Difference between revisions of "Starfuckers, Inc. (song)"
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{{song | {{song | ||
| title = Starfuckers, Inc. | | title = Starfuckers, Inc. | ||
| album = ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]]'' (Right) | | album = ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]]'' (Right) | ||
| length = 5:00 | | length = 5:00 | ||
− | | versions = Starfuckers, Inc.<br>Starfuckers, Inc. ( | + | | BPM = 146 |
− | | live = [[Fragility]] through | + | | versions = Starfuckers, Inc.<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Apple Music)<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (''Deviations 1'')<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (''The Day The World Went Away'' cassette)<br>Star***kers, Inc.<br>Starsuckers, Inc.<br>Starsuckers, Inc. (Video Version)<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (Version—Adrian Sherwood)<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (Version—Charlie Clouser)<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (Version—Dave Ogilvie)<br>Starfuckers, Inc. (''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'') |
− | }}'''"Starfuckers, Inc."''' is the sixth track on the right disc of ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]].'' | + | | live = [[Fragility]] through [[Lights In The Sky Tour]]<br>[[Cold And Black And Infinite Tour]] |
+ | }}'''"Starfuckers, Inc."''' is the sixth track on the right disc of ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]].'' While the lyrics portray a take on pop music celebrities in general, [[Trent Reznor]] has stated that the song also refers to [[Marilyn Manson (musician)|Marilyn Manson]] and his lifestyle. | ||
− | The | + | ===Trivia=== |
+ | The song started out as a drum loop that was created by [[Charlie Clouser]] for use in the [[Tapeworm]] project.[https://www.loudersound.com/features/tapeworm-the-nine-inch-nailspanteratool-supergroup-that-never-was] Reznor stated that he almost didn't put it on the album because of having a different feel from the rest of the songs.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxgQIzz_Bo] | ||
− | + | The "Buddha Boys Choir", credited for background chants on this track, comprised [[Keith Hillebrandt]], [[Clint Mansell]], Steve Duda, members of New Orleans band Deadhandsystem, and various [[Nothing Studios]] employees. The impromptu group's name in the liner notes comes from Igor's Buddha Belly, a bar across the street from the studios. | |
− | The | ||
− | + | The word "Starfucker" was apparently the original title of the Rolling Stones song "Star Star," released on the 1973 album, ''Goats Head Soup.'' The term "starfucker" was later used by the artist [[Tori Amos]] in her song "Professional Widow," released on her 1996 album, ''Boys For Pele.'' In this song, the eponymous "professional widow" and "starfucker" is widely considered to be Courtney Love. "Starfucker" is also the tenth track on Hanzel Und Gretyl's 1997 industrial metal album ''Transmissions From Uranus''. | |
===Song Credits=== | ===Song Credits=== | ||
− | *Writing: Trent Reznor and | + | *Writing: Trent Reznor and Charlie Clouser, including some lyrics from Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." |
− | *Chanting: | + | *Chanting: Buddha Boys Choir—Nigel Wiesehan, Nick Scott, Steve Duda, Keith Hillebrandt, Clint Mansell, Adam Persaud, Eric Edmonson, Doug Idleman, and Marcus London |
+ | * Contains a licensed [[samples|sample]] of "Shout It Out Loud" by KISS | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
Line 23: | Line 24: | ||
*''[[The Day The World Went Away (halo)|The Day The World Went Away]]'' | *''[[The Day The World Went Away (halo)|The Day The World Went Away]]'' | ||
*''The Fragile'' | *''The Fragile'' | ||
+ | *''[[The Fragile: Deviations 1]]'' | ||
*''[[Things Falling Apart]]'' | *''[[Things Falling Apart]]'' | ||
*''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'' | *''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Seeds=== | ||
+ | *''[[Collected]]'' | ||
+ | *''[[The Definitive NIN - The Singles]]'' | ||
+ | *''[[The Definitive NIN - Heavy Tracks]]'' | ||
==Versions== | ==Versions== | ||
===Starfuckers, Inc.=== | ===Starfuckers, Inc.=== | ||
− | This is the version found on ''The Fragile'' | + | This is the version found on ''The Fragile''. Slowly fading in with a quiet beat and moving synthesizers, the first verse then erupts, with locked drum loops and synthesized bass. Reznor's verse vocals were recorded and cut in such a way that each word sounds like it is from a different vocal take, possibly as a stab at the pop music celebrities the lyrics seem to satirize. In contrast, the chorus is loud and guitar-heavy, with several repeated group shouts. A wah guitar solo similar in sound to the one from "[[The Wretched]]" connects to the second verse. After the second chorus, the song quickly quiets for the lonely guitar-and-vocal bridge before erupting back into the loud chorus. |
