Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)

Last updated

We made prints, and I personally spent a couple of days dragging them around the parking lot and spraying aerosol shellac and holding lighters under them. We were just making it for art's sake, and YouTube didn't exist then, so it was a pretty ballsy and extravagant thing for Trent to do. But MTV liked it, so that started a long negotiation of how we can get it on the air. I want to go on record about the monkey: That monkey was not in any danger even though he appears to be in distress. The monkey was just munching on bits of banana and enjoying himself. We had an ASPCA person on the set. It wasn't harmed, and actually got paid more than some of the crew. [40]

These images were inspired by the work of Joel-Peter Witkin, [38] as well as by the Brothers Quay's animated short film Street of Crocodiles . [41] For the television version, certain removed scenes were replaced with a title card that read "Scene Missing," and the instances of the word fuck being edited out were accompanied by a stop in the video motion, making it appear as if the stop was a result of defective film (this was supposedly done to make sure the flow of the song was not affected). [42] According to Romanek, the video was filmed using "a slightly out of date film stock but it was still a contemporary film stock."

They had stopped making it three years before and we found some of it. All the new color film stocks have this T-Grain, like little Ts that are interlocking. The film stock we used had the original old granular grain. The new stocks are just really modern looking, really sharp, really contrasty, very fine grain. We didn't want that. Normally you don't want to use that kind of stock because the colors will be off. It does have a shelf life but in this case we didn't care, the more fucked up it was the happier we were. [43]

The unedited version of the video was shown on Playboy TV's music video show Hot Rocks in 1994. In mid-2002, the unedited version aired on MTV2 as part of a special countdown showcasing the most controversial videos ever to air on MTV. This countdown was only shown late at night due to the sexually explicit imagery of "Closer" and several other videos.

In 2006, "Closer" was voted No. 1 in a VH1 Classic poll, "20 Greatest Music Videos of All Time." [44]

In retrospect, Reznor said of the video that "The rarest of things occurred: where the song sounded better to me, seeing it with the video. And it's my song." [45]

The unedited video is included in Closure , The Downward Spiral (DualDisc), Directors Label Volume 4: The Work Of Director Mark Romanek and Vevo, and it is available for download from the United States iTunes Store under the band's page. Behind-the-scenes footage with commentary by Romanek is included in Closure (DVD) and Directors Label. It is also available on YouTube, and was previously flagged there before this restriction was lifted.

Live performances

During the Self Destruct and Fragility tours, bassist Danny Lohner and guitarist Robin Finck joined Reznor and full-time keyboardists James Woolley (during the first half of the Self Destruct Tour) and Charlie Clouser (during the remaining tours) on keyboards for the song, with Reznor performing an extended synth solo. Nine Inch Nails performed the "Closer to God" rendition of the song live during their 1995 tour on numerous occasions, omitting the original song from the setlist when done so.

There are performance videos of "Closer" on And All that Could Have Been and Beside You in Time .

In the tours following the release of With Teeth , Nine Inch Nails performed a shorter version of "Closer" with the keyboard solo played as a guitar solo and a breakdown incorporating a portion of "The Only Time," a track from Pretty Hate Machine . Two performances of this version of the song appear on Beside You in Time .

Formats and track listings

The version of "Closer" on the single is 13 seconds longer than the album version; on the album, the piano tune at the end of the song is abruptly cut off in order to segue into the next track, "Ruiner". On the single, the piano and background sounds of "Closer" are allowed to play out longer. [8]

In addition, the U.S. CD single contains five guest remixes of "Closer", a remix of its fellow The Downward Spiral track "Heresy", an instrumental track "March of the Fuckheads" (unrelated to "March of the Pigs"), and a cover version of Soft Cell's song "Memorabilia", from their 1982 EP Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing . The UK single releases contain the same tracks split between two discs (each sold separately). A cassette single was issued in the U.S. and Australia, pairing "Closer" with the music video version of Nine Inch Nails' previous single, "March of the Pigs" (which was recorded live in the studio by the then-current lineup of the band).

