Ruiner

One of the most genius songs on TDS. Not because of it's meaning, I don't think it has a meaning, it's just lyrics. Angry lyrics against someone he hates, someone manipulative, a liar. We've all met someone like that, they're everywhere, they manifest themselves in one way or another. I think that's why this song is so smart, it doesn't imply that it is anyone, he keeps it subtle and open. It could be about God, a religious figure, one of his parents, an authority figure, a friend, a lover, or a complete stranger that is somehow "ruining" him and others. I don't think you can tie a song down like this. I think Trent is considerate enough to let his fans fit their own lives and perspectives into TDS, and not overcrowd and dominate with only his feelings and views. People are able to relate to TDS easily, and this song in particular. It just seems way too open and flexible to be about just one single thing.

ruiner is another name for god - he already defied god in heresy, and now he is opposing him "how'd you get so big? how'd you get so strong? how'd it get so hard? how'd it get so long?" This has sexual and powerful messages - he now knows that he can become godlike through sex and violence, and by the end of this song, god is overthrown and he has taken his place (you cant hurt me, nothing can stop me now) this isnt about sexual abuse, its about abuse of power, and now that he is in control of it, he will begin to abuse it for his own gains aswell (in the next few songs)

Trent isn't in high school dude.

i think the ruiner as refered to as a person is supposed to be god or a form of one, someone better than he is, to tell all the people the answers to questions they didnt know, and how this reflects on him, his is nothings, all the fucked up things he thinks and feels is a result of someone having all the answers, detering attention away from him or what he has done...one of my favourite NIN songs...

THIS IS A SERIOUS REVIEW:

30% of the people reading this have a perfect ring of scars. estimate

It's about a Religious figure and Cocks!

you had all of them on your side didn't you? you believed in all your lies didn't you? (Church and Dogma) the ruiner's got a lot to prove (Don't all religions?) he's got nothing to lose (Whats the alternative? Social disconnection in some societies. Atheism?) and now he made you believe (This is the Religion spreading) the ruiner's your only friend (The only way to salvation) well, he's the living end to the cattle he deceives <- beautiful & literal the raping of the innocent ( I have family paying tithing they cant afford. Seriously. ) you know the ruiner ruins everything he sees (I agree, belief has consequences) now the only pure thing left in my fucking world is wearing your disease ( This is his cock I am serious )

how'd you get so big? (this is his cock, and the church, both very literally) how'd you get so strong? (this is his cock, and the church, both very literally) they are powerful how'd it get so hard? (this is his cock, and the church, both very literally) Hard on peoples interests how'd it get so long? (this is his cock, and the church, both very literally) Time running

you had to give them all a sign ( On Our Cocks ) you had to covet what was mine ( Our Cocks )

the ruiner's a collector ( collects people and foreskin ) he's an infector ( Infecting minds and circumcision wounds ) serving his shit to his flies (the dogma is shit and the flies are the followers ) maybe there will come a day when those that you keep blind will suddenly realize (don't hold your breath) maybe it's a part of me you took it to a place i hoped it would never go ( I dont really know, maybe this is an emotional wound? ) and maybe that fucked me up much more than you'll ever know ( I have family being torn up over religion, it's totally gay )

and what you gave to me ( On his Cock ) my perfect ring of scars ( a perfect ring of scar. Google images it if you aren't familiar with a cut hog ) you know I can see ( I declare, I see this is a bullshit game for what it is ) what you really are ( And what part you play in it )

you didn't hurt me, nothing can hurt me you didn't hurt me, nothing can stop ( This is liberation from the religious chains )

Nothing like a little penis surgery on infants! I'm pissed off about my missing penis skin too dammit!

While I do think it alludes to things like a sociopath and religion and abuse of power, I also think it plays a significant role in the story of the album. The Ruiner is Mr. Self Destruct, the mechanical voice inside his head who was introduced in the first song on the album. The way I see it, this song is almost like an ominous prelude to what the Ruiner is going to do to our protagonist, almost like a preparation. You get a feel for what the Ruiner does to people, and nothing can stop him. Though everybody has this voice inside their head, the Ruiner cashs in on depressed, desperate people, like our main character. So when his self-esteem and mental defenses begin to crumble, the Ruiner becomes more powerful, and nothing can stop him. Then in the next song, The Becoming, the Ruiner begins to take over.

I think it's about some sort of authority or higher power. It could even as simple as a significant other that has control over you.

I am the ruiner. I get satisfaction in destroying things because I cannot be satisfied. I want more. Then when I get more, I don't want to share it because I really want everything. When I see people suffering and in pain, seeking for my help, I just laugh and tell them to help their selves.

i had a bf who said he was the ruiner... he was right.

This song sees the Ruiner from Trent's (protagonist) perspective. The lines sung fast (almost like rap), is what Trent thinks about the Ruiner. The lines of "how to get so..." don't represent anything sexual or religious: they represent how he doesn't understand how the Ruiner grew so strong inside of him. The final lines are sung by the Ruiner: "you didn't hurt me, nothing can stop me now" is the Ruiner saying that no matter how much Trent tries to erase him, he cannot hurt him and nothing can stop him to fuck Trent up.