Out of context it's a hot and heavy goth babymaking song. In context, it's much less fun. This is the 6th(?) track on a concept album called The Downward Spiral, which tells the story of one man's self-destructive descent into insanity. If you listen to the previous tracks before it, when this song plays it gives the impression of someone consumed by sex addiction, to the point where it is no longer enjoyable and their personal life is all but destroyed. The "piano" part that ends the song is a theme that repeats itself in different tones through the album, with each time marking "another step down" for the hero. With the album's final track "Hurt" (famously covered by Johnny Cash), it paints a picture of a man at the end of his rope, near suicide (possibly committing it? It's up for debate) with nothing left in his life or in himself, and only a tiny slice of hope that if he could start again he would do things differently. I highly recommend listening to the album start to finish, even if you don't react to it. It was one hell of an experience.
Very well done, sir!! Years ago I realized that NIN is a band that makes me feel happy through depressive thoughts. Trent is my favorite contemporary music genius. Unfortunately we don't see many reactions to NIN. It's really unfair.
I dunno man, "my whole existence is flawed, you get me closer to god" doesn't need much context to tell you this ain't about baby making, it's about selfish desperation.
I was DJing at clubs in the 2nd half of the 90s, and if the dance floor needed an immediate jolt of energy, this was the song you pulled out. Didn't matter if it was a Hip Hop crowd, Techno crowd, party crowd, Headbangers... this song covered every need. That slow outro was also great, because you could put literally anything overtop of it, and make it work.
I will 1000% back you on this . Everything you said is so true in the club scene and this song in the 90's.,..... it made women dance so hard that they didn't care who was dancing with them... A lotta fellas got some good action off of this song! lol
Just an FYI, Trent, the lead singer, creates everything himself, plays all instruments and vocals mixes everything himself. Then he has a band play it live at concerts and he sings. Pretty amazing.
@@yomo1690 Whoa! I just went and verified it with Discogs and before and including The Fragile, indeed all songs were written, arranged and performed by Trent! Even on The Downward Spiral Chris Vrenna gets credited as "Editor, Engineer, Sampler and Other" but no writing or arranging credits. And I thought it was my favorite NIN album before! I love it so much more now!
I accidentally heard this song as a child & was so confused. so I asked my mom about it & she banned me from listening to it again until I was older. NIN is one of her favorite bands. she didn’t expect me to find the song so young. 😂 it just makes me laugh now & i’m in my mid 20’s.
No he is not a killer musician there was a song he did with Dave grohl Where the song was supposed to end in a crescendo But all I did was some really basic chopstick type of piano key plucking
@@smokinnplatez1426 Are you serious? Dude pioneered this sound, and yeah, I actually am a professional musician, I know theory quite well, and Trent knows it better than me. Bruh...... just wow.
@@smokinnplatez1426 you are a fool. Homme talked about a crescendo but that didn't mean the song went there. Trent is a classically trained pianist and you clearly haven't listened to his vast range of music. You sound foolish
Right down to the packaging 😂 one of the few albums that opening the packaging was as exciting as listening to the music. I still remember when I first got the album
I read a theory that Reptile is like the follow-up to Closer, where “the character” realizes that the woman he has sex with in Closer is actually a prostitute, or is cheating on him, or is just a very cold-blooded, reptilian-type of person. Edit: this theory is ironic because it was him that wanted to “violate”, “desecrate”, fuck her like an animal, etc. He wanted someone he could have emotionless sex with, but now he feels betrayed by her, calling her a liar and a whore.
The older I get and the more influence I see from public opinion the more I appreciate art being free to express their opinion, no matter how upsetting it is to ANYONE. There is a reason for art to provoke ideas and conversation. Incredible song and imagery. Amazing.
He's questioning the kid because monkeys and pigs can't get mistaken for pedophilia. The whole video is strange; the use of a kid though can be taken the wrong way.
@@sartori69 Yeah I do wince every time I see that monkey. Though I'm sure it was not physically injured, it's hard to argue it is not clearly in emotional distress in those shots. I think Trent probably wouldn't do that now.
Admittedly, listening to Closer as your first NIN song is diving in the deep end... Downward Spiral is pretty close to the darkest stuff Trent Reznor wrote (Most of the '90s he was in a pretty bad way and had a serious drug and alcohol abuse problem). Having said that, it's an impactful, emotional album. 'Hurt' is from Downward Spiral, and it's a masterpiece.
I can’t remember the name of the game, but he did the soundtrack for an early 1st Person shooter. Late 90s/early 2000s. The loot crates had the NIN logo. Edit: Quake was the game.
“That was like… art museum, full on.” In fact, the original footage (on treated film) is now part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York
It's the juxtaposition of innocence and vulnerability against all the other dark carnal energy. His lyrics are bold and dark, but deep down he's still vulnerable.
You guys would have to live in the time. The early'90s were very experimental. Moving on. New kinds of music, the promise of developing, new, technology. This song relied on technology. It was a new,upcoming thing in 1993. This song is a masterpiece!
I was in my… hmm… “xtc” phase back then (best time to be in it imo) and heard this mixed at a house party once. Holy. Shit. It definitely changed head space in the BEST way. Took me in a completely different direction in terms of - I don’t even know how to explain it - it just completely altered everything. I wish I could remember what it was mixed with. I’d love to hear that again.
honestly this song is better when you listen through the whole album("The Downward Spiral") because the album is basically a concept detailing of a man's destruction or downward spiral till he is broken down into his death by suicide.(also, side note it bothers the heck out of me that reactors are always introduced to NIN by Closer, like NIN has tons of other great songs to choose from)
I agree 100%. That being said, I was introduced to them way back in the day when I used to eat acid like candy. Not one of my proudest moments, but it does give music like this a different perspective. I’m damn near 50 and still regret not seeing them fo $10 (early pretty hate machine) or so cause it was an hour drive away and I had school the next day.
