| album = ''[[Pretty Hate Machine]]''
| length = 4:59
| BPM = 115| versions = Head Like A Hole<br>Head Like A Hole (''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]''Clay)<br>Head Like A Hole (''[[Beside You In Time (halo)|Beside You In Time]]''Copper)<br>Head Like A Hole(ClayOpal)<br>Head Like A Hole(CopperSlate)<br>Head Like A Hole(OpalSoil)<br>You Know Who You Are<br>Head Like A Hole(Slate''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'')<br>Head Like A Hole(Soil''[[Beside You In Time (halo)<br>|Beside You Know Who You AreIn Time]]'')
| live = [["Pretty Hate Machine" Promotional Tour]] through present
}}'''"Head Like A Hole"''' is the first track on the 1989 release ''[[Pretty Hate Machine]].'' It was the first commercial success [[Trent Reznor]] had and received wide radio rotation at the time. Though Reznor doesn't dislike the song, he was quite surpised surprised it became as big as it did, especially due to its relatively easy writing process compared to some of the lesser recognized tracks on ''Pretty Hate Machine'' ("[[That's What I Get]]" and "[[Kinda I Want To]]" most notably).
===Song Credits===
*Production: [[Flood]], Trent Reznor
*Engineering: Flood, [[Kennan Keating]], [[Keith LeBlanc]], [[Doug de Angelis]], [[Ken Quartarone]]
*Additional remix production: Keith LeBlanc
*Mix: Keith LeBlanc
*Studio(s) mixed at Soundtrack Studios Studio A NYC (21st location) on Neve VR60
*2nd Engineer(s) Scott Canto
==Appearances==
*''[[Collected]]''
*''[[The Definitive NIN - The Singles]]
*''[[The Definitive NIN - Heavy Tracks]]''
===Video Games===
*''Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock''
*''[[Rock Band|Rock Band 3]]'' (available for download)
===Other===
==Versions==
===Head Like A Hole===
The version that appears as the first track on ''Pretty Hate Machine,'' it's perhaps one of the most well known [[Nine Inch Nails]] songs. Its pounding synth bassline, tribal rhythms and chants, layered guitar and catchy double chorus are all signature aspects of the song. The stereo wipe at the end fades into the beginning of "Terrible Lie."The tribal chants are sampled from "Samburu Warriors' Initiation (Kenya)" taken from field recordings under the title ''East Africa Ceremonial & Folk Music'' (performed by the Samburu Tribe of Kenya and recorded by David Fanshawe.)[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G08Wvtspmjo] There is a sample from 3:12 to 3:19, first appearing in the right channel and then the left, that may be a saxophone.
===Head Like A Hole (Slate)===
'''''Running Time: 4:13''''' The first track on the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, this version contains more treble than its cousins and a somewhat dancier beat than most, along with higher pitched synths playing the bassline as a lead instead. Its intro is similar to the "(Clay)" remix. The instrumental melody of the original has been replaced and there is no guitar part in the chorus. It also lacks the stereo wipe outro and instead simply loops as it fades out. As indicated on the credits of the ''Head Like A Hole'' 12" vinyl single, this remix was completed in July 1989.
====Song Credits====
*Production and mix: Flood, Trent Reznor*Mix: Keith LeBlanc
===Head Like A Hole (Clay)===
'''''Running Time: 4:30'''''
The second track on the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, this is the version that was used in the video for "Head Like A Hole." The only major differences are a different intro (one that features the second half of the chorus and some rhythmic chanting), a shorter pre-chorus in the second verse, and an unadulterated and extended version of the outro stereo wipe.
====Song Credits====
*Productionand mix: Flood, Trent Reznor*Mix: Keith LeBlanc
===Head Like A Hole (Copper)===
'''''Running Time: 6:26''''' Present on the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, the "(Copper)" remix seems to be a cut and paste of the various remixes above, containing bits and pieces, loops and interruptions of the other songs. It contains the dance beat of "(Slate)" but has the layered guitar of the original version as well as a slightly modified instrumental intro. Its outro, unique to this mix, is the "Bow down before the one you serve/you're going to get what you deserve" lyric over a swinging drum-machine loop sampled from "Body Language" by Queen; the drum loop includes part of a scream by Freddie Mercury. The section sampled (from the cymbal crash to when Freddie shouts "Yeah!") is heard from 3:04 to 3:08 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqLyjg-klhE. As indicated on the credits of the ''Head Like A Hole'' 12" vinyl single, this remix was completed in January 1990.
