background before when playing this CD before..
If you ever get the chance to dem a pair of Stax headphones you'll reach another level of immersion with his music - just incredible!
Exactly! I'm listening now via decent pair of headphones and the sound from my phone is much better than what I used to get when listening to this album on my PC. So there's something about more details when listening to the FLAC, what kind of headphones is used and the source of sound is important too. I have not even noticed that seagulls in the background before when playing this CD before..
If you ever get the chance to dem a pair of Stax headphones you'll reach another level of immersion with his music - just incredible!
I thought it could have been Richard Thompson when I was listening with half an ear, and was intrigued enough to check who it was...
Nick's music always makes me drink more. And faster. And for that, I thank him....
You bet dude👍
Love anything nick does
Genius👍
chyk5 wrote:
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
Pat Smear is pretty cool too, IMO.
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
Pat Smear is pretty cool too, IMO.
Nick Cave is right at the top of my bucket list of acts to see live...... thanks to being reintroduced a few years ago by RP. Great stuff.
Oh those seagulls in the background
This song gradualy builds musical tension, but never fully release.
I like that and i think its a great song.
I like that and i think its a great song.
At first I thought this was David Eugene Edwards of 16 Horsepower / Wovenhand and in Googling around I see it was Nick Cave who influenced Edwards.
jp33442 wrote:
If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding.
One of his better songs is into my arms
If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding.
melzabutch wrote:
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
For me, now that Bowie is gone, the most effortlessly cool man on the planet.
bam23 wrote:
I agree, it must be the creepy-crawlies in his (our!) minds struggling to be heard. Kind of like a counterpoint to the almost childish tune at times.
Hypnotic kind of song. Nice
Amazing cacophony writhing in the background. I probably need to listen through headphones to get the totality. It's like some sort of aural slightly screechy riot is emerging from somewhere.
I agree, it must be the creepy-crawlies in his (our!) minds struggling to be heard. Kind of like a counterpoint to the almost childish tune at times.
Hypnotic kind of song. Nice
This song makes me want to hand in my white chip and say the hell with it
hayduke2 wrote:
That's a different Nick Cave, an artist who is from Missouri.
Cave is an excellent artist, and at the moment has work on view in NYC and in Detroit at the Cranbrook Art Museum
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
That's a different Nick Cave, an artist who is from Missouri.
One of his better songs is into my arms
This song gets better and better with age.
hayduke2 wrote:
thanks for posting that!
Cave is an excellent artist, and at the moment has work on view in NYC and in Detroit at the Cranbrook Art Museum
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
thanks for posting that!
bam23 wrote:
Exactly! I'm listening now via decent pair of headphones and the sound from my phone is much better than what I used to get when listening to this album on my PC. So there's something about more details when listening to the FLAC, what kind of headphones is used and the source of sound is important too. I have not even noticed that seagulls in the background before when playing this CD before..
Amazing cacophony writhing in the background. I probably need to listen through headphones to get the totality. It's like some sort of aural slightly screechy riot is emerging from somewhere.
Exactly! I'm listening now via decent pair of headphones and the sound from my phone is much better than what I used to get when listening to this album on my PC. So there's something about more details when listening to the FLAC, what kind of headphones is used and the source of sound is important too. I have not even noticed that seagulls in the background before when playing this CD before..
One word: Annoying
1 1 1 1 sucks barfo 11111111 111111
Don't really need the seagullish sound in the background..
How far down must I read to see the "Lazarus" comments? I hope he's digging this track right now; dig!!
And that eerie violin sound backing the entire track is not only creepy, it's an interesting sort of "shepherd tone" - adds a LOT to the suspense of this tune. I'm at an 8 and might go up to 9 one day. PEACE
love NC 's voice : ) (he mentions Ali Baba which brought to mind Max Fleischer's Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba's Forty Thieves, fun)
wow. didn't expect to like this as much as i do. it's great.
