Changes

| BPM = 90| versions = Closer<br>Closer (Instrumental)<br>Closer (Clean Pussy Radio Edit)<br>Closer (Clean Original)<br>Closer To God<br>Closer (Precursor)<br>Closer (Further Away)<br>Closer (Deviation)<br>Closer (Internal)<br>Closer (Thrust)<br>Closer (Unrecalled)<br>Closer (''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'')<br>Closer (''[[Beside You In Time (halo)|Beside You In Time]]'')| live = [[Self-Destruct Touring Cycle]] through [[NIN 2013 Festival Tour]]<br>[[NIN 2014 Europe/UK Tour]] through present}}'''"Closer"''' is the fifth track on the 1994 release ''[[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]].'' It begins with an electronic beat that is reminiscent of a heartbeat for eight bars. A keyboard pattern and sixteenth-note beat 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. "Closer" is perhaps the most well-known song from by [[Nine Inch Nails]], maybe more so for its as it received much airplay both on radio and music videotelevision. The subject matter is clearly seems to be about sex, but it's not just sex. Instead it's a feeling of worthlessness and trying to quell that feeling being quelled through control over others using sex. The song was at the number 2 position on AOL's "69 Sexiest Songs of All Time," mostly due to the explicit frankness of the its chorus of "I want to fuck you like an animal/I want to feel you from the inside."

This is the original album version, found on both ''The Downward Spiral'' and ''Closer To God.'' It begins with an electronic beat. 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 To God,'' however, does not segue into allows the final piano note and background noise to ring out completely. The bass drum is [[samples|sampled]] from "[[RuinerNightclubbing]]" by Iggy Pop and the synth bass is sampled from the ''A Poke in the Ear With a Sharp Stick, instead allowing Vol. 2'' sample library by Rarefaction.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwnbjv9e-Ms] 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 final piano note 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 ring out "[[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."]] The part of the motif that segues into "Ruiner" (and playing played by Reznor at the background noise for end of the video) is played at a few more higher octave: [[Image:Closer_(Higher)_Motif_Tab.JPG‎|The higher part of the motif, found on the very last secondson "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 (Clean Original)==='''''Running Time: 6:23''''' This version is full-length but censored.

'''''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 let me penetrate you, you let me complicate you I broke apart my insides, I've got no soul to sell The only differences in the vocals are thing that the words appear to be sung slower that the original and "Help works for me tear down my reason, help me it's your sex get away I want to fuck you I want to taste you I want to feel you I want to be you Just like an animal You can smell/help me have my isolation, you make me perfectcan have the hate that it brings You can have my absence of faith, help me become somebody else" is changed to "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." Likewise, the chorus is no longer " I want to fuck you like an animal/I want to feel you from the inside," it is "I want to fuck you/ I want to taste you/ I want to feel you/ I want to be you/Just like an animal."

"Closer To God" is one of the only remixes that has been performed live(on the [[Dissonance]] tour). 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]]

'''''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. It also [[samples]] multiple sounds from the ''A Poke in the Ear With a Sharp Stick, Vol. 1'' sample library by Rarefaction. A special edit was featured used in the opening credits for the of [[David Fincher]] film, 's ''Se7en.''. ====Song Credits====* Manipulation: [[Coil]], Danny Hyde

'''''Running Time: 6:15''''' This is one of the less 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 whistlehigh-esque pitched drone. At the end it repeats the two lines "Help me get away from myself" and "You get me closer to God".The track also contains slowed-down samples from "Mountain of Needles" by Brian Eno and David Byrne, and from the intro of "Pinch" by Can.====Song Credits====* Manipulation: [[Meat Beat Manifesto|Jack Dangers]], Craig Silvey

Coming soon'''''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====* Manipulation: Bill Kennedy, Scott Humphrey, John "Geetus" Aguto, Paul Decarli, Eric Caudieux

Coming soon'''''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====* Manipulation: Bill Kennedy, Scott Humphrey, John "Geetus" Aguto, Paul Decarli, Eric Caudieux ===Closer (Thrust)==='''''Running Time: 5:54''''' This remix didn't make it onto the ''Closer To God'' EP, but 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. A variation on Coil's "Precursor" mix. ===Closer (''And All That Could Have Been'')===This live version uses the swirling synthesizers prominent at the end of the original song for an introduction. Its ending segues into "[[Head Like A Hole (song)|Head Like A Hole]]" much like the transition between "Closer" and "Ruiner" on ''The Downward Spiral.''

