Ringfinger

Album:Pretty Hate Machine

Length:5:40

Tempo:{{{BPM}}} BPM

Versions:Ringfinger
Twist
Twist (Demo)

Live:Pre-Hate (1988) through Hate Tour (1990)
Retired

"Ringfinger" is the tenth and final track on the 1989 release Pretty Hate Machine, telling about a man who is devoted to a woman who refuses to commit to him and his outrage at her using him, even though he does truly desire her. The demo version of this song was called "Twist," composing of the same basic music but different lyrics and a slightly more victimizing subject matter.

Song Credits

• Production: Trent Reznor, John Fryer
• Engineering: John Fryer
• Mix: John Fryer, Trent Reznor

Appearances

Halos

• Pretty Hate Machine

Other

• Purest Feeling
• Purest Feeling II

Versions

Ringfinger

This is the final album version.

Twist

Coming soon

Twist (Demo)

Coming soon

Lyrics

    Well you’ve got me working so hard lately
    Working my hands until they bleed
    If I was twice the man I could be
    I’d still be half of what you need
    Still you lead me and I follow
    Anything you ask you know I’ll do
    But this one act of consecration is what I ask of you
    
    Ringfinger
    Promise carved in stone
    Deeper than the sea
    Ringfinger
    Sever flesh and bone
    And offer it to me
    
    You just leave me nailed here
    Hanging like Jesus on this cross
    I’m just dying for your sins
    And aiding to the cause
    
    Ringfinger
    Promise carved in stone
    Deeper than the sea
    Ringfinger
    Sever flesh and bone
    And offer it to me
    
    Wrap my eyes in bandages
    Confessions I see through
    I get everything I want
    When I get part of you
    
    Ringfinger
    Promise carved in stone
    Deeper than the sea
    Ringfinger
    Sever flesh and bone
    And offer it to me
    Ringfinger
    Promise carved in stone
    Deeper than the sea
    Ringfinger
    Devil’s flesh and bone
    Do something for me
    
    I’m so tired I can’t get to sleep
    And the squeaking of the bed is right in time with the song that’s repeating in my head
    I just want you to know
    
    “When I do it, I only think of you”