Into My Arms by Nick Cave

"I don't believe in an interventionist God" must be one of the most original opening lines to a song.

It's one that resonates with the people in this programme who take comfort from Nick Cave's love song.

Els from Belgium was introduced to Cave's music through her partner Guido and Into My Arms became their song.

After Guido died in a road accident Els carried on going to concerts and took great comfort from hearing that song. When she later wrote to Nick Cave's blog The Red Hand Files to tell him her story about Into My Arms she was overwhelmed when Nick Cave responded.

The Reverend John Walker feels a strong connection to the song as it's one his musician son Jonny performed just for him one evening on a rainy street in Leeds City Centre as Jonny was about to pack up and leave his busking spot.

That special father-son moment has become even more cherished since Jonny's untimely death in 2018.

Many different artists have recorded their versions of Into My Arms including the Norwegian singer Ane Brun who performed it as a way of dealing with the heartache of a lost relationship.

Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact

Producer: Maggie Ayre

First broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2022.