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>Head Like A Hole (NMS 10 Sampler version)<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]]'')

}}'''"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 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.).

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 [[samples|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.

*Productionand mix: Flood, Trent Reznor*Mix: Keith LeBlanc

*Production and mix: Flood, Trent Reznor*Mix: Keith LeBlanc

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. It was produced in London with Flood, during a short trip by Reznor and [[John Malm]] to prepare for the upcoming UK releases and tour through Island Records. [https://happinessinheresy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/scene.jpg] It features a sample in the choruses that also forms the main rhythm of "The Wrong Name and the Wrong Number" by Mark Stewart. Adrian Sherwood was involved in the production of the Stewart song, and he and Keith LeBlanc were both members of Mark Stewart And The Maffia at the time they worked on ''Pretty Hate Machine'', though whether they had direct involvement with the "Opal" mix is unknown. LeBlanc and Sherwood aren't credited on any of the "Head Like A Hole" versions except Keith's mixing of "Slate". The remix also samples "Tamborine" by Prince and "Release It" by The Time (which also samples "Squib Cakes" by Tower Of Power.)

The video was originally going to be directed by [[David Lynch]][http://www.nin-pages.de/1989_Boston_Rock_Dezember_english.htm], whom Reznor would later work with on the ''[[Lost Highway Soundtrack]]'' and the "[[Came Back Haunted (song)|Came Back Haunted]]" music video. An extended version of the video also exists, referred to as the "Flood Mix" version, which is set to the "Copper" mix. This version was used when the video was shown on ''Beavis And Butt-Head'' in 1993. At least part of the music video was filmed on May 6, 1990, as indicated on the film clapperboard seen in the "Flood Mix"/"Copper" version of the video.

In a 2005 interview with ''Kerrang''[https://www.theninhotline.com/archives/articles/manager/display_article.php?id=171], Reznor gave the following insight:<blockquote>"I don't remember what i 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 because 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> 

{{Youtube"Head Like A Hole" has been covered by a variety of artists. More information can be found [[Covers Of NIN|here]]. ===On A Roll===[[Image:AshleyOart.jpg|thumb|Digital single artwork]][[Image:NIN_BLACK_MIRROR_TEE.png|thumb|SMZYcvU1UTYPromotional T-Shirt]]In June 2019, the anthology TV series ''[[wp:Black Mirror|acoustic 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 by Ryan Starof Nine Inch Nails. The songs were recorded and released under the name "Ashley O", Cyrus's character name in the episode. The band also released a contestant 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'Rockstar: Supernovat 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{{Youtube|Kwqx8N Hey, yeah, whoa-MHww|cover by AFIho, I'm on a roll Ridin' so high, achieving my goals Hey, yeah, gothwhoa-punk band}}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 {{Youtube|SltJMimN9CA|cover by Still Remains Hey, yeah, whoa-ho, christian metalcore band}}I'm on a roll{{Youtube|LhL8Sl3dWl8|cover by DEVO}} Ridin' so high, achieving my goals{{Youtube|wNWz Hey, yeah, whoa-0igZbA|Impromptu Cover by Amanda Palmer 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 [[The Dresden Dolls]]}}ambition and verve I'm gonna get what I deserve

*[httphttps://vimeo.com/3610495 17071419 "Head Like A Hole" music video(Remastered)]*[httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXZQubSHhsQ LIfudW3aqRY "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