Nine Inch Nails (abbreviated as NIN) is an American industrial rock act, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction. NIN’s music straddles a wide range of genres, while retaining a characteristic sound using electronic instruments and processing. After recording a new album, Reznor usually assembles a live band to perform with him. The touring band features a revolving lineup that often rearranges songs to fit a live performance setting. On stage, NIN often employs spectacular visual elements to accompany its performances, which frequently culminate with the band destroying their instruments.

Head Like A Hole

“Head Like a Hole” is a song by the American industrial rock project Nine Inch Nails. A song influenced by industrial metal group Ministry.

Trent Reznor wrote “Head Like a Hole” in 1988, after touring with Skinny Puppy. Flood, Adrian Sherwood, and Keith LeBlanc were co-producers of the song, and it was recorded in 1989.  “Head Like a Hole” was one of the last songs completed for the album, since Flood did not arrive to the studio until the completion of Depeche Mode’s Violator (1990).

The title of the song comes from a sample of a Ministry concert in 1987, which Reznor recorded on a video tape camera and later used in the song’s production.  The name of his project, Nine Inch Nails, which according to Reznor has no “literal meaning”,  was also taken from the same tape, during a portion where Al Jourgensen compares Ministry to a man with a tall nail hammered into his head, creating a hole there:

“Listening to Ministry is like having a nine inch nail hammered into your head like a hole.”

God money, I’ll do anything for you.
God money, just tell me what you want me to.
God money, nail me up against the wall.
The god of money don’t want everything he wants it all.

No you can’t take it
No you can’t take it
No you can’t take that away from me
No you can’t take it
No you can’t take it
No you can’t take that away from me

Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.
Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.

Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.

God money’s not looking for the cure.
God money’s not concerned about the sick among the pure.
God money let’s go dancing on the backs of the bruised.
The god of money’s not one to choose

No you can’t take it
No you can’t take it
No you can’t take that away from me
No you can’t take it
No you can’t take it
No you can’t take that away from me

Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.
Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.

Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.

Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.

Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.
Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.
Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.
Head like a hole,
Black as your soul.
I’d rather die than give you control.

Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve,
You’re going to get what you deserve.

• Audio from the 1990 album, Pretty Hate Machine:

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Other songs posted for this artist

Head Like a Hole ~ Nine Inch Nails

Closer – Nine Inch Nails

The Hand That Feeds ~ Nine Inch Nails