Nick Cave Declined to Sing on Morrissey's 'Anti-Woke Screed' Track

Nick Cave reveals why he refused to join Morrissey on a provocative new song despite admiring his lyricism.

Nick Cave’s Candid Take on Collaborating with Morrissey

Nick Cave, the iconic frontman of The Bad Seeds, recently shared an intriguing story about turning down a collaboration with none other than Morrissey. Despite holding Morrissey in high regard as “one of the best lyricists of his generation,” Cave explained why he chose to pass on this opportunity.

Nick Cave and Morrissey – two legendary figures in alternative music

A Respectful Distance and Honest Admiration

Cave opened up on his website, The Red Hand Files, responding to a fan’s question about his relationship with the Smiths legend. He confessed, “I’ve never actually met Morrissey, which is probably why I like him.” He admired Morrissey as “undeniably a complex and divisive figure,” someone who enjoys provoking reactions.

“Morrissey is probably the best lyricist of his generation – certainly the strangest, funniest, most sophisticated, and most subtle.” – Nick Cave

Why Nick Cave Said No

While Cave was initially open to the idea of singing on Morrissey’s new track, the details of the song made him reconsider. He shared, “Morrissey asked if I’d sing on a new song he had written.” However, the track came with a “lengthy and entirely irrelevant Greek bouzouki intro.” More importantly, Cave realized Morrissey wanted him not to sing traditionally but to deliver “an unnecessarily provocative and slightly silly anti-woke screed” layered over the bouzouki.

Although Cave agreed with some sentiments expressed, he prefers to keep politics out of his music, believing it “has a diminishing effect” and clashes with his artistic goals. So, with respect, he declined.

Nick Cave Reflects on Yearning as the Human Condition

Moving beyond the collaboration, Cave shared thoughts on the nature of yearning, prompted by another fan’s question. He described yearning as “the essence of being human,” a feeling of incompleteness and a universal ache for “what is good, beautiful, and true.”

He noted music’s powerful role in soothing that longing, stating, “Certain music has the ability, at least temporarily, to fill that void, making us feel whole and less abandoned.” He highlighted how Morrissey’s music, despite sometimes sounding jaundiced or disaffected, “ushers us toward what is true.”

Championing Emerging Talent: YHWH Nailgun

Besides reflecting on Morrissey, Cave also praised the rising New York rock band YHWH Nailgun. He described them as “completely awesome” and noted their ability to “point us to the heavens by going all the way down.”

YHWH Nailgun – a promising new rock force from New York

The band was recently spotlighted among top emerging artists to watch in 2025, capturing inspiration from “everything expanding from blurriness, colour, light and dark.”

Separating Art from the Artist

Nick Cave has long encouraged separating Morrissey’s personal views from his music. Back in 2019, Cave urged fans to appreciate Morrissey’s “vast and extraordinary catalogue” despite controversies surrounding his political opinions.

He elaborated on this philosophy again last year, saying he makes peace with artists who have “disappointed” him as long as their art remains “authentic.” Cave acknowledged, “Our lives are complicated and we all think and do things that are often unfathomable to one another… but we do so because we live our experiences and find our truths in different places.”

The Role of Controversy in Great Art

In a 2023 interview, Cave suggested that some of the most compelling music often comes from the “most divisive personalities.” He stated, “I don’t particularly care where my art comes from… It’s not that I agree with their politics, which I don’t, I just think that what they’re putting into the world [with music] is essentially good so it should be encouraged.”

“It’s no accident that the really great stuff is often made by the most problematic people… there’s certainly no metric that says virtuousness makes good art.” – Nick Cave

Nick Cave’s Recent Endeavors and Morrissey’s Tour

Recently, Nick Cave shared a personal list of favorite films including Scarface, Bambi, and Love Actually on The Red Hand Files. He also kicked off his European solo tour in Zurich, Switzerland, with more dates planned across Europe.

Nick Cave, photo credit: Megan Cullen

Meanwhile, Morrissey released full footage of his New Year’s Eve 2024 concert at the Hollywood Palladium and continues his summer tour across the UK, Europe, and beyond.

A Musical Legacy That Transcends Controversy

Ultimately, Nick Cave’s reflections reveal a deep respect for Morrissey’s songwriting brilliance while maintaining his own artistic boundaries. His story invites us to think about the delicate balance between art, politics, and personal expression.

Conclusion

Does art lose its power when it becomes entangled with a creator’s controversial views? Nick Cave’s stance suggests that authentic artistry can—and perhaps should—stand apart from politics, allowing the music to speak for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What was the new Morrissey song that Nick Cave was asked to sing on?
  Morrissey sent Nick Cave a new song with a lengthy Greek bouzouki intro, accompanied by an anti-woke spoken word section, which Cave declined to perform.
• Why did Nick Cave refuse to sing on Morrissey’s song?
  Cave felt the political “anti-woke screed” was not aligned with his artistic approach, preferring to keep politics out of his music.
• How does Nick Cave view Morrissey’s songwriting?
  He considers Morrissey one of the best lyricists of his generation, admiring his wit, sophistication, and subtlety.
• What does Nick Cave believe about the connection between art and an artist’s personal views?
  Cave believes that great art can come from complicated and divisive individuals, and that an artist’s personal views don’t necessarily diminish the value of their work.
• Which emerging band did Nick Cave recently praise?
  Nick Cave praised the New York rock band YHWH Nailgun, calling them “completely awesome” and highlighting their unique sound.

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