+ | |||
+ | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Apple Music)=== | ||
+ | '''''Running Time: 5:09''''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Released exclusively through Apple Music as part of ''The Fragile Instrumental,'' this is the album arrangement, but also retains the ending KISS sample used on the single version, with an earlier fade out. It lacks the KISS "Woooooo!" and the "[[Complication]]" guitar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (''Deviations 1'')=== | ||
+ | '''''Running Time: 5:33''''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''The Fragile: Deviations 1'' version. This is about 25 seconds longer than the Apple Music version. The ending lacks the KISS "Woooo!", but still has the crowd noise overdubbing with the girls chanting "[[Nine Inch Nails]]!" However, that overdubbing ends after the girls, and the original KISS track applause continues, including the crowd chanting "We want KISS!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (''The Day The World Went Away'' cassette)=== | ||
+ | '''''Running Time: 5:24''''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | This version has an extended ending, incorporating fireworks and applause from KISS's "Shout It Out Loud," found on ''Alive II'', and the beginning guitar riff of "Complication" as the track fades out. It is also overdubbed with crowd noise (looped twice) that includes some girls chanting "Nine Inch Nails!" The version on the cassette single lacks the "Complication" guitar, and the overdubbed crowd noise continues on instead of looping, with larger crowd chants of "Nine Inch Nails!" in the audience. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Star***kers, Inc.=== | ||
+ | '''''Running Time: 5:09''''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | In this heavily edited version, it fades in half as fast. The word "bitch" is censored, as is the word "fuck" - during the chorus, it is silenced. The guitar solo that comes next is cut in half. In the second verse the word "fucking" is censored, as is "asskisser". Also censored is the word "suck", but, interestingly enough, the word "whore" is not. During the loud chorus at the end of the lonely bridge, an added guitar that plays nine times in the studio plays only four in this edit. Also, at the very end, a part that plays thrice plays only twice. However, at the end of this edit, there is the KISS extended ending, but it fades out sooner. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Starsuckers, Inc.=== | ||
+ | '''''Running Time: 4:13''''' | ||
− | === | + | This is a heavily censored version, released on the Starsuckers, Inc. promo disc. It incorporates all the censorship and edits of "Star***kers, Inc.", except that the word "starfuckers" is replaced by "starsuckers" throughout. It does not include the KISS ending. |
− | This version | + | |
+ | ===Starsuckers, Inc. (Video Version)=== | ||
+ | '''''Running Time: 4:18''''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | This is a heavily censored version, released on the Starsuckers, Inc. promo disc. It is identical to "Starsuckers, Inc." except that the bridge verse is changed from the Carly Simon lyrics. While this is ostensibly the version used in the music video, the music video actually contains additional censorings: "suck you" (instead of just "suck") and "taste" in the second verse. | ||
===Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Adrian Sherwood=== | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Adrian Sherwood=== | ||
− | + | '''''Running Time: 5:11''''' | |
+ | This remix integrates siren noises and various noises reminiscent of old sci-fi movies, as well as samples from "Shout It Out Loud" by KISS (from ''Alive II''.) It has very little in the way of lyrics, consisting only of "starfuckers," "starfuckers, incorporated" and "you're so fucking beautiful." | ||
====Song Credits==== | ====Song Credits==== | ||
*Manipulation: [[Adrian Sherwood]] for 140dB | *Manipulation: [[Adrian Sherwood]] for 140dB | ||
Line 42: | Line 77: | ||
===Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Dave "Rave" Ogilvie=== | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Dave "Rave" Ogilvie=== | ||
− | + | '''''Running Time: 6:06''''' | |
+ | This is a more dance-oriented remix, with emphasis on percussion and melodic synthesizers. | ||
====Song Credits==== | ====Song Credits==== | ||