Laughing to myself, this has just followed Iron and Wine, lots of comments about it sounding like other songs. This starts and I'm thinking 'oh it's Crowded House'. Doh. Sure I've got this album too 
a fungal fecundity
bam23 wrote:
Seagulls?
Amazing cacophony writhing in the background. I probably need to listen through headphones to get the totality. It's like some sort of aural slightly screechy riot is emerging from somewhere.
Seagulls?
Nick and the Seeds have just started touring again, they just played in Hobart and Ballarat (Victoria, Australia) with concert reviews suggesting they are back and making some great music - as expected.
I have been privileged to see Nick perform this a couple of times live.
Epic is not a big enough word. . . but that is what it felt like in the truest sense.
Epic is not a big enough word. . . but that is what it felt like in the truest sense.
definitely one of his best songs ever..!!
Amazing cacophony writhing in the background. I probably need to listen through headphones to get the totality. It's like some sort of aural slightly screechy riot is emerging from somewhere.
Nick's music always makes me drink more. And faster. And for that, I thank him....
On Sundays Jesus walks upon water
And, Lazarus becomes seasick
Providence was nearby, and
Lazarus gets a fair share of placebo
Not shaken nor stirred, now he looks for the nearest port
(I like the work of Nick Cave, both : )
That is a different Nick Cave
hayduke2 wrote:
hayduke2 wrote:
Cave is an excellent artist, and at the moment has work on view in NYC and in Detroit at the Cranbrook Art Museum
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
Cave is an excellent artist, and at the moment has work on view in NYC and in Detroit at the Cranbrook Art Museum
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
https://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/
Poacher wrote:
:)
Excellent! Back on the playlist. Thanks Bill.
I live in the same town city as Mr Cave and do enjoy it when we occasionally see him around. As he ages he seems to me to be turning into a veritable rock legend. . . and for good reason. The music! The lyrics! The huge breadth of solid and unique talent. But that's enough about me. . . all hail Nick :)
I live in the same town city as Mr Cave and do enjoy it when we occasionally see him around. As he ages he seems to me to be turning into a veritable rock legend. . . and for good reason. The music! The lyrics! The huge breadth of solid and unique talent. But that's enough about me. . . all hail Nick :)
:)
Not my fav sound, that dark, but not so bad!
drews wrote:
This is pretty much Nick's bailiwick, with some encroachment by Peter Murphy.
Another dark moody number from Mr Cave, what a suitable name he has
This is pretty much Nick's bailiwick, with some encroachment by Peter Murphy.
this is just grand so it is
philinnz wrote:
clearly not dave dobbyn is he....
His lyrics are almost as good as Cohen's - not bad for an Aussie
clearly not dave dobbyn is he....
baddog8it wrote:
At first I thought "Huh?"...but I sort of see what you mean.
Sounds too much like Bruce Springsteen for my tastes. 5.
At first I thought "Huh?"...but I sort of see what you mean.
His lyrics are almost as good as Cohen's - not bad for an Aussie
Excellent! Back on the playlist. Thanks Bill.
I live in the same town city as Mr Cave and do enjoy it when we occasionally see him around. As he ages he seems to me to be turning into a veritable rock legend. . . and for good reason. The music! The lyrics! The huge breadth of solid and unique talent. But that's enough about me. . . all hail Nick :)
I live in the same town city as Mr Cave and do enjoy it when we occasionally see him around. As he ages he seems to me to be turning into a veritable rock legend. . . and for good reason. The music! The lyrics! The huge breadth of solid and unique talent. But that's enough about me. . . all hail Nick :)
Cynaera wrote:
miss you so much, Cynaera...
everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song... we be holding onto ourselves and dancing buck ass naked like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
I'd buy this for the CD title alone! 
miss you so much, Cynaera...
everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song... we be holding onto ourselves and dancing buck ass naked like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Allo?!?! Melody??... MELODY??
Nice mood but nothing more.
Nice mood but nothing more.
