Opening with a thumping beat and a synth melody, Reznor's reverberating vocals dominate the verses. A different beat is introduced during the second verse, while vocal harmonies and a synth pad enter during the choruses. During the break, there is a short distorted guitar riff before the final verse and choruses. The end of the track comes in after the final chorus with a funky guitar riff playing over a panned drum beat. This is followed by a scream sampled from the beginning of Jane's Addiction's "Had a Dad," which leads into an entirely different beat, sampled from "Alphabet St." by Prince. This is accompanied by a synth that sounds very similar to the one used in "That's What I Get" and vinyl scratching.
Ringfinger
Nine Inch Nails Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
A promise carved in stone
Deeper than the sea
Severed flesh and blood
Offer it to me
Well you just leave me nailed here
Hanging like jesus on this cross
I'm just dying for your sins
And aiding to the cause
A promise carved in stone
Deeper than the sea
Severed flesh and bone
Offer it to me
Wrap my eyes in bandages
Confessions I see through
I get everything I want
When I get part of you
A promise carved in stone
Its deeper than the sea
Sever flesh and bone
And offer it to me
A promise carved in stone
Deeper than the sea
Devils flesh and bone
Do something for me
The lyrics to Nine Inch Nails' song Ringfinger delve into the theme of obsession and the lengths one is willing to go to fulfill their desires. The opening lines reveal the singer's immense devotion to their lover, evidenced by the physical toll their work has taken on them. However, despite this commitment, the singer still feels inadequate, unable to fully satisfy their partner's needs. The chorus repetition of "A promise carved in stone, deeper than the sea, severed flesh and bone, offer it to me" suggests an almost sacrificial commitment, a willingness to offer oneself up entirely to satisfy the demands of another.
The second verse introduces a new layer to the obsession, with the singer comparing themselves to Jesus hanging on the cross, dying for their lover's sins. This religious imagery further emphasizes the sacrificial nature of their devotion, with the singer willing to suffer and die for their lover's pleasure. The bandages and confessions mentioned in the subsequent lines suggest a form of BDSM or power play, with the singer willingly submitting to their partner's control to achieve their desires.
Overall, the lyrics to Ringfinger speak to the complexities of sexual desire and the lengths individuals are willing to go to fulfill them, often subverting societal norms and morality in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you've got me working so hard lately
I have been working tirelessly for you recently
Working my hands until they bleed
I am pushing myself to the limit for you, causing me physical harm
If I was twice the man I could be
Even if I doubled my effort, I still would not be enough for you
I'd still be half of what you need
I am aware that I cannot meet all of your expectations
Still you lead me and I follow
Despite knowing my limitations, I will remain under your control
Anything you ask you know I'll do
I am willing to do anything you demand of me
This one act of consecration
I am asking for your undivided loyalty and devotion
Is what I ask of you
I am requesting that you pledge yourself to me completely
A promise carved in stone
A vow that is unbreakable and permanent
Deeper than the sea
This promise is stronger than the depths of the ocean
Severed flesh and blood
I require a physical sacrifice from you
Offer it to me
I demand that you give me what I am asking for
Well you just leave me nailed here
You have abandoned me and left me to suffer
Hanging like jesus on this cross
I feel like I am being crucified for your benefit
I'm just dying for your sins
I am taking the blame for your mistakes and shortcomings
And aiding to the cause
I am contributing to your success, even if it means sacrificing myself
Wrap my eyes in bandages
I want you to blindfold me, so that I am entirely under your power
Confessions I see through
Even if I am blindfolded, I can still see through your lies and manipulation
I get everything I want
I will stop at nothing to achieve my desires
When I get part of you
Your surrender to me is the only way for me to fully satisfy my needs
Devils flesh and bone
My desires are so intense that I will resort to demonic tactics to achieve them
Do something for me
I am commanding you to fulfill my wishes, regardless of the cost
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, 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