On several occasions, you have been defined as the man who made industrial music listenable for the pop audience. Is it true, or do you consider it limiting?
«It’s a label that I was very proud of for a while. Of the many groups I grew up with, Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, Coil, Ministry, Skinnypuppy, Test Dept, the Neubaten, I appreciated the sound, the aggressiveness, and the fact that it wasn’t guitar rock music, like certain metal is. I didn’t set out to find a way to take those things and put them into a pop context. When I started writing music, I realized I had choruses inside me. As I began writing songs, I took the elements I liked from the music I preferred, but I also inherited a respect for melody and lyrical content. So what came out were pop songs arranged in a harder and more electronic way. I think this has generated a new wave of bands and record labels in America. For me, however, things like Throbbing Gristle can be defined as industrial, more experimental and noisy music. » Trent Reznor
In a hypothetical Hegelian dialectic where classical melody is the thesis and the deconstruction done by industrial is the antithesis, Trent Reznor would be the right synthesis (and for a correct interpretation of the term, should you need it, I refer you to the philosophy manual by Abbagnano\Fornero :D)... the music that emerges from this mind overcomes the conflict by reconciling the truth of both opposites at a higher level.
Becoming aware of what I’ve just said depends on the listener’s sensitivity, who might realize this in "Pretty Hate Machine" where the echoes of youthful listening are certainly more evident than in the latest halo where reflection is facilitated by the predominantly "meditative" sound.
The first four songs we encounter, if we exclude "Down In It", can be elected as a manifesto of what struck me most when listening to the NIN: the intelligent and highly personal style in interpreting typically industrial sounds and rhythms, the incredible ability to create extraordinarily emotional melodies without the slightest use of a guitar, the themes of the corruption of the human soul, the world, and in particular love. Love seen from above as in "Something I Can Never Have" where disdain and materialism are the main themes:
"I just want something. | I just want something I can never have | I just want something I can never have | think I know what you meant. | That night on my bed. | Still picking at this scab | I wish you were dead. | You sweet and perry ellis. | Just stains on my sheets" and love seen with impotence as in "Sanctified":
"Heaven's just a rumor she'll dispel | As she walks me through the nicest parts of hell. | I still dream of lips | Never should have never kissed. | Well she knows exactly what I can't resist | I'm just caught up in another of her spells. | She's turning me into someone else. | Everyday I hope and pray this will end. | But when I can I do it all again."
Almost the entire album revolves around this theme but the tones and lyrics become more painful, sick, and alienated. Alienation from God in whom "man" has placed (or to better say alienated) his entire self "Hey God, there's nothing left for me to hide. | I lost my ignorance, security and pride. | I'm all alone in a world you must despise. | Hey God, I believed that promises, your promises and lies" is the theme of "Terrible Lie", which is perhaps the song I love the most on this album.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Head Like a Hole (05:01)
God money, I'll do anything for you
God money, just tell me what you want me to
God money, nail me up against the wall
God money, don't want everything he wants it all
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
God money's not looking for the cure
God money's not concerned about the sick among the pure
God money let's go dancing on the backs of the bruised
God money's not one to choose
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
02 Terrible Lie (04:38)
[Hey God] Why are you doing this to me?
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
[Hey God] I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
[Hey God] I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
[Hey God] Can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
[Hey God] There's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security and pride
I'm all alone in the world you must despise
[Hey God] I believed your promises, your promises and lies!
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away
My morals left to decay
How many you betray
You've taken everything
Terrible lie
My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please
I'm on my hands and knees
I want so much to believe
I need someone to hold on to
I need someone to hold on to
I need someone
I need someone to hold on to
I give you everything
My sweet everything
Hey God, I really don't know who I am
In this world of piss
03 Down in It (03:48)
Going down in it [2x]
Kinda like a cloud I was up way up in the sky
And I was feeling some feelings you wouldn't believe
Sometimes I don't believe them myself
And I decided I was never coming down
Just then a tiny little dot
Caught my eye it was just about too small to see
But I watched it way too long
It was pulling me down
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
Shut up!
So what, what does it matter now?
I was swimming in the haze now I crawl on the ground
And everything I never liked about you is kinda seeping into me
Try to laugh about it now but isn't it funny how everything works out
"I guess the joke's on me," she said
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I used to be so big and strong!
I used to know my right from wrong!
I used to never be afraid!
I used to be somebody!
I used to have something inside!
Now just this whole that's open wide!
I used to want it all!
I used to be somebody..
