NIN // THE PERFECT DRUG track-by-track deep dive by composer

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
  • Today I'm breaking down The Perfect Drug from a music composition perspective using track isolations, my ear, and a piano! This was a blast, and a beast, to deconstruct and I hope you enjoy it. Download the multitracks I used in the video here! www.nindestruct.com. Also should I get a goatee, just wondering...
    HEY PIG! NAILED podcast's brand new episode on Halo 11 just dropped! I forgot to mention in the video that they invited me as a guest for part of it. Please do check it out! 🍸 nailed.castos....
    DOWNLOAD NIN multitracks: www.nindestruct.com
    LEARN more about the Amen break: • The Most Sampled Loop ... and • The History Of The Ame...
    My song breakdown videos cannot be monetized due to music copyright laws. If you'd like to support my channel:
    👍 Like, subscribe, ring the notification bell, and share
    🤚 Join my PATREON - exclusive videos, listening parties, song covers, sheet music, & educational content: / iximusic
    💄 TIP JAR (BUY ME A LIPSTICK): www.buymeacoff...
    🎹 BUY The Downward Spiral: Reimagined for Piano: iximusix.bandc...
    ___________
    🙏 SPECIAL THANKS to my amazing Patrons, without whom these videos would not be possible: Jacob Rush, Victoria Hogg, Dario Cotti, Zachary Stevens, Darius McCaskey, John Kirkilis, Hovan Tajerian, Ada Cohen, James M. Bowers, Beguile, Philip Sharp, Kevin Meyer, Eric Blum, JT, Dustin Sinkey, Ste McFreeman, Shane Gartner, Andrew Hussey, Jeff Hamm, Katie Murphy, Tyler Shaw, Fernando, Brian Gunn, Marc Jeray, Vesuvian, Luc De Brouwer, snettles1143, Erik Hermansen, Jerry Langwell, Andrés Fernandez, Travis Ames, Joseph Martin Giralt, Noah, Gaven Cornaby, Matt Shepcar, Midwinter Minis, Kent Overstreet, Toney Vecchio, Shane Welch, Michael Elliot, Stephen Marsh, Simon Evans, Nick Teague, Sam, Daniel Baer, Chris Power, Matt Spurlin, Kai Ellis, Rory Wilson, Dan Kelly, Skippityboo, Nate Beckman, Chrifis, Brian Gunn, Seth Startix, Etvid, Rick Grush, Alexander Ekman, Steve Bockƒ, dreamsaremaps, HeliosVIII, Wayne Bristol, Jesse Russel, Joel, Filip Marcinowski, Josh Nobel, Black Magic Ti, Lon Farenwald, Dr. Jeff, Elle Lassiter, Jan Scholtz, Thomas Rishel, Ted Carrol, Travis Hyde, Sean Vaske, noah yagi, Jesse Russell, Kai Bertsch, Dream in Digital, LEBRUN Fabien, Anastasia Beaverhausen, Eugene Leeds, Cesar Lozano, Marl, Bryan Dych, Jonathan, A.David Silverman, madartichoke, Anthony Grant, Celeste Epstein, Kieran Yanner, Watch Clark, Brian Bitner, Mike James Gallagher, Sammantha L, Moritz Bunkus, Renaud Bédard, Stevie Sanchez, Blake Walker, Tabitha Sheehan, Charnel Mansion, Atom Fellows, Ben Wills, Richard Cortez, Shawboy278, Cameron C. Brown, Matt Munro, Sean Bowman, Melody Klein, Steve G, Gabriel, Paul Means, Jay Farris, Chad, Austin Amberg, fiarce, Nathaniel Garcia, Drew Celestino, Kevin Connell, Jessica Farrow, Liz Washer, Phrenological, Danielle, Colin Brockwiz, Alec Collins, João Veiga, SATAN OVISION, Dylan Santurri, MC1017, Renn Brown, Paul, Holly Kindsvater, Michael James Pettit, Telephone Sound, Tomasz Marciniak, Glenn Marmon, A Traveler On The Sea, Eva, Christopher G Maliszewski, BL00DW0RTH, Chris Lehmann, Jason Brogan, Blåq Unicórn, Craig Griffith, Steve Littrell, G, JL62417, Muir Lyman, Alexander Bernbaum, Joshua Opolko, Matt Altobel, Alex, Jay Rowe, Nick Griffith, Brian Kim, som3oneMw, Tony Heupel, evolutionQ, John Mogensen, Bryan Sandor, Marcus Smith, Leia Camilla, Aaron, G no, Phil, Paul Hendrick, Andrew Krishkevich, Mike Stacey, Jason Esty, Matt Taylor, Zach Kay, Mitch Banks, Adam Lectron, mark galvin, Guy Veillet, Missy, Michael Theiman Jr, John Molyneux, Kattya Quiroga Velasco, Selma, Jack Cain, rvigneault, Kevin Stinyard, Michael Harinen, Dylan Santurri, donderwalk, Michael Porter, Scott J Miles, T Flynn, Samuel, RobinYutani, Gustav Ziolkowski, fl00d, Bobhatescomputers, Michael Radnan, Rodrigo Sanchez, Zachary Sullivan, Alex Mole, Gary Kay, dlockamy, GerryC, Peter Waiden, Gutek, Alex Kona, Amir Rehman, lodewijk vos, John Begg, Sam L. Purecats, Karnimanie, Donal Maguire, Chris Egert, and Greg Roberts.

