King Ink II

by Nick Cave

This second collection of Nick Cave's song lyrics and other writings covers the period from the ground-breaking album Tender Prey to the sublime simplicity of The Boatman's Call. In addition to all Cave's lyrics recorded with The Bad Seeds during this time, King Ink II includes several lyrics as yet unrecorded, as well as a number written for other artists and for the Wim Wenders films Faraway, So Close! and Until the End of the World. A short film treatment and a substantial essay on the subject of language and the Bible, "The Flesh Made Word," are among further material which is not available elsewhere.

Genres: Poetry, Music, Fiction, Contemporary

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Nicholas Edward Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional actor. He is best known for his work in the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and his fascination with American music and its roots. He has a reputation, which he disowns, for singing dark, brooding songs which some listeners regard as depressing. His music is characterised by intensity, high energy and a wide variety of influences. He currently lives in Brighton & Hove in England.

Cave released his first book King Ink, in 1988. It is a collection of lyrics and plays, including collaborations with American enfant terrible Lydia Lunch.

While he was based in West Berlin, Cave started working on what was to become his debut novel, And the Ass Saw the Angel (1989). Significant crossover is evident between the themes in the book and the lyrics Cave wrote in the late stages of the Birthday Party and the early stage of his solo career. "Swampland", from Mutiny, in particular, uses the same linguistic stylings ('mah' for 'my', for instance) and some of the same themes (the narrator being haunted by the memory of a girl called Lucy, being hunted like an animal, approaching death and execution). A collectors' limited edition of the book appeared in 2007.

Cave wrote the foreword to a Canongate publication of the Gospel according to Mark, published in the UK in 1998. The American publication of the same book contains a foreword by a different author.

Reviews

[Ti Emme Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nick Cave.
Nothing else to say.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excitedly reread last night after years, as I finally found a copy of King Ink I for my birthday yesterday.

Yep. Without a doubt, I can hear the sound of his voice on paper as well as I could in a recording.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Nick Cave's lyrics, so it's nice to have them in consolidated volumes. However, nothing substitutes for hearing the music itself, so reading them is a bit drab by comparison.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick Cave is a god. I adore him.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Ink II by Nick Cave (1997)

[Giuliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content itself is worth 5 stars (Nick Cave is one of the great literate songwriters, I wouldn't be surprised if he were considered for the Nobel prize at some point, like Dylan) but my edition at least contains a number of typos that spoiled my enjoyment- starting on the very first page: Nick Cave and the Band Seeds?!?!?!?!??! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[Collin Ouellette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore through this book in three days. Cave is such an amazing writer. I wish i had the words to accurately explain how his writing makes me feel, and thats what his writing does. He has captured so many moments, moments of despair and joy so poignant we can’t help but see ourselves reflected. Nick Cave is certainly deserving of praise and admiration for this collection.

[elisa day · Rating 5 out of 5]

jeszcze lepsza niż wcześniejsza część

[sequoia spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

big fan! huge fan! as much as i love Nick Caves' music, i am drawn to the lyrics, so reading the second volume of King Ink was great.. song lyrics become poems, become prose - on paper..