Loverman

Nick Cave has specifically stated that he didn't use characters when writing the songs on this album (with the exception of Jangling Jack) and that all of them are written from his personal perspective. That having been said, unless Mr. Cave has been able to lead a secret life of pedophilia, I find it highly improbable that this song is about a child molester.

Oh come on. Paedophilia and child molestation - I think not. Demonic love, demonic hate and lust, far better fill the words and the performance of the song. Listen to the song and not just the lyrics, it is about rage and a man (or demon) who feels he has been stripped of what is rightfully is (R is for render unto me baby, M is for that which is MINE) The whole thing just creeps with an ancient malevolence including whispered echoes of the main lyrics (demon talking in many voices). The scope of the narrative (seeing empires fall etc.) is far beyond the imagination and deviations of the human kind.

this song is simply about LUST.

I agree with the last poster (partenopei) This song is about lust, plain and simple. There is nothing creepy about it, unless you consider all men creepy. By this I mean that I see the lyrics as describing the darkside of all men when they hunger for sex. It's exaggerated and it is not meant to be taken literally that he's a devil or that he is possessive of her. It's about a simple guy whose brilliant master plan is to get his girl's dress off. He can't help himself, he wants sex, and he will say or do whatever he needs to in order to get it. And in his lust induced haze, he gets all territorial (even some mild mannered men get like in the bedroom) but there is no violence in the song.

The song is basically about the male need for sex. He is a typical pig of a man but one whom I find sort of endearing because he makes at least the effort to profess undying love.

It's about mans intense lust and love for a woman who sees his desire and uses it to have power over him. She makes him wait outside her door and then crawl over the floor before she will let him have her. He is willing to do anything or say anything to have her. She makes him feel unworthy, weak, evil, stupid and old but she finally gives him what he wants and it makes him want her more. His lust is temporarily satisfied but he is infatuated and wants her to be his bride.

Alright, take a load of this: what if this is an answer to Billie Holiday's Lover Man? http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858529289/

Links: -She's asking where her lover man might be, he starts every verse with his location(outside, on the floor, by her side(which she asks for as well). -She's praying for a lover, he's coming down, saying Amen. "A is for ANSWERING all of my prayers N is for KNOWING your loverman's going to be the answer to all of yours " -She asks to be whispered in her ear, while throughout the song whispers can be heard on the back. -And of course, the fact he's a Devil and she says to give her soul for a loverman.

This might be odd, but Cave is know to make adaption on older Blues/Jazz tunes and refer to them.

Now, of course, this would add a curtain "Be careful what for you wish, you just might get it" feel to it. That combined with the obvious masculine, low, urging need of sex theme this might be a message of precaution.

This is simple: A song about child molestors. Ironic lyrics about how good they think they are, when it's really saying how stupid and unhuman they are.

"E is for EVEN if you want me to" Shows the very dark humor of Cave.

One of my favorites songs and lyrics. Absoloutly brilliant, like most of Cave's songs.

Explain your reasoning for it being about paedophilia? It kinda makes sense when you say it, but I'd never have jumped to that conclusion... Why do think it's not just a desperate, slightly depraved, perhaps still quite predatory man after a woman?

i think if it was about a peado it would be 100 times more chilling then it already is. then again i re-read the lyrics. would a paedo really 'lie by your side' ...thankfully i dont know but i do query that reading..although it could easily fit. eugh it makes me sick to even think about it. i really like this song, very powerful, nicks rasps are truly TERRIFYING!

I know "Do You Love Me (part 2)" actually is about child molestation, having read an interview with Cave that said just that.

On the other hand, I don't think I agree it applies to this one, I don't think it's sinister enough. I think the self-deprecating stuff is aimed at a lifelong partner who knows the flaws of the hero but who accepts him all the same.