====Song Credits====
*Production and mix: Flood, Trent Reznor
===You Know Who You Are=== '''''Running Time: 5:50''''' The fifth track on the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, this song is an instrumental composed of the background synths and various tribal rhythms and chants that compose the song. It's more or less a wordless "dub" version of the song and is notable for being the very first true instrumental piece appearing on an official Nine Inch Nails instrumentalrelease. The outro of the song is the actual intro to the original version of "Head Like A Hole." (This song is not to be confused with "[[You Know What You Are?]]," the second track off of the album ''[[With Teeth (halo)|With Teeth]].'')
====Song Credits====
===Head Like A Hole (Opal)===
'''''Running Time: 5:18''''' Exclusive to the UK version of the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, the mix is notable for it's its "realistic" drums and strange instrumentation, much of which isn't present on any of the other remixes. It is perhaps the most unique remix, having a different vocal take with a few lyrical differences from the original version of the song (in particular, the verses clearly say "God of money" rather than "God Money"), as well as using an inverted version of the bassline rather than the bassline itself and a totally different drumbeat. The only element that found its way over from the other mixes is the wood percussion intro from the original version of the song, which the drum beat follows exactly. The song ends by fading away while Reznor whispers "You know... you know who you are" repeatedly. This line is found only on this version, though it does appear in the printed lyrics on the ''Pretty Hate Machine'' album.It has been billed as "Head Like A Hole (Demo)" and "Head Like A Hole (Go-Go Mix)" on various bootlegs. As indicated on the credits of the ''Head Like A Hole'' 12" vinyl single, this remix was completed in November 1990. ====Song Credits====*Production and mix: Flood, Trent Reznor
===Head Like A Hole (Soil)===
'''''Running Time: 6:38'''''
The longest remix of the group, it starts off with a distorted version of the "(Clay/Slate)" remix intro. It has the original drumbeat, but lacks the synth bassline which actually comes in during the middle of the song to lead as a bridge with some odd sounding synths. There are also some odd steel drum sounding synths which stereo wipe back and forth at various points in the song.
====Song Credits====
*Production and mix: Flood, Trent Reznor
===Head Like A Hole (Demo)===
Present on the ''Demos and Remixes'' bootleg, this demo is a fake. It's actually the "(Opal)" remix from the UK release of ''Head Like A Hole.''
===Head Like A Hole (''And All That Could Have Been'')===
"Head Like A Hole" is usually the last song of the show (With Teeth era) or last song before the encore (Self Destruct, Fragility, and Lights in the Sky eras). At the end, the band usually destroy their instruments.
During Since the Lights In The Sky toursWith Teeth era, Trent often has left singing of the chorus to the other members of the band. This is possibly due to his voice issues at vocal strain. ==Music Video==[[Image:HLAHstill.jpg|thumb|Screenshot from the "Head Like A Hole" video]]The [[Nine Inch Nails music videos|music video]] for "Head Like A Hole" was directed by Eric Zimmerman, who also co-directed "[[Down In It (song)|Down In It]]." The Clay remix is used in place of the timealbum version.
==Music The video==contains three different sequences, used at different intervals of the song. During the verses, footage of tribal dancers is undercut with rotating cybernetic heads, creating a strobe effect. For the main chorus and instrumental interludes, the band is seen playing in a large cage with wires and magnetic tape at their feet. The sub-chorus features black-and-white footage of Reznor lowering his head into a tub filled with water and bringing it back up. At the end of the video for "Head Like A Hole" was directed by , Reznor's feet have become entangled in the tape and wires as he is lifted off the ground, hung upside-down and writhes in mid-air. The video features two drummers, one being [[Eric ZimmermanChris Vrenna]], who also co-directed "and the other being [[Down In It (song)|Down In ItMartin Atkins]]." The Clay remix is used in place of the album version.
The video contains three different sequences, used at different intervals of the songwas originally going to be directed by [[David Lynch]][http://www.nin-pages.de/1989_Boston_Rock_Dezember_english. During the verseshtm], footage of tribal dancers is undercut whom Reznor would later work with rotating cybernetic heads, creating a strobe effect. For on the main chorus ''[[Lost Highway Soundtrack]]'' and instrumental interludes, the band is seen playing in a large cage with wires and magnetic tape at their feet"[[Came Back Haunted (song)|Came Back Haunted]]" music video. The sub-chorus features black-and-white footage of Reznor lowering his head into a tub filled with water and bringing it back up. At the end An extended version of the videoalso exists, Reznor's feet have become entangled in which is set to the tape and wires as he is lifted off "Copper" mix. This version was used when the ground, hung upsidevideo was shown on ''Beavis And Butt-down and writhes Head'' in mid-air1993.