Dorks mostly shooting for shock value it annoys the shit out of me you have to listen to the album as a whole it tells a story a very powerful one NIN is probably my second favorite artist behind Radiohead who also gets fucked by reactors doing Creep all the time.
Yeah, so many people hear this song out of context and think it sounds like a stripper anthem. It's actually a very depressing song in the context of the album. Especially for people who have dealt with addiction.
Fun fact: Trent Reznor also did the movie score for Disney's "Soul", as well as many other soundtracks. This truly is art. It may be disturbing art, but there's a story being told. Not all stories are fairy tales. Trent is on a philosophical plane if you think along those lines. You could tell Lex was feeling it! 😎
I always used this song as a bad breakup song back when I was a teenager. The whole "I want you but you're absolutely terrible for me and I'd just damage myself" vibe really fit what I was feeling at the time so this song was a way for me to draw out that poison and deal with it.
I should've guessed by how old the vid is. It's obviously Halloween time lol. I was thinking, damn! Look at her eyes. Kinda hypnotic. Gonna have to get some of those for the wife.😂
Nin has huge variety and goes from the heaviest rocking stuff possible to the most exquisitely crafted delicate beautiful heart rending pieces... you cant judge nin by other bands or you will miss it completely
Weird to know folks haven't heard this. I love hearing it for the first time through your ears. Great band, great song and the reaction is funny...lol. Y'all are so innocent. 😂🤘🏽🖤🤘🏼
"prison baby making". lol that's legit hilarious. I've listened to this song many times over 20 years and I've never come up with such a succinct description.
Also remember when this video came out. You cant look at it in 2020's eyes. Downward Spiral is an AMAZING album. Reptile, Head Like. Hole, The Perfect Drug. They all send you further down the spiral.
Head like a Hole and The Perfect Drug aren’t on downward spiral.. Head Like a Hole is from Pretty Hate Machine before Downward Spiral and The Perfect Drug is after and from the Lost Highway Soundtrack
@@davidvied2507 I know that. I was giving more songs to listen to. The Downward Spiral is the album this song is from. The other songs they might enjoy. I personally love the Broken album. The later albums get a little to keyboardy for me. But I still enjoy them.
TRENT REZNOR IS A MUSICAL GOD!!! Everything has a reason, you need more time as you can't disrespect how impactful and meaningful this music is. A lot of us are alive because of him x
Reznor is a musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. In 2010 he started composing scores for film and TV, too. He won an Oscar for his first score (SOCIAL NETWORK).
@@aerahtv0000 Yeah my brother is the biggest fan of Trent Reznor I know. Even my nephew's middle name is Trent because my brother is such a fan of his work. My brother has every album ever released including the ones exclusively in other countries.
In the making of the music video, the director Mark Romanek was inspired by a handful of artists and wanted to pack as much of it in one video as possible. So it's very artsy inspired.
There are so many great ones from NIN. My favorite is Everyday Is Exactly The Same. I love it when people react to this song when they realize what the song is saying
One of the best stripper songs ever written. Also, lyrics videos are way better than official videos, which tend to distract. 90% of your conversation was about the video, not the music.
@@cdm46290 And very deliberate. The scenes were weird and nasty, so they inserted a "censored" frame, which made you think about what could that even be.
I guess if you are referring to the strippers that are completely broken inside from too many years of gyrating for random men who are using the experience for arousal, oblivious to the fact that the woman's soul is dying a bit more with every song, then you are absolutely correct. This song is about being in the depths of despair from sex addiction that has only made your life become a void rather than filling one.
EGOT: is a VERY elite group of 16 people currently who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Trent is a Tony away from that status. Y'all, I wouldn't put it past him to get it. Trent is a genius.
I was wondering when you'd get around to NIN, the whole alternative era exploded due in much part because of NIN and Janes Addiction and then solidified with bands like Nirvana and Sound Garden. Ive seen others say "Head Like a Hole" really his first hit and a banger but there is sooo much to Trents portfolio. Have Fun!!!!
There’s an entire making of this video, Google it, the kids weren’t there, no animals were hurt, like most videos are done in pieces and people aren’t there when the artist or band is doing there thing. They are extras, friends or relatives of the director
If it can't be hated it can't be art. Art by its definition is something that has a message, idea, emotion, something human put out into the world. It's not nature, it's not "innocent".
I wish people would listen to the song before watching the video. I think the video detracts from just how good the music is. The mix, layering, new sounds, 3D sound, etc are very cool.
This is a good place for you guys to start on your Nine Inch Nails journey but don't put a label on it because of this video. Trent Reznor is a creative genius and has such a wide variety of music he has created throughout the years. He's worked with production studios to help create soundtracks for both movies and TV shows. He's discovered amazing talent including Marilyn Manson. And is known to be very strong willed in regards to an artist's right to creative decisions and refused to work with any label that tried to control what he creates. But in spite of his strong will and ability to make demands and have them met he's also not one for arrogance. He has his quirks and if he wants something done he will see that it is done but he's never flocked to the limelight. I remember he was a performing artist at one of the Grammys and before it was his time to go on stage the camera was searching everywhere for him and they found him standing by himself in a large and dark equipment access tunnel just leaning against the wall. He actually look mad that the camera found him. I'll make another post with some links to some songs I suggest you react to next.
I love that you both are listening to this for the first time. I heard this song and saw the video for the first time when I was around the age of 12. I'm in my 30's now. So it's quite intriguing to see adults view this for the first time.
The whole album is a concept album about someone’s decent into madness. You really appreciate this song when you hear the whole album. The song is more about self-hatred and obsession more than sex, according to the singer (he is the whole band really),Trent Reznor.