*Manipulation: [[Dave “Rave” Ogilvie|Dave Ogilvie]] | *Manipulation: [[Dave “Rave” Ogilvie|Dave Ogilvie]] | ||
===Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Charlie Clouser=== | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Charlie Clouser=== | ||
− | + | '''''Running Time: 5:09''''' | |
+ | A more industrial remix, this is very heavy on percussion and light on lyrical content. | ||
====Song Credits==== | ====Song Credits==== | ||
*Manipulation: Charlie Clouser | *Manipulation: Charlie Clouser | ||
===Starfuckers, Inc. (''And All That Could Have Been'')=== | ===Starfuckers, Inc. (''And All That Could Have Been'')=== | ||
− | This live version is similar to the album original, with the exception being an extended | + | This live version is similar to the album original, with the exception being an extended bridge that features Reznor declaring, "Well, fuck you!" after repeating "Don't you?" many times. The tempo is also increased from the album's 146 BPM to 159 BPM. |
− | + | <br><br> | |
− | An Easter Egg on the DVD includes a performance of this song at Madison Square Garden in New York City with Manson. It then goes into a performance of Manson's "The Beautiful People." They had re-established a friendship, which did not last long after that performance. | + | An Easter Egg on the DVD includes a performance of this song at Madison Square Garden in New York City on [[2000/05/09 New York, NY|May 9th, 2000]] with Manson. It then goes into a performance of Manson's "[[The Beautiful People]]." They had re-established a friendship, which did not last long after that performance. |
==Music Video== | ==Music Video== | ||
− | The video for "Starfuckers, Inc." was released in 2000 under the name '''"Starsuckers, Inc."''' due to censorship issues. The interlude lyrics were also changed for the video, allegedly to avoid a copyright infringement lawsuit. | + | [[Image:Starsuckersstill.jpg|thumb|Screenshot from the "Starsuckers, Inc." video]] |
+ | The [[Nine Inch Nails music videos|music video]] for "Starfuckers, Inc." was released in 2000 under the name '''"Starsuckers, Inc."''' due to censorship issues. The interlude lyrics were also changed for the video, allegedly to avoid a copyright infringement lawsuit. The video was co-directed by Robert Hales and Marilyn Manson. | ||
'''''SPOILERS BEGIN'''''<br> | '''''SPOILERS BEGIN'''''<br> | ||
− | A glammed-out Reznor and a strung-out, leggy blonde are riding in the back of a limousine. They stop at a run-down carnival at a trailer park and participate in the games there. These games include | + | A glammed-out Reznor and a strung-out, leggy blonde are riding in the back of a limousine. They stop at a run-down carnival at a trailer park, hosted by a one-armed dwarf, and participate in the games there. These games include smashing plates bearing head shots of popular musicians, throwing CDs in a toilet, breaking busts of various musicians (including Reznor himself), and a dunk tank that involves a large man dressed like Courtney Love falling into a tank filled with toxic waste. |
+ | |||
+ | At this point in the video, it becomes a commentary on the state of music at the time. Bands like Limp Bizkit were extremely popular while Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. seemed to be past their prime in the eyes of the record labels and many consumers. After the dunk tank, Reznor and the blonde return to the car. It is then that the blonde is revealed to be Manson dressed in drag. Many people speculated that the feud between Reznor and Manson had ended.<br> | ||
+ | '''''SPOILERS END''''' | ||
− | + | The video contains several references to the films of [[David Lynch]]. The opening scene with the road and the red-tinted scenes refer to ''Lost Highway.'' The limousine and Reznor's clothes and oxygen mask refer to the character Frank Booth in ''Blue Velvet,'' who has an addiction to gases and is the perfect figure of depravity. During the throwing of CDs into a toilet, discs are seen of Marilyn Manson's ''Mechanical Animals'' and ''Smells Like Children'' as well as Nine Inch Nails' ''[[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]]''. | |
− | + | ==Reznor on the songwriting== | |
− | ''''' | + | In a 2005 interview with ''Kerrang''[https://www.theninhotline.com/archives/articles/manager/display_article.php?id=171], Reznor gave the following insight: |
