The Bob Dylan Song Nick Cave Called a “Prayer”

In the world of songwriting, there are a handful of musicians who seemingly are disciples of Bob Dylan. Whether it be their genre, literary influence, or general demeanor, there are just a few musicians who look as if they are products of Dylan’s influence. Dylan’s influence is frankly inescapable. However, a couple of musicians take their fandom and admiration to a whole different level. One of those musicians is Nick Cave.

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Nick Gave is certainly Bob Dylan-esque. Thanks to his lyrically rich songs, mysterious disposition, and gritty character, the man has certainly taken a page out of Bob’s book. As a matter of fact, he’s acknowledged that, and Bob Dylan himself has also sung his praises. One particular instance in which Nick Cave believed Dylan hung the moon was on the unexpected song, “Murder Most Foul”.

Nick Cave Praises Bob Dylan’s 17-Minute Long Ballad

In 2020, Bob Dylan released his epic single, “Murder Most Foul”. The song articulates the story of the JFK assassination. Upon its release, it didn’t garner much commercial success. The song itself is a masterclass in storytelling, and Bob Dylan fans know that, acknowledge it, and praise it respectfully. Amidst those fans is Nick Cave, who screamed out his affinity for the single on the Red Hand Files.

Concerning his affinity for the song, Cave wrote that it is “a perplexing but beautiful song and, like many people, I have been extremely moved by it. Dylan’s relentless cascade of song references points to our potential as human beings to create beautiful things, even in the face of our own capacity for malevolence.”

Quite the compliment, but that is hardly even the beginning.

“Whirling around the incident Dylan weaves a litany of loved things—music mostly—that reach into the darkness, in deliverance,” Cave continued in his opinion piece. “As the song unfolds he throws down lifeline after lifeline, insistent and mantra-like, and we are lifted, at least momentarily, free of the event. Lyrically, it has all the perverse daring and playfulness of many of Dylan’s great songs, but beyond that there is something within his voice that feels extraordinarily comforting, especially at this moment.”

In the concluding portion of his post, Nick Cave paid Dylan the biggest respect seemingly possible. He stated in the closing segment of his piece that the song was “a lullaby, a chant, or a prayer.” In essence, Nick Cave knows where to pay credit where credit is due.

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