Changes

| album = ''[[The Fragile (halo)|The Fragile]]''(Left)

| 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 v1.0]] through present[[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]].'' It begins with piano chords accompanied by standup bass and is then accentuated by drums playing a jazz rhythm and e-bow guitar. This is one of the few songs by [[Nine Inch Nails]] that is played with almost all acoustic instruments. It consists of a 3/4 time signature superimposed over a 4/4 time signature. Its main melodic elements and bassline are taken in a different direction with "[[Into The Void (song)|Into The Void]]."[[Trent 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 attempted 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 ===Influences===It can be argued that "[[Adrift And At Peace]]" the song is heavily infuenced by the conclusion to "La Mer." ([[http:Image:LM-AAAP//en.wikipedia.gif|Source]org/wiki/La_Mer_(Debussy) Debussy piece of the same name]. Both songs build up to create a sonic atmosphere, and both are (obviously)titled the same.

===Influences===When asked about any classical composers who have inspired him, Trent said in a Yahoo! Chat in December 1999: It can be argued that the song is heavily infuenced by the [http://en<blockquote>"Debussey.wikipediaI was sitting in Big Sur, losing my mind.org/wiki/La_Mer_(Debussy) Debussy piece of the same name]His contribution was that you need to be regimented, with whatever you decide to do. Both songs build up to create a sonic atmosphereWhen I was sitting there, Debussey and both are (obviously) titled I had a mind meld for a second. I felt the same. It is very similar need toplagiarize the title, 'La Mer' [http://en.wikipediaHe revolutionized the Mozart bullshit world of everything was rigid and stabilized.org"</wiki/Sgt._Pepper's_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]'' by The Beatles, in that it layers many, many instruments to induce atonality and the said sonic atmosphere.blockquote>

*Drums: [[Bill Rieflin]]*Cello: [[Willie]]

This is the original album version. It begins with piano chords accompanied by standup bass and is then accentuated by drums playing a jazz rhythm and e-bow guitar. This is one of the few songs by Nine Inch Nails that is played with almost all acoustic instruments. It consists of a 3/4 time signature superimposed over a 4/4 time signature. Its piano theme is also used at the end of "[[We're In This Together (song)|We're in This Together]]."  On ''The Fragile'' vinyland 2017 DE download, the introductory piano chords and standup bass are repeated one extra time before the solo begins over top, and the ending denouement is slightly longer, featuring more spoken samples. Because of this, the transition into "[[The Great Below]]" is also slightly different than the original CD version. ===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 was previously available for download at the [[remix.nin.com]] website.

This live version is a pure instrumentaldoes not feature the speech samples, backs the piano line with bass synth, and [[Robin Finck]] plays the introductory melody normally played on piano with a Martin Backpacker acoustic guitar playing the xylophone part.

On ''And All That Could Have Been,'' "La Mer" is performed live against the backdrop of three visual screens that display images of the sea. Towards the end of the song, Reznor presses against the screen on the center and moves his hands across the panel, as the blurry image of a woman is revealed before the screen fades to black. The imagery was provided by Bill Viola.

Frequently since On the [[With Teeth: Summer Amphitheater Tour]] and [[Performance 2007]], 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 began playing "La Mer" in full againon the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]]. On [[2018/12/14_Los_Angeles,_CA|December 14, 2018]], [[Mike Garson]] joined the band to perform the song live.

Et il est un quand le jour arrivé Marteler Map touné le ciel Et map touné la mer Et la mer va embrassé moi Et délivré moi lakay An rien peut arrêter moi konin la French equivalent : Et quand le jour arrivera Je retournerai au ciel Et marteler je retournerai à la mer

Et la mer avait embrassé moiva m'embrasser Et la délivré me délivrer chez moi de ma cellule

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 cagehome

*[http://archive.org/details/remix-nin-com-audio-00124 "La Mer" (Version) at archive.org]*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95jbTEb9mD0 Reznor discloses the origins of "La Mer's" origins]