Komentáře • 387

  • @iximusic
    @iximusic  Před 2 lety +75

    YOU ARE THE PERFECT SUBS ♥️ Oh! I forgot to mention that I'm a guest on NAILED podcast's episode on Halo 11, so please go check it out and support "Bless & Jake" ;) nailed.castos.com/. And here's the link to get the multitracks: www.nindestruct.com/remix.html! ALSO, thanks SO much to everyone that's purchased TDS for piano on Bandcamp - your comments and support mean the world to me and inspire me to keep going! Seriously thank you. 🙏

    • @H.F.Jimenez
      @H.F.Jimenez Před 2 lety +1

      THE PERFECT HOGS
      c'mon, it was _right there_

    • @adamwood87
      @adamwood87 Před 2 lety +1

      i've been waiting for this song. are we going to get a "Burn" video this year?

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Před 2 lety +2

      @@adamwood87 Yes probably! I analyzed Burn on Patreon awhile back and I may be releasing some of that content to the public this year! Stay tuned.

    • @Shikmusik
      @Shikmusik Před 2 lety

      Check my comment with link to my remix for that extended outro. 👍

    • @javaally1203
      @javaally1203 Před 2 lety

      I heard this progression is also called the shappherd's tone (edit)

  • @mori9060
    @mori9060 Před 2 lety +83

    Always loved the ending to this song. I would find myself wishing it would go on forever

    • @mori9060
      @mori9060 Před 2 lety +3

      And it is reverse reverb. Love it

    • @Shikmusik
      @Shikmusik Před 2 lety +1

      Check my remix I just mentioned

    • @NightMedicine
      @NightMedicine Před 2 lety

      Check out the version called “Perfect Drug polite.”
      Or quiet?
      czcams.com/video/tKyE7bWsCUo/video.html

    • @ctguitarguy8510
      @ctguitarguy8510 Před rokem

      There was a remix that was released that kind of did that. I loved the outtro too so I hunted this down. Enjoy.
      czcams.com/video/tKyE7bWsCUo/video.html&pp=ygUTcGVyZmVjdCBkcnVnIHF1aWV0IA%3D%3D

    • @tatianamayorova4640
      @tatianamayorova4640 Před 2 měsíci

      1 hour loop czcams.com/video/79wSnBTWNTY/video.htmlsi=tgLj6lTNsZ0SBefj

  • @H.F.Jimenez
    @H.F.Jimenez Před 2 lety +72

    The Lost Highway soundtrack was the first cd with NIN music I bought. Hooked for life.

    • @tannermilliken1370
      @tannermilliken1370 Před 2 lety +3

      I always loved “Driver Down” even though the outro took awhile to grow on me, but of course it did!

    • @Lord_Scabtree
      @Lord_Scabtree Před 2 lety +3

      The Lost Highway OST is the Greatest Soundtrack Ever Produced IMO 🙌🏽

    • @zyzxxinfinity
      @zyzxxinfinity Před 2 lety

      “Eye” from Smashing Pumpkins on that soundtrack is also great.

    • @NightMedicine
      @NightMedicine Před 2 lety +1

      This soundtrack had a PROFOUND impact on me. David Lynch + Trent Reznor Is a match made in Heaven.

    • @Lord_Scabtree
      @Lord_Scabtree Před 2 lety

      @@NightMedicine 100% Same. This masterpiece of a soundtrack continues to have profound effects upon me, even just once again today! Happy Easter to all! 🙏🏽

  • @notyetskeletal4809
    @notyetskeletal4809 Před 2 lety +38

    I recognize Ixi versions as legitimate extensions of the greater NIN universe.

    • @tortis6342
      @tortis6342 Před 2 lety +3

      NIИEU: The Nine Inch Nails Extended Universe.

  • @atraveleronthesea9806
    @atraveleronthesea9806 Před 2 lety +43

    The end of the song sounds like the crash most addicts get after they experience the rush of a drug. He is still in his delirium as the high goes away and he is pledging to go with it to wherever it goes, but he can't. At which everything falls apart.

  • @gatling216
    @gatling216 Před 2 lety +31

    This is one of my favorite deep cuts. Back when Rock Band was still a thing, it was released as a DLC track, so naturally I bought it and had one of my drummer friends try to play it. That was well over a decade ago and he still hasn't forgiven me.