Fun fact: Trent Reznor is so good that he was NIN when this first album was created he was literally performing the Janitorial Services for the studio in exchange for recording time. He wrote and played everything on this entire album. When it got picked up by a label and became popular he had to go out and hire musicians to do live shows, and that is how NIN began, with Trent Reznor cleaning toilets and mopping floors.
Nine inch nails are one of the few bands who can go from producing sounds that are hellish and heavy as fuck to lush transcendent works of beauty. And everything in between.
Welcome to NIN - I can promise, you will find some very very interesting things, from the music to arragement to themes. Trent is one of a kind and inspired the music industry for decades now.
Could do a double hitter with his and Johnny Cashes version of hurt.... Both versions are excellent though I'm particularly partial to Johnny's. Reznor worked with Manson some so that may be why his style reminded u of Manson.
Nobody ever saw this uncensored version back in the day. The MTV version of this video was heavily censored and I don't think most people even knew there was an "uncensored" version. I certainly didn't until I started watching reviewers on RUclips. And I'm not too casual, I own most of his albums.
Keep in mind that this video was made at a time when people weren’t as easily triggered. The controversial bit was the lyrics. To my knowledge the kid in the video was never a “thing”.
Trent is a GENIUS. I don’t use the term loosely. Dive deep my friends. If I could pick one album to show you his talents it would be the fragile. The song with the same name I think you guys will dig. Also you guys are doing a great job. Keep it up.
You want to listen something that represents NiN incredibly well? Well, listen to The Wretched or Somewhat Damaged, or any song from The Fragile (a freaking masterpiece with 23 songs divided in 2 discs)
You mentioned Marilyn Manson. He started off as a protégé of Trent (NIN) and of course they had a fallout. The song "Starfuckers Inc." is about MM. Also as opposed to MM, Trent is a great down to earth guy.
This is a weird song to introduce yourself to Nine Inch Nails with, even if it’s his most popular song. There’s a ton of great stuff in the catalog though. Head Like A Hole, Wish, Hurt, March of the Pigs etc are great picks for something a bit more accessible.
I don't want to excuse a child being featured in this video. Honestly, I never noticed it before and no matter the intention, I don't think it's a good idea to show a child in this context but I think an important distinction is that this song isn't supposed to be glorifying its sexual imagery. The album is about a man who lets himself descend to some of the lowest points a person can go and I see this song as him losing his humanity and letting his animalistic urges take over. I think Brad's reaction is the intended reaction. The song and the video use sexual imagery to be disturbing and make you feel gross and I think contrasting that with an innocent child is supposed to add to the uncomfortable feeling of the video.
The song is about sex, so I took the characters towards the middle to represent the things we project onto sex in order to rationalize it. The little girl representing virginal innocence. The young boy in the tux representing romance. The couple intwined by their hair representing deeper connection. The woman with the skull representing temptation. The shirtless man representing male virility. And the old man representing our society's unease about sex in general. All things we project onto sexuality, that completely cease to matter during a moment of raw unbridled passion.
Hey Brad and Lex, I love your channel! Closer, I feel, is not the best representation of why people fell in love with NIN in the early 90's (as I did). A neat song, but, rather boring soon after the shock factor fades. For their heavier, more aggressive stuff, I would look to "head like a hole", "wish", "gave up", "a perfect drug", "Mr. Self destruct." They have many more great songs beside those, but those kind of take you back toward the beginning, and more of a traditional industrial metal sound that started it all.
I think stuff from Pretty Hate Machine is the best place to start. But I might be biased. As I was at just the right age for the older sister of a friend to introduce me to it while she was home from college for a break.
I lo e that you are discovering music I grew up with. I feel old but at the same time it reminds me of when I discovered my older friends music. It's a beautiful experience.
They always used to play this at the club and people would be grinding all over everybody and at the end of the night you would go home smelling like sweat and shame.😄👍
NIN has a lot of great songs, Only, Head Like a Hole, and Hurt are some of my favorites. A cool reaction would be to listen to Hurt by NIN, and then listen to the cover that Johnny Cash did of Hurt.
The point of the video is to make the viewer uncomfortable in a sexual sense. The addition of the children is meant to shock and confuse after the sexual lyrics and imagery. The whole song is about the dark side of sexuality and the desire to no longer be a pervert. Hence the line 'help me'.
Trent is one of the best musicians of all time, but this wasn’t the song to be introduced to him with. You’re getting too many recommendations from surface dwellers; people who have no depth and are impressed by shock value
I can agree with most of your statement, other than the spelling of their. 😁 The problem is they aren’t the ones making the decision for that shock value, they’re going by others recommendations, which I feel is taking away from what I originally liked about them. I started watching them because of their intellect and ability to address the bigger picture being outlined by some of these artists and in our world today. When it becomes about shock value, there’s no worthy substance anymore and you just become like all the other sheeple.
@@justinanderson4847 not to mention, listening to some of their less shocky songs helps to understand the ones that do shock and makes for a better reaction since they alread have a feel for it and the shock doesn't over power the reaction
it's kinda sad that "Closer" became NIN's most widely known song, and usually the first one these reactors land on. It's one of Trent's LEAST deep songs. So many other songs have so much more meaning. and NIN can be crazy fast and aggressive with stuff like "head like a hole" or so meloncholy and melodic it almost induces depression, like "something i can never have" .
LMAO I've been a Nine Inch Nails fan for going on two decades now, I've watched the video for this song a dozen times and I *never* pegged the symbolism behind the scene where he's just floating and spinning in the air. Kudos my man, kudos.
Trent Reznor makes all types. Some are absolutely beautiful and bittersweet. He makes awesome scores for many famous movies as well. Definitely listen to more of his music. It's a mind blowing journey.
