The Firstborn Is Dead  by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds release their second album of their career titled The Firstborn Is Dead in mid-1985. Its title is a reference to Jesse Garon Presley, who would have been the twin brother of Elvis Presley, if he had not been born as a stillborn. The album was recorded at Hansa Studios in Berlin. Its producer was Flood.

The Firstborn Is Dead comes as the natural continuation of the Australian band's first album. The difference in musical style is that here Nick Cave and his band focus on the country and blues musical tradition of the Southern United States. This is evident from the song Tupelo, the album's single, which is a "meeting" of Elvis Presley with John Lee Hooker, from the cover of the song by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, Wanted Man, or in the composition that closes the album, Blind Lemon Jefferson with a clear reference to the Texan bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson (1893-1929).

The album was released by Mute Records. The Firstborn Is Dead reached No. 53 in the United Kingdom.