Changes

}}'''"The Frail"''' is the third track on the Left disc of ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]].'' . The track is an entirely [[:Category:NIN Instrumentals|instrumental]] piano piece (in G Minor) which builds up and prepares the listener for the following song, "[[The Wretched]]"."

Its use of a synthesized pad built from samples of [[Trent Reznor]]'s voice would later be echoed in another track from this era, "[[Leaving Hope]]"."

A very simplistic instrumental in two parts, "The Frail" shares its progression with the guitar solo in "[[The Fragile (song)|The Fragile]]"," and was inspired by the form of [[Keith Hillebrandt]]'s remix of that track (per its description when it was posted to [[remix.nin.com]]). This half-note progression and background chorus synthesizers that appear to be based on samples of Reznor's voice (heard from the end of "[[The Day The World Went Away (song)|The Day The World Went Away]]") are the sole elements of this song. The piece seems to have been recorded free of a specific tempo. A new, deeper progression and chorus pads seemingly based on (or in tribute to) [[David Bowie]]'s "[[Subterraneans]]" slowly build to a synthesized vocal harmony, leading into "The Wretched."

Found on ''Things Falling Apart,'' , this version contains distorted elements and string instruments, with the melody played on a violin rather than a piano.

"The Frail" made its live debut on [[1999/11/14 Barcelona, Spain|November 14, 1999]]. This song is frequently performed, as on the album, leading into "The Wretched"." Reznor has been known to improvise and expand upon the basic piano part in a live setting. More recently, Reznor has occasionally used this song as an intro to "[[The Good Soldier]]"," "[[Closer]]"," "[[Reptile]]"," "[[La Mer]]"," "[[Metal]]"," and "[[Eraser]]"." It was also partly incorporated as an outro to the 2018 live rendition of "Subterraneans".