Jack Antonoff’s final Rolling Stone Guest List selection is a song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
I must confess to a complete ignorance of Cave’s work. I feel like I’ve heard the name more times than I can count, often cited as an influence by artists I admire, but I’ve never taken the time to explore the man’s music.
I’m grateful to Antonoff for giving me that opportunity.
Here’s what he has to say about ‘Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow’:
Ten years ago, my old band used to cover this. People would think we sucked — then we’d play this, and everyone would be transfixed.
OK, that was a pretty awesome song — definitely my favorite discovery of the week. I don’t know how representative of Nick Cave’s work it is (I’ve read he’s pretty eclectic) but it definitely has me curious about the rest.
She’s long gone
Where is Mary?
She’s taken her along
But they haven’t put their mittens on
And there’s fifteen feet of pure white snow?
Where is Michael?
Where is Mark?
Where is Matthew?
Now it’s getting dark…
Where is John? They’re all out back
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Would you please put down that telephone?
We’re under fifteen feet of pure white snow
I waved to my neighbour
My neighbour waved to me
But my neighbour
Is my enemy
I kept waving my arms
Till I could not see
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Is there anybody
Out there please?
It’s too quiet in here
And I’m beginning to freeze
I’ve got icicles hanging
From my knees
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Is there anybody here who feels this low
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Raise your hands up to the sky
Raise your hands up to the sky
Raise your hands up to the sky
Is it any wonder?
Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord
Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord
Doctor, Doctor
I’m going mad
This is the worst day
I’ve ever had
I can’t remember
Ever feeling this bad
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Where’s my nurse
I need some healing
I’ve been paralysed
By a lack of feeling
I can’t even find
Anything worth stealing
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Is there anyone here who doesn’t know?
We’re under fifteen feet of pure white snow
Raise your hands up to the sky
Raise your hands up to the sky
Raise your hands up to the sky
Is it any wonder?
Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord
Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord
Save yourself! Help yourself!
Save yourself! Help yourself!
Save yourself! Help yourself!
Save yourself! Help yourself!
Meet Me In Montauk 
Quite the face on this guy!😄
Good stuff. This song sounds like a cross between Springsteen and the Talking Heads. Those are some pretty good influences.
Quite riveting, actually