  • @night_speed
    @night_speed Před 2 lety +47

    You are the perfect RUG. Really tied the room together.

  • @karlthunderaxe
    @karlthunderaxe Před 2 lety +15

    i've always thought this song was structured like the process of a drug addict -- first, being able to think about nothing but how badly you want the drug. then, the huge rush of the high, and then finally the high fading away leaving the addict feeling empty and broken and wishing they could be carried away to wherever the high went...

    • @te9591
      @te9591 Před 2 lety +2

      Good analogy. That synth breakdown definitely feels like if you weren't under a spell before, you are at that point.

  • @iam607
    @iam607 Před 2 lety +23

    "....and I WANCHOOOOO!!"

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Před 2 lety +8

      "ooooooooouhhh" 🎶

    • @imcharming4808
      @imcharming4808 Před 5 měsíci +2

      that's the thing with NiN I've learned from singing in my car: it's never "I want you," but always "I wantchoo."

  • @kovokkovariki
    @kovokkovariki Před rokem +3

    Trent Reznor wearing his pop savviness on his sleeve: you can experiment, mangle, maim, stretch the verses and pre-chorus all you want, but you have to resolve it all in a tight chorus. So long as you have that to anchor everything else, go crazy.
    (I'm trying to understand Bowie's era between Black Tie White Noise and Heathen for a personal project. So trying to understand Trent, the Lost Highway soundtrack, drum n' bass and how rock-oriented songwriters tackled breakbeats and synths is key.
    I suspect that Trent could never hide his love for The Beach Boys, maybe Manfred Mann and other baroque pop ensembles under his Canadian industrial affinities...
    (A few Tori Amos articulations?)
    Thank you so much for this.)

  • @GoCody
    @GoCody Před 2 lety +11

    This song is so chaotic and then the ending is so beautiful. Gotta love Trent

  • @xezazase
    @xezazase Před 2 lety +8

    The "drum freakout"...those tight, fast synths hitting in stereo over the shifting distortion of the drums...there's not much that sounds better cranked up on a stereo.
    Also, huge props for doing the end properly!

  • @MK-oz2lf
    @MK-oz2lf Před 2 lety +9

    it's probably the most progressive NIN song with all the different keys and tempos and signature changes

    • @dan.j.boydzkreationz
      @dan.j.boydzkreationz Před 2 lety +1

      I used to think The Great Destroyer was really progressing until I saw someone recreate it using the Great Destroyer module or pedal or whatever ya call it, just doing what it does.

  • @gregoryhaddock5395
    @gregoryhaddock5395 Před 2 lety +19

    This is outstanding analysis! I've listened to this song hundreds of times and you were able to point out interesting things I hadn't noticed. Thank you. 🖤

  • @whollenbeck8
    @whollenbeck8 Před 2 lety +9

    Such a great pick. I remember first hearing this on the radio thinking "Oh my god! Finally a new record coming soon!". Sadly finding out later it was only a single from Lost Highway Soundtrack.

  • @benwherlock9869
    @benwherlock9869 Před 24 dny +1

    You gave this song way more dimension than I ever knew. Thanks for a wonderful analysis.

  • @ianashmore9910
    @ianashmore9910 Před 2 lety +9

    Trent dipping his toes into DnB was a huge thing for me back in the day. Industrial and DnB don't often overlap.

    • @sixtyfps
      @sixtyfps Před 2 lety +1

      Bowie was in lockstep with Trent at this point on the DnB front. Give Eart hl i ng a listen if you haven't, and uh
      czcams.com/video/LT3cERVRoQo/video.html

    • @s.gharavi1614
      @s.gharavi1614 Před 2 lety

      Trent always used samples, many of which were DnB.

    • @ianashmore9910
      @ianashmore9910 Před 2 lety

      @@s.gharavi1614
      Got an example?
      I can't say where he got all his individual sounds from, but in their final form, I don't recall any of his previous tracks sounding like DnB.

    • @s.gharavi1614
      @s.gharavi1614 Před 2 lety

      @@ianashmore9910 I'm but sure I'm the best to pick out specific songs, but he's kinda the master of pilfering. down in it is a good example and one I know because that's the only album of his I ever really listened to. The entire bass line, which IS the song, came from a sample CD loop, I think from East West. And there was a DnB mix, which also used a drum loop. Back then he was using ensonic samplers.
      If you really listen to his music, you start to realize that he's really more of a collage artist, much like Moby.
      But his production is excellent, mostly because he worked in a studio for years.

    • @ianashmore9910
      @ianashmore9910 Před 2 lety

      @@s.gharavi1614
      I don't necessarily disagree with you. I just don't think a couple sampled sounds, even if they did originate from DnB, make his final creation DnB. Lots of songs use samples from other genres, that doesn't make the final creation that genre.