+ | <blockquote>You start out thinking you can change the world, but when cool people at clubs who wouldn't even talk to me were like, "Whoah, he's got a platinum album, who's that guy?" It was strange. I realised that the guys who beat me up in high-school were now in my audience. Money, fame, power - things I'd never had - those things are recipes for massive personality distortion. In my life I was standing on the edge of a cliff about to jump off because my brain wasn't working. After ''The Downward Spiral'' I felt like I had to make the best record in the world but my addictions meant my head was packed with cotton. "Starfuckers, Inc." doesn't fit in with the rest of that record, but it came from bits of lyrics I'd written over a long period and was focused at Marilyn Manson and Courtney Love. I'm not saying I haven't fallen prey to this at times, but I think in their environment your priorities can totally flip before you realise.</blockquote> | ||
==Live== | ==Live== | ||
− | "Starfuckers, Inc." | + | "Starfuckers, Inc." made its live debut on [[1999/11/14 Barcelona, Spain|November 14, 1999]] and was played at the vast majority of shows on the [[Fragility]] tour, usually at a significantly faster tempo. |
+ | |||
+ | During the [[Live: With Teeth]] tour, the song was performed at about one-third of the shows, mostly early ones. Reznor stopped the song and skipped the breakdown, bantering to the audience before going right into the song's finale. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Starfuckers, Inc." made rare appearances on the [[Performance 2007]] tour, and featured at at two shows on the [[Lights In The Sky Tour]] where that tour's production was unavailable. In 2018, "Starfuckers, Inc." returned for four shows on the [[Cold And Black And Infinite Tour]]. | ||
==Lyrics== | ==Lyrics== | ||
Line 76: | Line 122: | ||
My god comes in a wrapper of cellophane | My god comes in a wrapper of cellophane | ||
My god pouts on the cover of the magazine | My god pouts on the cover of the magazine | ||
− | My | + | My god's a shallow little bitch trying to make the scene |
I have arrived and you should believe the hype | I have arrived and you should believe the hype | ||
I listened to everyone now I know that everyone was right | I listened to everyone now I know that everyone was right | ||
− | + | I'll be there for you as long as it works for me | |
I play a game | I play a game | ||
− | + | It's called insincerity | |
Starfuckers | Starfuckers | ||
Line 90: | Line 136: | ||
I am every fucking thing and just a little more | I am every fucking thing and just a little more | ||
− | I sold my soul but | + | I sold my soul but don't you dare call me a whore |
And when I suck you off not a drop will go to waste | And when I suck you off not a drop will go to waste | ||
− | + | It's really not so bad you know once you get past the taste | |
(Asskisser) | (Asskisser) | ||
Line 102: | Line 148: | ||
All our pain | All our pain | ||
How did we ever get by without you? | How did we ever get by without you? | ||
− | + | You're so vain | |
I bet you think this song is about you | I bet you think this song is about you | ||
− | + | Don't you? | |
− | + | Don't you? | |
− | + | Don't you? | |
− | + | Don't you? | |
− | Now I belong | + | Now I belong I'm one of the chosen ones |
− | Now I belong | + | Now I belong I'm one of the beautiful ones |
+ | |||
+ | The screamed final line is not printed in the liner notes: | ||
+ | I have become | ||
The first lyric to the second part of the first verse was changed on the actual recording: | The first lyric to the second part of the first verse was changed on the actual recording: | ||
I have arrived and this time you should believe the hype | I have arrived and this time you should believe the hype | ||
− | In | + | |
+ | In "Starsuckers, Inc.," the lyrics in the breakdown are changed to: | ||
All our pain | All our pain | ||
How did we ever get by without you? | How did we ever get by without you? | ||
Overplayed | Overplayed | ||
And soon you'll make us forget about you | And soon you'll make us forget about you | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
Won't you? | Won't you? | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
− | *[ | + | *[https://vimeo.com/61996823 "Starsuckers, Inc." music video] |
− | *[ | + | *[https://www.discogs.com/release/218353 Discogs entry for CD single] |
− | [[Category: NIN Songs]][[Category:Music Videos]] | + | {{Succession box |
+ | | title=[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]] Right (CD), Side E (Vinyl) | ||
+ | | before=''CD, Vinyl'': [[Please]], ''Cassette'': Please (+appendage) | ||
+ | | after=[[Complication]] | ||
+ | | track=''CD'':18, ''Vinyl'': 19}}[[Category: NIN Songs]][[Category:Music Videos]] |
Latest revision as of 03:15, 25 May 2024
Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Apple Music)
Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Deviations 1)
Starfuckers, Inc. (The Day The World Went Away cassette)
Star***kers, Inc.
