cool thanks. i also get that impression from the fragile. and yes the song has some kinda weird parts and transitions, but it still has really cool parts (the intro, chorus, solo, and outro). i just think trent is a bit of a perfectionist
A lot of artists will publicly criticize material that wasn't well received at the time...see Eminem and Relapse. But sometimes that material is a fan favorite. Trent has also said the The Fragile has turned into a fan favorite, which is true, cause it's a great album. So you see how artists are careful about their public image.
This song became more than just music when I learned I was not my rapist's only victim, and he had done the same thing to my best friend. He lies and discredits his victims as just 'sluts,' before they can even process what happened. Everyone was afraid to speak out. I had no choice but to stand up. Things got worse, but nothing can stop me now.
''You know I can see, what you really are'' This particular line really connects with me. At many times in my life I have felt that way about certain people. Great song, great album.
this song is a look, how ever brief, into darkest recesses of the human psyche. such a place is exist in each of of, Trent takes it upon himself to give us a guided tour to a place we didn't want to go, but ultimately finding us enjoying depravity! love it!
I was listening to this one day when my best friend was still living with my husband and I. He asked me to just hear it. So I let him..it creeped him out big time. I giggled a little and said "Didn't like it huh?" He shook his head and told me it was too much for him. He was entitled to his opinion to it.
I feel like Trent went through some kind of hardcore fuckover... possibly the record label, or possibly family-related. The songs float back and forth between the view of the victim, the abuser, and some even seem to be interchangeable. I think the album is sbout being fucked over, and in an attempt to ease the pain, revenge gets taken too far, only making matters worse. Narcissism, real or feigned in an attempt to get even with whomever threw the first blow, is a central theme of the whole album.
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me! You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now! You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me! You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now! You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me! You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now! You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me! You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now! You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me! You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now! You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me! You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
“Maybe it’s a part of me you took to a place I hoped it would never go, Maybe that fucked me up much more than you’ll ever know” I wonder if bullies/ppl who abuse authority actually realize the impact they have on people
To me, this song is about a variety of things, one of them being my family. I grew up in an abusive home with my father, who was protected by his unknowing family to prevent my mother from doing anything about it (even if she didn't know the severity of the situation) I was lied to about this for 24 years, untill yesterday. I am going to force an apology out of these people if its the last thing I do. You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me, you didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now. ;)
This is undoubtedly NIN's centrepiece track, the most vital number in their catalogue. Sad though that many artists peak on a certain album relatively early in their career then never come close to matching it. FSOL "Dead Cities", NIN "Downward Spiral" Counting Crows "August &c" and many many more.
It is about depression. The drug part is showing how far he is falling. This song is about dethroning someone of a higher power, like god or someone more then him. The final part showcases this.
My gosh, chill out. Everyone has a right to their own interpretations of a song and artist. I happen to think that the rhythmn and beats of this song are what make me like it, not even the lyrics. And some people consider Reznor a genius for the MUSIC and not the lyrics. Anyways, just look at the title of the song: Ruiner. It's probably not even related to anything sexual, but a person you are vulnerable to; a person who has hurt you.
Ruiner- 1. a person who uses this tool because they are paralyzed by hate so they can continue surviving in their jealous world., 2. an ex hater that resorts to whatever snitching and gossip that turns to rumors so they can continue living as the value destroying parasite they are.
DaGamingMesican this is the song ... just when you want to give up, you realise that you are more, nothing can hurt you and that you are built to do the hurting...
this entire album is a concept album about drug addiction hence The Downward Spiral being the title. This song is about drug taking over your life an taking everything away from you that you love, etc.
Fred Let me just say that I've been a Christian my whole life and a fan of most NIN music. In terms of us destroying each other, you're absolutely right. Its easier for people today to blame God for their problems.
Does anyone else imagine the bridge in the song with the breathing loops and fuzzy guitar to be played if someone were to be tortured and mutilated slowly?
No, it's talking about power, (big, strong) and then he says, how'd it get so hard/long? But 'it' can mean anything, such as the journey that the character in the song is undergoing. The song is about destroying, or taking on, the ruiner, whatever or whomever the ruiner is. A strong and big character that is taking a hard long time to defeat. Some take it is a penis, but that is just a fruedian slip, and ignores the rest of the song.