  • @svperstar
    @svperstar Před rokem +2

    It's funny how, before we knew it of course, this song was literally the appetizer for how the next album (The Fragile) would sound like. The guitars, production, synths are all literally Fragile era sounding.

  • @brokenhatemachine9
    @brokenhatemachine9 Před 2 lety +5

    The Perfect Drug turned me into a diehard fan about 25 years ago. The ending to this song is like a Perfect Drug - you want it to last forever.

  • @philippgrunert8776
    @philippgrunert8776 Před 2 lety +3

    I am in awe for how masterful this song is written and produced every time I hear it.

  • @MidnightMechanic
    @MidnightMechanic Před 2 lety +3

    There's so much lore to this song. The most expensive music video by NIN, for a song written for the Lost Highway film. Elements from this song carried over into The Fragile, so this would be the technical prequel to that album. It made such a huge impact on NIN's sound, yet is so underrated and forgotten. Him dabbling in drugs and self destruction, this song feels like he knew he'd be facing some really powerful demons in 1999, that almost led to his demise.

    • @RockandrollNegro
      @RockandrollNegro Před rokem

      Underrated and forgotten? By who? This is one of two NIN songs in regular FM rotation today. It was his third biggest revenue generator (after Closer and Hurt) and he plays it at every live show. It's possibly _over_rated, but only in relation to the larger NIN catalog.

    • @minamur
      @minamur Před rokem

      the nin remix of it is really good too

  • @Rooster-Booster
    @Rooster-Booster Před rokem +2

    As a fan of The Prodigy as well, the break beats in this song really put a smile on my face :)

  • @jennyrobinson2816
    @jennyrobinson2816 Před 2 lety +2

    I deadass thought he was saying "the yellow goes straight through my heart" until I watched this video, and I always wondered wtf that meant. Thanks for inadvertantly setting me straight! 😆

  • @SquirrelSeb84
    @SquirrelSeb84 Před 2 lety +2

    The mellotron flute at the end always makes me shiver, and hearing it isolated is *insert perfect pun here*

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Před 2 lety +1

      Blake on NAILED was asking me if it was a mellotron (and I didn't know) but we figured as much so your comment helps confirm!

    • @TheWarrrenator
      @TheWarrrenator Před 2 lety

      @@iximusic It definitely sounds like the flute voice on the melotron or it could be an effect to make it warble slightly like the melotron flute. For reference, the intro to Strawberry Fields Forever is the flute melotron.

  • @keahilumho8914
    @keahilumho8914 Před 3 měsíci +1

    You’re friggin amazing!!! I love your passion and breakdowns of Trent’s music!! May God bless all the works of your hands!!

  • @NightMedicine
    @NightMedicine Před 2 lety +2

    That vocal effect at the end is a vocal track which is reversed and then a long reverb added, then flipped BACK to normal. So instead of a falling decay of space the space slowly rises. Basically reversed reverb…

  • @khrashingphantom9632
    @khrashingphantom9632 Před rokem +1

    Your analysis was fantastic! I'm so glad I stumbled here. I gotta check out the rest of this channel, but I think you may have gotten you a new subscriber with this one. This is EASILY one of my favorite Nine Inch Nails songs, and just song in general, but I have a complicated relationship with it. Your breakdown helped me realize the auditory aspects of it that makes it so genius. I have a complicated relationship with this song, because I suffer from Manic depression and this song IMHO is the PERFECT auditory distillation of a manic episode. It starts uneasy getting increasingly frantic and unhinged. The bridge is complete, loud chaos of flailing noise and even loses lyrics . The end is an almost exhausted drift into calm abandonment. Your analysis help me realize this may not have been by accident and it just shows how powerfully music can communicate even without words. The icing on the cake is because of the cycle I mentioned above it's VERY easy to play on repeat. Lol. Thanks for posting.

  • @mwbeck
    @mwbeck Před 2 lety +5

    One of my favourite NIN tracks. A song that requires the volume of 11

  • @doublemoonchild
    @doublemoonchild Před 2 lety +2

    Oh wow! I am so happy right now. This is awesome. So glad I found you.

  • @aleksandernowacki1256
    @aleksandernowacki1256 Před 2 měsíci +1

    "Trenton" - brilliant!

  • @berndcrow6123
    @berndcrow6123 Před 2 lety +4

    Love your breakdowns of the songs. There is a version on the perfect drug that ends complete, instead of abrupt.

  • @black_shark3312
    @black_shark3312 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Those flutes at the end sound like John Lennon's Mellotron that was used previously on Broken and TDS. It also appears on Cryptorchid from Antichrist Superstar (produced by Reznor). Those are the same tape loops used on Strawberry Fields forever. So cool!

  • @aldeayeah
    @aldeayeah Před 2 lety +3

    Can't fault you for hearing "dragon" with Trent waving a sword around while doing his best dark wizard impression in the video.

