Most people don't know, but this song is about a real guy named Stag/Stack Lee from St. Louis who shot Billy Lyons over a Stetson hat. It's a 124 year old story (in 2019) but not quite ancient history. Wikipedia has a decent article about it. There's something like 7-8 completely different songs by different artists about this event (names vary Stag'o Lee, Stack Lee, Stagger Lee, etc..) The Grateful Dead's version is my favorite, and how I found this interesting take.

Terscheckii 35711 - thanks for that history. I love The Dead’s versions as well. Taj Mahal did a super-rootsy recording, that I heard for the 1st time not too long ago...but, I feel that Mr. Cave’s version & performance of this event Wins the Spirit Award, for Sure! I’d bet that I’ve watched this ACL show between 12 & 20 times and it Never Gets Old. I’ll check out the Wiki, so thanks again for the Enlightenment & Keep On Truckin’, Pal ✌️

@@Terscheckii-zm6lt Yeah, it's not even that extraordinary of a story in reality, but somehow it became an enduring part of folk song tradition. Lloyd Price had a hit with it in 1958. The Clash referenced it on London Calling. Bob Dylan covered a version in 1993. I don't know why this incident captured the imagination more than any other drunken murder.

Lee Shelton is an American legend. Good post by the way, do yourself a favor and listen to Southside Johnny's cover of this song, you'll be glad you did.

And no hype or nudity or desperation to be popular! Just pure talent!

Talking to him is better

Absolutely agree! I've had that pleasure four times already. And I already have a ticket to the Carnage concert in NYC in March. I know it's not gonna be the same with the pandemic regulations and all and I'll be sitting pretty far anyway but I'm still excited.

Your probably to young to remember his other bands - the boys next door & The Birthday Party check em out late 70s & 80s

Miss Roland S Howard & Tracy Pew RIP from Nick Caves early bands

Really? He ok. I seen better. If that's what you consider living, you are a baby 😂

Known him since 'The Boys Next Door'.

FUCKING is the word😉

When I saw it, I said "look at this lucky mofo", lol.. That's awesome.

J. Dennis Thomas Did you feel it...

His stage presence is amazing. The bravado that he shows when singing the lyrics. Tell me another person that has not won 50 grammys and sold 5 billion records that holds the crowd like that

J. Dennis Thomas was that cause you said the line making him go ‘yeah yeah yeah?’

This is a seance

The only thing missing from the doc was more live performance footage!!

Ty’s 4 info fan

Damn didn’t know Conway passed!!

Wow! Strangely enough, "616" might actually be the real number of the beast according to some scholars.

nevar23 - I think he turns it into a Fiddle, too! he’s brilliant with Mr. Cave & seems to bring a lot of “What the Song & Performance” Need(s) to it all...especially on stage.

Thats the dude from dirty3 right?

@@visionaerie Yep, it is.

@@nevar23 I actually got to see dirty 3 this night club in Washington DC called the black cat must have been maybe the mid-90s

@@visionaerie Lucky you! That's awesome. I almost went to a D3 show but ended up having to work.

Hell ya 💯

I can the f word!! Give me a break!!

@@cathsalazar9930 you do know I was being facetious right? I love Nick Cave but also am a PBS fan. Many of his songs would work just fine on PBS, but not this one lol!

@@mikewatts867 got it! But they never aired this gig or several others in my area! Missed several like Duran Duran & Nick Cave, they don’t air the same concerts in every area PBS is available!! Not a fan of PBS for that reason! But have seen a few things in the past I liked! Know this song won’t stand a chance on PBS but loved hearing it the way Nick did it! Fabulous! Ty’s bro at 72 & an 80’s fan of these type of bands & others those type of words don’t bother me in the least! Heard it & Say it when pissed! Take care ☮️👍🇺🇸

Nobody has truly lived yet until you've been at a Bad Seed gig and Nick Cave points at you while he's singing.

that happened to me during a live performance at Alexandra Place 2005, fucking epic.

Chris Huckeby SO DO I

Totally. I love the album version just fine, but I think that addition really makes the song complete. (And it ain't a Nick Cave track til he gets in a lil' bit of that Old Testament Christian imagery!)

He included it with the Abattoir Blues tour years ago.

Geoffrey Whitehouse Brixton Academy 2004 and i was there. ;)

Exactly what I was thinking

WildRiverWild Band even better than that crap

Idk...Jim was on his own level don’t get me wrong nick is great but definitely not better nor the same as Jim. Gotta love that stagger lee!

A comparison which should not be made. He is original.

Morrison was a ranting drunk.

elvisettey "golf clapping" lol that's such a good phrase. And yeah, one of the things that first got me hooked on Nick Cave was the intense way his audience responded to his performances... for example, when he stood on the fence at Glastonbury 2013. That was beyond crazy.

"Beyond crazy"-- that's Nick Cave, in two words!

The city of Austin: their laws are firm but fair; they have a woman for a mayor.

I imagine him as John Wayne Gacy. He was violent, had wife, loved boys... Strange thing is that actors look more dangerous than real beasts.

@Cat is that because of the forced oral sex followed by murder? 🤔😅

@@fincarosa yes.

Elvis's unborn twin craven vengeance.

Danzig has been nicknamed Evil Elvis

nope, cave is his own. however his counterpart and honorary bad seed; jeffrey lee pierce, was always considered an "elvis from hell" or a dark elvis, if you will. cave and debbie harry did a cover of one of his songs on a tribute album to him. it's called the breaking hands, check it out

Yes

Not Einstein, Mr Savage Conway. Rest in peace.