When the video was shown on ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' in 1993===Credits===*Director: Eric Zimmerman*Producer: Jim Deloye*Cameraman: Eric Zimmerman, the "Copper" mix was used in place of the "Clay" mix.Benjamin Stokes, Eric Koziol & Eric Matthies*Editor: Eric Zimmerman & Benjamin Stokes
==Reznor on the songwriting==
<blockquote>"I don't remember what i was thinking about at the time, but it was pretty much about yelling at a beast without putting a face to it. I wrote it at the last minute as a throwaway. The rest of 'Pretty Hate Machine' was already written, and we'd revised everything else about nine times. Up until then song-writing had been a meticulous and agonising process, but this took me 15 minutes in my bedroom. The fact that it produced this huge reaction really pissed me off becuase I hadn't agonised over it. I was still back in Cleveland, and I had a job working at a studio where I'd spend time at night learning how to record and engineer things and I tried to work out how my voice sounded. I was playing everything myself but I had no confidence in playing guitar. I was convinced that if any real players heard it they'd laugh. Now I know that's bullshit but at the time I was very insecure."</blockquote>
==Covers==
{{Youtube|SMZYcvU1UTY|acoustic cover by Ryan Star, a contenstant contestant on ''Rockstar: Supernova''}}
{{Youtube|Kwqx8N-MHww|cover by AFI, goth-punk band}}
{{Youtube|4xk9D2CMfIYSltJMimN9CA|cover by Still Remains, christian metalcore band}}{{Youtube|0rf07QE1YRgLhL8Sl3dWl8|cover by DEVO}}{{Youtube|wNWz-0igZbA|Impromptu Cover by Amanda Palmer of [[The Dresden Dolls]]}}===On A Roll===[[Image:AshleyOart.jpg|thumb|Digital single artwork]][[Image:NIN_BLACK_MIRROR_TEE.png|thumb|Promotional T-Shirt]]In June 2019, the anthology TV series ''[[wp:Black Mirror|Black Mirror]]'' aired the episode "Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too", which featured versions of "Head Like A Hole" and "[[Right Where It Belongs]]" with new lyrics written by Charlie Brooker and recorded by Miley Cyrus, entitled "On A Roll" and "Right Where I Belong" respectively. Cyrus also recorded direct covers of both songs, all of which were sanctioned and approved by Reznor - a rarity for any cover of Nine Inch Nails. The songs were recorded and released under the name "Ashley O", Cyrus' character name in the episode. The band also released a collaborative t-shirt on their website, featuring Brooker's new lyrics. ====Lyrics==== Oh honey, I'll do anything for you Oh honey, just tell me what you want me to Oh honey, kiss me up against the wall Oh honey, don't think anything, just have it all Yeah, I can't take it, so don't you fake it I know your love's my destiny Yeah, I can't take it, please demonstrate it 'Cause I'm going down in history Hey, yeah, whoa-ho, I'm on a roll Ridin' so high, achieving my goals Hey, yeah, whoa-ho, I'm on a roll Ridin' so high, achieving my goals I'm stoked on ambition and verve I'm gonna get what I deserve So full of ambition and verve I'm gonna get what I deserve Oh honey, let's get in through the door Oh honey, not concerned who sees us ripping up the floor Oh honey, we'll go dancing wherever you choose Oh honey, you know we just can't lose Yeah, I can't take it, so don't you fake it I know your love's my destiny Yeah, I can't take it, please demonstrate it 'Cause I'm going down in history Hey, yeah, whoa-ho, I'm on a roll Ridin' so high, achieving my goals Hey, yeah, whoa-ho, I'm on a roll Ridin' so high, achieving my goals I'm stoked on ambition and verve I'm gonna get what I deserve So full of ambition and verve I'm gonna get what I deserve
==Lyrics==
You're going to get what you deserve
You know who you are
The final line appears only in the liner notes and in the Opal remix.
==External Links==
{{*[http://www.youtubevimeo.com/watch?v=l3iM87iIbnQ 3610495 "Head Like A Hole" music video}}]{{Youtube|VkqOvRbA9xU|*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXZQubSHhsQ "Head Like A Hole " (Copper)" music video}}]*[http://www.nincollector.com/archive/images/releases/halo_03/head_uk12vinyl_sideb_lq.jpg UK vinyl 12" tracklist scan], with remix dates
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[[Category:NIN Songs]][[Category:Music Videos]][[Category:Songs With Unused Lyrics]]