The single's cover artwork was done by photographer Joseph Cultice. [46]

US CD

"Closer"
Closer to god US.jpg
US CD single cover
Single by Nine Inch Nails
from the album The Downward Spiral
B-side
ReleasedMay 1994
Studio
Genre
Length6:15
Label
Songwriter(s) Trent Reznor
Producer(s)
Nine Inch Nails singles chronology
"March of the Pigs"
(1994)		"Closer"
(1994)		"The Perfect Drug"
(1997)
Halo numbers chronology
Halo 8
(1994)		Halo 9
(1994)		 Halo 10
(1995)
No.TitleRemixers / contributorsLength
1."Closer to God"
5:05
2."Closer (Precursor)"
7:16
3."Closer (Deviation)"
6:15
4."Heresy (Blind)"
5:32
5."Memorabilia"
7:21
6."Closer (Internal)"
  • Bill Kennedy
  • Scott Humphrey
  • John "Geetus" Aguto
  • Paul Decarli
  • Eric Claudiex
4:15
7."March of the Fuckheads" Adrian Sherwood 4:43
8."Closer (Further Away)"
  • Kennedy
  • Humphrey
  • Aguto
  • Decarli
  • Claudiex
5:45
9."Closer"
6:26

US cassette

Side A
No.TitleContributorsLength
1."Closer"
  • Reznor
  • Flood
6:25
Side B
No.TitleContributorsLength
2."March of the Pigs (Live)"
3:12

UK CD

Disc 1: Further Away
No.TitleLength
1."Closer"6:26
2."Closer (Deviation)"6:15
3."Closer (Further Away)"5:45
4."Closer (Precursor)"7:16
5."Closer (Internal)"4:15
Disc 2: Closer to God
No.TitleLength
1."Closer to God"5:05
2."Heresy (Blind)"5:32
3."Memorabilia"7:21
4."March of the Fuckheads"4:43

U.K. 12-inch vinyl – Part 1: Further Away

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Closer (Deviation)" 
2."Closer (Further Away)" 
3."Closer" 
Side B
No.TitleLength
4."Closer (Precursor)" 
5."Closer (Internal)" 

UK 12-inch vinyl – Part 2: Closer to God

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Closer to God" 
2."March of the Fuckheads" 
Side B
No.TitleLength
3."Heresy (Blind)" 
4."Memorabilia" 

Other versions in other formats and countries have the same track listing as the U.S. CD release.

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Closer"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [52] Gold35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [53] Silver200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Closer"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesMay 30, 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
[ citation needed ]
United KingdomJune 6, 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [54]

Cover versions

Related Research Articles

<i>The Downward Spiral</i> 1994 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

The Downward Spiral is the second studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on March 8, 1994, by Nothing Records in the United States and Island Records in Europe. It is a concept album detailing the self-destruction of a man from the beginning of his misanthropic "downward spiral" to his suicidal breaking point. The album was a commercial success and established Nine Inch Nails as a reputable force in the 1990s music scene, with its sound being widely imitated, and the band receiving media attention and multiple honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nine Inch Nails</span> American industrial rock band

Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN and stylized as NIN, is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland in 1988. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Trent Reznor was the only permanent member of the band until his frequent collaborator, Atticus Ross, joined in 2016. The band's debut album, Pretty Hate Machine (1989), was released via TVT Records. After disagreeing with TVT about how to promote the album, the band signed with Interscope Records and released the EP Broken (1992). The following albums, The Downward Spiral (1994) and The Fragile (1999), were released to critical acclaim and commercial success.

<i>The Fragile</i> 1999 album by Nine Inch Nails

The Fragile is the third studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as a double album by Nothing Records and Interscope Records on September 21, 1999. It was produced by the Nine Inch Nails singer Trent Reznor and the English producer Alan Moulder, a longtime Reznor collaborator. It was recorded throughout 1997 to 1999 in New Orleans.

<i>Broken</i> (Nine Inch Nails EP) 1992 EP by Nine Inch Nails

Broken is the first extended play (EP) and second major release by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It was released on September 22, 1992, by Nothing, TVT, and Interscope Records. The EP was produced by frontman Trent Reznor and Flood.

<i>Fixed</i> (EP) 1992 EP by Nine Inch Nails

Fixed is the second extended play (EP) by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It was released on December 7, 1992, by Nothing, TVT, and Interscope Records. It serves as a companion release to Broken (1992), and includes remixes by Coil, Danny Hyde, JG Thirlwell, and Butch Vig, as well as then-live band member Chris Vrenna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">March of the Pigs</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"March of the Pigs" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994). It was released on February 25, 1994 as the album's lead single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Day the World Went Away</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"The Day the World Went Away" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on July 20, 1999, as the lead single from their third studio album The Fragile (1999). The song was the band's first top-forty hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 17, which remains their highest-ever position on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head Like a Hole</span> 1990 song by Nine Inch Nails

