Ghosteen (2019) – Nick Cave

If there is sadness in Ghosteen, perhaps it is the recognition that we are often blind to the splendour of the world and indifferent to its attendant wonder. Perhaps the sadness is the recognition that the world is indeed beautiful, that it spins within the palm of our own hands and its beauty is available to all, if only we had eyes to see. – Nick Cave at the red hand files

Ghosteen is the third song to appear here from Nick Cave’s hauntingly beautiful record of the same name (see inset). The first entry Bright Horses remains the most viewed post on Observation Blogger. Ghosteen (the record) was written in the aftermath of the death of Cave’s son Arthur in 2015. It is the 17th studio effort by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and is recognised as one of his most powerful; a meditation on mortality and our collective grief.

Nick has said the following: “In the song Ghosteen, baby bear goes to the moon in a boat; Ghosteen is that boat, as it sails through the dark to the stars, a galleon ship collecting fireflies and spirit-children as it goes. At times Ghosteen may feel unmoored and homeless, but it is pointed firmly toward paradise, the crew is joyous, the world smiles, and the sun bursts over the edge of the earth.”

In discussing the album, Cave described it as “a migrating spirit.” The first part of the album represents children, while the second represents their parents. The themes of innocence, longing, and the passage of time are vividly painted across the sonic landscape. The lyrics are infused with poetic imagery, weaving tales of suffering, compassion, and a quest for peace.

[Verse 1]
This world is beautiful
Held within its stars
I keep it in my heart
The stars are your eyes
I loved them right from the start
A world so beautiful
And I keep it in my heart

[Bridge]
A ghosteen dances in my hand
Slowly twirling, twirling all around
A glowing circle in my hand
Dancing, dancing, dancing all around (In my hand)
A ghosteen dances in my hand (In my hand)
Slowly twirling, twirling all around (All around)
A ghosteen dances in my hand (In my hand)
Dancing, dancing, dancing all around (All around)
Here we go

[Verse 2]
There goes the moonlit man
Got a suitcase in his hand
He’s moving on
Down the road
Things tend to fall apart starting with his heart
He kisses you lightly and he leaves
Leaves your sleeping body
Curled and dreaming around your smile, your smile

[Verse 3]
The three bears watch the TV
They age a lifetime, O’ Lord
Mama bear holds the remote
Papa bear, he just floats
And baby bear, he has gone
To the moon in a boat, on a boat

[Verse 4]
I’m speaking about love now
And how the lights of love go down
You’re in the back room washing his clothes
Love’s like that, you know, it’s like a tidal flow
And the past with its fierce undertow won’t ever let us go
Won’t ever let you go

[Verse 5]
If I could move the night I would
And I would turn the world around if I could
There’s nothing wrong with loving something
You can’t hold in your hand
You’re sitting on the edge of the bed
Smoking and shaking your head
Well there’s nothing wrong with loving things
That cannot even stand

[Verse 6]
Well there goes your moony man
With his suitcase in his hand
Well every road is lined with animals
That rise from their blood and walk
Well the moon won’t get a wink of sleep
If I stay all night and talk
If I stay all night and talk

The album was recorded in 2018 and early 2019 at Woodshed in Malibu, Nightbird in Los Angeles, Retreat in Brighton and Candybomber in Berlin. The studio sessions were reportedly cathartic, with Cave and Ellis allowing the music to organically unfold. Unlike their previous work, which often featured a rawer sound, this album leans heavily into ambient and minimalistic instrumentation. The use of synthesizers, strings, and gentle piano melodies creates a lush, dreamlike atmosphere that envelops the listener.

References:
1. Ghosteen – The Red Hand Files
2. Ghosteen – Wikipedia