Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

Nick Cave

About Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

"Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" is a song written by Nick Cave and was released by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as a single on February 18, 2008. The song, like much of the band's recent work, was produced by Nick Launay. The song has been available on the band's official website since Christmas Day, 2007, and the video has been viewable on the website since early January. In a journal available at the Nick Cave Exhibition, it is revealed that an earlier version was instead about a man who was dead, who when he was saying "I don't know what it is but there's definitely something going on upstairs" referring to continuing brain activity. The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 24 February 2008 at number 66. It also appeared as number 35 on Triple J Hottest 100 for 2008. 


Year:
2008
4:11
80 
#2

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Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that hole

Larry made his nest up in the autumn branches
Built from nothing but high hopes and thin air
Collected up some baby blasted mothers
They took their chances and for a while
They lived quite happily up there

He came from New York City man
But he couldn't take the pace
He thought it was like a dog eat dog world
But he went to San Francisco
Spent a year in outer space
With a sweet little San Franciscan girl

I can hear my mother wailing
And a whole lot of scraping of chairs

I don't know what it is
But there's definitely something going on upstairs
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that hole (I want you to dig)
(I want you to dig)
(I want you to dig)

Well, yeah, New York City, he had to get out of there
And San Francisco, well, I don't know
And then to LA, where he spent about a day
He thought even the pale sky-stars were smart
Enough to keep well away from LA

Meanwhile Larry made up names for the ladies
Like Ms Boo and Ms Quick
He stockpiled weapons and took pot shots in the air
He feasted on their lovely bodies like a lunatic
And wrapped himself up in their soft yellow hair

I can hear chants and incantations
And some guy is mentioning me in his prayers

Well I don't know what it is
But there's definitely something going on upstairs
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that hole (I want you to dig)
(I want you to dig)
(I want you to dig)

Well New York City Man
San Francisco, LA, I don't know
But Larry grew increasingly neurotic and obscene
I mean, he, he never asked to be raised up from the tomb
I mean no one ever actually asked him to forsake his dreams

Anyway, to cut a long story short
Fame finally found him
Mirrors became his torturers
Cameras snapped him at every chance
The women all went back to their homes
And their husbands
With secret smiles in the corners of their mouths

He ended up, like so many of them do
Back in the streets of New York City
In a soup queue
A dope fiend
A slave
Then prison
Then the mad house
Then the grave
Oh poor Larry

But what do we really know of the dead
And who actually cares?
Well I don't know what it is
But there's definitely something going on upstairs

Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that hole (I want you to dig)
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that (dig, that's right, dig)
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that (I want you to dig)
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, Lazarus
Dig yourself, back in that hole

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Nick Cave

Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional film actor. more »

3 fans

Written by: Nicholas Edward Cave

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Title Track
"Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" is the title track from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ 14th studio album.
Genre Classification
The song exudes a mix of alternative rock, punk blues, and garage rock, showing Cave's diversity as a musician.
Release Date
The song was released on January 28, 2008, five years after their previous project, "Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus."
Chart Rankings
"Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" peaked at number 64 on the UK Singles Chart. The album itself reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and won Album of the Year at the MOJO Awards 2008.
Inspiration
The song references the biblical figure Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Cave reimagines Lazarus in present-day New York City and explores the implications of his resurrection.
Music Video
The song's music video, directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, features Cave and his band dressed in suits, echoing the 70s punk rock fashion. It also incorporates various visual effects, including distortion, rapid-cut editing, and psychedelic backdrops.
Lyric Composition
Nick Cave's lyrics are often praised for their literary quality and "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" is no exception. Its lyrics are complex and indivisible from the music, using narratives and metaphors.
Critical Acclaim
The album "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" received widespread critical acclaim for its energy and raw sound, with the title track often singled out for praise. Pitchfork noted its "addictive chorus and hypnotic rhythm."
Band Members
Alongside Nick Cave, the Bad Seeds on this track were Warren Ellis, Martyn P. Casey, Thomas Wydler, Jim Sclavunos, and James Johnston.
Touring
Following the release of "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!", the band embarked on a world tour, playing shows across Europe, North America, and Australia. The live performances of this track are often noted for their high energy and spectacle.

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