Starsuckers, Inc.
Starsuckers, Inc. (Video Version)
Starfuckers, Inc. (Version—Adrian Sherwood)
Starfuckers, Inc. (Version—Charlie Clouser)
Starfuckers, Inc. (Version—Dave Ogilvie)
Starfuckers, Inc. (And All That Could Have Been)
"Starfuckers, Inc." is the sixth track on the right disc of The Fragile. While the lyrics portray a take on pop music celebrities in general, Trent Reznor has stated that the song also refers to Marilyn Manson and his lifestyle.
Contents
- 1 Trivia
- 2 Song Credits
- 3 Appearances
- 4 Versions
- 4.1 Starfuckers, Inc.
- 4.2 Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Apple Music)
- 4.3 Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Deviations 1)
- 4.4 Starfuckers, Inc. (The Day The World Went Away cassette)
- 4.5 Star***kers, Inc.
- 4.6 Starsuckers, Inc.
- 4.7 Starsuckers, Inc. (Video Version)
- 4.8 Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Adrian Sherwood
- 4.9 Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Dave "Rave" Ogilvie
- 4.10 Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Charlie Clouser
- 4.11 Starfuckers, Inc. (And All That Could Have Been)
- 5 Music Video
- 6 Reznor on the songwriting
- 7 Live
- 8 Lyrics
- 9 External Links
Trivia
The song started out as a drum loop that was created by Charlie Clouser for use in the Tapeworm project.[1] Reznor stated that he almost didn't put it on the album because of having a different feel from the rest of the songs.[2]
The "Buddha Boys Choir", credited for background chants on this track, comprised Keith Hillebrandt, Clint Mansell, Steve Duda, members of New Orleans band Deadhandsystem, and various Nothing Studios employees. The impromptu group's name in the liner notes comes from Igor's Buddha Belly, a bar across the street from the studios.
The word "Starfucker" was apparently the original title of the Rolling Stones song "Star Star," released on the 1973 album, Goats Head Soup. The term "starfucker" was later used by the artist Tori Amos in her song "Professional Widow," released on her 1996 album, Boys For Pele. In this song, the eponymous "professional widow" and "starfucker" is widely considered to be Courtney Love. "Starfucker" is also the tenth track on Hanzel Und Gretyl's 1997 industrial metal album Transmissions From Uranus.
Song Credits
- Writing: Trent Reznor and Charlie Clouser, including some lyrics from Carly Simon's "You're So Vain."
- Chanting: Buddha Boys Choir—Nigel Wiesehan, Nick Scott, Steve Duda, Keith Hillebrandt, Clint Mansell, Adam Persaud, Eric Edmonson, Doug Idleman, and Marcus London
- Contains a licensed sample of "Shout It Out Loud" by KISS
Appearances
Halos
- The Day The World Went Away
- The Fragile
- The Fragile: Deviations 1
- Things Falling Apart
- And All That Could Have Been
Seeds
Versions
Starfuckers, Inc.
This is the version found on The Fragile. Slowly fading in with a quiet beat and moving synthesizers, the first verse then erupts, with locked drum loops and synthesized bass. Reznor's verse vocals were recorded and cut in such a way that each word sounds like it is from a different vocal take, possibly as a stab at the pop music celebrities the lyrics seem to satirize. In contrast, the chorus is loud and guitar-heavy, with several repeated group shouts. A wah guitar solo similar in sound to the one from "The Wretched" connects to the second verse. After the second chorus, the song quickly quiets for the lonely guitar-and-vocal bridge before erupting back into the loud chorus.
Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Apple Music)
Running Time: 5:09
Released exclusively through Apple Music as part of The Fragile Instrumental, this is the album arrangement, but also retains the ending KISS sample used on the single version, with an earlier fade out. It lacks the KISS "Woooooo!" and the "Complication" guitar.
Starfuckers, Inc. (Instrumental) (Deviations 1)
Running Time: 5:33
The Fragile: Deviations 1 version. This is about 25 seconds longer than the Apple Music version. The ending lacks the KISS "Woooo!", but still has the crowd noise overdubbing with the girls chanting "Nine Inch Nails!" However, that overdubbing ends after the girls, and the original KISS track applause continues, including the crowd chanting "We want KISS!"
Starfuckers, Inc. (The Day The World Went Away cassette)
Running Time: 5:24
This version has an extended ending, incorporating fireworks and applause from KISS's "Shout It Out Loud," found on Alive II, and the beginning guitar riff of "Complication" as the track fades out. It is also overdubbed with crowd noise (looped twice) that includes some girls chanting "Nine Inch Nails!" The version on the cassette single lacks the "Complication" guitar, and the overdubbed crowd noise continues on instead of looping, with larger crowd chants of "Nine Inch Nails!" in the audience.
Star***kers, Inc.
Running Time: 5:09
In this heavily edited version, it fades in half as fast. The word "bitch" is censored, as is the word "fuck" - during the chorus, it is silenced. The guitar solo that comes next is cut in half. In the second verse the word "fucking" is censored, as is "asskisser". Also censored is the word "suck", but, interestingly enough, the word "whore" is not. During the loud chorus at the end of the lonely bridge, an added guitar that plays nine times in the studio plays only four in this edit. Also, at the very end, a part that plays thrice plays only twice. However, at the end of this edit, there is the KISS extended ending, but it fades out sooner.
Starsuckers, Inc.
Running Time: 4:13
This is a heavily censored version, released on the Starsuckers, Inc. promo disc. It incorporates all the censorship and edits of "Star***kers, Inc.", except that the word "starfuckers" is replaced by "starsuckers" throughout. It does not include the KISS ending.
Starsuckers, Inc. (Video Version)
Running Time: 4:18
This is a heavily censored version, released on the Starsuckers, Inc. promo disc. It is identical to "Starsuckers, Inc." except that the bridge verse is changed from the Carly Simon lyrics. While this is ostensibly the version used in the music video, the music video actually contains additional censorings: "suck you" (instead of just "suck") and "taste" in the second verse.
Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Adrian Sherwood
Running Time: 5:11
This remix integrates siren noises and various noises reminiscent of old sci-fi movies, as well as samples from "Shout It Out Loud" by KISS (from Alive II.) It has very little in the way of lyrics, consisting only of "starfuckers," "starfuckers, incorporated" and "you're so fucking beautiful."
Song Credits
- Manipulation: Adrian Sherwood for 140dB
- Additional production: Adrian Sherwood, Mark Stewart
- Engineering: Alan Branch
Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Dave "Rave" Ogilvie
Running Time: 6:06
This is a more dance-oriented remix, with emphasis on percussion and melodic synthesizers.
Song Credits
- Manipulation: Dave Ogilvie
Starfuckers, Inc. (Version)—Charlie Clouser
Running Time: 5:09
A more industrial remix, this is very heavy on percussion and light on lyrical content.
Song Credits
- Manipulation: Charlie Clouser
Starfuckers, Inc. (And All That Could Have Been)
This live version is similar to the album original, with the exception being an extended bridge that features Reznor declaring, "Well, fuck you!" after repeating "Don't you?" many times. The tempo is also increased from the album's 146 BPM to 159 BPM.
An Easter Egg on the DVD includes a performance of this song at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 9th, 2000 with Manson. It then goes into a performance of Manson's "The Beautiful People." They had re-established a friendship, which did not last long after that performance.
