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The Downward Spiral (song) (view source)
Revision as of 05:24, 1 October 2017
, 05:24, 1 October 2017adding running times for remixes
| length = 3:57
| BPM = 100
| versions = The Downward Spiral<br>The Downward Spiral (Instrumental)<br>The Downward Spiral (The Bottom)<br>The Downward Spiral (A Gilded Sickness)| live = [[Further Down The Spiral Tour]]<br>[[Lights In The Sky Tour]]<br>[[NIN/JA Wave Goodbye Tour]]
}}'''"The Downward Spiral"''', thirteenth track on the eponymous [[The Downward Spiral (halo)|album]], is often seen as the final part of the story, in which the main character commits suicide with a gun. The introduction of the song contains a chromatic melody very reminiscent of the ending of "[[Closer]]" but in E Major rather than C Major.
===Seeds===
*''[[The Definitive NIN - Quiet Tracks]]''
===Films===
*''[[In_pop_culture#Film|Man On Fire]]'' (2004)
==Versions==
This album version incorporates drones and the sound of flies surrounding a single acoustic guitar layered on top, playing the "Downward Spiral Motif." The music then moves into a second section and begins to build up, culminating in a third section with sounds of Reznor screaming in desperation, surrounded by thunderous drums, guitar and synthesizer playing the motif, all equalized and manipulated so as to sound distant and less powerful. Reznor recites the lyrics quietly on top. Finally, the song abruptly ends with an elongated cymbal crash and the sound of white noise, which segues into [[Hurt (song)|Hurt]]. On the 5.1 surround sound version, the loud rock ending plays in the back speakers, leaving the front two to play the motif, and the center channel for Reznor's vocals. This song marks the final appearance of the motif on the album, played as follows:<br>
[[Image:The_Downward_Spiral_Song_Motif_Tab.JPG|The Motif found in "The Downward Spiral."]]
A reversed version of the track is hidden on side B of the ''[[Not The Actual Events]]'' vinyl.
===The Downward Spiral (Instrumental)===
===The Downward Spiral (The Bottom)===
'''''Running Time: 7:28'''''
This remix contains a percolating minor-key melody that incorporates the guitar part of the original album version. It can be found on ''Further Down The Spiral'' and the 2-disc Deluxe Edition of ''The Downward Spiral.''
====Song Credits====
*Remixed by Danny Hyde, Drew McDowall, John Balance, [[Peter Christopherson]]
===The Downward Spiral (A Gilded Sickness)===
'''''Running Time: 7:59'''''
Released on the semi-official ''[[Recoiled]]'' EP. A variation on [[Coil]]'s "The Bottom" mix.
==Live==
When performed on the [[Self Destruct Tour]], the projection screen would show remain black until the rock section, when streams of blood would slowly descend from the top. Once the screen was completely red, the curtain would rise, revealing the band performing the song. The vocals are absent from live performances, making it an instrumental lead-in, often to "[[Wish (song)|Wish]]." On the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]], the song returned to the live set, this time with Reznor performing the acoustic guitar motif on keyboards. On the [[NIN 2014 Europe/UK Tour]], a pre-recorded version of the song was used as a show intro, combined with "[[The New Flesh]]".
==Lyrics==