89 Meanings
Add Yours
Share
Q&A

The Fragile Lyrics

she shines
in a world full of ugliness
she matters
when everything is meaningless

fragile
she doesn't see her beauty
she tries to get away
sometimes
it's just that nothing seems worth saving
I can't watch her slip away

I won't let you fall apart

she reads the minds of all the people that pass her by
hoping someone can see
if I could fix myself I'd -
but it's too late for me

I won't let you fall apart

we'll find the perfect place to go where we can run and hide
I'll build a wall and we can keep them on the other side
...but they keep waiting
...and picking

it's something I have to do
I was there too
before everything else
I was like you
Song Info
Submitted by
thewhitepony33 On Jul 02, 2001
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

89 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

This is a complicated song because of the roles. To put it simply, the protagonist is not real. Trent is speaking in first person as the hero he wishes he had, and "she" is actually Trent himself. He had hoped for a hero since the very first song "Somewhat Damaged", and was let down when he felt he didn't get one. He dreamt up this character to act out and the woman he loves is actually what he wishes he meant to someone else. It's tricky, but it works because Trent was waaay too broken to write a love song, he didn't love anyone (he couldn't feel anything!). But he wanted to [be] loved (understood), and this was his way to expressing it. It's all imaginary. Queue the next couple songs, now it should start to make a lot of sense.

I like your interpretation. That is actually how I feel, when I hear this song.

I think your interpretation just made this more epic. I liked the idea of it being about a girl, but when you think of it your way... it's more desperate. More depressing. More anxious. And I prefer that. :)

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

Review for "Just Like You Imagined" :

Crap, i didn't think that "Just Like You Imagined" wouldn't have a review on this site. Well, this song is the point at which Trent's grandmother dies. It simply reeks of sadness and anger. The song culminates in a massive scream, in which Trent's sadness turns completely into rage. This song marks the beginning of the remorseful end of Left, where Trent feels alone and reaches out for his grandmother.

On a side note, i feel so much admiration for a man that is willing to pour his whole heart and soul into an albumn.

Fuck all those boy bands and shitty pop bands out there. The Fragile is a work of art that they could never hope to achieve.

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

This song keeps me from falling apart when I'm in a dark place. Literally. I feel depressed and I listen to this song, and know that everything will somehow come out all right.

sure trent may have been depressed, but we all want to be happy:)

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

This is the song I cry to when I'm falling apart. It's a comfort, it makes me feel like there's at least ONE person out there in the world that cares about me, even if I've never met him & probably never will. Yes, I'm a pathetic fangirl who secretly imagines being Mrs. Reznor, but I like to pretend he wrote this just for me. It's about watching someone he loves slip further & further away into hurt and sadness, and being determined to save her & hold her up when she's breaking down. This song, unlike most of his others, is about loving someone eternally & unconditionally. It's the most powerful love song I've ever heard.

I'm actually planning to get "I won't let you fall apart" tattooed on my wrist in the Sin font, how cheesy is that? Lol...

My Interpretation

i just signed up to this website (august 2013). . . i think this is the most powerful love song i've ever heard also. i did love someone this much made a kid with her, was gonna tattoo "i am the king you are the queen nothing else means anything" on my wrist/arm. was completely betrayed i am now a full time single dad.

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

its basically about a girl (person) who dosnt see that they are just as important as the others (the adored society like preps and the ones who "fit in") and soo negative thoughts occur to her making her someone isolated and desperate to escape life... and trent or being there for her saying i was there and i got passed it all and "i wont let u fall apart" because you can getover it...... bassically i think its a song towards the depressed and its a message saying dont worry things will work out

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

I don't think many people can truly identify with the feelings and events that inspired this album and this song. The beauty of Nine Inch Nails, and what the most loyal fans have discovered time and time again, is that you can apply life to Reznor's music and make your own meaning without deflating the beauty of the music. "I won't let you fall apart." That is uplifting, that is powerful and is something many of us have needed to hear at one time in our lives.

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

I think its about a girl who is changing in a negative way, or has stopped caring about themselves because they think they're nothing. The guy is watching her fall apart and is trying to save her because he sees her as so much more then she sees herself. He's been there, and he doesnt want her in the same place he is.

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

ugh...one word... BEAUTIFUL!!!! this is one of there most amazing songs and really ya don't have to look at it thru a guys point of view... b/c my bestfriend < which is a girl > told me this song reminds her of me! after i heard the song i fell in love with it and feel it is the most beautiful song.

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

MissVladTepes17 hit the nail on the head!!! she is soo true!!!

Cover art for The Fragile lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

i love this song.. i relate to it on a personal level.. and i enjoy the fact that trent could write this song in the way he did.. he has a flawless view of the outside world..