You give me the reason, you give me control
I gave you my purity, my purity you stole
Did you think I wouldn't recognize this compromise?
Am I just too stupid to realize?
Stale incense, old sweat
And lies, lies, lies

It comes down to this
Your kiss, your fist
And your strain, it gets under my skin
Within, take in
The extent of my sin

You give me the anger, you give me the nerve
Carry out my sentence, well I get what I deserve
I'm just an effigy to be disgraced, to be defaced
Your need for me has been replaced
And if I can't have everything
Well, then just give me a taste

It comes down to this
Your kiss, your fist
And your strain it gets under my skin
Within, take in
The extent of my sin

You give me the reason, you give me control
I gave you my purity and my purity you stole
Did you think I wouldn't recognize this compromise?
Am I just too stupid to realize?
Stale incense, old sweat
And lies, lies, lies

It comes down to this
Your kiss, your fist
And your strain, it gets under my skin
Within, take in
Well, my sin, it comes down to this
Your kiss, your fist
And your strain, it gets under my skin
Within, take in
The extent of my sin


Lyrics submitted by kare, edited by Poonard

Sin Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Sin song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I think it's about a bad relationship...a girl that hurt him. Rough sex. Take in the extent of my "sin"...

    doombunnehon August 31, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Okie dokie. I'll take your words on this song, why not, they make perfect sense.

    Now, once again, I must ask WHERE THE HELL CAN I SEE THESE VIDEOS. NIN.COM DOES NOT HAVE THEM YET (TVT PROBLEMS I BELIEVE...) BUT I WANT TO SEE THEM. NOW!!!.

    I heard that the video was weird. Globe spinning, gay people here, naked woman there, etc.

    "Sin" is refering to the act of intercourse. I'm assuming its the male POV (Take IN the extend of my SIN). Then again, the song makes more sense from a female POV. The song could be going back and forth, but I highly doubt it.

    Ratgirl, you are completely correct. This type of music now is rare. Too rare. Too bad. For us. Who love THAT type of music...

    sniff.

    FaaipDeOaidon December 16, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    In my opnion, it's much the same as many of the other comments, I don't think its from POV of male or female, it's for both.

    About feeling something so deep but they turn around and tell you meant nothing to them. It's in your face like anger, it's taking everything you thought you had with someone and them throwing it away like it meant nothing.

    But what I like the most about the song, is the in your face attitude, turning back around and almost saying. 'I'll get over it'.

    But you know deep inside, they have hurt you more than they will ever know.

    Put this track on when you been dumped, and it makes you feel better. Did me anyway, trent is a legend!

    NineInchNaileron October 08, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Hmmm, I don't think this is about the media, remember this was on PHM and Trent was most likely not famous yet at the time he wrote this.

    This song rocks, one of the best on PHM, I also love the live version on "and all that could have been", it's almost better then the original

    Moose_Ton February 22, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think it's about a relationship gone bad but he just can't let go completely even though she took so much from him. Basically he's a glutant for punishment.

    WildIrishRoseon March 28, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Sorry, LittleUrantiaGirl, don't you think this was written from a male perspective?? I always listened to this a regret my first experience with a female. Look at things from both perspectives.

    canadalotuseateron May 16, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    pretty hate machine refurs to a girl... this song is about giveing up yourself.. comprimising everything you are because you love someone.... then the bitter taste it leaves in your mouth when its over... the questions you wish you could ask.. the hate.. the turmoil they bring about...

    Iveyon July 03, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    something that was pure had learned about the "naughty" things the hard way...noe she/he is addicted because of that experience

    drion March 31, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Some more hard-to-find NIN videos are available to watch at youtube.com

    libertykillingconson April 03, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think Its about "being used" depends in what perspective you look at it

    durandemonon October 10, 2006   Link

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