Suck
Throw This Away
Suck (Pigface version)
Suck (Live)
Suck (And All That Could Have Been)
"Suck" is the second hidden track on 1992's Broken EP. Originally packaged with "Physical" on a Mini CD sold with the EP, it was later incorporated onto the EP as a hidden track after allegations that some music stores were removing the Mini CD and selling it separately. "Suck" is track 99 on Broken while "Physical" is track 98.
"Suck" was originally written and performed by Pigface, a band lead by Martin Atkins and featuring Trent Reznor as well as many other notable industrial musicians. Other notable singers of the song within Pigface include Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy, who even shared the song as a duet with Reznor. Since 1994, it has become one of the regular songs played by Nine Inch Nails.
According to a previously unreleased interview Reznor did with Melody Maker magazine, "Suck" was supposed to be a "tongue-in-cheek" cover.
The multitracks for the original Pigface version of the song were released for a remix contest.
Contents
Song Credits
- Writing: Trent Reznor, Pigface
- ©1991 Thumbless music, Leaving Hope and TVT Music, Inc.
- Production: Trent Reznor
Appearances
Halos
- Broken
- Fixed
- And All That Could Have Been (CD/DVD/VHS)
Seeds
Other
- Pigface, The Best of Pigface, Gub, Truth Will Out (live version)
Versions
Suck
This is the version found on the Broken EP. A loud and guitar-driven, screamed chorus contrasts with a danceable and funky verse throughout the song, mediated by a quiet, bass-led bridge that eventually builds into a loud synthesizer solo before the final chorus. Afterward, the song returns to the funky verse, but remains instrumental. The beat stops, then is cut up and spliced as Reznor whispers the final lyrics, ending the song.
Throw This Away
Running Time: 4:13
This minimalist remix, on Fixed, contains elements from both "Last" and "Suck." Opening with bubbling synthesizer loops, it mostly consists of the bass riff from the middle of "Suck," which is repeated throughout the track. Layered below it are various quiet vocal samples from both songs. Eventually, the drum beat featured at the very end of the original bridge in "Suck" is looped and fades in, eventually segueing directly into the ending of Butch Vig's mix of "Last."
Song Credits
- Remixed by Trent Reznor and Chris Vrenna (section A), Butch Vig (section B)
Suck (Pigface version)
This original recording features Reznor on guest vocals. Musically, the song is nothing like the Nine Inch Nails recordings of the song, characterized instead by drums and bass. Its multitracks were those released for a remix contest by Pigface.
Suck (Live)
This live soundboard recording is from a Nine Inch Nails performance at an unknown date, likely from the Sin or Hate tours. It was originally released on the TVT Sampler Summer 1991 cassette, but as that was a promo with limited distribution, it was popularized in the NIN fanbase by its inclusion on the Halo 00 and, later, Demos and Remixes bootlegs.
Suck (And All That Could Have Been)
This live version is similar to the album version, but the ending is shortened, with Reznor shouting "Suck!" repeatedly rather than singing the song's final lyrics or returning to the verse beat and bassline. Also, the line "I'm Jesus Christ on ecstasy", Trent changes to "I'm Jesus fuck on ecstasy".
Live
"Suck" was played occasionally during the Pretty Hate Machine era, and has become a regular in the set since the Self Destruct Tour. It is most consistently played the way it appears on And All That Could Have Been.
Lyrics
There is no god up in the sky tonight
No sign of Heaven anywhere in sight
All that was true is left behind
Once I could see now I am blind
Don't want the dreams you try to sell
This disease I give to myself
How does it feel?
Suck suck suck
She makes it sweeter than the sun
I get too tight I come undone
I bow my head to confess
The temple walls are made of flesh
Runs up my arm till I'm on track
Itches the skin right off my back
I'll heal your wounds
I'll set you free
I'm Jesus Christ on ecstasy
How does it feel?
Suck suck suck
I am so dirty on the inside
I am so dirty on the inside
How does it feel?
Suck suck suck
A thousand lips
A thousand tongues
A thousand throats
A thousand lungs
A thousand ways to make it true
I want to do terrible things to you
Links