You Know What You Are?
Nine Inch Nails Lyrics


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I try to slip myself through, try to get to the other side
I have to patch up the cracks and the holes that I have to hide
For a little bit of time, even, maybe, it worked okay?
Just long enough to really make it hurt
When they figured me out and it all just rotted away

Don't you fucking know what you are? (x3)
(go on, get back to where you belong)

You better take a good look cause I'm full of shit
With every bit my heart and I tried to believe in it
You can push it all out, you can try to pretend
But you can't change anything, you can't change anything in the end

Don't you fucking know what you are? (x3)
(go on, get back to where you belong)

Don't you fucking know what you are...?

Remember where you came from?
Remember what you are?





Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on, get back to where you belong...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "You Know What You Are?" by Nine Inch Nails speak of somebody trying to remove their true self. The song is about the feelings of self-hatred and self-discovery, as well as the realization that hiding one's true nature is a fruitless endeavor. The opening lines “I try to slip myself through, try to get to the other side” indicate the person trying to escape from something; possibly trying to fit in with society or hiding their true identity. However, they realize that they cannot escape who they truly are, and the verse “For a little bit of time, maybe, it worked okay? Just long enough to really make it hurt, When they figured me out and it all just rotted away” suggests that the person has eventually been found out.


The chorus "Don't you fucking know what you are?" is repeated thrice, emphasizing the frustration of the singer towards the person who is trying to hide their true self. The line “You better take a good look cause I'm full of shit” indicates that the person is lying to themselves and others by pretending to be something different. The lines “But you can't change anything, you can't change anything in the end” points out that it is futile to try to change oneself for the sake of everyone else. The last line of the song, "Remember where you came from? Remember what you are?" suggests the importance of self-acceptance and not forgetting one's true identity.


Line by Line Meaning

I try to slip myself through, try to get to the other side
I am attempting to move past my current state and reach a better one


I have to patch up the cracks and the holes that I have to hide
I need to deceive others in order to hide my flaws and imperfections


For a little bit of time, even, maybe, it worked okay?
I thought that maybe my deception was working and that I could continue hiding my flaws


Just long enough to really make it hurt
The amount of time that my deception worked was enough to cause significant pain when people eventually found out


When they figured me out and it all just rotted away
Once others realized my true nature, everything fell apart and my deception crumbled


Don't you fucking know what you are? (x3)
The singer is angry and frustrated that the person being addressed does not know their true nature and continues to deceive themselves and others


(go on, get back to where you belong)
The singer is urging the person to return to their true nature and stop pretending to be something they are not


You better take a good look cause I'm full of shit
The artist is admitting that they themselves are engaging in deception and cannot be trusted to be honest


With every bit my heart and I tried to believe in it
Despite the knowledge that they are being dishonest, the artist has tried to convince themselves that their deception is right and true


You can push it all out, you can try to pretend
Others can attempt to ignore the deception and pretend that everything is okay


But you can't change anything, you can't change anything in the end
Ultimately, despite everyone's attempts to ignore or overlook the deception, it cannot be changed and will continue to cause problems


Remember where you came from?
The artist is questioning whether the person remembers their true nature and their origins


Remember what you are?
The singer is urging the person to remember their true nature and stop pretending to be something else


Go on, get back to where you belong...
The singer is urging the person to return to their true nature and stop pretending to be something they are not




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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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

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