This is a beautiful and timeless song, definitely one of my favorite Nine Inch Nails songs. I think the general theme of this song is definitely depression, but Trent wrote the song in a way where it's open to interpretation. My personal interpretation is that it's about depression getting worse over the years, and I think Trent vicariously committed suicide through this song.
The track loops 52 times, and Trent was 52 when this song was released, you can hear the track slowly degenerate and get more distorted with every loop. I think that is supposed to symbolize the declining mental health, and how it gets worse year after year, eventually the track ends symbolizing the end of his life. I personally think that the "Background World" is supposed to reference everything that happens in your life that contributes to this depression, things like wars, failed relationships, disappointing friendships, bad childhoods etc.. Basically all the big and little things in life that wear you down over the years.
This is a beautiful and timeless song, definitely one of my favorite Nine Inch Nails songs. I think the general theme of this song is definitely depression, but Trent wrote the song in a way where it's open to interpretation. My personal interpretation is that it's about depression getting worse over the years, and I think Trent vicariously committed suicide through this song.
The track loops 52 times, and Trent was 52 when this song was released, you can hear the track slowly degenerate and get more distorted with every loop. I think that is supposed to symbolize the declining mental health, and how it gets worse year after year, eventually the track ends symbolizing the end of his life. I personally think that the "Background World" is supposed to reference everything that happens in your life that contributes to this depression, things like wars, failed relationships, disappointing friendships, bad childhoods etc.. Basically all the big and little things in life that wear you down over the years.