Music Video
The music video for "Starfuckers, Inc." was released in 2000 under the name "Starsuckers, Inc." due to censorship issues. The interlude lyrics were also changed for the video, allegedly to avoid a copyright infringement lawsuit. The video was co-directed by Robert Hales and Marilyn Manson.
SPOILERS BEGIN
A glammed-out Reznor and a strung-out, leggy blonde are riding in the back of a limousine. They stop at a run-down carnival at a trailer park, hosted by a one-armed dwarf, and participate in the games there. These games include smashing plates bearing head shots of popular musicians, throwing CDs in a toilet, breaking busts of various musicians (including Reznor himself), and a dunk tank that involves a large man dressed like Courtney Love falling into a tank filled with toxic waste.
At this point in the video, it becomes a commentary on the state of music at the time. Bands like Limp Bizkit were extremely popular while Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. seemed to be past their prime in the eyes of the record labels and many consumers. After the dunk tank, Reznor and the blonde return to the car. It is then that the blonde is revealed to be Manson dressed in drag. Many people speculated that the feud between Reznor and Manson had ended.
SPOILERS END
The video contains several references to the films of David Lynch. The opening scene with the road and the red-tinted scenes refer to Lost Highway. The limousine and Reznor's clothes and oxygen mask refer to the character Frank Booth in Blue Velvet, who has an addiction to gases and is the perfect figure of depravity. During the throwing of CDs into a toilet, discs are seen of Marilyn Manson's Mechanical Animals and Smells Like Children as well as Nine Inch Nails' The Downward Spiral.
Reznor on the songwriting
In a 2005 interview with Kerrang[3], Reznor gave the following insight:
You start out thinking you can change the world, but when cool people at clubs who wouldn't even talk to me were like, "Whoah, he's got a platinum album, who's that guy?" It was strange. I realised that the guys who beat me up in high-school were now in my audience. Money, fame, power - things I'd never had - those things are recipes for massive personality distortion. In my life I was standing on the edge of a cliff about to jump off because my brain wasn't working. After The Downward Spiral I felt like I had to make the best record in the world but my addictions meant my head was packed with cotton. "Starfuckers, Inc." doesn't fit in with the rest of that record, but it came from bits of lyrics I'd written over a long period and was focused at Marilyn Manson and Courtney Love. I'm not saying I haven't fallen prey to this at times, but I think in their environment your priorities can totally flip before you realise.
Live
"Starfuckers, Inc." made its live debut on November 14, 1999 and was played at the vast majority of shows on the Fragility tour, usually at a significantly faster tempo.
During the Live: With Teeth tour, the song was performed at about one-third of the shows, mostly early ones. Reznor stopped the song and skipped the breakdown, bantering to the audience before going right into the song's finale.
"Starfuckers, Inc." made rare appearances on the Performance 2007 tour, and featured at at two shows on the Lights In The Sky Tour where that tour's production was unavailable. In 2018, "Starfuckers, Inc." returned for four shows on the Cold And Black And Infinite Tour.
Lyrics
My god sits in the back of the limousine My god comes in a wrapper of cellophane My god pouts on the cover of the magazine My god's a shallow little bitch trying to make the scene I have arrived and you should believe the hype I listened to everyone now I know that everyone was right I'll be there for you as long as it works for me I play a game It's called insincerity Starfuckers Starfuckers Starfuckers, Inc. Starfuckers I am every fucking thing and just a little more I sold my soul but don't you dare call me a whore And when I suck you off not a drop will go to waste It's really not so bad you know once you get past the taste (Asskisser) Starfuckers Starfuckers Starfuckers, Inc. Starfuckers All our pain How did we ever get by without you? You're so vain I bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you? Don't you? Don't you? Now I belong I'm one of the chosen ones Now I belong I'm one of the beautiful ones
The screamed final line is not printed in the liner notes:
I have become
The first lyric to the second part of the first verse was changed on the actual recording:
I have arrived and this time you should believe the hype
In "Starsuckers, Inc.," the lyrics in the breakdown are changed to:
All our pain How did we ever get by without you? Overplayed And soon you'll make us forget about you Won't you?
External Links
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