Changes

This is the original album version. A unique track in the NIN canon, it features a loud and bombastic drum loop with odd percussion sounds, synthesized bass, and an oddly-tuned acoustic -sounding guitar riffplayed on a Parker Fly guitar utilizing its piezo pickup.[https://www.reddit. com/r/nin/comments/71zc1i/comment/dnexbbo/] [[Trent Reznor]]'s vocals in the verses are abrasively yelled, contrasting with the melodic singing in the pre-choruses and choruses, a pattern that would be used again in "[[The Line Begins To Blur]]" and "[[Head Down]]". The chorus is backed by organ chords, while the bridge descends into ambient synthesizers and loops before exploding back into the song with a new synthesized melody. The song ends suddenly, segueing immediately into "[[Underneath It All]]".

Reznor is highly energetic in this particular performance. As well, the acoustic lead guitar part in the original album version is replaced with a moderately more heavily distorted /fuzzed part, though still played on a Parker Fly. During the guitar solo, Aaron North scrapes his guitaragainst his amp cabinet, creating a controlled feedback sound.

"The Big Come Down" made its live debut on [[2000/04/03 Los Angeles, CA|April 3, 2000]]. It has been performed live sporadically since the [[Fragility]] tour in 1999, with the [[Lights In The Sky Tour]] the only one it could properly be considered a regular on. During the [[Tension 2013 Tour]], this song featured backing vocals by [[Lisa Fischer]] and [[Sharlotte Gibson]].