A beat loop characterised by quick double kicks opens this track, with deep bass and quiet vocals creating the first verse. Choruses open up with a simpler, clearer drum loop, a different bassline, and strange guitar layering that acts like a strings keyboard patch, creating a large stage for Reznor's loud and echoing vocals. The second chorus is followed by a new distorted guitar riff, which repeats as synth and percussion layers build; these eventually give way to a solitary piano melody, which quietly segues into "In Two" in a method recalling "Lights in the Sky" becoming "Corona Radiata" on The Slip.
I Would for You
Nine Inch Nails Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just leave them laying on the floor
The warning posted on the door
Not over here, not anymore
There was a place that could have been
Step over all it used to be
Since you have let yourself come in
See, I keep lying to myself
Don't know what else there is to do
If I could be somebody else
Well, I think I would for you
Didn't it seem like something more?
So long, I can't remember when
All this has happened all before
And this will happen all again
And I only have myself to blame
And I only have myself to blame
See, I keep lying to myself (lying to myself)
Don't know what else there is to do (there is to do, what else there is to do)
If I could be somebody else (somebody else, somebody else)
Well, I think I would for you (I would for you, I would for you)
See I keep lying to myself (lying to myself, lying to myself)
Don't know what else there is to do (what else there is to do)
If I could be somebody else (be somebody else, be somebody else)
Well, I think I would for you (think I would for you)
The song "I Would for You" by Nine Inch Nails explores themes of self-deception and a desire to change oneself for the sake of someone else. The opening lines describe the inadequacy of words in conveying emotions, which the singer finds pathetic. The mentioned "one posted on the door" may refer to a note or a message from someone, perhaps a lover. The singer, however, declares that the words are no longer relevant to them, indicating a sense of detachment.
The second verse suggests a confrontation with their past self, with the lyric "There I was a place I could have been." The singer seems to have missed an opportunity or made a mistake that caused them to feel inadequate. The next line, "Step over where it used to be," hints at trying to move past the situation but failing to do so. It is then revealed that a person has entered their life, and the singer is afraid of being fully seen by them. The singer confesses that they keep lying to themselves, and if it were possible, they would become somebody else for this person.
The final verses reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of making mistakes again. The repetition of "See I keep lying to myself, don't know what else there is to do" emphasizes the singer's inability to break free from self-deception and the frustration that ensues. The phrase "I only have myself to blame" suggests a regretful acceptance of past actions. The song ends with the repeated assertion that the singer would change themselves for the person they desire.
Line by Line Meaning
What a pathetic stray of words
These words are meaningless and empty
Just leave them laying on the floor
They are not worth paying attention to
The one posted on the door
The words that were important before
Not over here, not anymore
They are no longer relevant to me
There I was a place I could have been
I was once in a different, happier place
Step over where it used to be
I have moved on from that place
Since you have let yourself
Now that you are here
Come in
I want to hide some things from you
Some things I'd rather you not see
There are parts of me that I am ashamed of
See I keep lying to myself
I am aware that I am not being honest with myself
Don't know what else there is to do
But I can't think of any other way to cope
If I can be somebody else
If I could change who I am
Well I think I would for you
I would do it for someone I care about
Didn't it seem like something more
The situation felt important initially
So long I can't remember when
But it has been going on for too long
All this has happened all before
I have been in similar situations before
And this will happened all again
And it will most likely happen again in the future
And I only have myself to blame
I am responsible for my own actions and choices
And I only have myself to blame
I am responsible for my own actions and choices
See I keep lying to myself
I am aware that I am not being honest with myself
Don't know what else there is to do
But I can't think of any other way to cope
If I can be somebody else
If I could change who I am
Well I think I would for you
I would do it for someone I care about
See I keep lying to myself
I am aware that I am not being honest with myself
Don't know what else there is to do
But I can't think of any other way to cope
If I can be somebody else
If I could change who I am
Well I think I would for you
I would do it for someone I care about
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Trent Reznor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Hurt
This is the most depressing song ever. I listened to this a lot back in November-December 2022.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Eraser
This song is so intense. It sounds like music from a horror movie. I love the Dissonance Tour version, but I don't like the Polite version, as it just sounds like one of those easy listening tracks. This song has gory vibes.
DrJKintobor
on Driver Down
I have a theory that this song is the instrumental for "Just Do It", the lost song from TDS that was scrapped for "promoting suicide".
DrJKintobor
on Heresy
I'm really resisting the urge to make a Warhammer 40k joke.
DrJKintobor
on Mr. Self Destruct
This song reminds me of Fleetway Super Sonic (if you don't know, the Fleetway Sonic Comics have Super Sonic as an evil split personality of Sonic)
Mohin Kann
on Closer
Moien
Antoinette Alvarez
on Something I Can Never Have
This song is sooo beautiful ♡
Antoinette Alvarez
on Sanctified
♡
Antoinette Alvarez
on Find My Way
OMG I ♡ THIS SONG