Nick Cave has credited Leonard Cohen's 1971 album 'Songs of Love and Hate' as a transformative artistic discovery during his adolescence. Unlike musical influences passed down through his older brother's collection, Cave sought out Cohen independently, describing this as his first self-directed musical experience. The album captivated him despite bewildering those around him, establishing Cohen as a defining influence on Cave's creative identity and approach to songwriting.

Rather than interpreting Cohen's melancholic atmosphere as purely depressing—as his peers did—Cave found the work creatively energising. He has explained that the sadness in Cohen's compositions provided motivation rather than despair, fundamentally shaping how Cave constructs his own emotionally challenging material. This perspective demonstrates how music exploring darker emotional territory can contain deeper beauty and meaning, enabling artists to create work that resonates with listeners seeking authentic emotional connection.