Long ago I met my Jamaican gf in a dark goth club as we were dancing to Nine Inch nails "Wish" (with the always romantic line "It's just a big time, hardline, bad luck, fist fuck!"). I was into Bob Marley and she was into The Cure, so it was a match made in Heaven.
This song is not about sex. It's about one man's descent into madness, becoming alienated from himself, and needing to reach out and find something that he hopes can fix him, even for a moment. It's a desperate pleas from a person who feels broken and fucked up inside and yearns for the only thing that makes him feel whole.
![ARGENTINA vs. BOLIVIA [6-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/C3wPtKNbAOA/mqdefault.jpg)
Out of context it's a hot and heavy goth babymaking song.
In context, it's much less fun. This is the 6th(?) track on a concept album called The Downward Spiral, which tells the story of one man's self-destructive descent into insanity.
If you listen to the previous tracks before it, when this song plays it gives the impression of someone consumed by sex addiction, to the point where it is no longer enjoyable and their personal life is all but destroyed. The "piano" part that ends the song is a theme that repeats itself in different tones through the album, with each time marking "another step down" for the hero.
With the album's final track "Hurt" (famously covered by Johnny Cash), it paints a picture of a man at the end of his rope, near suicide (possibly committing it? It's up for debate) with nothing left in his life or in himself, and only a tiny slice of hope that if he could start again he would do things differently.
I highly recommend listening to the album start to finish, even if you don't react to it. It was one hell of an experience.
That was a great summary of an incredible journey. I never could have put it in so little words - nicely done, man!
Very well done, sir!! Years ago I realized that NIN is a band that makes me feel happy through depressive thoughts. Trent is my favorite contemporary music genius. Unfortunately we don't see many reactions to NIN. It's really unfair.
I dunno man, "my whole existence is flawed, you get me closer to god" doesn't need much context to tell you this ain't about baby making, it's about selfish desperation.
@@lttfan9185 trying to feel something through the haze
Excellent summation
This video originally came out in 1994. It was well ahead of its time and still holds up.
Man, it's hard to believe that was 28 years ago. That was the Year I went up to high school.
Song still sounds super fresh though.
Yeah still is
"Prison baby making music" - Another Classic Lex phrase!
Best descriptions of musical nuance belong to Lex. Hands down.
She needs to trademark that shit.
OMG she's just so awesome for timing her one liners hahahah
I'm going to laughing for days and doing everything possible to spread the word of Lex.
and it's really on point with the message of this depressed, damaged narrator trying to escape depression through pure carnality.
The song isn't just about physical sex. It's about psychologically invading someone else.
I can see that I also thought it was about some ones own psychology not being able to escape the natural urges and instincts.
Being ashamed of the things that bring us pleasure.
Ok Dennis… are you trying to get off with me?
Seems heavily influenced by Ernest Beckers “the denial of death”
about invading/violating yourself with drugs as well.
Trent Reznor, who basically is the entire band, is a two time Oscar winner. Supremely talented.
Don't you mean Grammy?
@@skeletor196 Nope he has won two Oscars. One for the soundtrack for "The Social Network" and one for "Soul".
@@grant49 the Oscars have categories for both best score and best song in a movie.
@@grant49 If I’m not mistaken, the only Grammy NIN ever won was for Lil Nas X sampling Ghosts in Old Town Road. Amiright?
And should have a third for Girl With the Dragon Tattoo but…
I was DJing at clubs in the 2nd half of the 90s, and if the dance floor needed an immediate jolt of energy, this was the song you pulled out. Didn't matter if it was a Hip Hop crowd, Techno crowd, party crowd, Headbangers... this song covered every need. That slow outro was also great, because you could put literally anything overtop of it, and make it work.
I will 1000% back you on this . Everything you said is so true in the club scene and this song in the 90's.,..... it made women dance so hard that they didn't care who was dancing with them... A lotta fellas got some good action off of this song! lol
Just an FYI, Trent, the lead singer, creates everything himself, plays all instruments and vocals mixes everything himself. Then he has a band play it live at concerts and he sings. Pretty amazing.
Along with Atticus
It's crazy to think that his Rig setup cost just as much and maybe even more than a full band stage setup.
@@mikethemotormouth only after the Fragile
@@yomo1690 Whoa! I just went and verified it with Discogs and before and including The Fragile, indeed all songs were written, arranged and performed by Trent! Even on The Downward Spiral Chris Vrenna gets credited as "Editor, Engineer, Sampler and Other" but no writing or arranging credits. And I thought it was my favorite NIN album before! I love it so much more now!
@@yomo1690 i thought it was during With Teeth - Present
I accidentally heard this song as a child & was so confused. so I asked my mom about it & she banned me from listening to it again until I was older. NIN is one of her favorite bands. she didn’t expect me to find the song so young. 😂 it just makes me laugh now & i’m in my mid 20’s.
She def took the song literally. When I was young, I immediately knew it was about himself lol
Weren't all songs (in this genre) in the late 80s early 90s about drugs and fallout?
I think the context is lost in modern times.
Trent is a killer musician. Head Like a Hole is great too.
No he is not a killer musician there was a song he did with Dave grohl Where the song was supposed to end in a crescendo But all I did was some really basic chopstick type of piano key plucking
Do you know scales arpeggios time signatures Major chords minor chords when a song changes key
@@smokinnplatez1426 yeah he is. Really do your research. Give credit to where it’s due.
@@smokinnplatez1426 Are you serious? Dude pioneered this sound, and yeah, I actually am a professional musician, I know theory quite well, and Trent knows it better than me. Bruh...... just wow.
@@smokinnplatez1426 you are a fool. Homme talked about a crescendo but that didn't mean the song went there. Trent is a classically trained pianist and you clearly haven't listened to his vast range of music. You sound foolish
Being a 90s teen i love watching the reactions of this song🤣
The whole Downward Spiral Album is an art piece, masterful texturing of noises IMO, Reptile is great.