  • @alexsmart5452
    @alexsmart5452 Před rokem +1

    He got a ton of shit from a large portion of his "long time fans"(like myself) for this song and for, as we saw it, becoming more commercial. A few years later no one would admit to hating this song. Everyone saying they loved it and never had an issue with it. It was everyone else who didnt like it. The scene is always bi-polar with its Gods.
    I loved it, but had a life devastating H-drug problem at the time, so it spoke to me in so many ways.
    I am fascinated by such talented people. Someone so good at what they do they can break down the music of someone like Reznor so effortlessly, and joyfully.

  • @Gidono
    @Gidono Před 2 lety +2

    You are fascinating to watch. I've been a fan of NIN since the early 90's. It's so great we have someone that breaks down their music to show just how much of a musical genious Trent is. It's a shame that more people don't know of him and all the musicians that contributed to writings of NIN songs.

  • @n0de_punk735
    @n0de_punk735 Před rokem +1

    why does your analysis bring me to tears?

  • @ManonBlackTea
    @ManonBlackTea Před 2 lety +2

    I love NIN so much but I can't say anything beyond that it sounds so passionate, soulful, complex and layered. This is fascinating, thank you!

  • @jenniferlb6124
    @jenniferlb6124 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Put thise on for background noise whilst I quickly washed the dishes. Half an hour later I'm sitting at the top of the stairs in the near dark close to tears at the beauty of this song and your brilliant break down. Thanks.

  • @jtvj8423
    @jtvj8423 Před 2 lety +10

    If this song doesn't give you goosebumps with it's beautiful chord progression, you are dead inside.. or you are not dead inside enough maybe? Either way, crack open some absinthe and lounge in the dusty chair and put The Perfect Drug on the gramophone and give it another listen.

  • @9897431
    @9897431 Před 2 lety +1

    11:15 MY FAVORITE moment here

  • @zyzxxinfinity
    @zyzxxinfinity Před 2 lety +1

    I know this was a song Trent doesn’t like to think back to because he was at a very low time, but for me, something about the message and the melody still makes it my all-time favorite NIN song.
    Thank you for making this video! ♥️

  • @MykeLewisMusic
    @MykeLewisMusic Před 2 lety +3

    "Drum Freakout" 🤣
    As a drummer, I really liked that description 🤘

  • @afxmnstr
    @afxmnstr Před 2 lety +6

    Its finally come. The greatest NIN deep cut.

    • @Stray7
      @Stray7 Před 2 lety +1

      You could almost say it's...
      😎
      ...the perfect cut.
      YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

    • @moliver_xxii
      @moliver_xxii Před 2 lety

      close to "And All That Could Have Been"...

  • @NotIfICU1st_
    @NotIfICU1st_ Před 2 lety +3

    This was the first new nin music I heard after the downward spiral made me a fan as a young teen. It was my favorite song for many years and this analysis helped me to understand why. Insightful

  • @Andy.is.here.
    @Andy.is.here. Před 2 lety +5

    The editing in this video is great, it's so helpful to have examples of the audio you're talking about and the camera on the keyboard is also a great touch.
    Did you know that the version of The Perfect Drug on the We're In This Together single doesn't cut out abruptly? I can't find it on CZcams or Spotify but it's worth a listen if you can.

  • @james_d_eaton
    @james_d_eaton Před 2 lety +4

    I am such a huge fan of your content. Thank-you so much for taking the painstaking time to put these analysis videos together. I can't get enough of them.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Před 2 lety +1

      Thank you for watching it even when it's 40 minutes long!!

    • @james_d_eaton
      @james_d_eaton Před 2 lety +1

      @@iximusic No worries Ixi. When I saw the length of your video, I gave the perfect shrug. I really don't mind a 40 minute video when it's this good. The song is so great, it makes me want to dance the perfect frug. I also appreciated how you gave the shout-out to the 'nailed' podcast. It was the perfect plug!
      After delivering such outstanding quality, you should be feeling the perfect smug. But enough of the puns. I have a work day to start. Gotta grab a coffee, and take the perfect chug.
      Until your next video! ;)

  • @iamKORHAL
    @iamKORHAL Před rokem +2

    YESSSS recently re-watched that live recording their latest drummer absolutely smashing the live drum section just wow

  • @carllouisyoung
    @carllouisyoung Před rokem +1

    I really appreciate your video especially when you got to my favorite part of the song which was the ending with those piano chords progressions, I just thought that was so incredibly beautiful and so out of the blue to end a song that was 140 plus beats a minute earlier.

  • @AbbyBane.
    @AbbyBane. Před 2 lety +1

    In high school, I was in the first music production class for our high school and I spent hours with a 48 channel sound boards breaking down this track. NIN was the bridge between new wave, goth, industrial and metal. Trent consistently breaks ground and could be a whole music theory class. With how far equipment has come, I am excited and glad to hear that my autism/OCD didn't let me down. Thank you for this video!