I don't know about everyone else but I associate the lyrics of the ruiner with an event or period of time, it totally screams Third Reich. And it taps into the animalistic rage inside me.
How can Christ be held accountable for what man has done? It's in our nature to destroy each other. If anybody is the 'Ruiner", it's mankind and not some floating, made-up Deity in the sky..
Every day to me is Veterans Day… every day for you is Halloween, where I bring your greatest fears to life and make you live in a living nightmare personally created for you by yours truly… reap what you sow
ahaha omg dude, have you SEEN my playlists? I don't actually put them in the genre they belong in, I just make stuff up and put them wherever they fit. I know they're not emo, not worry xD
Its about a drug dealer (The Ruiner). His addiction is what is so long and hard. This song has nothing to do with sex or sexuality. But it is all in your interpretation.
I don't know why Trent Reznor says this song sucks in so many different ways, this song is so fucking epic, and is my favorite song on the album.
Seth Collazo how do you know he said that?
cool thanks. i also get that impression from the fragile. and yes the song has some kinda weird parts and transitions, but it still has really cool parts (the intro, chorus, solo, and outro). i just think trent is a bit of a perfectionist
+HWB I think the reasons that he disliked it are two main reasons its an amazing song
A lot of artists will publicly criticize material that wasn't well received at the time...see Eminem and Relapse. But sometimes that material is a fan favorite. Trent has also said the The Fragile has turned into a fan favorite, which is true, cause it's a great album. So you see how artists are careful about their public image.
My favorite song as well
I wish i could turn my anger and despair into a badass song all i can do is put a hole in a wall lol.
Ok Kyle
cool story chad
@@Em-sf6srthat's fucked I assumed he was a Kyle too. Kyle you're more than good enough you make great holes in walls bro, break em down!
Trent did a lot worse than put holes in walls. He destroyed likely millions of dollars worth of music equipment
You should try I’m betting you can!!
You didn’t hurt me / norhing can hurt me / you didn’t hurt me / nothing can stop me now.
It sounds like the best mantra i’ve ever heard.
This song became more than just music when I learned I was not my rapist's only victim, and he had done the same thing to my best friend. He lies and discredits his victims as just 'sluts,' before they can even process what happened. Everyone was afraid to speak out. I had no choice but to stand up. Things got worse, but nothing can stop me now.
Bailey Moran Good luck. I hope you will get throught it.
did you ever get justice for what happened
Totally that's why Trent wrote this song to get back at his rapist
I'm still surprised at the ability for Trent to make me cry..
Sry u went through that as well as your friends.
I fucking love this song. Nine Inch Nails is such a timeless band.
I only wish I had been here 4 years ago to reply to this comment sooner.
If only I could come up with the solution for a time machine...
We all know a ruiner. If you dont, then you are the ruiner.
Ha.
This fucking guitar solo is the best one ever.
It was conceived with comfortably numb's solo as inspiration.
The best part of the whole song
Comfortably Numb is better but the solo does slap
We all have that wonderful person in our lives...
The ruiner
Multiple
It's like watching a switch happen. :( same
We do pick the people we associate with. Break the conditioning!
Ahahahah evidently it me, understand thr ruiner is the protagonist I think
the line "You had to covet what was mine" makes me so angry. this album is purely genius.
I love the drums that kick in at 1:38 and add an entirely new dimension to the song.
The hook sounds like some kind of fucking cyberpunk super villain theme, it’s just so mechanical, hard and menacing I love it
Trent saved my life, when my soul tried to leave my body from overwhelming emotional distress, it helped knowing that trent feels my pain.
Despite what the lyrics say the music itself is gold.
I like this song to work to in my welding shop, because one of the instruments sounds like an air grinder in the background
I used to play nine inch nails in my shop all the time.
Seems like a fitting environment.
''You know I can see, what you really are''
This particular line really connects with me. At many times in my life I have felt that way about certain people. Great song, great album.
this song is a look, how ever brief, into darkest recesses of the human psyche. such a place is exist in each of of, Trent takes it upon himself to give us a guided tour to a place we didn't want to go, but ultimately finding us enjoying depravity! love it!
