The 'Downward Spiral' album was a record all about beating everybody up - and then 'Hurt' was like a coda saying maybe I shouldn't have done that. But to make the song sound impenetrable because I thought it was a little too vulnerable, I tried to layer it in noise.

Trent Reznor

Trent Reznor

About Album Beating Because Done Downward Everybody Hurt I Tried Layer Like Little Make Maybe Noise Record Saying Song Sound Spiral Then Thought Too Tried Up Vulnerable

Related Quotes

What I was concerned about when I wrote the 'Downward Spiral' record was being a self-centred destructive force. The point was tearing down everything in a search for something else.

— Trent Reznor

AboutBeingConcerned

I'd rather not get into what I'm talking about lyrically. I think it's impossible not to demystify a song when saying what it's about. Music and art can be damaged severely by too much information; I say that as somebody that has participated in that.

— Trent Reznor

AboutArtDamaged

I think my music's more disturbing than Tupac's - or at least I thought some of the themes of 'The Downward Spiral' were more disturbing on a deeper level - you know, issues about suicide and hating yourself and God and people and everything else.

— Trent Reznor

AboutDeeperDisturbing

I think there's something strangely musical about noise.

— Trent Reznor

AboutI ThinkMusical

I was never a Lime Wire guy because it's too much hassle to find the song.

— Trent Reznor