"Head Like a Hole" is a song by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the second single from the group's debut album, Pretty Hate Machine. It enjoyed heavy rotation on the radio at the time of its release, eventually reaching number 9 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

<i>With Teeth</i> 2005 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

With Teeth is the fourth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by Nothing Records and Interscope Records on May 3, 2005. The album was produced by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and long-time collaborator Alan Moulder. It also features contributions from musician Dave Grohl and future band member Atticus Ross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hand That Feeds</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"The Hand That Feeds" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, With Teeth (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happiness in Slavery</span> 1992 song by Nine Inch Nails

"Happiness in Slavery" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their extended play, Broken (1992). It was released in November 1992 as a promotional single from the EP. The song takes its title and refrain from Jean Paulhan's preface to Pauline Réage's 1954 erotic novel Story of O. "Happiness in Slavery" peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> 1995 promotional single by Nine Inch Nails

"Hurt" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from its second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994), written by Trent Reznor. It was released on April 17, 1995, as a promotional single from the album. The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song in 1996. In 2020, Kerrang and Billboard ranked the song number two and number three, respectively, on their lists of the greatest Nine Inch Nails songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wish (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Wish" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their debut EP Broken (1992). It was released in 1992 as a promotional single from the EP. The drumming on the track was performed by Martin Atkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nine Inch Nails discography</span> Discography of industrial metal band Nine Inch Nails

American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails have released 11 studio albums, one live album, three remix albums, two compilation albums, six extended plays, 20 singles, 10 promotional singles, four video albums and 31 music videos. Nine Inch Nails has also contributed to numerous film soundtracks as well as the soundtrack to the video game Quake.

<i>Year Zero</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

Year Zero is the fifth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by Interscope Records on April 17, 2007. Conceived while touring in support of the band's previous album, With Teeth (2005), the album was recorded in late 2006. It was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and was the band's first studio album since 1994's The Downward Spiral that was not co-produced by long-time collaborator Alan Moulder. It was the band's last album for Interscope, following Reznor's departure the same year due to a dispute regarding overseas pricing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital G</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Capital G" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their fifth studio album, Year Zero (2007). It was released on June 11, 2007 as a limited-edition nine-inch vinyl in the United Kingdom, serving as the album's second and final single.

<i>Year Zero Remixed</i> 2007 remix album by Nine Inch Nails

Year Zero Remixed is the third remix album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released in the United States on November 20, 2007, and in the United Kingdom six days later. It features remixed versions of tracks from the band's previous studio album Year Zero, created by various producers and recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discipline (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Discipline" is a song by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their seventh studio album, titled The Slip (2008). It was released on April 22, 2008 as the only single from the album. It is the band's first single since severing its ties with Interscope Records and publishing music independently.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Perfect Drug</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"The Perfect Drug" is a song by Nine Inch Nails written for the David Lynch film Lost Highway. It was released in 1997 on the Lost Highway soundtrack as well as a single from the score. Remixes of the song were released as an EP, "The Perfect Drug" Versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piggy (song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Piggy" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994). It was written by Trent Reznor, co-produced by Flood, and recorded at Le Pig. It was released in December 1994 as a promotional single from the album. The song is known for being Reznor's only live drumming performance.