Right down to the packaging 😂 one of the few albums that opening the packaging was as exciting as listening to the music. I still remember when I first got the album
I read a theory that Reptile is like the follow-up to Closer, where “the character” realizes that the woman he has sex with in Closer is actually a prostitute, or is cheating on him, or is just a very cold-blooded, reptilian-type of person.
Edit: this theory is ironic because it was him that wanted to “violate”, “desecrate”, fuck her like an animal, etc. He wanted someone he could have emotionless sex with, but now he feels betrayed by her, calling her a liar and a whore.
I love "March of the Pigs"
Best concept album ever imo
Reptile was the fucking jam
The older I get and the more influence I see from public opinion the more I appreciate art being free to express their opinion, no matter how upsetting it is to ANYONE. There is a reason for art to provoke ideas and conversation. Incredible song and imagery. Amazing.
Brad: "why is there kids in this video?"
Me: Why is there a monkey tied to a cross?
Why is there a pigs head on a pike?
He's questioning the kid because monkeys and pigs can't get mistaken for pedophilia. The whole video is strange; the use of a kid though can be taken the wrong way.
I only have a problem with the fact that the monkey was tied up. Don't give AF what it was tied to. :P
@@sartori69 Yeah I do wince every time I see that monkey. Though I'm sure it was not physically injured, it's hard to argue it is not clearly in emotional distress in those shots. I think Trent probably wouldn't do that now.
@@jaypennebaker9979 Why is the Uniq wearing a Baphomet head?
Admittedly, listening to Closer as your first NIN song is diving in the deep end... Downward Spiral is pretty close to the darkest stuff Trent Reznor wrote (Most of the '90s he was in a pretty bad way and had a serious drug and alcohol abuse problem). Having said that, it's an impactful, emotional album. 'Hurt' is from Downward Spiral, and it's a masterpiece.
Fun fact : trent reznor has also produced the soundtrack of disney's "soul"
He also does a lot of David Fincher films. And they're all awesome.
He and atticus Ross also have an oscar for the social network and nominated so many times for their incredible work
He wrote the Soul score and won the Academy Award for it.
I can’t remember the name of the game, but he did the soundtrack for an early 1st Person shooter. Late 90s/early 2000s. The loot crates had the NIN logo.
Edit: Quake was the game.
hello! The Social Network anyone? Also David Lynch's Lost Highway; and HBO's Watchmen series.
“That was like… art museum, full on.”
In fact, the original footage (on treated film) is now part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York
I'm glad if that is true because this is possibly the most arty music video I've ever seen. I can't think of an artier one.
The problem is people get so caught up in the imagery that they do a disservice to the song. Thus, the reaction you just saw.
I feel like that's on whoever put the video together. Don't make a video that takes away from the song. It's supposed to enhance, not distract.
Right. Especially with industrial music. There's not a whole lot of videos in general you should be watching when reacting to music.
Same with anything by Marilyn Manson.
@@unshakensalsa6220 Trent has a reason for everything, every frame mean's something.
@@unshakensalsa6220 It's not Trent's fault you didn't bother to understand
I saw these guys at Woodstock 1994. They had just come out with this song, IT WAS A HELL OF A SHOW
It's the juxtaposition of innocence and vulnerability against all the other dark carnal energy. His lyrics are bold and dark, but deep down he's still vulnerable.
Trent is a romantic, just expresses it through his own insecurities but puts his heart on the page nonetheless
After he broke up with Tori Amos (amicably), she said, “What Trent needs is a blankie and a cup of hot chocolate.”
The young girl represents innocence. I think that went over their heads.
You guys would have to live in the time. The early'90s were very experimental. Moving on. New kinds of music, the promise of developing, new, technology. This song relied on technology. It was a new,upcoming thing in 1993. This song is a masterpiece!
perfectly summed up
I was in my… hmm… “xtc” phase back then (best time to be in it imo) and heard this mixed at a house party once. Holy. Shit. It definitely changed head space in the BEST way. Took me in a completely different direction in terms of - I don’t even know how to explain it - it just completely altered everything. I wish I could remember what it was mixed with. I’d love to hear that again.
honestly this song is better when you listen through the whole album("The Downward Spiral") because the album is basically a concept detailing of a man's destruction or downward spiral till he is broken down into his death by suicide.(also, side note it bothers the heck out of me that reactors are always introduced to NIN by Closer, like NIN has tons of other great songs to choose from)
yep, i like Closer, but it doesn't really represent NIN
I agree 100%. That being said, I was introduced to them way back in the day when I used to eat acid like candy. Not one of my proudest moments, but it does give music like this a different perspective. I’m damn near 50 and still regret not seeing them fo $10 (early pretty hate machine) or so cause it was an hour drive away and I had school the next day.
Dorks mostly shooting for shock value it annoys the shit out of me you have to listen to the album as a whole it tells a story a very powerful one NIN is probably my second favorite artist behind Radiohead who also gets fucked by reactors doing Creep all the time.
Yeah, so many people hear this song out of context and think it sounds like a stripper anthem. It's actually a very depressing song in the context of the album. Especially for people who have dealt with addiction.
Agreed - same thing with everyone reacting to Zombie and ignoring the rest of The Cranberries music.
Fun fact: Trent Reznor also did the movie score for Disney's "Soul", as well as many other soundtracks. This truly is art. It may be disturbing art, but there's a story being told. Not all stories are fairy tales. Trent is on a philosophical plane if you think along those lines. You could tell Lex was feeling it! 😎
It’s about self deprecating behavior. Trent is truly a mastermind of the industrial sound. You can hear his music in many films.
Ehhh. I'm not a NIN fan. Sorry. They pushed the envelope waaaay to far for me.
