The Perfect Drug

Last updated

"The Perfect Drug"
Perfect drug.jpg
Single by Nine Inch Nails
from the album Lost Highway Soundtrack
ReleasedMay 13, 1997
RecordedMid–late 1996
Genre Industrial pop, drum and bass [1]
Length5:42
Label
Songwriter(s) Trent Reznor
Nine Inch Nails singles chronology
"Closer"
(1994)		"The Perfect Drug"
(1997)		"The Day the World Went Away"
(1999)
Halo numbers chronology
Halo 10
(1995)		Halo 11
(1997)		 Halo 12
(1997)

"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.

Contents

Though "The Perfect Drug" Versions acts as a single for the titular song, the original version does not appear on the EP. The track has also been included on international singles "We're in This Together, Part 3" and "Into the Void" without the ending truncated; the only audio release of it in North America being on the Lost Highway soundtrack. A music video for the song, directed by Mark Romanek, was included with the VHS compilation Closure and in The Work of Director Mark Romanek .

In September 2018 the band performed the song live for the first time at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. [2]

Song

"The Perfect Drug" was described by Entertainment Weekly as a "drum-and-bass-infused industrial pop song". [3] The Guardian also noted the drum and bass influence in the song. [4] Despite being a single, "The Perfect Drug" did not appear live until September 18, 2018 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. [5] On the official NIN website, a fan asked whether the track had not been performed live is because "the drum solo would make Jerome's arms fall off." Then-drummer Jerome Dillon replied that they "never rule out the possibility of playing any of the songs live." [6]

On April 6, 2005, while presenting the late-night BBC Radio 1 Rock Show in the UK, Trent Reznor responded to the question, "Which piece of your own work are you least satisfied with and why?" by saying:

"The only thing I think I really don't like that much is "The Perfect Drug" song. It was one of those things where you have a week to do a track for a movie, the mindset that you kind of adapt in that situation, or I did, was 'let's go in and experiment and see what happens, and it's not, y'know, whatever comes out of it, it's not the end of the world'. And I think what came out of it, married with a bloated, over-budget video, feels like ... the least thing that I would play to somebody if they said play me, y'know, the top hundred songs you've written, that probably wouldn't be in the top hundred. I'm not cringing about it, but it's not my favorite piece." [7]

Music video

A music video for the single was directed by Mark Romanek and released on January 18, 1997. The theme was inspired by the illustrations of 20th-century artist Edward Gorey, with familiar Gorey elements including oversized urns and glum, pale characters in full Edwardian costume. [8] [9] The most obvious reference to Gorey is the boy sitting on a cushion in front of a painting. Other references include an unidentified painting resembling Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (1907–1908) and a "Scanning Machine" designed by Frenchman François Willème in 1860.

Charlie Clouser, Danny Lohner, and Chris Vrenna also appear in the video, most notably playing string instruments at the beginning of the video. The first half of the video was filmed with a blue tint, switching to a flashing green light during the drum breakdown and reverting to blue for the remainder of the song. Joanne Gair's work with Nine Inch Nails on "The Perfect Drug" won her the makeup portion of the award for best hair/makeup in a music video at the Music Video Production Awards. [10]

EP

"The Perfect Drug" Versions is the eleventh official Nine Inch Nails release and consists of five remixes of the song "The Perfect Drug." The European, Australian, and Japanese releases append the original version of the song, while a promotional vinyl set adds an exclusive sixth remix, by Aphrodite.

Track listing

Available as United States, Australia, Japan or EU single.

No.TitleLength
1."The Perfect Drug" (Remixed by Meat Beat Manifesto)7:24
2."The Perfect Drug" (Remixed by Plug)6:53
3."The Perfect Drug" (Remixed by Nine Inch Nails)8:19
4."The Perfect Drug" (Remixed by Spacetime Continuum)5:42
5."The Perfect Drug" (Remixed by The Orb)6:12
6."The Perfect Drug (Original Version)" (Non-US releases only)5:16

Charts

Cover versions and samples

In 2002, American post-hardcore band the Blood Brothers sampled the song in their song "Kiss of the Octopus". American deathcore band Fit for an Autopsy covered the song for the split EP The Depression Sessions in 2016.