References

  1. 1 2 Closer to God Credits (liner notes). Island Records. CIDX 596. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  2. ↑ Closer to God Credits (liner notes). Island Records. 12 ISX 596. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. ↑ Closer to God Credits (liner notes). Island Records. 74321 21105 2. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Closer Promo Single". flacforthemasses. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  5. ↑ Dyer, Richard (1999). Seven – BFI Modern Classics. British Film Institute. p. 12. ISBN   0-85170-723-8 . Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  6. ↑ May 6, 1995. "Song Of The Week: Filter's 'Hey Man Nice Shot'". MTV . Retrieved May 10, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Grierson, Tim. "Top 10 Essential Rock Songs". About.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 Buskin, Richard (September 2012). "CLASSIC TRACKS: Nine Inch Nails 'Closer'". Sound on Sound. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  9. ↑ Pettigrew, Jason (July 28, 2020). "10 Industrial-Rock Classics That Completely Defined the '90s". Alternative Press . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ McGovern, Kyle. "The 100 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1994: #1 (Nine Inch Nails – Closer)". Spin . Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ Yglesias, Matthew (May 21, 2007). "The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist". The Atlantic . Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  12. ↑ Roberts, Christopher (October 31, 2019). "Listen to This Mashup of Nine Inch Nails's "Closer" and Ray Parker Jr.'s 'Ghostbusters'". Under the Radar . Retrieved June 26, 2021. Nine Inch Nails' 'Closer' was a big alternative rock single 10 years later and was featured on the band's 1994 album The Downward Spiral.
  13. ↑ Childers, Chad. "23 Years Ago: Nine Inch Nails Unleash 'The Downward Spiral'". Loudwire . Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails and Coil: Recoiled". PopMatters . April 11, 2014.
  15. ↑ Dan, Jen (September 24, 2007). "Nine Inch Nails – Year Zero". Delusions of Adequacy. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  16. ↑ Rule, Greg (April 1994). "Trent Reznor". Keyboard .
  17. ↑ McGovern, Kyle (August 14, 2014). "The 100 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1994". Spin Magazine . Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  18. ↑ Huxley 1997, p. 179.
  19. ↑ "69 Sexiest Songs Ever". aol.com. AOL. Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  20. ↑ Blender , November 2002
  21. 1 2 "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  22. 1 2 "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  23. 1 2 "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  24. 1 2 "Nine Inch Nails – Closer". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  25. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  26. 1 2 3 "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  27. 1 2 "Nine Inch Nails – Closer". Tracklisten. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  28. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  29. 1 2 "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Pitchfork Top 200 Tracks of the 90s". Pitchfork.com. September 2, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  31. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  32. ↑ Law, Sam (August 7, 2020). "The 20 greatest Nine Inch Nails songs – ranked". Kerrang . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  33. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (November 5, 2020). "The 25 Best Nine Inch Nails Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  34. ↑ "The Paranormal Past-Present-Future of Linda Vista Hospital".
  35. ↑ "THE MESSAGE BEHIND THE MUSIC: UNDERSTANDING THE LYRICS OF "CLOSER" BY NINE-INCH NAILS". April 12, 2023.
  36. ↑ Ventura, Varla (2018). Varla Ventura's Paranormal Parlor: Ghosts, Seances, and Tales of True Hauntings. p. 82. ISBN   9781578636334.
  37. ↑ Vernallis 2004, pp. 99, 169.
  38. 1 2 Dery, Mark (1999). The Pyrotechnic Insanitarium: American Culture on the Brink . New York: Grove Press. p.  150. ISBN   0-8021-3670-2 – via Internet Archive. nine inch nails.
  39. ↑ Vernallis 2004, p. 99.
  40. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (August 7, 2013). "Mark Romanek: Inside Stories on 8 Classic Videos". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  41. ↑ Jef with one F (June 14, 2012). "Phantom Museums: The Short Films of the Quay Brothers". Houston Press . Retrieved May 15, 2018. No less than director Terry Gilliam has called Crocodiles the greatest animated film of all time, and it served as a direct inspiration for the music video for "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails.
  42. ↑ Huxley 1997, p. 133.
  43. ↑ Epstein, Daniel Robert (September 6, 2005). "Mark Romanek". SuicideGirls.com . Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  44. ↑ "70's, 80's & 90's Classic Rock, Soul & Pop Music Videos | VH1". VH1 Classic. Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  45. ↑ The Work of Director Mark Romanek DVD
  46. ↑ "Closer to God album art". Pop Is Personal. 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  49. ↑ "USA Cashbox Charts Summaries". popmusichistory. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on January 26, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  52. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 203.
  53. ↑ "British single certifications – Nine Inch Nails – Closer". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week . June 4, 1994. p. 21.
  55. ↑ "Music Review: Running With Scissors, by Weird Al Yankovic". Entertainment Weekly.
  56. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine Review". sputnikmusic. January 14, 2005. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Internet Archive: Details: Asylum Street Spankers Live at Milestones, on 2005-05-14". May 14, 2005. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  58. ↑ "Nine Inch Richards "Closer To Hogs"". YouTube. June 29, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  59. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 21 May 1995". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  60. ↑ Renshaw, David (April 15, 2016). "Father John Misty covers Nine Inch Nails' 'Closer'". NME . Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  61. ↑ Wartofsky, Alona (October 18, 2000). "Limp Bizkit, Stuck in Orbit Around Its Star". The Washington Post . Archived from the original (fee required) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2008. "Hot Dog"... takes on Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor in what Durst has described as a parody of NIN...
  62. ↑ Interview with Fred Durst by K-Rock New York. 2000.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.