Thank you for this comment
3:19 when the drums kick back in with that solo.... Holy Fuck
I was listening to this one day when my best friend was still living with my husband and I. He asked me to just hear it. So I let him..it creeped him out big time. I giggled a little and said "Didn't like it huh?" He shook his head and told me it was too much for him. He was entitled to his opinion to it.
The second chorus, I love when his background voice comes up high then screams. "Didn't you?"
God yes
Ruiner is the voice in my brain.
The bassline, the bassline!!
I lost my viginity to this album. Can't think of anything better to lose it to still.
If ever there was a song about narcissism this is it!
you haven't heard mr self destruct then, i recommend it
Bruh. That's like every NIN song...
bama VOX True facts!!!
I feel like Trent went through some kind of hardcore fuckover... possibly the record label, or possibly family-related. The songs float back and forth between the view of the victim, the abuser, and some even seem to be interchangeable. I think the album is sbout being fucked over, and in an attempt to ease the pain, revenge gets taken too far, only making matters worse. Narcissism, real or feigned in an attempt to get even with whomever threw the first blow, is a central theme of the whole album.
It's about God :P
I miss this dark, evil NIN sound.
The keys on this song are gripping. Makes you feel like something really bad is going to happen.
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me!
You didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now!
“Maybe it’s a part of me you took to a place I hoped it would never go,
Maybe that fucked me up much more than you’ll ever know”
I wonder if bullies/ppl who abuse authority actually realize the impact they have on people
To me, this song is about a variety of things, one of them being my family.
I grew up in an abusive home with my father, who was protected by his unknowing family to prevent my mother from doing anything about it (even if she didn't know the severity of the situation)
I was lied to about this for 24 years, untill yesterday. I am going to force an apology out of these people if its the last thing I do.
You didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me, you didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now. ;)
This is undoubtedly NIN's centrepiece track, the most vital number in their catalogue. Sad though that many artists peak on a certain album relatively early in their career then never come close to matching it. FSOL "Dead Cities", NIN "Downward Spiral" Counting Crows "August &c" and many many more.
Song for all the Broken Souls
Ruiner is in a certain way "the best song ever made" to me.
It is about depression. The drug part is showing how far he is falling. This song is about dethroning someone of a higher power, like god or someone more then him. The final part showcases this.
sadly I miss them but a part of me is relieved that I've allowed my soul to grieve the death of what apparently never was
This is how you make sure your ex doesn’t listen to your music
one of my favorite bridges of all time. like a drug, without the consequence....
I can turn all my anger and despair into bad ass songs, but finding reliable people to jam with is a lot harder than I thought, lol.
Nine Inch Nails Is one of if not the greatest bands of all time and this song and Downward Spiral prove it!
genius, pure fucking genius
One of the BEST under-rated songs from the Downward Spiral album ! 🎼👏😎🤘
I don't know why, but Trent hates this song and Big Man With a Gun. This is my favorite off the album.
Thank you for adding the lyrics to my favorite song
I love driving fast for this song
There was a lot of sadness and depression too.
this always makes me want to get into the studio ..
My gosh, chill out. Everyone has a right to their own interpretations of a song and artist. I happen to think that the rhythmn and beats of this song are what make me like it, not even the lyrics. And some people consider Reznor a genius for the MUSIC and not the lyrics. Anyways, just look at the title of the song: Ruiner. It's probably not even related to anything sexual, but a person you are vulnerable to; a person who has hurt you.
Ruiner- 1. a person who uses this tool because they are paralyzed by hate so they can continue surviving in their jealous world., 2. an ex hater that resorts to whatever snitching and gossip that turns to rumors so they can continue living as the value destroying parasite they are.
+Scott Wily their the majority in my little town this songs about the people of Ashland pa
+jerrbearr gamming I feel the same way about my little town called Germantown Ohio, bunch of arse here
God damn NIN, you bring out my inner psychopath
+DaGamingMesican that's what this song is about. a sociopath. i dated one.... it's NOTHING to laugh about....
+datura1983 It's everything to laugh about.
+datura1983 i dated one also.
DaGamingMesican this is the song ... just when you want to give up, you realise that you are more, nothing can hurt you and that you are built to do the hurting...
