Somewhat Damaged

I don't think it's a coincidence that this song begins The Fragile. It sets the tone from the beginning - abandonement. This theme is carried all the way onto the next disc (Where is Everbody, for starters). Trent had a breakdown, his "head fell apart", and as a result he was abandoned by everyone that promised they'd be there for him. He's completely isolated, dropped out of the public eye after the five years between The Downward Spiral and The Fragile. He's battling intense self-loathing and loneliness and he's at the point where he doesn't care anymore. He's given up. Thus begins The Fragile.

This is the best NIN song ever (right next to hurt). I dont feel that there is really a metaphorical meaning at all. It is simple. How many times have you relied upon someone? SOmeone who you thought would always be there for you and never leave you high and dry? Well the reality of this fucked up world is that, it will happen to you sooner or later. The lyrics are pretty self explanitory. As for the meaning to Trent, it is about his depression henceforth the downward spiral, as well as an accumulative of his entire life.

In co-dependent relationships, especially with the inclination of drugs, there is always that mushy pseudo-emotion "we'll always be here for each other no matter what" which becomes a blanket of comfort. Trent seems to be expressing when that blanket is ripped off and cold water (truth) is suddenly and overwhelmingly thrown upon him. The end to this song is such an emotional release.

This song... oh my god. This fucking song. Definitely on the list of my top 5 favorite NIN songs. One of the absolute best I FUCKING HATE YOU!!! songs I've ever heard. I've been there, Trent, oh I have been there. This song reminds me of my ex every time I hear it. Reminds me of how much I admired him at first but then his dazzling glow began to slowly fade as I saw him for who he really was. He always promised that things would never change but they suuuure did. I fell apart too, and where the fuck was he?!

The music on this track is absolutely mindblowing. It starts out with a simple guitar riff that's very misleading as to what direction the music is actually heading in. It morphs into a heavy drum beat with industrial bassline & guitars. The entire effect once everything comes together is very visceral and angry and gut-wrenching. I LOVE the sound effect of the blades in the middle of the song too. God, this song still gives me chills everytime I hear it even after so many years, truly one of Trent's finest works :D

this song is basically about some one who was trusted and swore that no matter what happened things would never change, But he knew all along that that person would never be there. Like he know when they made the promis that things would fall apart, But needed it. Knowing that when things became there worst that person would bail out.

seems like Trent had a relationship with someone, and suffice to say he is not too impressed with how it turned out..point blank

There are multiple levels to this song. On the one hand the narrator exhorts himself "make the choice to go away" as a rejection of his former beliefs, having "flew too high and burnt the wings" losing faith, realizing he is part of a system that is corrupt and has been damaged as a result. His life is unsalvageable, undredeemable, and decides that he doesn't care. Immediately after this a different voice/persona seems to chime in, wanting to hang on in isolation to something / anything meaningful that might save him, but still feeling betrayed. This sets up a conflict which is played out in the rest of the album.

I always listen to this song when I'm down.

The last bits of the song has a fuckton of meaning- Reminds me of being let down by others and to trust no bitch.

Partly retrospective, this song (lyrically and sonically) closes the book on the protagonist's tale in The Downward Spiral.

Words, music, and theme are a crude summary of the events that led to a metamorphosis into The Fragile.

No other song on the album contains this homage, this transitional recap of events that led to the protagonist's current state of being.

It brings the listener up to speed on past pains, before exploring a completely new environment: organic, exploratory, self-aware, and fragile.

This song reminds me alot of my life, all fixed up as of now though. I have been having a debate with my friends who are all these love no more songs about, I have heard Tori Amos, is that right?