This one never works for me on PSD, strange.
markpeachey wrote:
markpeachey wrote:
Typical Nick Cave... I think I might go and slit my wrists. Long live PSD
Sounds like if Daniel Lanois had produced a Gordon Lightfoot album. O' Canada!
A cheery little ditty from Nick and the team, as usual.
calypsus_1 wrote:
So Elrond is a singer now? Who knew?
Sounds too much like Bruce Springsteen for my tastes. 5.
10!
Blaggart wrote:
I agree with you Blaggart
sirdroseph wrote:
Yes, I think this is one of the best releases of any genre over the past 5 years.
I must not be hip enough to understand why I should like this soulless caterwauling. Different tastes, etc.I agree with you Blaggart
Typical Nick Cave... I think I might go and slit my wrists. Long live PSD
This whole album is great. More Nick Cave please!
Haha. Nick Cave kinda sounds like Richard Thompson! Never noticed that before...
They play this song when they want the guy on the ledge to go ahead and jump.
Very good ambiance !
...thanks Nick!
I'd buy this for the CD title alone!
monstrously... good... laz...
mapman wrote:
yea, newness can be frightfull!
Good advice.
I will do that!
I will do that!
yea, newness can be frightfull!
sirdroseph wrote:
Yes, I think this is one of the best releases of any genre over the past 5 years.
I must not be hip enough to understand why I should like this soulless caterwauling. Different tastes, etc.Good advice.
I will do that!
I will do that!
Hmm...whaddya know? A Nick Cave song that I don't mind...
Great interview with Cave about this CD:
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89947780
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89947780
Guyeeno wrote:
Fixed it fer ya!
Man am I love sick of this song. It's not played enough played too much. Please play it more stop!
Fixed it fer ya!
Another dark moody number from Mr Cave, what a suitable name he has
Man am I sick of this song. It's played too much. Please stop.
I don't know why but I have TRIED to give this song a chance and it annoys me as much today as it did when I 1st heard it here on RP. I see I am in the minority so I will just chalk it up to an opinion thing....3 note range songs always make me crazy....
I haven't heard much of his stuff, but boy, this song tells an articulate and searing story - lyrically, a lot like Dylan and Cohen. And someone else wrote, very Madrugada-ish, and I agree. Powerful stuff... I like it a lot!
SweTex wrote:
He also wrote the screenplay AND the music for "The Proposition" which is a movie well worth watching.
VERY-VERY WELL MADE FILM TRUELY WORTH WATCHING!
(...and be sure - I am super-critical of films, not only Hollywood!)
He also wrote the screenplay AND the music for "The Proposition" which is a movie well worth watching.
VERY-VERY WELL MADE FILM TRUELY WORTH WATCHING!
(...and be sure - I am super-critical of films, not only Hollywood!)
GREAT SONG (9) - TOP-ALBUM (9)
Yes, I think this is one of the best releases of any genre over the past 5 years.
greatness
I know Nick, like Tom Waits, generates polarizing opinions but I think he is so "freakin'" talented. Love this guy's music.
Just another fabulous song on a fabulous album!
SweTex wrote:
I saw him in Austin a few years ago and yes, he's great on stage, t'was a great concert..and his "dancing" is always amusing.
Nick's got good stage moves, but he has nothing on bandmate Warren Ellis. The guy looks like the bastard son of Rasputin and Aqualung, and he he plays and dances like a madman.
I saw him in Austin a few years ago and yes, he's great on stage, t'was a great concert..and his "dancing" is always amusing.
Nick's got good stage moves, but he has nothing on bandmate Warren Ellis. The guy looks like the bastard son of Rasputin and Aqualung, and he he plays and dances like a madman.
kriskerehona wrote:
He also wrote the screenplay AND the music for "The Proposition" which is a movie well worth watching.
For those who don't know, Nick Cave wrote the score for The Assassination of Jessie James.
So beautiful - give Nick a chance guys you don't know what you are missing.
