Closer
Nine Inch Nails Lyrics
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You let me desecrate you
You let me penetrate you
You let me complicate you
(Help me) I broke apart my insides
(Help me) I've got no soul to sell
(Help me) the only thing that works for me
I wanna fuck you like an animal
I wanna feel you from the inside
I wanna fuck you like an animal
My whole existence is flawed
You get me closer to God
You can have my isolation
You can have the hate that it brings
You can have my absence of faith
You can have my everything
(Help me) you tear down my reason
(Help me) it's your sex I can smell
(Help me) you make me perfect
Help me become somebody else
I wanna fuck you like an animal
I wanna feel you from the inside
I wanna fuck you like an animal
My whole existence is flawed
You get me closer to God
Through every forest
Above the trees
Within my stomach
Scraped off my knees
I drink the honey
Inside your hive
You are the reason
I stay alive
The lyrics to Nine Inch Nail's song Closer are riddled with controversy and taboo sexual language, resulting in a provocative and polarizing song. Trent Reznor, the lead singer and songwriter, reveals his own personal demons and insecurities with sex and relationships. The opening lines "You let me violate you, You let me desecrate you, You let me penetrate you, You let me complicate you" suggest a dangerous and violent sexual relationship, where the singer is taking advantage of their partner's vulnerability. It also implies a sense of control and dominance over the other person.
The lyrics continue with "I wanna fuck you like an animal, I wanna feel you from the inside." This line reaffirms the earlier suggestion of having sex with their partner, but this time Reznor seems to be lower down, wanting to feel his partner's depths. The following line "My whole existence is flawed, You get me closer to God" is a testament to how this sense of liberation and release brings him closer to a higher power. It is as if his only way of feeling anything spiritual is through this primal and animalistic act.
The song's bridge highlights the idea of giving everything to his partner, from his isolation to his unbelief in God. The lines "You can have my isolation, You can have the hate that it brings, You can have my absence of faith, You can have my everything" are Reznor's way of conveying that his partner is all he needs, even if it's a destructive and violent relationship, because he finds some sort of spiritual connection through it. Overall, the lyrics to "Closer" are a harrowing and disturbing depiction of a person's struggles with sex and relationships, illustrating how these personal demons can still lead to profound experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You let me violate you
You allow me to disregard your boundaries and take advantage of you.
You let me desecrate you
You permit me to defile and disrespect you.
You let me penetrate you
You allow me to invade your personal space and get too close to you.
You let me complicate you
You consent to letting me create problems and challenges in your life.
(Help me) I broke apart my insides
I'm struggling and falling apart on the inside.
(Help me) I've got no soul to sell
I'm empty and devoid of any meaningful identity or values to offer.
(Help me) the only thing that works for me
I'm desperate for something, anything, to make me feel better or distract me from my pain.
Help me get away from myself
Assist me in escaping from my own thoughts and emotions, which are causing me distress.
I wanna fuck you like an animal
I desire to have sex with you in a primal, animalistic way.
I wanna feel you from the inside
I want to experience an intense and intimate connection with you emotionally and physically.
My whole existence is flawed
My entire being is flawed and imperfect, and I'm struggling to cope with this realization.
You get me closer to God
Through the intense experience of sexual connection with you, I feel a temporary and fleeting sense of transcendence and spiritual elevation.
You can have my isolation
You can take my loneliness and separation from others.
You can have the hate that it brings
You can take the anger and resentment I feel towards the world and others.
You can have my absence of faith
You can take the lack of belief or trust I have in anything or anyone.
You can have my everything
You can take all of me, the good and the bad.
(Help me) you tear down my reason
You destroy my logic, rationale, and sense of self-control.
(Help me) it's your sex I can smell
I'm obsessively attracted to your sexual scent and presence.
(Help me) you make me perfect
You give me a sense of completeness and fulfillment that I can't find elsewhere.
Help me become somebody else
Assist me in transforming myself into someone or something different, where I won't feel so damaged or incomplete.
Through every forest
No matter how dark and uncertain life may be, I will find a way through it.
Above the trees
I will rise above my problems and limitations.
Within my stomach
Deep inside me, there is a hunger and a longing for something.
Scraped off my knees
I have been knocked down and hurt many times, but I keep getting up and trying again.
I drink the honey
I indulge in the sweet pleasures of life and love.
Inside your hive
I find safety and comfort in your presence.
You are the reason
You are the inspiration and motivation for me to keep going and live my life.
I stay alive
I keep going and fighting, despite all the pain and suffering, because of my love for you and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Atticus Ross, Trent Reznor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pride317
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You let me violate you
You let me desecrate you
You let me penetrate you
You let me complicate you
[Pre-Chorus]
(Help me...)
I broke apart my insides
(Help me...)
I've got no soul to sell
(Help me...)
The only thing that works for me
Help me get away from myself
[Chorus]
I wanna fuck you like an animal
I wanna feel you from the inside
I wanna fuck you like an animal
My whole existence is flawed
You get me closer to God
[Verse 2]
You can have my isolation
You can have the hate that it brings
You can have my absence of faith
You can have my everything
(Help me...)
You tear down my reason
(Help me...)
It's your sex I can smell
(Help me...)
You make me perfect
Help me become somebody else
[Chorus]
I wanna fuck you like an animal
I wanna feel you from the inside
I wanna fuck you like an animal
My whole existence is flawed
You get me closer to God
[Outro]
Through every forest
Above the trees
Within my stomach
Scraped off my knees
I drink the honey
Inside your hive
You are the reason
I stay alive
@eliasmsv3156
This was so unbelievably ahead of it's time. It still sounds modern in 2021
@NanatsukiBenio
it is
@avocado6623
We've regressed since the 90s in many ways.
@cozmo_Comet
Dude i didnt even realize this songs age until i saw your comment, wow
@sassycassy
Its now 2022
@meytr0_
same with blue monday by new order
@antoniogremmis
Almost 30 years have gone by and this is still my grandma’s favourite song
@sexyanimekitty1104
Oh god. Ig u know how mama was made now
@greghudson1489
your grandma is my gal
@jja7257
@Greg Hudson 패드립을 당당히 하네