  • @JayInDecent
    @JayInDecent Před rokem +1

    I've been listening to Nine Inch Nails for a long time I'm 45 years old I really got into NIN on downward spiral and then Pretty Hate Machine and everything after but I have to say that I think the perfect drug is my favorite NIN song. And its from a film soundtrack. Lost Highway. One of my favorite directors David Lynch.

  • @ryangunwitch-black
    @ryangunwitch-black Před 2 lety +15

    I find it a little frustrating that Trent doesn't really like this song because he says it's derivative and that it's obvious what he was listening to at the time. He managed to take a very free form, extended type of dance music and beat it into a shape. He used faceless dance music and turned it into a brilliant song with an amazing structure. It's still so unlike anything else.

    • @crescendo5594
      @crescendo5594 Před 2 lety +1

      Seems like artists often hate their most popular songs. I always found it off-putting. I mean, you wrote it, dude. You have control over what you write.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 Před 2 lety +2

      I think this song and video is actually his masterpiece. It's what i would introduce Gen Z, to.

    • @lb2696
      @lb2696 Před 2 lety

      I often think it’s his best track.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 Před 2 lety

      @@lb2696 it's definately up there because of how all the elements come together.

  • @caleykelly
    @caleykelly Před 2 lety +3

    Great analysis ixi
    I always felt a shepard tone vibe from the chromatic movements in this song, the song rises up, up, up ,up... then you crash.
    Cheers!

    • @Arklelinuke
      @Arklelinuke Před 2 lety +1

      I just learned about Shepard tones like yesterday and that was my exact thought as well!

    • @caleykelly
      @caleykelly Před 2 lety

      @@Arklelinuke I love sonic illusions!

  • @billyalarie929
    @billyalarie929 Před 2 lety +3

    “Okay, that’s…. Fucked.”
    Appropriate for a deconstruction of a NIN song.

  • @unclegumbald989
    @unclegumbald989 Před 2 lety +2

    "I come along, but I don't know where you're taking me. I shouldn't go, but you Wrench & Dragon's shaking me!" 🤣

  • @kurtharsis
    @kurtharsis Před 2 lety +1

    Apologizing in advance because I'm going to sound pedantic and I'm not trying to be, and also I want to preface this by saying that I love the channel and have learned a TON from it. Just a few notes on the vocal effects in the second verse that I'd never noticed before because I'd never heard them in isolation. The effect is actually a delay, not a reverb. Reverb is more diffuse and atmospheric, whereas a delay is the echo that gives your ear a cue as to the size of the room. I only bring this up because typically sound engineers will use both at the same, so it's kind of noteworthy that Trent's using a ping-pong delay without any reverb at all. The third line is dry, which does make it feel more immediate, and it's slightly louder, but there's another trick that sound engineers will use that's notably absent here, and that's an EQ boost to lower frequencies. Lower range frequencies in the human voice naturally attenuate with distance, so you can make something sound like it's right in your ear by bumping those up slightly, but Trent doesn't. I don't know if that was a conscious choice to make the vocal sound more intimate but also at a remove, or maybe they were just doing what sounded cool... who knows. The final line has a slap echo (a delay that's b/w 35 and 100 ms) and a telephone filter (low-pass and high-pass that shrink the frequency range--similar to telephones which block off everything above 3000 and below 300 hz to save bandwidth (which is why music sounds so crappy over a telephone)), AND a drop in volume, which makes it sound like it's in a box. It's a wild choice to go with all of those WITHIN A SINGLE VERSE. And this. Is why. Trent Reznor is a mad genius.

    • @kurtharsis
      @kurtharsis Před 2 lety

      And yes, that is a reverse reverb on the vocal at the end. I love that effect. It's really notable on songs like Stinkfist by Tool.

  • @leesefcik2904
    @leesefcik2904 Před 2 lety +1

    I first got into Reznor with 1000 Homo Djs and when NIN was created and have been a fan ever since. I absolutely love how he creates music that pulls you in and makes you feel how he wants you to. His live performances are to be experienced and most definitely the best I’ve ever experienced. Thank you for divulging into Reznors music.

  • @jasonstrigle2155
    @jasonstrigle2155 Před rokem +1

    Oh man this was recorded right before the new tour started. My first NIN concert was Raleigh, the first show of the tour, and it was a religious experience when we heard the first notes of this song. Ilan just completely destroyed the drums on this song like I didn't think would be possible for a human being to do live.

  • @sijimo
    @sijimo Před 2 lety +1

    The stuff at 14:07 (chorus) is the best thing I have heard in my life. This part really makes me feel very untypical emotions. Thank you, ixi, for deconstructing. Maybe Trent haven't realized what he is creating (with a crew of a bandmates) at the moment, as much as you do. Thank you, ixi!

  • @epochalyptic_
    @epochalyptic_ Před 2 lety +1

    As a lifelong musician NIN fan since I was 8, love seeing you break these down with the same passion we share for how incredible the work is!

