Red Right Hand
Nick Cave
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Take a little walk to the edge of town And go across the tracks Where the viaduct looms Like a bird of doom As it shifts and cracks Where secrets lie in the border fires In the humming wires Hey man, you know You're never coming back Past the square, past the bridge Past the mills, past the stacks On a gathering storm comes A tall handsome man In a dusty black coat with A red right hand He'll wrap you in his arms, Tell you that you've been a good boy He'll rekindle all the dreams It took you a lifetime to destroy He'll reach deep into the hole Heal your shrinking soul But there won't be a single thing that you can do He's a god, he's a man He's a ghost, he's a guru They're whispering his name Through this disappearing land But hidden in his coat Is a red right hand You don't have no money? He'll get you some You don't have no car? He'll get you one You don't have no self-respect You feel like an insect Well don't you worry buddy 'Cause here he comes Through the ghettos and the barrio And the Bowery and the slum A shadow is cast wherever he stands Stacks of green paper in his Red right hand You'll see him in your nightmares You'll see him in your dreams He'll appear out of nowhere but He ain't what he seems You'll see him in your head On the TV screen Hey buddy, I'm warning You to turn it off He's a ghost, he's a god He's a man, he's a guru You're one microscopic cog In his catastrophic plan Designed and directed by His red right hand
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Written by: Mick Harvey, Nick Cave, Thomas Wydler
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Background"Red Right Hand" is a song by Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It was first released as a lead single from the band's 1994 album, "Let Love In".
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Lyrics InspirationThe phrase "red right hand" is a line from John Milton’s epic poem "Paradise Lost". It refers to the vengeful hand of God.
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Song FeaturesThe song is notable for its distinctive bass line and minimalistic instrumentation, which features a looping organ part, a sharp, high pitched violin, and a steadily building arrangement.
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Use in Popular MediaIt has been used extensively in popular media, most notably as the theme song for the television series "Peaky Blinders," as well as in films like "Scream" and "Dumb & Dumber".
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Covers and RemixesNumerous artists have covered the song, including Arctic Monkeys, Snoop Dogg and PJ Harvey. The song has also been remixed numerous times by artists like Iggy Pop and Jarvis Cocker.
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Critical Acclaim"Red Right Hand" is often cited as one of Nick Cave's best songs, praised for its eerie, ominous tone and its evocative lyrics.
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Chart PerformanceUpon its initial release, the song reached No. 62 in the UK Singles Chart, making it one of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ highest charting songs at that time.
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TitleDespite the gory implications of the title and some of the lyrics, Cave himself has stated that the song is not about any specific event or person, but rather is meant to evoke a sense of impending doom.
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Concert TraditionThe performance of "Red Right Hand" often acts as an encore or standing piece in most of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ concerts, highlighting its popularity among their fanbase.
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Song LengthThough the original song is only 6 minutes and 11 seconds long, numerous extended versions have been produced, including a ten minute-long version used in the opening of the film "Hellboy".
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Citation
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"Red Right Hand Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23635952/Nick+Cave/Red+Right+Hand>.
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