@@jaemyrick5277
No need to apologize. It’s defiantly a acquired taste for sure. One can appreciate artistry and yet not like a certain product.
listen to the whole entire album Pretty Hate Machine with your eyes wide shut its simply an AMAZING piece of work
A song could have the most straight forward no guesswork needed lyrics, and Brad would be "I don't know what he's singing about"
🤣
He isn't singing about sex though, not really.
@@VegetarianVulture 😂
You’re not wrong
He’s an over thinker alright
I always used this song as a bad breakup song back when I was a teenager. The whole "I want you but you're absolutely terrible for me and I'd just damage myself" vibe really fit what I was feeling at the time so this song was a way for me to draw out that poison and deal with it.
Lex's contacts looked pretty dope. Caught me off guard at first
I know right?! I was like what is up with her today? Her eyes!!! 😂
Man, I recognized it right away…….Lex is in her Michael Jackson “thriller” mood. Watch out.
Yeah, same here. But I dig it.
Way too distracting though 😂
I should've guessed by how old the vid is. It's obviously Halloween time lol.
I was thinking, damn! Look at her eyes.
Kinda hypnotic. Gonna have to get some of those for the wife.😂
"Art does not excuse everything". That's very wise. I'm an artsy guy, and I agree with that.
NIN are one of the greats. This song and video were massive back in the day.
Nin has huge variety and goes from the heaviest rocking stuff possible to the most exquisitely crafted delicate beautiful heart rending pieces... you cant judge nin by other bands or you will miss it completely
Weird to know folks haven't heard this. I love hearing it for the first time through your ears. Great band, great song and the reaction is funny...lol. Y'all are so innocent. 😂🤘🏽🖤🤘🏼
"prison baby making". lol that's legit hilarious. I've listened to this song many times over 20 years and I've never come up with such a succinct description.
Brad: You know that post climax, euphoric feeling?
Lex: No... I have no idea what you're talking about.
Me: Poor Lex...
Dammmmmmmmn
Oooooooooffffffffffffffff
😮
😬
Poor Lex? Shots were just fire into the opposite camp.
Fun fact:
Marilyn Manson was under Trent Reznor's record label at the time.
"Im afraid of Americans" a track this singer did with David Bowie, i think you would both like that track.
Yes!!!!
Meh
That’s worth checking out for sure
Definitely such a great song and interesting take on how we are viewed over here
This was my first time listening this song too, right here with you guys. I think it was absolutely incredible.
Also remember when this video came out. You cant look at it in 2020's eyes. Downward Spiral is an AMAZING album. Reptile, Head Like. Hole, The Perfect Drug. They all send you further down the spiral.
Head like a Hole and The Perfect Drug aren’t on downward spiral.. Head Like a Hole is from Pretty Hate Machine before Downward Spiral and The Perfect Drug is after and from the Lost Highway Soundtrack
Unless you weren’t meaning that at all and just mentioning good tunes.. if so, my bad lol
@@davidvied2507 I know that. I was giving more songs to listen to. The Downward Spiral is the album this song is from. The other songs they might enjoy. I personally love the Broken album. The later albums get a little to keyboardy for me. But I still enjoy them.
@@davidvied2507 Its all good. lol Well except for the cockroaches they were talking about. They need to be NUKED FROM SPACE. lol
@@davidvied2507 And the perfect drug sucks. Trent doesn’t even like it.
It's funny post malone sampled this for Rockstar yet many people still haven't heard this song. Trent Reznor is a fucking legend
TRENT REZNOR IS A MUSICAL GOD!!!
Everything has a reason, you need more time as you can't disrespect how impactful and meaningful this music is. A lot of us are alive because of him x
Trent Reznor is imo the most influential musician/singer of the past 30 years. He's been evolving and getting better constantly.
Trent Reznor is an amazing artist! My son took me to a concert when he toured with David Bowie. It was amazing!!!
"prison baby making music" is the most perfect comment i've ever heard
Reznor is a musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. In 2010 he started composing scores for film and TV, too. He won an Oscar for his first score (SOCIAL NETWORK).
He also has been making music for video games for decades going back to the original Quake.
@@anthonymerchant2597 i loved that soundtrack
@@aerahtv0000 Yeah my brother is the biggest fan of Trent Reznor I know. Even my nephew's middle name is Trent because my brother is such a fan of his work. My brother has every album ever released including the ones exclusively in other countries.
"Prison baby making music" ...🤣I ever realized how accurate that description is! 🎯
Trent is an amazing artist. This song is great, there are lots that give you a better sense of the band.
In the making of the music video, the director Mark Romanek was inspired by a handful of artists and wanted to pack as much of it in one video as possible. So it's very artsy inspired.
I love NIN. I really hope you get to hear more than this song and Hurt though.
"Prison baby making music" is simply the best way to describe a song I've ever heard! Well done!!🤣😂🤣😂
There are so many great ones from NIN. My favorite is Everyday Is Exactly The Same. I love it when people react to this song when they realize what the song is saying
Unfortunately that song is in my head. Every day. 😢
What a masterpiece. No wonder when he started working in movies he got those oscars for this scores. So freaking talented.
One of the best stripper songs ever written. Also, lyrics videos are way better than official videos, which tend to distract. 90% of your conversation was about the video, not the music.
Really it's just broken down to a stripper song, indeed amazing for dancing. Trent had a whole idea much deeper xx
Most of the time I agree, but this video is from an Era where videos were great. Video was the right choice here.
@@cdm46290 And very deliberate. The scenes were weird and nasty, so they inserted a "censored" frame, which made you think about what could that even be.
I guess if you are referring to the strippers that are completely broken inside from too many years of gyrating for random men who are using the experience for arousal, oblivious to the fact that the woman's soul is dying a bit more with every song, then you are absolutely correct.
