Musicians who have “made it” serve as invaluable inspiration for aspiring artists on what to strive for and, in the case of Nick Cave’s rejection of a 1996 MTV award, what not to strive for. Just as the Australian frontman for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds was enjoying the apex of fame in the mid-1990s, he reminded the world (and, more specifically, anyone pursuing an artistic craft) of what really matters. Unsurprisingly, trophies didn’t make his list.
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Cave isn’t the only artist who has rejected or denied an award, honorary title, or other career-defining accolade. But the letter he sent to MTV declining his nomination is a wellspring of creative guidance, particularly for songwriters who deal in the art of weaving music out of thin air.
Nick Cave’s Powerful Rejection Letter To MTV
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released what would become their most commercially successful album to date on February 5, 1996. Cave’s duet with Kylie Minogue, “Where the Wild Roses Grow,” became a hit single that catapulted Cave into the running for countless award shows and other music industry accolades. One such award was Best Male Artist by MTV, which Cave swiftly and eloquently rejected in a stunning letter defending his muse.
Cave began his letter, dated October 21, 1996, expressing his “sincere thanks” and gratitude to MTV and the artists featured on Murder Ballads, including Minogue and PJ Harvey. “Having said that,” he continued, “I feel that it’s necessary for me to request that my nomination for best male artist be withdrawn and furthermore any awards or nominations for such awards that may arise in later years be presented to those who feel more comfortable with the competitive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.”
“My relationship with my muse is a delicate one at the best of times,” Cave wrote. “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 judgment and competition. My muse is not a horse, and I am in no horse race. 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!”
“Again I say thank you but no…no thank you,” he concluded.
Why Songwriters Should Be Paying Attention
In the hustle and bustle of the hyper-competitive music industry, it can be all too easy to forget the tender relationship between an artist and its muse that Cave talks about in his letter. His words are more than a protest to the commodifying nature of award shows and industry props. They’re a stunning reminder to all songwriters (and, for that matter, any creative artist) of what’s really important. His letter also serves as a warning. Forget these crucial elements of your craft, and you’re liable to use it completely.
As the old adage goes, comparison is the thief of joy, and competition intrinsically requires comparison. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with trying to shoot for the stars in your artistic endeavors, there is something to be said about protecting the relationship between your conscious mind and that deep, innermost part of you that inspired you to start creating in the first place. The muse is a wily, slippery being. Focus too much on the wrong thing, and as Cave suggests, she’s liable to take offense and bolt.
This is a hard lesson to keep in mind when trying to “make it” as an artist. Nevertheless, it’s one we would all be wise to remember.
Photo by Jack Flynn/Shutterstock
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