  • @jamesstaggs4160
    @jamesstaggs4160 Před 2 lety +1

    The video is just brilliant. He does an excellent job of conveying exactly what drug addiction is like. At first you fight it, then your becomes chaos with the drug (the drum breakdown), then you just settle into resignation as it becomes a part of you, instead of it being this violent force it now becomes a companion that offers comfort at the end of the song.

  • @trowdytrav
    @trowdytrav Před rokem +1

    Great breakdown of a great tune. I always thought the original drum sample for those breakbeats was courtesy of Clyde Stubblefield, the drummer for James Brown

  • @Austrocylindropuntia
    @Austrocylindropuntia Před 2 lety +1

    “My Fearlings”
    Well that’s a great name for followers of something. You, NIN, the news, etc.

  • @seanc6128
    @seanc6128 Před 2 lety +2

    I bet that perfect rug really ties the room together.

  • @Fitzroy_Fox
    @Fitzroy_Fox Před 2 lety +1

    I received the cassette copy of Lost Highway as a gift on my 13th birthday in 1997.
    I remember being SO giddy when I was lucky enough to see the video on MTV then.
    Loved this song then, still love it now.

  • @agraciotti
    @agraciotti Před 2 lety +2

    I've always love this song and video so much, especially that outro/ending. It's so so beautiful. My favorite piece of any NIN song. It reminds me of A Perfect Circle (well, it's actually the other way around. lol).

  •  Před 2 lety +5

    you finally made it to my favorite NIN song!! I love learning new things about these songs I've loved for so long, thank you ixi 😄

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Před 2 lety +3

      :: insert that emoji with the finger guns you always post, it is The Perfect Emoji for this here situation ::

  • @ronroidz2925
    @ronroidz2925 Před 2 lety +2

    I love your song breakdowns!!
    One thing about the ending,
    I know Trent likes to end some of his songs with a harsh cut, but the perfect drug has a fade out, the instrumental continues after he stops singing. Only the music video/radio edit version has this abrupt stop at the end, the normal studio recording doesn't.
    It's also One and a half minute longer than the radio/video cut.

  • @jimijoe
    @jimijoe Před 2 lety +2

    I’ve watched half a dozen of your videos. You really have come into your own groove. The way you explain some concepts and ideas blow my mind. Such great work you’re doing. Love it!

  • @justenbarks9090
    @justenbarks9090 Před 2 lety +1

    "he kind of comes in like a ghost..." yep! The reverse reverb was popularized (?) in the movie Poltergeist to make Carolanne communicating through the TV set sound the way she does. Common way to make a vocal performance sound like it's coming from another plane. 👍👍

  • @mikeskellington5573
    @mikeskellington5573 Před 2 lety +1

    This song was the reason I became a NIN fan and it is still one of my favorite songs. When Lost Highway came out with it's awesome soundtrack I was still a teen and everything about that movie was so magical and cool. It was basically a feature length "Headbangers Ball" or "120 minutes" music video. Even now - some 25 years later, I still get those teen tingles in my heart when I hear The Perfect Drug.

    • @mikeskellington5573
      @mikeskellington5573 Před 2 lety

      Oh and btw, the single version of it had a slightly extended end that didn't cut off - it kept going and faded out.

  • @brokenhatemachine9
    @brokenhatemachine9 Před 2 lety +14

    Hey, IXI, “The Space In Between” is a name of a track by How To Destroy Angels that you may have subconsciously mentioned at 37:06, or was it a sneaky pun?

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Před 2 lety +9

      It was ;) I was just listening to HDTA this week. Also I had my first Welcome oblivion listen!

  • @Pericles777
    @Pericles777 Před rokem +1

    Never really got into NIN until later on in life. I really enjoy your breakdown of this, I also love how much you enjoy this song while analyzing this as well. Makes me enjoy NIN even more!

  • @vulgartrendkill
    @vulgartrendkill Před 2 lety +1

    The Perfect Drug is my favourite NIN song without a shadow of a doubt. Some of the lyrics speak to me in such a deep way it brings me to tears EVERY TIME. Thanks for this great breakdown ixi!

  • @llifeofllauren
    @llifeofllauren Před 2 lety +4

    Favourite power trio : ixi, Bless and Jake
    💛💛💛

  • @scott236
    @scott236 Před 8 měsíci +1

    At the 30:42 mark i know how you feel. Everytime that part of the song would come in, I felt it.

  • @soaribb32
    @soaribb32 Před 5 měsíci +1

    The last word of the song is pieces...and we don't hear the word in full...just the piece of it.
    🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

  • @themandownstairs4765
    @themandownstairs4765 Před 2 lety +1

    watched the video the day it came out and I'm JUST NOW realizing during those chorus power chords I'm hearing a high F over both the F and the Ab, and that high tone slides up to an Ab for the Eb power chord. I might be hearing things, but I very consistently feel that high tone doing that little motif. anyways incredible analysis as always

  • @mariolanderosmusic
    @mariolanderosmusic Před 2 lety +1

    After watching this video I feel like I need to go back and listen to NIN more closely. Trent Reznor's early film soundtrack work is what inspired me to want to compose music for film. Trent and Bogdan Raczynski completely changed how I approach electronic music. Thank you for taking the time to make these amazing videos!

