Changes

| versions = Head Like A Hole<br>Head Like A Hole (Clay)<br>Head Like A Hole (Copper)<br>Head Like A Hole (Opal)<br>Head Like A Hole (Slate)<br>Head Like A Hole (Soil)<br>You Know Who You Are<br>Head Like A Hole (''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'')<br>Head Like A Hole (''[[Beside You In Time (halo)|Beside You In Time]]'')

| live = [["Pretty Hate Machine" Promotional Tour]] through present

===Song Credits===

==Versions==

===Head Like A Hole===

===Head Like A Hole (Slate)===

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.

===Head Like A Hole (Clay)===

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.

===Head Like A Hole (Copper)===

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.

*Production and mix: Flood, Trent Reznor

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 first instrumental piece appearing on an official Nine Inch Nails release. 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]].'')

===Head Like A Hole (Opal)===

Exclusive to the UK version of the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, the mix is notable for 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====

===Head Like A Hole (Soil)===

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.

==Music Video==

[[Image:HLAHstill.jpg|thumb|Screenshot from the "Head Like A Hole" video]]

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, 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 [[Chris Vrenna]] and the other being [[Martin Atkins]].

==Reznor on the songwriting==

==Covers==

{{Youtube|SMZYcvU1UTY|acoustic cover by Ryan Star, a contestant on ''Rockstar: Supernova''}}

{{Youtube|LhL8Sl3dWl8|cover by DEVO}}

{{Youtube|wNWz-0igZbA|Impromptu Cover by Amanda Palmer of [[The Dresden Dolls]]}}

==Lyrics==

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