"Tupelo" is the second single by Australian post-punk band

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian rock music, rock band formed in 1983 by vocalist Nick Cave, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey and guitarist-vocalist Blixa Bargeld. The band has featured international personnel throughout its care ...

and the only single from the band's second album ''

The Firstborn Is Dead ''The Firstborn Is Dead'' is the second studio album released by the post-punk band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It was first released in 1985. On this record, singer Nick Cave continued his fascination with the American South, with its referenc ...

''.

Background and production

The song was written in 1984 by Cave along with Barry Adamson (who plays drums on the track) and Mick Harvey (who plays bass). Using biblical imagery, the song describes the birth of Elvis Presley during a heavy storm in

Tupelo, Mississippi Tupelo () is a city in and the county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States. With an estimated population of 38,300, Tupelo is the sixth-largest city in Mississippi and is considered a commercial, industrial, and cultural hub of North M ...

. The song is loosely based on the

John Lee Hooker John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1912 or 1917 – June 21, 2001) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. The son of a sharecropper, he rose to prominence performing an electric guitar-style adaptation of Delta blues. Hooker often ...

song of the same title, which also focuses on a flood in the same town. The "looky looky yonder" motif that is featured in the song is derived from a song of the same name recorded by

Lead Belly Huddie William Ledbetter (; January 20, 1888 – December 6, 1949), better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk music, folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, Virtuoso, virtuosity on the twelve-string guita ...

, usually found as part of a medley which Cave himself covered under the title " Black Betty" on Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' third album, ''

Kicking Against the Pricks ''Kicking Against the Pricks'' is the third album released by the rock music group Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. First released in 1986, the album is a collection of Cave's interpretations of cover song, songs by other artists. The title is a ref ...

''. "Tupelo" was released on 29 July 1985.

"The Six Strings That Drew Blood"

"Tupelo"'s B-side, "The Six Strings That Drew Blood", was recorded in March 1985 at Trident Studios in London and was a re-recording of a song Cave originally recorded with the Birthday Party during the ''Mutiny'' EP sessions in 1982. The original version of the song is included on the Birthday Party's ''

Mutiny/The Bad Seed ''Mutiny/The Bad Seed'' is a compilation album by The Birthday Party. It is compiled from 2 EPs, ''The Bad Seed '' recorded in October 1982, and ''Mutiny!'' recorded in April and August 1983, and both were released in 1983. ''The Bad Seed'' and ...

'' compilation album.

Critical reception

The song was ranked number 5 among the "Tracks of the Year" for 1985 by '' NME''.

Track listing

All songs written by

Nick Cave Nicholas Edward Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian singer, songwriter, poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional actor. Known for his baritone voice and for fronting the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Ca ...

, except where noted *Standard 7" vinyl #"Tupelo" ( Barry Adamson, Cave, Mick Harvey) – 5:01 #"The Six Strings That Drew Blood" – 4:50 *Standard 12" vinyl #"Tupelo" – 5:01 #" In the Ghetto" (

Mac Davis Morris Mac Davis (January 21, 1942 – September 29, 2020) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and actor. A native of Lubbock, Texas, he enjoyed success as a crossover artist, and during his early career he wrote for Elvis Presley, ...

) – 4:08 #"The Moon Is in the Gutter" – 2:38 #"The Six Strings That Drew Blood" – 4:50

Cover versions

* SikTh covered the song on their album ''

The Trees Are Dead & Dried Out Wait for Something Wild ''The Trees Are Dead & Dried Out Wait for Something Wild'' is the debut album by British progressive metal band Sikth, released on 18 August 2003 by Unparalleled Records. The album was produced by the band and Andrew Scarth. Background Sikth w ...

''.

Charts

References

{{Authority control Songs about Elvis Presley Songs about weather Songs about floods Songs about rivers Songs about the Mississippi River 1985 singles Nick Cave songs Song recordings produced by Flood (producer) Songs written by Nick Cave Songs written by Mick Harvey 1985 songs Mute Records singles Songs written by Barry Adamson UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles