A rough synopsis in my opinion:
The narrator loses, in some undefined way, the person he loves most.
Everything he sees, hears etc. reminds him of this person, and breaks his heart.
The devil stops by and offers one of his typical "Trade your soul..." speeches, offering a way to forget this person.
The narrator is so depressed, overcome and desperate that he asks for 13 of these things to cure his pains.
He doesn't want to, but feels the need to oblige, in order to continue with his life.
Classic, tragic love story...
In regards to other comments:
a) thinking that other than the 2 "primary" characters - no-one is really important, with the exception of the devil perhaps
b) guessing its not to do with his mother based on the "forget I'd ever met you" line (don't think most people think of their mother as someone they've "met") and the "love story" feel - but you may be right
Yes, yes! Two people finally find each other but one is what seems like... obsessed. And that draws the energy of both, farther apart instead of closer together. It's sad and frustrating BUT exciting and challenging (blah blah) more the latter for me as I am going through this and it sucks. There are many layers of life that suck in general. Thanks Puscifer and NIN for keeping it so fresh in my mind. I will never buy the next album because it doesn't actually spell out the C word.
Yes, yes! Two people finally find each other but one is what seems like... obsessed. And that draws the energy of both, farther apart instead of closer together. It's sad and frustrating BUT exciting and challenging (blah blah) more the latter for me as I am going through this and it sucks. There are many layers of life that suck in general. Thanks Puscifer and NIN for keeping it so fresh in my mind. I will never buy the next album because it doesn't actually spell out the C word.
A rough synopsis in my opinion: The narrator loses, in some undefined way, the person he loves most. Everything he sees, hears etc. reminds him of this person, and breaks his heart. The devil stops by and offers one of his typical "Trade your soul..." speeches, offering a way to forget this person. The narrator is so depressed, overcome and desperate that he asks for 13 of these things to cure his pains. He doesn't want to, but feels the need to oblige, in order to continue with his life. Classic, tragic love story...
In regards to other comments: a) thinking that other than the 2 "primary" characters - no-one is really important, with the exception of the devil perhaps b) guessing its not to do with his mother based on the "forget I'd ever met you" line (don't think most people think of their mother as someone they've "met") and the "love story" feel - but you may be right
Great song anyway...
Yes, yes! Two people finally find each other but one is what seems like... obsessed. And that draws the energy of both, farther apart instead of closer together. It's sad and frustrating BUT exciting and challenging (blah blah) more the latter for me as I am going through this and it sucks. There are many layers of life that suck in general. Thanks Puscifer and NIN for keeping it so fresh in my mind. I will never buy the next album because it doesn't actually spell out the C word.
Yes, yes! Two people finally find each other but one is what seems like... obsessed. And that draws the energy of both, farther apart instead of closer together. It's sad and frustrating BUT exciting and challenging (blah blah) more the latter for me as I am going through this and it sucks. There are many layers of life that suck in general. Thanks Puscifer and NIN for keeping it so fresh in my mind. I will never buy the next album because it doesn't actually spell out the C word.