This song is about being in the depths of despair from sex addiction that has only made your life become a void rather than filling one.
Right up there with Marilyn Manson's cover of Tainted Love.
EGOT: is a VERY elite group of 16 people currently who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Trent is a Tony away from that status. Y'all, I wouldn't put it past him to get it. Trent is a genius.
I was wondering when you'd get around to NIN, the whole alternative era exploded due in much part because of NIN and Janes Addiction and then solidified with bands like Nirvana and Sound Garden. Ive seen others say "Head Like a Hole" really his first hit and a banger but there is sooo much to Trents portfolio. Have Fun!!!!
Janes addiction? gtfo with that junk.
@@munkysex00 Dude stfu, you know nothing about you're talking about.
There’s an entire making of this video, Google it, the kids weren’t there, no animals were hurt, like most videos are done in pieces and people aren’t there when the artist or band is doing there thing. They are extras, friends or relatives of the director
I think for Lex, who tends to like music a little faster and chaotic, Head like a hole would have been a better intro song.
A lot of the stuff off Pretty Hate Machine would have been... less provoking. Also, lyric videos might be a better choice too.
If it can't be hated it can't be art. Art by its definition is something that has a message, idea, emotion, something human put out into the world. It's not nature, it's not "innocent".
You definitely need to listen to “Head Like A Hole.”
I wish people would listen to the song before watching the video. I think the video detracts from just how good the music is. The mix, layering, new sounds, 3D sound, etc are very cool.
"We're in this together" is a great one by NIN.
This song is just a part of a masterful album. It's all about a downward spiral of self indulgence and depression. One of the best ever.
This is a good place for you guys to start on your Nine Inch Nails journey but don't put a label on it because of this video. Trent Reznor is a creative genius and has such a wide variety of music he has created throughout the years. He's worked with production studios to help create soundtracks for both movies and TV shows. He's discovered amazing talent including Marilyn Manson. And is known to be very strong willed in regards to an artist's right to creative decisions and refused to work with any label that tried to control what he creates. But in spite of his strong will and ability to make demands and have them met he's also not one for arrogance. He has his quirks and if he wants something done he will see that it is done but he's never flocked to the limelight. I remember he was a performing artist at one of the Grammys and before it was his time to go on stage the camera was searching everywhere for him and they found him standing by himself in a large and dark equipment access tunnel just leaning against the wall. He actually look mad that the camera found him. I'll make another post with some links to some songs I suggest you react to next.
I wish I could find people who react to NIN live versions. They are so much more energetic and intense. Really draws out emotion
They used to play this heavily in dance clubs in the 90's
I love that you both are listening to this for the first time. I heard this song and saw the video for the first time when I was around the age of 12. I'm in my 30's now. So it's quite intriguing to see adults view this for the first time.
The whole album is a concept album about someone’s decent into madness. You really appreciate this song when you hear the whole album. The song is more about self-hatred and obsession more than sex, according to the singer (he is the whole band really),Trent Reznor.
Fun fact: Trent Reznor is so good that he was NIN when this first album was created he was literally performing the Janitorial Services for the studio in exchange for recording time. He wrote and played everything on this entire album. When it got picked up by a label and became popular he had to go out and hire musicians to do live shows, and that is how NIN began, with Trent Reznor cleaning toilets and mopping floors.
Nine inch nails are one of the few bands who can go from producing sounds that are hellish and heavy as fuck to lush transcendent works of beauty. And everything in between.
Welcome to NIN - I can promise, you will find some very very interesting things, from the music to arragement to themes. Trent is one of a kind and inspired the music industry for decades now.
Could do a double hitter with his and Johnny Cashes version of hurt.... Both versions are excellent though I'm particularly partial to Johnny's. Reznor worked with Manson some so that may be why his style reminded u of Manson.
STOP
Nobody ever saw this uncensored version back in the day. The MTV version of this video was heavily censored and I don't think most people even knew there was an "uncensored" version. I certainly didn't until I started watching reviewers on RUclips. And I'm not too casual, I own most of his albums.
i love nine inch nails, but whoever suggested this song as an introduction is foul
This song was an introduction for a lot of us!
and hurt is originally by nin as well but the cash version is beautiful too
Lol that's what I was thinking
Not surprising tho- let’s be honest. Lol.
I completely agree 😂😂
Keep in mind that this video was made at a time when people weren’t as easily triggered. The controversial bit was the lyrics. To my knowledge the kid in the video was never a “thing”.
Trent is a GENIUS. I don’t use the term loosely. Dive deep my friends. If I could pick one album to show you his talents it would be the fragile. The song with the same name I think you guys will dig. Also you guys are doing a great job. Keep it up.
Glad you took me up on my suggestion. Trent is an amazing artist. Did music for films too.
You want to listen something that represents NiN incredibly well? Well, listen to The Wretched or Somewhat Damaged, or any song from The Fragile (a freaking masterpiece with 23 songs divided in 2 discs)
You mentioned Marilyn Manson. He started off as a protégé of Trent (NIN) and of course they had a fallout. The song "Starfuckers Inc." is about MM. Also as opposed to MM, Trent is a great down to earth guy.
This is a weird song to introduce yourself to Nine Inch Nails with, even if it’s his most popular song. There’s a ton of great stuff in the catalog though. Head Like A Hole, Wish, Hurt, March of the Pigs etc are great picks for something a bit more accessible.
The hand that feeds you is the perfect NIN Intro
I think it might be the best NIN song to introduce someone who might be into hip hop etc
I don't want to excuse a child being featured in this video. Honestly, I never noticed it before and no matter the intention, I don't think it's a good idea to show a child in this context but I think an important distinction is that this song isn't supposed to be glorifying its sexual imagery. The album is about a man who lets himself descend to some of the lowest points a person can go and I see this song as him losing his humanity and letting his animalistic urges take over. I think Brad's reaction is the intended reaction. The song and the video use sexual imagery to be disturbing and make you feel gross and I think contrasting that with an innocent child is supposed to add to the uncomfortable feeling of the video.
