Meta Description: Discover Nick Cave’s memorable encounter with Johnny Cash in 2000, when Cash covered “The Mercy Seat.” Learn how this meeting influenced Cave and why Cash’s legacy continues to inspire.
Nick Cave Reflects on Meeting Johnny Cash and the Iconic Cover of “The Mercy Seat”
Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave fondly recalls his meeting with the legendary Johnny Cash in 2000, when Cash recorded a powerful cover of Cave’s iconic track, “The Mercy Seat.” Originally released by Cave and his band, The Bad Seeds, in 1988 on their album Tender Prey, the song became a beloved staple in Cave’s discography. However, it took on a new dimension when Cash lent his legendary voice to it as part of his American III: Solitary Man album.
Johnny Cash’s Interpretation of “The Mercy Seat”
The cover appeared on Cash’s 2000 album American III: Solitary Man, produced by Rick Rubin, as part of the revered American Recordings series. The album featured 14 cover songs, including renditions of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and U2’s “One.” For Cave, Cash’s version of “The Mercy Seat” was particularly poignant.
In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on August 13th, Cave described Cash as his hero, reflecting on their meeting during the recording. Cash, who had been diagnosed with Shy–Drager syndrome in 1997, was seriously ill at the time but remained fiercely dedicated to his music. “When I arrived at the studio, he was not well at all. He was a sort of terrifying apparition of a man,” Cave recalled, highlighting the stark contrast between Cash’s physical condition and his unwavering commitment to his craft.
A Transformative Experience with Johnny Cash
Despite his frailty, Cash’s passion for music shone through once he stepped into the recording booth. Cave vividly remembered how Cash transformed before his eyes: “He went from this suffering individual into something really extraordinary, literally before my eyes.” This transformation left a lasting impression on Cave, who had long admired Cash, having grown up watching The Johnny Cash Show on television.
Cave concluded that while Cash passed away in 2003, his legacy continues to inspire artists like himself. The memory of their brief but powerful encounter remains etched in Cave’s mind as a testament to Cash’s indomitable spirit and influence on the world of music.
Nick Cave’s Ongoing Musical Journey
As Cave prepares to release his new album with The Bad Seeds, Wild God, on August 30th, he reflects on how the experience of meeting Cash and other life events have shaped his music. Describing the album as a “joyful, uplifting kind of record,” Cave noted that it comes from a place of healing after the tragic loss of two of his sons. “This record is some years on from events that happened in my life that sort of required my music to be different in a way,” he explained to Colbert.
