Abattoir Blues

Album: Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of a number of songs in which Cave draws on a sense of post-nuclear apocalypse, without explaining what actually happened. The Australian singer explained to Mojo magazine March 2009 that, "it's the apocalypse that's happened or is happening incrementally, gradually. Or it's metaphoric." He added: "I like the apocalyptic backdrop for a human story. Although I read the newspapers, I'm still not very interested in writing about that stuff."

Comments: 1

  • Mickey Knox from Crowleyville, WvWow. "Abattoir Blues" rocks. I like the whole post-nuclear apocalypse idea especially since Mad Max is one of my favorite movies. I have often wondered what would life would be like in a dystopian society. Would the survivors devolve ino simply hunter/gatherer types or would they become more of a barbaric tribe. Like I previously stated I like movies and songs that have a bleak future theme and Abattior Blues fits right in.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.