One of my favorites! Trent is a genius 🔥🤟
The song is about sex, so I took the characters towards the middle to represent the things we project onto sex in order to rationalize it. The little girl representing virginal innocence. The young boy in the tux representing romance. The couple intwined by their hair representing deeper connection. The woman with the skull representing temptation. The shirtless man representing male virility. And the old man representing our society's unease about sex in general.
All things we project onto sexuality, that completely cease to matter during a moment of raw unbridled passion.
Hey Brad and Lex, I love your channel! Closer, I feel, is not the best representation of why people fell in love with NIN in the early 90's (as I did). A neat song, but, rather boring soon after the shock factor fades. For their heavier, more aggressive stuff, I would look to "head like a hole", "wish", "gave up", "a perfect drug", "Mr. Self destruct." They have many more great songs beside those, but those kind of take you back toward the beginning, and more of a traditional industrial metal sound that started it all.
I think stuff from Pretty Hate Machine is the best place to start. But I might be biased. As I was at just the right age for the older sister of a friend to introduce me to it while she was home from college for a break.
Ha ha ha have you seen closure? Fucked up video of broken
The 80s NIN is freaking AWFUL. Pop nonsense.
@@gimphandjeff broken is not pop at all
Completely agree 👍
I lo e that you are discovering music I grew up with. I feel old but at the same time it reminds me of when I discovered my older friends music. It's a beautiful experience.
I definitely appreciate the creativity of the video, but over the years I found that I enjoy this song way more on its own, without the creepy visuals
first time seeing the video, always loved the song..
I was not expecting to find an actually insightful and interesting song reaction channel! Solid analyses and views on the song/video. Subbed!
They always used to play this at the club and people would be grinding all over everybody and at the end of the night you would go home smelling like sweat and shame.😄👍
A most appropriate opening credit song for my favorite movie, Seven.
NIN has a lot of great songs, Only, Head Like a Hole, and Hurt are some of my favorites.
A cool reaction would be to listen to Hurt by NIN, and then listen to the cover that Johnny Cash did of Hurt.
The point of the video is to make the viewer uncomfortable in a sexual sense. The addition of the children is meant to shock and confuse after the sexual lyrics and imagery. The whole song is about the dark side of sexuality and the desire to no longer be a pervert. Hence the line 'help me'.
NIN "right where it belongs" or " the great below" trust me!! 😁❤️👊
Thank you, i have just posted those exact suggestions. Love those songs and they always get overlooked for Head like a hole, hurt or closer.
@@yomo1690 agreed! It reminds me of every reactor only reacting to "creep" and "fake plastic trees" when they react to Radiohead!! 🤦🤦😜
Talking about him floating is honestly one of the best comments and observations I've heard
Trent is one of the best musicians of all time, but this wasn’t the song to be introduced to him with. You’re getting too many recommendations from surface dwellers; people who have no depth and are impressed by shock value
Shock value gets subscribers and views though. Good for business. At the end of the day this is there business.
@@Hoopers_s couldn’t have said it better myself. 👌
I can agree with most of your statement, other than the spelling of their. 😁
The problem is they aren’t the ones making the decision for that shock value, they’re going by others recommendations, which I feel is taking away from what I originally liked about them. I started watching them because of their intellect and ability to address the bigger picture being outlined by some of these artists and in our world today. When it becomes about shock value, there’s no worthy substance anymore and you just become like all the other sheeple.
@@justinanderson4847 not to mention, listening to some of their less shocky songs helps to understand the ones that do shock and makes for a better reaction since they alread have a feel for it and the shock doesn't over power the reaction
@@battygirlrachel I completely agree with that statement.
Whatching you play out to the music ,then try to explain is priceless, the atmosphere always tastes great
it's kinda sad that "Closer" became NIN's most widely known song, and usually the first one these reactors land on. It's one of Trent's LEAST deep songs. So many other songs have so much more meaning. and NIN can be crazy fast and aggressive with stuff like "head like a hole" or so meloncholy and melodic it almost induces depression, like "something i can never have" .
I loved pretty hate machine.....its one of those type of albums were you never skip a track, cuz its all good
Closer is actually quite deep, you can hear it in every beat and word.
@@HarlowTheoryX I feel like it's of a pair with 'Reptile' and those following from 'Something I Can Never Have' and 'Sanctified'.
LMAO I've been a Nine Inch Nails fan for going on two decades now, I've watched the video for this song a dozen times and I *never* pegged the symbolism behind the scene where he's just floating and spinning in the air. Kudos my man, kudos.
Was a teenager when this came out. Remember making out with my girlfriend with this playing!!
I went the next step and used this music beat to... Well.. You know. And in doggy style. 😂
She nailed it. He is addicted to a gal and he is willing to do anything she wants.
Head like a Hole would have been a better intro to them, IMO.
Trent Reznor makes all types. Some are absolutely beautiful and bittersweet. He makes awesome scores for many famous movies as well. Definitely listen to more of his music. It's a mind blowing journey.
Long ago I met my Jamaican gf in a dark goth club as we were dancing to Nine Inch nails "Wish" (with the always romantic line "It's just a big time, hardline, bad luck, fist fuck!"). I was into Bob Marley and she was into The Cure, so it was a match made in Heaven.
This song is not about sex.
It's about one man's descent into madness, becoming alienated from himself, and needing to reach out and find something that he hopes can fix him, even for a moment.
It's a desperate pleas from a person who feels broken and fucked up inside and yearns for the only thing that makes him feel whole.