You have all started me thinking about your various interpretations (including, of course, the quotes from Cave himself about the song).
Some have suggested a divine dialogue. I like the flavour of that very much, since Cave often speaks to the divine.
I never had a solid explanation about the smile on the speaker's face, but I'm entertaining the idea that the speaker's smile comes from realizing that the woman is correct, bringing a conflicting flood of shame and revelation as well as maybe love for the one who holds such passion for his happiness and betterment. I used to simply dismiss the smile as an arrogant mockery of her idealism, but there could be much deeper and subtle meanings..
You have all started me thinking about your various interpretations (including, of course, the quotes from Cave himself about the song).
Some have suggested a divine dialogue. I like the flavour of that very much, since Cave often speaks to the divine.
I never had a solid explanation about the smile on the speaker's face, but I'm entertaining the idea that the speaker's smile comes from realizing that the woman is correct, bringing a conflicting flood of shame and revelation as well as maybe love for the one who holds such passion for his happiness and betterment. I used to simply dismiss the smile as an arrogant mockery of her idealism, but there could be much deeper and subtle meanings..
thanks for sharing! -Phase