In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
(Hey god) why are you doing this to me?
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
(Hey god) I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
(Hey god) I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
(Hey god) can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to someone on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
(Hey god) there's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security and pride
I'm all alone in a world you must despise
(Hey god) I believed the promises, your promises and lies
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away
My morals left to decay (terrible lie)
How many you betray you've taken everything (terrible lie)
My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please (terrible lie)
I'm on my hands and knees, I want so much to believe
(I give you everything)
(My sweet everything)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
(Hey god) I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
(Hey god) I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
(Hey god) can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to someone on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
(Hey god) there's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security and pride
I'm all alone in a world you must despise
(Hey god) I believed the promises, your promises and lies
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away
My morals left to decay (terrible lie)
How many you betray you've taken everything (terrible lie)
My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please (terrible lie)
I'm on my hands and knees, I want so much to believe
(I give you everything)
(My sweet everything)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
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This is my one of my favorite NIN songs.
I think this song is mainly about how you grow up with these images from TV and the media about what life is supposed to be like (that's what "God" is supposed to represent), and then you come to the realization that it's a lie (Terrible Lie).
It's about the whole "ignorance is bliss" saying, and now that you know the truth, you want to go back to the way you were before you found these things out, when you were happy. (Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to)
There's nothing to believe in, yet you want to believe it so bad. (I want so much to believe).
Opening your mind can be great, but it can also mess you up.(You made me throw it all away My morals left to decay (terrible lie) How many you betray You've taken everything (terrible lie) My head is filled with disease)