Closer

Nine Inch Nails

About Closer

"Closer" is an industrial rock song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994). It was released on May 30, 1994 as the album's second single. Most versions of the single are titled "Closer to God", a rare example in music of a single's title differing from the title of its A-side. ("Closer to God" is also the title of an alternate version of "Closer" featured on the single.) Labeled "Halo 9", the single is the ninth official Nine Inch Nails release. A promotional single provided by the label to radio stations included both long and short vocal-censored-i.e.: silenced profanity-versions. Despite misinterpretations of the song as a lust anthem, "Closer" became Nine Inch Nails' most successful single up to that time, cemented Reznor's status as an industrial rock icon, and remains one of his best-known songs. Commercially, "Closer" reached No. 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 25 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 3 on the Australian Singles Chart. Censored versions of the song and its Mark Romanek-directed music video received substantial airplay on radio and MTV. 


Year:
2002
5:38
120 

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You let me violate you
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
Help me get away from myself

I want to f*ck you like an animal
I want to feel you from the inside
I want to f*ck 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
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 want to f*ck you like an animal 
I want to feel you from the inside 
I want to f*ck 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

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Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails (abbreviated as NIN, sometimes stylized as NIИ) is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction. Nine Inch Nails' music straddles a wide range of genres. After recording a new album, Reznor (until the 2009 Wave Goodbye Tour) usually assembles a live band to perform with him. The touring band features a revolving lineup that often rearranges songs to fit a live setting. On stage, Nine Inch Nails often employs visual elements to accompany performances, which frequently include light shows. more »

7 fans

Written by: Atticus Ross, Trent Reznor

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin
"Closer" was released in 1994 by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, as a single from their second studio album "The Downward Spiral."
Musical Composition
Despite its generally dark and sexual themes, "Closer" incorporates elements of funk and is built around a repeating keyboard riff with a recognizable drumbeat.
Lyrics Controversy
The song's controversial lyrics, which contain explicit references to sexuality, lead to a censored version being released for airplay, which substituted the offending lyrics with the phrase "You get me closer to God."
Critical Acclaim
Despite, or possibly because of, its controversial nature, "Closer" is often regarded as one of Nine Inch Nails' best songs and has been strongly praised by critics.
Charts Success
"Closer" became Nine Inch Nails' first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number nine, and was also a top 40 hit in the UK.
Music Video
The music video for "Closer", directed by Mark Romanek, stirred further controversy due to its explicit imagery inspired by works of American photographer Joel-Peter Witkin, but has since garnered acclaim for its unique visual style.
Cultural Impact
"Closer" has seen extensive use in popular culture, featuring in movies, advertisements, and television programs. It was used notably in the opening sequence of David Fincher's 1995 film "Se7en".
Recognition
"Closer" was ranked as the number 93 song on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2010.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered numerous times by a variety of artists across different genres, with notable versions by Kings of Leon and Maroon 5.
Live Performances
"Closer" remains a staple of Nine Inch Nails' live performances and is often considered a highlight of their shows.

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    Closer

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1994

    Billboard #41


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