So beautiful - give Nick a chance guys you don't know what you are missing.
He also wrote the screenplay AND the music for "The Proposition" which is a movie well worth watching.
Lizard62 wrote:
I saw him in Austin a few years ago and yes, he's great on stage, t'was a great concert..and his "dancing" is always amusing.
Saw Nick Cave in Seattle last year - definitely one of the best shows I've ever seen. He's got an amazing stage presence - threatening and intriguing at the same time.
I saw him in Austin a few years ago and yes, he's great on stage, t'was a great concert..and his "dancing" is always amusing.
can we get the little people to stop making so much noise during this song?
Another great singer in a similar style to Nick Cave is Tex Perkins, he also has a great voice and presence at 2 metres tall.
Lizard62 wrote:
I agree. I saw him a couple of times on stage. He's the hell on earth.
Saw Nick Cave in Seattle last year - definitely one of the best shows I've ever seen. He's got an amazing stage presence - threatening and intriguing at the same time.
I agree. I saw him a couple of times on stage. He's the hell on earth.
very nice!!
Saw Nick Cave in Seattle last year - definitely one of the best shows I've ever seen. He's got an amazing stage presence - threatening and intriguing at the same time.
Viv515 wrote:
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was an excellent movie. It's a shame it didn't get a wider audience. Casey Affleck was a revelation. The sound track was great, too, and I had no idea it was by Nick Cave.
I loved the sound track — really added to the overall mood of the movie. BTW, the movie far exceeded my expectations. Check it out!
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was an excellent movie. It's a shame it didn't get a wider audience. Casey Affleck was a revelation. The sound track was great, too, and I had no idea it was by Nick Cave.
Has a Madrugada style to it...like it
I saw Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds performing on an HD channel that was airing an outdoor festival. Riveting... a little incongruous because it seems like they'd be a much better fit in a smoky club somewhere, but riveting nonetheless.
kriskerehona wrote:
U only say that 'cos u don't know my girlfriend
Nick Cave - the best thing to come out of Australia.
U only say that 'cos u don't know my girlfriend
kriskerehona wrote:
I loved the sound track — really added to the overall mood of the movie. BTW, the movie far exceeded my expectations. Check it out!
For those who don't know, Nick Cave wrote the score for The Assassination of Jessie James.
I loved the sound track — really added to the overall mood of the movie. BTW, the movie far exceeded my expectations. Check it out!
Nick Cave wrote a whole movie!
Check out the fantastic, brutal and very poetic movie The Proposition. From screenplay to music, it's all Nick Cave!
kriskerehona wrote:
Check out the fantastic, brutal and very poetic movie The Proposition. From screenplay to music, it's all Nick Cave!
kriskerehona wrote:
For those who don't know, Nick Cave wrote the score for The Assassination of Jessie James.
So beautiful - give Nick a chance guys you don't know what you are missing.
So beautiful - give Nick a chance guys you don't know what you are missing.
UncleChig wrote:
I normally tune Nick out. Just doesn't do it for me. This song however is a different story. I like the layering and the way the chorus shifts. Granted, it's not like a Ferrari smoking tires in every gear kind of shifting. No, it's more like a 1979 Plymouth Horizon with an automatic trans. Not right there, but noticeable. I'll keep listing.
Nick Cave has always been a certain taste .. to the ear of the beholder.
If you are new to Cave and want to experiment, this album here is really great, one of my fav's of the past year... Enjoy
If you are new to Cave and want to experiment, this album here is really great, one of my fav's of the past year... Enjoy
I normally tune Nick out. Just doesn't do it for me. This song however is a different story. I like the layering and the way the chorus shifts. Granted, it's not like a Ferrari smoking tires in every gear kind of shifting. No, it's more like a 1979 Plymouth Horizon with an automatic trans. Not right there, but noticeable. I'll keep listing.
Thanks for the nice playlists of the Main and Mellow Mix
Ciao from Rome Italy