Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, known for their intense and evocative musical collaborations, lent their distinctive sound to a cover of “All the Gold in California” for the soundtrack of True Detective. This rendition, steeped in their signature atmospheric style, offers a compelling take on the 1970s country classic. Featured in the acclaimed HBO series, this version brings a darker, more introspective feel to the original song.
This cover of “All The Gold In California Song” was specifically recorded for the second season of True Detective. It graced the closing credits of an early episode, becoming a memorable sonic backdrop to the show’s brooding narrative. The track was officially released on the True Detective (Music From The HBO Series) soundtrack album in 2015, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the show itself.
While often perceived as a duo, this recording expands to include notable musicians. T-Bone Burnett, the music supervisor and producer for True Detective, contributed guitar to the track. He assembled a session band featuring Jay Bellerose on drums and Gabe Witcher on bass, adding depth and texture to Cave and Ellis’s core sound. Nick Launay, a long-time collaborator with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, also co-produced, marking one of his later projects with them.
“All the Gold in California” was originally penned by Larry Gatlin of Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band. Their 1979 rendition is a classic country tune, embodying a different spirit from Cave and Ellis’s interpretation. The lyrics themselves tell a cautionary tale about the allure of California and the often-unfulfilled dreams of finding fortune there.
All the gold in California
Is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills
In somebody else’s name
So if you’re dreamin’ about California
It don’t matter at all where you’ve played before
California’s a brand-new game
These lyrics, stark and poignant, resonate deeply in both Gatlin’s original country setting and Cave and Ellis’s more melancholic arrangement. The song speaks to the universal experience of chasing dreams and confronting the often-harsh realities of ambition. Cave and Ellis’s version amplifies this underlying sense of disillusionment, fitting seamlessly into the thematic landscape of True Detective.
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis Laughing Together, 2010. A photo of the musical duo during the period when they recorded their cover of 'All the Gold in California' for the True Detective soundtrack, showcasing their collaborative spirit.
In conclusion, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’s cover of “All the Gold in California song” stands as a testament to their ability to transform and reinterpret existing works. Their version, born from a soundtrack collaboration, not only honors the original song’s narrative but also enriches it with their distinctive musical identity, creating a haunting and memorable listening experience within and beyond the context of True Detective.
