Meaning and Lyrics of Gave Up by Nine Inch Nails
Song Lyrics meaning of Gave Up by Nine Inch Nails
About Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band formed in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. Reznor is the main creative force behind the band, serving as its producer, primary songwriter, and instrumentalist. Nine Inch Nails gained widespread recognition for their intense and experimental sound, combining elements of industrial rock, electronic music, and alternative rock.
One of their popular songs, Gave Up, was released in 1992 as part of their EP “Broken.” The song showcases the band’s raw energy, aggressive lyrics, and distorted guitar riffs, which became signatures of Nine Inch Nails’ music.
Over the years, Nine Inch Nails has released numerous critically acclaimed albums and won multiple awards for their innovative sound and impactful performances. Trent Reznor’s musical vision and unique approach to blending different genres have solidified Nine Inch Nails’s legacy as one of the most influential bands in alternative music.
Meaning of Gave Up by Nine Inch Nails
“Gave Up” by Nine Inch Nails is a powerful and emotionally charged song that delves into themes of self-destruction, disillusionment, and inner turmoil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is in a state of despair and anguish, grappling with feelings of despair, betrayal, and self-loathing.
The opening verse sets the tone with lines like “Perfect little dream, the kind that hurts the most” and “Forgot how it feels, well almost,” hinting at a shattered illusion and the painful awakening to reality. The repetition of “wake up in flames” suggests a sense of being consumed by intense emotions and suffering.
The pre-chorus and chorus emphasize the protagonist’s crumbling mental state, with references to smashed sanity, integrity, and beliefs. The repetition and escalation of the phrase “It took you to make me realize” underline the catalyst of this breakdown, possibly hinting at a broken relationship or some form of betrayal that has led to a profound realization.
In the second verse, the imagery of being “Covered in hope and Vaseline” symbolizes a futile attempt to mask or numb the pain. The mention of a “broken machine” and the gradual decline of trust and self-worth reflect a narrative of deterioration and self-destruction. The regret and self-hatred expressed in lines like “After everything I’ve done, I hate myself for what I’ve become” reveal a deep sense of remorse and inner turmoil.
The bridge, with its repeated lines of “I tried, I gave up,” conveys a cycle of attempted resilience and ultimate surrender. The repetition of these phrases reflects a sense of helplessness and resignation, indicating a struggle with overwhelming circumstances and personal demons.
Overall, “Gave Up” portrays a raw and visceral exploration of mental and emotional disintegration. The evocative lyrics, paired with intense instrumentation and Trent Reznor’s haunting vocals, create a haunting and cathartic listening experience that captures the complexities of inner turmoil and the destructive tendencies that can manifest in times of profound distress.
The opening verse sets the tone with lines like “Perfect little dream, the kind that hurts the most” and “Forgot how it feels, well almost,” hinting at a shattered illusion and the painful awakening to reality. The repetition of “wake up in flames” suggests a sense of being consumed by intense emotions and suffering.
The pre-chorus and chorus emphasize the protagonist’s crumbling mental state, with references to smashed sanity, integrity, and beliefs. The repetition and escalation of the phrase “It took you to make me realize” underline the catalyst of this breakdown, possibly hinting at a broken relationship or some form of betrayal that has led to a profound realization.
In the second verse, the imagery of being “Covered in hope and Vaseline” symbolizes a futile attempt to mask or numb the pain. The mention of a “broken machine” and the gradual decline of trust and self-worth reflect a narrative of deterioration and self-destruction. The regret and self-hatred expressed in lines like “After everything I’ve done, I hate myself for what I’ve become” reveal a deep sense of remorse and inner turmoil.
The bridge, with its repeated lines of “I tried, I gave up,” conveys a cycle of attempted resilience and ultimate surrender. The repetition of these phrases reflects a sense of helplessness and resignation, indicating a struggle with overwhelming circumstances and personal demons.
Overall, “Gave Up” portrays a raw and visceral exploration of mental and emotional disintegration. The evocative lyrics, paired with intense instrumentation and Trent Reznor’s haunting vocals, create a haunting and cathartic listening experience that captures the complexities of inner turmoil and the destructive tendencies that can manifest in times of profound distress.
Lyrics of Gave Up by Nine Inch Nails
Verse 1
Perfect little dream, the kind that hurts the most
Forgot how it feels, well almost
No one to blame, always the same
Open my eyes, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up in flames
Pre-Chorus
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me see the light
Chorus
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
Verse 2
Covered in hope and Vaseline
Still cannot fix this broken machine
Watching the hole, it used to be mine
Just watching it burn in my steady systematic decline
Of the trust I will betray
Give it to me, I throw it away
After everything I've done, I hate myself for what I've become
Pre-Chorus
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me see the light
Chorus
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
Bridge
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
Chorus
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
(Throw it away)
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
(Throw it away)
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
(Throw it away)
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
(Throw it away)
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
Throw it away
Perfect little dream, the kind that hurts the most
Forgot how it feels, well almost
No one to blame, always the same
Open my eyes, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up in flames
Pre-Chorus
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me see the light
Chorus
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
Verse 2
Covered in hope and Vaseline
Still cannot fix this broken machine
Watching the hole, it used to be mine
Just watching it burn in my steady systematic decline
Of the trust I will betray
Give it to me, I throw it away
After everything I've done, I hate myself for what I've become
Pre-Chorus
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me realize
It took you to make me see the light
Chorus
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
Bridge
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
I tried
I gave up
Chorus
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
(Throw it away)
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
(Throw it away)
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my sanity
Smashed up integrity
(Throw it away)
Smashed up what I believed in
Smashed up what's left of me
(Throw it away)
Smashed up my everything
Smashed up all that was true
(Throw it away)
Gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do
Throw it away
Discography Nine Inch Nails
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Ghosts VI: Locusts
Release: 2020-03-27
Label: The Null Corporation
Popularity: 👏
Ghosts V: Together
Release: 2020-03-27
Label: The Null Corporation
Popularity: 👏
Bad Witch
Release: 2018-06-22
Label: The Null Corporation
Popularity: 👏