I'll cross my heart I'll hope to die
But the needle's already in my eye
And all the world's weight is on my back
And I don't even know why
What I used to think was me
Is just a fading memory
I looked him right in the eye and said "Goodbye"
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it [2x]
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it
Rain rain go away come again some other day [4x]
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it ... nenene
I was up above it
Now I'm down in it
04 Sanctified (05:50)
Its still getting worse after everything I tried
What if I found a way to wash it all aside
What if she touches with those fingertips
As the words spill out like fire from her lips
If she says come inside, I'll come inside for her
If she says give it all, I'll give everything to her
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
Heaven's just a rumor she'll dispel
As she walks me through the nicest parts of hell
I still dream of lips I never should have kissed
Well she knows exactly what I cant resist
If she says come inside, I'll come inside for her
If she says give it all, I'll give everything to her
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
I'm just caught up in another of her spells
Well shes turning me into someone else
Every day I hope and pray that this will end
But when I can, I do it all again
And if shes says come inside, I'll come inside for her
And if she says give it all, I'll give everything to her
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
05 Something I Can Never Have (05:54)
I still recall the taste of your tears
Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears
My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore
Scraping through my head till I don't want to sleep anymore
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I just want something, I just want something I can never have
You always were the one to show me how
Back then I couldn't do things that I can do now
This thing is slowly taking me apart
Grey would be the color if I had a heart
Come on, tell me
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away, you make it all go away
I just want something, I just want something I can never have
In this place it seems like such a shame
Though it all looks different now, I know it's still the same
Everywhere I look you're all I see
Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be
Come on, tell me
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I just want something, I just want something I can never have
I just want something I can never have
06 Kinda I Want To (04:35)
I can't shake this feeling from my head
there's a devil sleeping in my bed
he's watching you from across the way
I cannot make this feeling go away
I know it's not the right thing
and I know it's not the good thing
but kinda I want to [x2]
I'm not sure of what I should do
when every thought I'm thinking of is you
all of my excuses turn to lies
maybe God will cover up his eyes
and I know it's not the right thing
and I know it's not the good thing
but kinda I want to [x4]
kinda I want to, maybe just for tonight
we can pretend it's alright
what's the price I pay
I don't care what they say
I want to [x8]
07 Sin (04:05)
You give me the reason, you give me control
I gave you my purity, my purity you stole
Did you think I wouldn't recognize this compromise?
Am I just too stupid to realize?
Stale incense, old sweat and lies, lies, lies
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in the extent of my sin
You give me the anger, you give me the nerve
Carry out my sentence, will I get what I deserve?
I'm just an effigy to be disgraced, to be defaced
Your need for me has been replaced
And if I can't have everything, well, then just give me a taste
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in the extent of my sin
You give me the reason, you give me control
I gave you my purity and my purity you stole
Did you think I wouldn't recognize this compromise?
Am I just too stupid to realize?
Stale incense, old sweat and lies, lies, lies
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in, well, my sin
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in the extent of my sin
08 That's What I Get (04:30)
just when everything was making sense
you took away all my self-confidence
now all that I've been hearing must be true
I guess I'm not the only boy for you
but that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
how could you turn me into this?
after you just taught me how to kiss, you
I told you I'd never say goodbye
now I'm slipping on the tears you made me cry
but that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
why does it come as a surprise
to think that I was so naive
maybe didn't mean that much
but it meant everything to me
but that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
09 The Only Time (04:49)
I'm drunk
And right now I'm so in love with you
And I don't want to think too much about what we should or shouldn't do
Lay my hands on Heaven and the sun and the moon and the stars
While the devil wants to fuck me in the back of his car
Nothing quite like the feel of something new
Maybe I'm all messed up [2x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up [3x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up
This is the only time I really feel alive [2x]
I swear
I just found everything I need
The sweat in your eyes the blood in your veins are listening to me
Well I want to wrap it up and swim in it until I drown
My moral standing is lying down
Nothing quite like the feel of something new
Maybe I'm all messed up [2x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up [3x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up
This is the only time I really feel alive [2x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
This is the only time I really feel alive [4x]
10 Ringfinger (05:40)
Well, you've got me working so hard lately
Working my hands until they bleed
If I was twice the man I could be
I'd still be half of what you need
Still you lead me and I follow
Anything you ask you know I'll do
This one act of consecration
Is what I ask of you
CHORUS:
Ringfinger, promise carved in stone, deeper than the sea
Ringfinger, sever flesh and bone and offer it to me
You just leave me nailed here
Hanging like Jesus on the cross
I'll be dying for your sins
And aiding for the cause
CHORUS
Wrap my eyes in bandages
Confessions I see through
I get everything I want
When I get part of you
CHORUS
Ringfinger, promise carved in stone, deeper than the sea
Ringfinger, devil's flesh and bone, do something for me
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By Loudmouth
If you don’t like Pretty Hate Machine, you probably just need to turn up the volume.
Pretty Hate Machine not only has something that until then was rarely heard on the charts, but even now... it’s hard to find albums with a similar sound.