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==Versions==
===Closer===
This is the original album version, found on both ''The Downward Spiral'' and ''Closer To God.'' It begins with an electronic beat, of which the bass drum is sampled from the Iggy Pop song "[[Nightclubbing]]". A keyboard pattern and sixteenth-note cymbal pattern join in along with the vocals. Layers are continuously added before dropping out at the end, leaving a simple chromatic piano melody to end the song and segue into "[[Ruiner]]". The version on ''Closer To God,'' however, allows the final piano note and background noise to ring out completely. The track also features a reversed and heavily processed sample from "Take A Chance With Me" by Roxy Music, which is most easily heard during the ending (starting from 5:52.) The sample is also used as an intro when the song is played live. Being the third song on the album to contain the famous "Downward Spiral Motif," "Closer" plays the motif in similar structure to "[[The Downward Spiral (song)|The Downward Spiral]]," but in a different key:
[[Image:Closer_(Lower)_Motif_Tab.JPG|The Downward Spiral Motif, found in the cacophony of sound in the closing seconds of "Closer."]]
===Closer (Instrumental)===
'''''Running Time: 6:26'''''
Released by Reznor via his [[remix.nin.com]] account, this is an unmastered and complete version of the album cut, sans his vocals.
===Closer (Clean Pussy Radio Edit)===
'''''Running Time: 4:31'''''
This version is shortened and censored for radio airplay.
===Closer To God===
'''''Running Time: 5:05'''''
This is a major reworking of "Closer," and is quite different in sound and structure. The vocals were re-recorded (with a few lines of new lyrics) to fit the sound of this song:
You let me violate you, you let me desecrate you
You can have my isolation, you can have the hate that it brings
You can have my absence of faith, you can have my everything
You tear down all my reason, you see through what I hide
You make me perfect, help me get inside
On the DJ promo vinyl for its release, the track runs roughly 5:29, fading out at the end.
====Song Credits====
* Manipulation: Trent Reznor, [[Sean Beavan]], [[Brian Pollack]]
===Closer (Precursor)===
'''''Running Time: 7:16'''''
This is an atmospheric remix, made up of heavily distorted synth and percussion loops that sound like machinery. The line "I want to fuck you like an animal" is repeated heavily in the last half. When the song reaches its ending, it changes from the mechanical sound of the rest of the remix to a stripped down form, consisting of only the first verse lyrics, a piano, and the synth drone from the beginning and end of the original song. A special edit was used in the credits of [[David Fincher]]'s ''Se7en''.
====Song Credits====
* Manipulation: [[Coil]], [[Danny Hyde]]
===Closer (Deviation)===
'''''Running Time: 6:15'''''
This is one of the lesser reworked remixes of "Closer." It adds an interesting loop in the background the consists of what appears to be a bass guitar and a high-pitched drone. At the end it repeats the two lines "Help me get away from myself" and "You get me closer to God".
====Song Credits====
===Closer (Internal)===
'''''Running Time: 4:15'''''
This remix uses stereo panning in which the phrases "You get me closer to god" and "I want to fuck you like an animal" switch between left and right speaker.
====Song Credits====
===Closer (Further Away)===
'''''Running Time: 5:45'''''
This remix begins with a significantly modified drumbeat, similar to the drums heard in "[[A Violet Fluid]]." Slowly the song picks up and a sound similar to a lion's roar is heard with the cry "I want to fuck you like an animal." Lyrics are then whispered and vocoded. A loud drum solo features, backed by the looped synth whine from the end of the original, and then the lyrics from the choruses are heard.
====Song Credits====
===Closer (Thrust)===
'''''Running Time: 5:54''''' This remix didn't make it onto the ''Closer To God'' EP, but can be streamed or downloaded was available from remix.nin.com. This is essentially a variation on "Closer (Internal)".
====Song Credits====
* Manipulation: Paul de Carli
===Closer (Unrecalled)===
'''''Running Time: 7:41'''''
Released on the semi-official ''[[Recoiled]]'' EP. An early iteration of Coil's "Precursor" mix.
==Music Video==
[[Image:Closerstill.jpg|thumb|Screenshot from the "Closer" video]]
In April 1994, a [[Nine Inch Nails music videos|music video ]] for "Closer" was filmed. It was directed by [[Mark Romanek]], who also directed "[[The Perfect Drug (song)|The Perfect Drug]]" in 1997 and [[Johnny Cash]]'s cover of "[[Hurt (song)|Hurt]]" in 2003. The concept to the video is that it's an old stag reel recently uncovered. The aesthetic, atmosphere, and images in the video were inspired by the works of Man Ray, Francis Bacon, and, most notably, Joel-Peter Witkin. It was filmed using three-color film and hand-cranked cameras, to make it look much older. Additionally, there were more modern devices included in the video, such as a television.
Romanek has said that Reznor was pretty much tortured throughout the shoot, yet he never once complained. Reznor seemed to know that what they were making would be phenomenal and would push the proverbial envelope of the music video format.
*[http://vimeo.com/3704806 The making of the "Closer" music video]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdXaR0dnH-M "Closer" live from ''Beside You In Time'']
*[http://archive.org/details/remix.-nin.-com/play/mix?id=139 -audio-00139 "Closer" (Thrust Remix) at remixarchive.nin.comorg]
*[http://ninlive.com/audio/NiNterviews%20Set%201/1995_02_09%2006%20Recording%20Process.mp3 Interview] disc mentioning the source of the bass drum sample
*[http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep12/articles/classic-tracks-0912.htm Sound On Sound article about "Closer" and ''The Downward Spiral'']