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| BPM = 93
| versions = La Mer<br>La Mer (Alternate Version)<br>La Mer (Version)<br>La Mer (''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'')—DVD/VHS
| live = [[Fragility]] through [[NIN 2013 Festival Tour]]<br>[[Cold And Black And Infinite Tour]]}}'''"La Mer"''' is the eleventh track from the Left disc of ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]].'' Its main melodic elements and bassline are taken in a different direction with "[[Into The Void (song)|Into The Void]]."Reznor has stated that "[[Adrift And At Peace]]" is the conclusion to "La Mer." ([[:Image:LM-AAAP.gif|Source]])
The lyrics are in Creole French. It is one of the many NIN songs that includes the phrase "[[Nothing Can Stop Me Now]]," and one of the few to include a vocalist other than [[Trent Reznor]]. In addition, it was the first instrumental written for ''The Fragile.'' [http://www.9inchnails.com/articles/reznors-edge.php]
The song itself was conceived during a very dark period in Reznor's life. When [[2009/06/03 Mansfield, MA|on stage]] in 2009 he disclosed that he had rented a house at the time on an ocean with the external intent to write some music, but in reality had contemplated suicide there. This song was the only song to come out of that time and place. He still feels strange playing it live because it serves as a reminder of this dark period in his life. Reznor has stated that "[[Adrift And At Peace]]" is the conclusion to "La Mer." ([[:Image:LM-AAAP.gif|Source]])
===Influences===
===La Mer (Alternate Version)===
'''''Running Time: 4:54'''''
Released on ''The Fragile: Deviations 1''. Also known as "La Mer" (Alt) when it was originally released on Apple Music as part of ''The Fragile Instrumental'', where it appeared to be marred with brief noise during the intro, potentially caused by a poor DAT transfer. This is a significantly different mix of the album arrangement, with a very different drum sound and more pronounced standup bass. The ending does not fade out or crossfade with "The Great Below."
'''''Running Time: 5:16'''''
An nin.com exclusive from ''The Fragile'' era, this remix by [[Jerome Dillon]] and [[Keith Hillebrandt]] features much more percussion-oriented loops, using atmospheric and base elements from the original. The track is currently was previously available for download at the [[remix.nin.com]] website.
===La Mer (''And All That Could Have Been'')===
Frequently since the [[With Teeth: Summer Amphitheater Tour]], Reznor has played a piano-only version of "La Mer," including an initial improvisation, before playing "Into the Void," and it is sometimes confused with "Adrift And At Peace." The band have recently begun playing "La Mer" in full again.
On [[2018/12/14_Los_Angeles,_CA|December 14, 2018]], [[Mike Garson]] joined the band to perform the song live.
==Lyrics==
===Creole French===
Et il est un quand le jour arrivé Marteler Map touné le ciel Et marteler map touné la mer
Et la mer avait va embrassé moi Et la délivré moi de ma caillelakay
===English Translation===
There is an alternate, more literal translation of the lyrics:
And when the day has arrivedarrives To thresh I'll return to the sky And I'll return to thresh the sea
And the sea has embraced will embrace me And it has dispensed deliver me from my cellhome
Nothing can stop me now
==External Links==
*[http://archive.org/details/remix.-nin.-com/play/mix?id=124 -audio-00124 "La Mer" (Version) at remixarchive.nin.comorg]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95jbTEb9mD0 Reznor discloses the origins of "La Mer"]
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