Edgy
Trents talent comes out in infinite ways in this epic track. So calming. Zones one out
Just realized the fucking beauty in the collective simplicity! Fuck yeah Trent!
its a song about getting the runs from a taco bell taco
Not funny but true taco hell will destroy your butt.
this entire album is a concept album about drug addiction hence The Downward Spiral being the title. This song is about drug taking over your life an taking everything away from you that you love, etc.
Sonic's Quest for Power brought me here...
0:50 seriously sounds like a villain's theme.
That guitar solo OMFG
Maybe one day you'll go where no one will go: I loved her much more than you'll ever know.
For those who have never listened to "Ruiner (version)", please do that's really something!
I forgot how good this song is.
suits me....all too well. How the lyrics still move me still up to this day.lol!
Fred Let me just say that I've been a Christian my whole life and a fan of most NIN music. In terms of us destroying each other, you're absolutely right. Its easier for people today to blame God for their problems.
Personally, I think that The Fragile is the best album by NIN. His vocals sometimes kills me too, but he still is a fantastic writer. :D
that part in the into sounds like a sped up version of wrapped in plastic
Fucking Masterpiece. Thess lyrics nowadays are most important than ever.
One of my favorite nin songs ever
Amazing lyrics
Nine inch nails is awesome
@ 2:47, one of the coolest song breakdowns ever! Haunted house sound effects with funk guitar and drums. Totally unexpected, but it works!
Utterly beautiful
I like when he said how it does give me strength
The best rock solo ever...Only Trent...
dedicated to everyone who shit on the love I showed them and convinced themself "it was for the best" aka their best interest
The best one from the album and hurt
this song should be in the new Lorax movie!
May they find what is they are truly seeking soul deep - "no hard feelings"
Does anyone else imagine the bridge in the song with the breathing loops and fuzzy guitar to be played if someone were to be tortured and mutilated slowly?
No, it's talking about power, (big, strong) and then he says, how'd it get so hard/long? But 'it' can mean anything, such as the journey that the character in the song is undergoing. The song is about destroying, or taking on, the ruiner, whatever or whomever the ruiner is. A strong and big character that is taking a hard long time to defeat. Some take it is a penis, but that is just a fruedian slip, and ignores the rest of the song.
great song
This is the best rap song ever screamed
1:39 The doubled vocal here is my favorite part
I don't know about everyone else but I associate the lyrics of the ruiner with an event or period of time, it totally screams Third Reich. And it taps into the animalistic rage inside me.
How can Christ be held accountable for what man has done? It's in our nature to destroy each other. If anybody is the 'Ruiner", it's mankind and not some floating, made-up Deity in the sky..
nice job, thanks.
Excuse me, yes. Drugs too... Thank you very much Steven!
2:14 bears when you raise your hands
Such an apt song for 2022
First time hearing the album at 11...I better turn this off or i'm going to hell 5 mins later "but its soooo good" (puts cd back in) lol
Farewell Cornell
Think this is an outstanding song, to add this is a good song.
Every day to me is Veterans Day… every day for you is Halloween, where I bring your greatest fears to life and make you live in a living nightmare personally created for you by yours truly… reap what you sow
@wikiporno2 I was in math class when i realized that was what he was saying. Didnt learn anything that day.
3:00 :)...What happens there is pretty much amazing.
I'll know feels good.
*you didn;t hurt me
nothing can hurt me
HE didn;t hurt me ... Nothigh can stop me now....Small mistake
Back when NIN had punch.
good job on the lyrics ;)
ahaha omg dude, have you SEEN my playlists? I don't actually put them in the genre they belong in, I just make stuff up and put them wherever they fit. I know they're not emo, not worry xD
Its about a drug dealer (The Ruiner). His addiction is what is so long and hard. This song has nothing to do with sex or sexuality. But it is all in your interpretation.
"but my parents will get mad if I'm listening to their cds.. D:" They pull in the driveway I put it back in the shelf.
Amazing song about Ego
starting at 2:47-3:46. 1 minute of brain tickling
Actually Pretty Hate Machine and The Fragile are held in pretty high regard. The Fragile is fantastic, 2 CDs of awesome.
3:01-3:50 I always imagine the grim reaper just shredding away on a black Harley Benton