Music Quote by Nick Cave
““The boy will grow older, and over time there will be other songs – not many – ten or maybe twenty in a lifespan, that stand apart from the rest of the music he will discover. He will realise as he grows older still, and crosses the Canadian border and drives down into Seattle, that not only are these songs holy or sacred, they are hiding songs – what the Aztec Indians call carrion songs – that deal exclusively in darkness, obfuscation, concealment and secrecy. He will realize that, for him, the purpose of these songs has been to shut off the sun, to draw a long shadow down and protect him from the corrosive glare of the world.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing songwriting philosophy, date unknown
Some songs are intentionally obscure, serving as protective shadows that shield listeners from harsh realities.
In simple terms: Certain songs hide darkness to protect listeners.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that some art is meant to conceal rather than reveal.
Themes
artistic concealment
protective darkness
cultural symbolism
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
interpretive
When to use this quote
- exploring music history
- analyzing lyrical themes
- reflecting on personal growth
Key Concepts
carrion songs
Aztec references
song purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do artists choose to hide meaning?
- Can hidden songs still offer comfort?
A Different Perspective
The perspective may romanticize darkness, overlooking the value of openness.
![“As the world grows older there is loss and gain - let us not with modern insolence and blindness imagine it all gain; [...] but neither must we with neo-pagan obscurity of thought imagine it all loss.” quote by J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/108/j-r-r-tolkien-204_nostalgia_as-the-world-grows-older-there-is-loss-a_249388.jpg)
![“That's what we [outsiders] feel America is really about - the kind of crazed ravings of the Christian right - when it's probably something quite different.” quote by Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ca/nick-cave-1153_america_that-s-what-we-outsiders-feel-america-is_50754.jpg)
![“Downloading's the same as what I used to do. I used to tape the charts of the songs I liked [off the radio]. I don't mind it. I hate all these big, silly rock stars who moan. At least they're fuckin' downloading your music, you cunt, and paying attention, know what I mean? You should fuckin'…” quote by Liam Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c7/liam-gallagher-12691_liam-gallagher_downloading-s-the-same-as-what-i-used-to_369.jpg)
