Jubilee Street

Album: Push The Sky Away (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This prostitute-centric song finds Cave singing of "a girl named Bee" who lived on Jubilee Street. She would say to "all those good people," who also lived on the street, that they, "ought to practice what they preach." Asked by The Sun if he is referencing the Jubilee Street located in his hometown of Brighton, Cave replied: "If people think they're going to have a good time down Jubilee Street, I'd say forget about it unless they're particularly interested in going to the library or Yo Sushi. When I was writing that, I had it in my mind that Jubilee Street was another, more colourful street. Then I was actually walking along it, looked up and went, 'Oh no, this is f---ing Jubilee Street'.

    "So let's just say it's a Jubilee Street of the imagination," he continued. "But I can say, in a rather lovely, serendipitous way, that the song reflects how Jubilee Street used to be before they regenerated it - a very sleazy down-at-heel place."
  • John Hillcoat (The Road) directed the cinematic music video, which guest-stars actor Ray Winstone (The Departed). Hillcoat helmed 2005's The Proposition from Cave's script, which also starred Winstone.
  • Cave explained during a Twitter Q&A with fans that the "fetus on a leash" line from this song is "to do with rebirth."
  • Cave wrote another song on Push The Sky Away about the creation of "Jubilee Street." On "Finishing Jubilee Street," Cave puts down his pen on Bea's world and spins into a dream where he has a young bride called Mary Stanford.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.