Only (song)
Only (Richard X Remix)
Only (El-P Remix)
Only (Beside You In Time)
"Only" is the eighth track on the 2005 album With Teeth. It was released as a single in summer 2005, receiving the designation Halo 20 (see Only (halo)). It is known for its upbeat and synthesizer-driven instrumentation, and casual lyric delivery, reminiscent of 1989's "Down In It". It was censored on radio, though it was obvious that the word "fucking" was being cut out.
"Only" was the last song finished for With Teeth.[1] It was the second song that saw the release of its master tracks for fan remixes.
![[1]](http://www.nin.com/access/2_26_05/questions10.gif){kind=link}
Contents
Meaning
Like most NIN songs, the true inspiration for the lyrics has never been revealed. The lyrics suggest that this song is about internal identity struggles, possibly relating to split personalities. Themes in this song are similar to the film Fight Club, which was directed by David Fincher, who directed the music video for this song.
Down In It
"Only" contains a verse that is very similar to a verse in the 1989 song "Down In It". Both mention a small dot that caught the attention of the singer, who couldn't let go of it.
Appearances
Halos
- With Teeth
- Only (song and music video)
- Every Day Is Exactly The Same
- Beside You In Time
Versions
Only
This is the original album version.
Only (Richard X Remix)
Coming soon
Only (El-P Remix)
The dance-oriented beat is gone, replaced by a heavier beat and finger-snap percussion.
Only (Richard X Dub)
Coming soon
Only (Richard X Edit)
Coming soon
Only (El-P Instrumental)
Coming soon
Only (Beside You In Time)
This live version is found on the Beside You In Time DVD.
Fan Remixes
Because the master tracks were released to facilitate fan remixes, hundreds exists.
Music Video
The video for "Only" was directed by David Fincher and is largly created using advanced CGI. It features a desk with a laptop (A 17" Mac PowerBook), speakers, and an Einstein's Cradle and PinPressions being brought to life and animated by the music.
The video starts with a hand pressing the space bar on the computer, which starts its music program (iTunes with the Visualizer turned on). The Einstein's Cradle begins to sway to the beat as ripples appear in a cup of coffee. Trent Reznor appears in the PinPressions, singing the song. As it gets to the second verse, the songs builds and the vibrations get more intense. Reznor seems to almost break out of the PinPressions as the balls on the Einstein's Cradle sway almost uncontrollably. The ripples in the coffee also have greater frequency. Finally an apple falls out of a neaby basket as Reznor disappears and the scene dies down. At the very end, a blurry image of a car can be seen driving away.
The video was almost entirely computer-animated., with Reznor filmed live and then rotoscoped into the PinPressions. It is reported that the only part that was live-action ws the hand at the very beginning of the video.
Lyrics
Iâm becoming less defined
As days go by
Fading away
(You might say)
Iâm losing focus
Kind of drifting into the abstract
In terms of how I see myself
Sometimes I think I can see right through myself
Less concerned about fitting into the world
Your world, that is
Because it doesnât really matter
Anymore
None of this really matters anymore
Yes I am alone
But then again I always was
As far back as I can tell
I think maybe itâs because
Because you were never real to begin with
I just made you up
To hurt myself
And it worked
Yes it did
There is no you
There is only me
There is no fucking you
There is only me
Only
[Pt. 2]
Well the tiniest little dot caught my eye
And it turned out to be a scab
And I had this funny feeling
Like I just knew it's something bad
I just couldn't leave alone
And I kept picking at that scab
Like it was a doorway trying to seal itself shut
But I climbed through
And now I'm somewhere I am not supposed to be
And I can see things I know I really shouldn't see
Now I know why
And now I know why
Things aren't as pretty
On the inside
There is no fucking you
There is only me
Only