Trivia

In January 2023, the song was licensed in the game Hi-Fi Rush and was featured in the final boss fight. [25] [26]

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, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Reznor</span> Musical artist

Michael Trent Reznor is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. He serves as the lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and principal songwriter of the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, which he founded in 1988 and of which he was the sole official member until 2016. The first Nine Inch Nails album, Pretty Hate Machine (1989), was a commercial and critical success. Reznor has since released 11 more Nine Inch Nails studio albums.

<i>And All That Could Have Been</i> 2002 live album by Nine Inch Nails

And All That Could Have Been is a double album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on January 22, 2002, by Nothing and Interscope Records. The live album contains music recorded during the Fragility v2.0 US tour in 2000. Disc one is a live album of most of the band's normal set list of the time, while disc two contains a studio album titled Still, containing "deconstructed" versions of previous Nine Inch Nails songs and some new material. The double DVD set, sold separately, includes video recordings of the songs performed on the CD, as well as additional song performances and footage from the tour.

<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.

<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">Into the Void (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Into the Void" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their third studio album, The Fragile, released in 1999. It is the album's third single and saw release early 2000. A music video was directed by Walter Stern and Jeff Richter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We're in This Together (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"We're in This Together" is a song by industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails released in 1999. It is the 15th official Nine Inch Nails release and is a single for the album The Fragile. It was released as a three-disc single.

<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">Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Song by Nine Inch Nails

"Closer" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the second single on their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994). Released in May 1994, it is considered one of Nine Inch Nails' signature songs and remains their most popular song. 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. The single is the ninth official Nine Inch Nails release, making it "Halo 9" in the band's official Halo numbering system.

<i>Closure</i> (video) 1997 video by Nine Inch Nails

Closure is the first video album by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on November 25, 1997. The double VHS set consists of one tape of live concert and behind-the-scenes footage from their Self-Destruct and Further Down the Spiral tours and one tape of music videos.

<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">Only (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Only" is a song by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It was released as the second single from Nine Inch Nails' fourth album, With Teeth. "Only" reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, where it stayed for seven weeks. It is the second successful release that Nine Inch Nails has had in the UK, peaking at number 20.

<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">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">Survivalism (song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Survivalism" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from its fifth studio album, Year Zero (2007). It was released as the album's lead single. The single was released digitally on the iTunes Store on March 13, 2007, and the CD and vinyl singles were released internationally on April 2, 2007.

<i>Hesitation Marks</i> 2013 album by Nine Inch Nails

Hesitation Marks is the eighth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on August 30, 2013, by The Null Corporation and distributed by Columbia Records in the United States and Polydor Records elsewhere. It was the band's first release in five years, following The Slip (2008), as well as their only release on Columbia. Like previous albums, the album was produced by frontman Trent Reznor alongside longtime collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder. To date, this is the most recent band's album to be co-produced by Moulder.

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ "Watch Nine Inch Nails Perform 'The Perfect Drug' Live For First Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  3. ↑ Sacharow, Anya (June 6, 1997). ""The Perfect Drug" Versions". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  4. ↑ Cronshaw, Jon (July 8, 2013). "Nine Inch Nails: a beginner's guide". The Guardian . Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  5. ↑ Deserto, Frank. "Nine Inch Nails Debut "The Perfect Drug" Live at Red Rocks". post-punk.com. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  6. ↑ Trent Reznor (May 10, 2004). "Access". nin.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  7. ↑ Patterson, Carl D. "Trent Reznor Presents The Radio 1 Rock Show · Carl D. Patterson". carldpatterson.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2017. Reznor reads the question at 1:38:20 and after discussing how he is still satisfied with his previous albums, he brings up "The Perfect Drug" at 1:39:25
  8. ↑ "Edward Gorey Documentary Raw Footage- Interview with Mark Romanek". YouTube. December 11, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  9. ↑ Interview with Mark Romanek, in the currently unreleased documentary by Christopher Seufert.
  10. ↑ "Videos Honored". Rolling Stone . real.com. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3182." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug". Tracklisten. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails: The Perfect Drug" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media . July 19, 1997. p. 14. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam! . Archived from the original on January 26, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam! . January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  25. ↑ Argentino, Christopher (February 8, 2023). "Hi Fi Rush: Every Licensed Song, Ranked". TheGamer. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  26. ↑ wookubus (January 27, 2023). "Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, Etc. Songs Featured In New Video Game 'Hi-Fi Rush'". Theprp.com. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
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.