So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
She shines
In a world full of ugliness
She matters
When everything is meaningless
Fragile
She doesn't see her beauty
She tries to get away
Sometimes
It's just that nothing seems worth saving
I can't watch her slip away
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
She reads the minds of all the people as they pass her by
Hoping someone can see
If I could fix myself I'd
But it's too late for me
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
We'll find the perfect place to go where we can run and hide
I'll build a wall and we can keep them on the other side
But they keep waiting and picking, and picking, and picking
And picking, and picking, and picking
And picking, and picking, and picking
It's something I have to do (I won't let you fall apart)
I was there, too (I won't let you fall apart)
Before everything else (I won't let you fall apart)
I was like you (I won't let you fall apart)
In a world full of ugliness
She matters
When everything is meaningless
Fragile
She doesn't see her beauty
She tries to get away
Sometimes
It's just that nothing seems worth saving
I can't watch her slip away
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
She reads the minds of all the people as they pass her by
Hoping someone can see
If I could fix myself I'd
But it's too late for me
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
I won't let you fall apart
We'll find the perfect place to go where we can run and hide
I'll build a wall and we can keep them on the other side
But they keep waiting and picking, and picking, and picking
And picking, and picking, and picking
And picking, and picking, and picking
It's something I have to do (I won't let you fall apart)
I was there, too (I won't let you fall apart)
Before everything else (I won't let you fall apart)
I was like you (I won't let you fall apart)
Lyrics submitted by thewhitepony33
The Fragile Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a complicated song because of the roles. To put it simply, the protagonist is not real. Trent is speaking in first person as the hero he wishes he had, and "she" is actually Trent himself. He had hoped for a hero since the very first song "Somewhat Damaged", and was let down when he felt he didn't get one. He dreamt up this character to act out and the woman he loves is actually what he wishes he meant to someone else. It's tricky, but it works because Trent was waaay too broken to write a love song, he didn't love anyone (he couldn't feel anything!). But he wanted to [be] loved (understood), and this was his way to expressing it. It's all imaginary. Queue the next couple songs, now it should start to make a lot of sense.
I like your interpretation. That is actually how I feel, when I hear this song.
I think your interpretation just made this more epic. I liked the idea of it being about a girl, but when you think of it your way... it's more desperate. More depressing. More anxious. And I prefer that. :)
Review for "Just Like You Imagined" :
Crap, i didn't think that "Just Like You Imagined" wouldn't have a review on this site. Well, this song is the point at which Trent's grandmother dies. It simply reeks of sadness and anger. The song culminates in a massive scream, in which Trent's sadness turns completely into rage. This song marks the beginning of the remorseful end of Left, where Trent feels alone and reaches out for his grandmother.
On a side note, i feel so much admiration for a man that is willing to pour his whole heart and soul into an albumn.
Fuck all those boy bands and shitty pop bands out there. The Fragile is a work of art that they could never hope to achieve.
This song keeps me from falling apart when I'm in a dark place. Literally. I feel depressed and I listen to this song, and know that everything will somehow come out all right.
sure trent may have been depressed, but we all want to be happy:)
This is the song I cry to when I'm falling apart. It's a comfort, it makes me feel like there's at least ONE person out there in the world that cares about me, even if I've never met him & probably never will. Yes, I'm a pathetic fangirl who secretly imagines being Mrs. Reznor, but I like to pretend he wrote this just for me. It's about watching someone he loves slip further & further away into hurt and sadness, and being determined to save her & hold her up when she's breaking down. This song, unlike most of his others, is about loving someone eternally & unconditionally. It's the most powerful love song I've ever heard.
I'm actually planning to get "I won't let you fall apart" tattooed on my wrist in the Sin font, how cheesy is that? Lol...
i just signed up to this website (august 2013). . . i think this is the most powerful love song i've ever heard also. i did love someone this much made a kid with her, was gonna tattoo "i am the king you are the queen nothing else means anything" on my wrist/arm. was completely betrayed i am now a full time single dad.
its basically about a girl (person) who dosnt see that they are just as important as the others (the adored society like preps and the ones who "fit in") and soo negative thoughts occur to her making her someone isolated and desperate to escape life... and trent or being there for her saying i was there and i got passed it all and "i wont let u fall apart" because you can getover it...... bassically i think its a song towards the depressed and its a message saying dont worry things will work out
I don't think many people can truly identify with the feelings and events that inspired this album and this song. The beauty of Nine Inch Nails, and what the most loyal fans have discovered time and time again, is that you can apply life to Reznor's music and make your own meaning without deflating the beauty of the music. "I won't let you fall apart." That is uplifting, that is powerful and is something many of us have needed to hear at one time in our lives.
I think its about a girl who is changing in a negative way, or has stopped caring about themselves because they think they're nothing. The guy is watching her fall apart and is trying to save her because he sees her as so much more then she sees herself. He's been there, and he doesnt want her in the same place he is.
ugh...one word... BEAUTIFUL!!!! this is one of there most amazing songs and really ya don't have to look at it thru a guys point of view... b/c my bestfriend < which is a girl > told me this song reminds her of me! after i heard the song i fell in love with it and feel it is the most beautiful song.
MissVladTepes17 hit the nail on the head!!! she is soo true!!!
i love this song.. i relate to it on a personal level.. and i enjoy the fact that trent could write this song in the way he did.. he has a flawless view of the outside world..