  • @annastubbington6707
    @annastubbington6707 Před 2 lety +1

    im sorry but when you isolated those vocals I laughed so much! Low - key reminded me of really strange attempt of scissor sisters great video btw I loved this song !

  • @johnmchugh8049
    @johnmchugh8049 Před 2 lety +1

    Great isolation of certain track parts , great analogies to his other work too - Trent is a bright guy and you help illuminate it very adeptly

  • @typtoeykan1416
    @typtoeykan1416 Před 2 lety +1

    I love the way you acknowledge the tonal ambiguity of the harmonic structures within these pieces. As someone who discovered NIN at the same time I started studying music theory, I feel Trent’s music imparted a drive to find a unique palette of melodic sensibilities within my own writing. I have listened to this song (at least) several hundred times since its release in 1997 and I still feel like I gained a ton of insight into the construction of this track! Thank you for your work :)

  • @Frozen_Smoke1972
    @Frozen_Smoke1972 Před 2 lety +1

    I've just got got in from a busy shift at work (damn you, St Patrick!) and watching this was the perfect way to unwind. I love your ability to dissect tracks but you do it in such a way, for me anyway, it imparts even more shades of nuance to tracks that I have listened to more times than I could possibly count. You have an amazing gift.

  • @messedupstudios4138
    @messedupstudios4138 Před 2 lety +1

    YES FINALLY THIS VIDEO! I've been watching your videos for so long and I've been so upset you haven't done this one! THANK YOU!

  • @Sanegimi
    @Sanegimi Před 2 lety +1

    That smile at 14:52 got me xD same reaction

  • @moondog548
    @moondog548 Před 2 lety +4

    YAY OMG YAY OMG YAY OMG YAY OMG YAY
    This song is, in my estimation, as close to perfect as a song can be. 10/10, 5-stars. Same goes for your analysis so YAY!!!

  • @akashicfibers8205
    @akashicfibers8205 Před 2 lety +1

    Was listening to the podcast the other day and really enjoyed your collaboration. Glad the algorithm this video on my feed. I'm hooked, adore your work.

  • @TheMeyer
    @TheMeyer Před 2 lety +1

    My first video in this channel, and i gotta say that its one of the best and most insightful breakdowns of a song ive seen in CZcams. Instant sub

  • @meladammelen2842
    @meladammelen2842 Před 2 lety +1

    The first NIN song I ever heard and as soon as I did I was HOOKED. Love this track, I’d never heard anything like it before. Thanks for the analysis!

  • @dorego3658
    @dorego3658 Před 2 lety +2

    Definitely some break beat jazz, electronica deep bass, it's a masterpiece. Also reminds me of the character Diogenes in the Pendergast series by Preston and Child.

  • @nanob0zo
    @nanob0zo Před 2 lety +1

    Magic words: amen, jungle, break :) subbed.

  • @SteveOuimette
    @SteveOuimette Před 2 lety +1

    What a fantastic, articulate and insightful breakdown of this amazing track. Thank you, that was a great watch!

  • @rickblasing1237
    @rickblasing1237 Před 2 lety +1

    your analysis of the outro guitar part is AMAZING in so many ways. Thank you ixi!

  • @PaulEubanks
    @PaulEubanks Před 2 lety +1

    I always wanted to learn the outro to this song on piano. Thanks Ixi for teaching us!

  • @ViciousVicarious
    @ViciousVicarious Před 2 lety +1

    As always, I'm amazed at what you can find in a song I've heard so often. 21:57 is amazing.

  • @solidsnake6923
    @solidsnake6923 Před 2 lety +1

    That piano part was hilarious, brilliant quality content, very underrated channel.

  • @evilstu3177
    @evilstu3177 Před 2 lety +1

    That 'shutting the book' analogy was brilliant! Love your work!

  • @90thMeridian
    @90thMeridian Před rokem +2

    The drums in this song are so awesome

  • @disembodiedstudios
    @disembodiedstudios Před 2 lety +1

    This was so good!! The ending is truly haunting. Like most nin songs it really takes you on a journey

  • @moliver_xxii
    @moliver_xxii Před 2 lety +1

    probably TR's best vocal harmonies along with Even Deeper, All The Love In The World and Capital G but only in the choruses. this song has really great vocals all over the song!
    thanks for unfolding it for us!

  • @b_g_c3281
    @b_g_c3281 Před 2 lety +1

    Not even three minutes in, and I felt _compelled_ to subscribe.
    Your analysis and _you_ are... _Amazing_ 💕