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Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Cinnamon Horses Meaning and Review 


A Dreamy Tapestry of Love and Loss

"Cinnamon Horses," bathed in ethereal synths and Nick Cave's soft-spoken poetry, creates a captivating soundscape that transports listeners into a world of bittersweet reflection.


Contrasting Realities

The song weaves a delicate tapestry of love's enduring power, even amidst darkness and pain. Cave's lyrics paint a series of dreamlike images: cinnamon horses roaming through turpentine trees, white vampires basking under a strawberry moon, and crumbling castle ruins. These surreal elements create an atmosphere of otherworldly beauty and melancholy, providing a backdrop for the song's central theme of love's resilience.



The Price of Love

The lyrics express a tension between the desire for love and the inevitability of pain. Cave acknowledges that love can be both sweet and wounding, a force that demands sacrifice and vulnerability. The repetition of the phrase "You said that" underscores the dialogue between two lovers, highlighting the shared understanding of love's complexities.


Musical Dreamscape

Musically, "Cinnamon Horses" is a gentle and introspective track. The sparse instrumentation, led by atmospheric synths and subtle piano chords, creates a sense of intimacy and reflection. Cave's hushed vocals further enhance the song's dreamlike quality, drawing the listener into its emotional landscape.



Enduring Love

"Cinnamon Horses" is a beautiful and poignant meditation on love's enduring power. It's a song that acknowledges the inherent challenges and sacrifices that come with deep connection while also celebrating its transformative beauty. It's a testament to the human spirit's ability to find solace and hope even in the face of darkness and pain.


Listen to Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Cinnamon Horses


Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Cinnamon Horses Lyrics Meaning Explained 

The meaning of "Cinnamon Horses" by Nick Cave is an exploration of the enduring power of love amidst the complexities and challenges of human connection. The song delves into the bittersweet reality of love, acknowledging its potential for both profound joy and deep pain. Through dreamlike imagery and introspective lyrics, Cave navigates the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience, reminding us that even in the face of heartache and loss, love can persist and find solace in the ruins of the past.



"I told my friends that life was sweet / I told my friends that life was very sweet / And the cinnamon horses / In the turpentine trees"   

These opening lines introduce a sense of optimism and wonder. The narrator expresses a positive outlook on life, juxtaposed with the surreal image of "cinnamon horses" amidst "turpentine trees." This juxtaposition suggests that even within a world that can be harsh or challenging (turpentine being a volatile substance), there is still beauty and sweetness to be found.


"I told my friends some things were good / That love would endure if it could / And the cinnamon horses / Stroll through the castle ruins"   

Here, the narrator affirms their belief in the enduring power of love, even as they acknowledge its fragility. The image of cinnamon horses strolling through castle ruins further reinforces this theme. The ruins symbolize the passage of time and the potential for love to withstand decay and destruction.



"I said we can’t love someone / Without hurting someone / And a dozen white vampires / Under a strawberry moon"

These lines introduce a darker undercurrent, acknowledging the inherent risks and complexities of love. The image of "white vampires" under a "strawberry moon" is both alluring and unsettling, hinting at the seductive yet potentially dangerous nature of love.


"Because love asks for nothing / But love costs everything"

This central couplet encapsulates the paradoxical nature of love. It suggests that while love itself may not demand anything in return, it requires a profound level of vulnerability and sacrifice.



"I said we should not hurt one another / Still we hurt one another / And a dozen white vampires / Sun themselves in the castle ruins"

This repetition highlights the inherent challenges of human relationships. Despite our best intentions, we often inflict pain on those we love. The image of white vampires sunning themselves in the ruins further emphasizes this theme, suggesting that even in a seemingly idyllic setting, darkness and the potential for harm persist.


"You said that" (repeated multiple times)

This refrain serves as a reminder of the dialogue between the narrator and their lover. It highlights the shared understanding of love's complexities and the acceptance of its inherent contradictions.


The lyrics of Cinnamon Horses paint a picture of love as a force that is both beautiful and bittersweet, capable of bringing both joy and pain. The song acknowledges the challenges and sacrifices that come with deep connection, while also celebrating its transformative power and enduring beauty.



Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Cinnamon Horses Lyrics

I told my friends that life was sweet

I told my friends that life was very sweet

And the cinnamon horses

In the turpentine trees


I told my friends some things were good

That love would endure if it could

And the cinnamon horses

Stroll through the castle ruins


I said we can’t love someone

Without hurting someone

And a dozen white vampires

Under a strawberry moon


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh


You said that

You said that

Under a strawberry moon


Because love asks for nothing

But love costs everything

And the cinnamon horses

Dancе beneath a strawberry moon


I said wе should not hurt one another

Still we hurt one another

And a dozen white vampires

Sun themselves in the castle ruins


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh


I told my friends that life was sweet

I told my friends life was very sweet


You said that

You said that

In the castle ruins


I told my friends that life was good

That love would endure if it could


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh


You said that

You said that

You said that, ooh



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