I was recently listening to “Hollywood” and finally recognized the connection between the “cougar that roams these parts / with a terrible engine of wrath for a heart” and P-22, the real mountain lion who was born in the mountains and crossed highways before settling in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Beloved by Angelenos, he was famously captured on film prowling under the Hollywood sign. As you likely know, P-22’s reign ended in December when he was euthanized after sustaining injuries when struck by a car. A celebration of his life was held last Saturday. I became fascinated by his story and how much he meant to the city of Los Angeles – a kind of “folk hero.” Why did P-22 become the basis for such a powerful metaphor in your song? In light of his death, do you have any lines you’d like to share about this rare, wild creature?
KAT @ Issue no. 221Do you often think of the circumstances of your death, Nick? I do. When I die, I wanna die peacefully like my Grandpa did, in his sleep, and not screaming and cursing like all the passengers in his car.
JUAN @ Issue no. 84We are some students in an elementary school, from 12 and 13 years. We have studied with our teacher about the death in your music. We’ve got some questions about your songs. How do you represent death through your songs? And have you some guilty about your tragic evenements in your life about the death? We found you sometimes weirdos, strange and dark in your differents songs, but we like it! So how do you see yourself in your songs? Are you happy sometimes?
CHILDREN FROM THE COLLEGE OF CORSICA @ Issue no. 310