jon41987 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

I never understand that people interpret the song being about him wanting to preserve her beauty & not let it fade away. He clearly states that he kills her using a rock. By using a rock to kill her, he really is killing her beauty not preserving it, as he says "all beauty must die." If he wanted to preserve her beauty & kill her wouldnt poisoning her be better. Check out The Willow Garden apparently its the song that influenced Cave to write Where the Wild Roses Grow.

zarewitsch19921 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

i think he´s necrophilic

danylady2 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

wasn't elisa day killed by ted bundy

RoseTyler01 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

I agree but it' still strange..

vladjovy (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

True. Greatest interpretation till now. Good job:). Loved the "feelings not meaning" afirmation.

b4db0y4lif3 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

Wanna hear my interpretation? It's just art. Feelings not meaning. But ..I think I understand why he killed her. He sees women like roses. And she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. But both roses and her had a flaw. Their beauty just fades away with time...Desperate that the image of the perfect woman will show it's flaws he decides to preserve it. To keep perfection until it's too late.

artery13 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

A very beautiful song and the video is like the literal interpretation of the text. Like this very much. Nick Cave is one of my most favourite musicians.

strawberrydollhouse (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

you should listen to the gregorian chant version. it's way creepier.

Perfect1Stranger1 (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

I think the song is about him findling the most beautiful women, and killing her so no one else can have her.

aslightnod (December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm)

More obsessed than in love then..You don't kill someone for the single reason that they grow old and beauty fades if you love them. Doesn't make sense but yes, the man in the story is clearly insane! Love this song!