On this live version, the instrumental breakdown bridge of "[[The Only Time]]" is incorporated into the song's breakdownbridge. The interlude accompanying lyrics are sung in a manner different from past tours. The , and the final outro is much shorter than on the album version and is close to the music video edit in terms of length.

in [[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, George Tooker, the Quay brothers, 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.

Initially, there was a plan to film two versions of the video: an uncensored director's cut, and an edited version for MTV. This idea would save money on editing because of the costs of editing the film that was used. Reznor objected to shooting a censored version, stating that he didn't care whether or not MTV would show the video. MTV would show the video, but not before edits were made. The network censors objected to imagery they felt was blasphemous (a crucified monkey and a crucifix on a nude woman's maskblindfold), too risqué (Reznor gagged in front of a wall covered with sado-masochistic paraphernalia and writhing from a chain while blindfolded), or too overtly sexual in nature (the nude woman and a diagram of a vulva). Ultimately, the video was edited for MTV, with offending images either blurred or blacked out, zoomed in to avoid objectionable content, or replaced by a screen reading SCENE MISSING. Some innuendo did make it past the censors, such as the shape of the microphone in some scenes, and what the hanging beef carcass appeared to resemble in addition to wings. Despite the heavy editing on MTV, "Closer" would go on to become one of the network's most popular videos in 1994 and 1995. The uncensored director's cut can be seen on the ''Closure'' video, and can be found in the Dualdisc version of [[The Downward Spiral (halo)]].

Since thenThe uncensored director's cut can be seen on the ''Closure'' video as well as the DualDisc re-issue of ''The Downward Spiral.'' It can also be found on a compilation DVD of Mark Romanek's work (''Director's Series Vol. 4: The Work of Director Mark Romanek'') along with footage from the making of the video. A further five hours of behind-the-scenes footage eventually surfaced on eBay and was liberated and spread around freely by the NIN fanbase.  Over the years, "Closer" had has been included on many Greatest-Video greatest video lists. In 2006, it was voted the greatest video on VH1 Classics' "20 Greatest Music Videos of All Time." It has also been placed in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. ===Credits===*Director: Mark Romanek*Producer: Krista Montagna*Cameraman: Harris Savides*Editor: Robert Duffy*Production Design: Tom Foden

"Closer" had has been regularly performed live since 1994. For the Starting from [[Live: With Teeth]] tour, the instrumental breakdown of "The Only Time" was incorporated into the breakdown of "Closer". Also, the second to last line of the song has been sung as "I am the honey inside your hive" instead of "I drink the honey inside your hive." An example of this can be seen on 's" breakdown'Beside You In Time.''

AlsoAfter being in setlist rotation for 14 years, Reznor stated in a web interview that the second to last line song is "nowhere on the setlist" for the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]], despite it later being played a handful of times on that tour, with Trent playing the song has been sung as breakdown from "The Only Time"I am instead of [[Alessandro Cortini]]. During the honey inside your hive[[Tension 2013 Tour]], " instead Closer" was referenced during some live performances of "I drink the honey inside your hive[[All Time Low]]". ==Covers=="Closer" An example has been covered by a variety of this artists. More information can be seen on ''Beside You In Timefound [[Covers Of NIN|here]].''

Help me I broke apart my insides, help me I’ve I've got no soul to sell

Help me tear down my reason, help me it’s it's your sex I can smell

*[http://vimeo.com/3554226 "Closer" (uncensored) music video (NSFW)]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC0IAyUnCfA&NR o8F_KaILW6g "Closer" (Director's Cutcensored)music video]*[http://vimeo.com/3704806 The making of the "Closer" music video]<br>*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWq2apkftgg tdXaR0dnH-M "Closer" live from ''Beside You In Time'' performance ]*[http://archive.org/details/remix-nin-com-audio-00139 "Closer" (Thrust Remix) at archive.org]*[https://archive.org/details/remix-nin-com-audio-02897 "Closer" (Instrumental) at archive.org]*[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'']<br>{{Succession box| title=[[The Downward Spiral (halo)#Track Listing (editedoriginal release and DVD-A release)|The Downward Spiral]]| before=[[March Of The Pigs (song)|March Of The Pigs]]| after=[[Ruiner]]| track=5}}[[Category:NIN Songs]][[Category:Music Videos]][[Category:Know The Score]]