This song expresses an optimism that transcends any sadness over a failed relationship.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “Into My Arms”

“Into My Arms” (1997)

The song “Into My Arms”  is the first song on, and the first single from, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ critically acclaimed album “The Boatman’s Call.”

Although the song was reportedly inspired by Cave’s break-up with his first wife, it expresses an optimism that transcends any relationship or even any sadness over a failed relationship. 

Hope over Despair

Like most of the songs on that album and its follow-up, “Into My Arms”  is characterized by its quiet and somber air and its tender and melancholic lyrics. A piano and a bass are the sole instruments played on it.

The stark black ‘n’ white video, with its scenes of people despairing and grieving, is haunting and impressive. Although Cave approved of the video in and of itself, he did not approve of its bleak and depressing spirit, believing that it did not express the “melancholy optimism”  of the song. 

1 Great Song

Australian music writer Toby Creswell included this song in his 2005 book “1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time and the Artists, Stories and Secrets Behind Them.”  Moreover, Cave himself has said that “Into My Arms”  is one of the songs that he remains most proud of having written.   _{(Image source)}

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Nick Cave is an Australian singer / songwriter and author. For over 30 years, he has been the frontman for The Bad Seeds. Prior to that, he led several other bands, most notably the post-punk band The Birthday Party. Over 2006–2013, he fronted a side-project, a garage band of sorts named Grinderman. 

Words and Acts

Apart from his music, Cave has published 2 novels and several books of poetry. He has also worked in film – acting, writing screenplays, and composing soundtracks.   _{(Image source)}

I don't believe in an interventionist God
But I know, darling, that you do
But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him
Not to intervene when it came to you
Not to touch a hair on your head
To leave you as you are
And if He felt He had to direct you
Then direct you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord    [3 x]
Into my arms

And I don't believe in the existence of angels
But looking at you I wonder if that's true
But if I did I would summon them together
And ask them to watch over you
To each burn a candle for you
To make bright and clear your path
And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love
And guide you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord    [3 x]
Into my arms

But I believe in love
And I know that you do too
And I believe in some kind of path
That we can walk down, me and you
So, keep your candles burning
And make her journey bright and pure
That she’ll keep returning
Always and evermore

Into my arms, O Lord    [3 x]
Into my arms
Lyrics by Nick Cave, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...

          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 1–20"  

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"