jon41987 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I never understand that people interpret the song being about him wanting to preserve her beauty & not let it fade away. He clearly states that he kills her using a rock. By using a rock to kill her, he really is killing her beauty not preserving it, as he says "all beauty must die." If he wanted to preserve her beauty & kill her wouldnt poisoning her be better. Check out The Willow Garden apparently its the song that influenced Cave to write Where the Wild Roses Grow.

zarewitsch19921 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i think he´s necrophilic

danylady2 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

wasn't elisa day killed by ted bundy

RoseTyler01 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I agree but it' still strange..

vladjovy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

True. Greatest interpretation till now. Good job:). Loved the "feelings not meaning" afirmation.

b4db0y4lif3 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wanna hear my interpretation?It's just art. Feelings not meaning.But ..I think I understand why he killed her.He sees women like roses.And she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.But both roses and her had a flaw.Their beauty just fades away with time...Desperate that the image of the perfect woman will show it's flaws he decides to preserve it. To keep perfection until it's too late.

artery13 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

A very beautiful song and the video is like the literal interpretation of the text. Like this very much. Nick Cave is one of my most favourite musicians.

strawberrydollhouse (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

you should listen to the gregorian chant version. it's way creepier.

Perfect1Stranger1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I think the song is about him findling the most beautiful women, and killing her so no one else can have her.

aslightnod (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

More obsessed than in love then..You don't kill someone for the single reason that they grow old and beauty fades if you love them. Doesn't make sense but yes, the man in the story is clearly insane! Love this song!