Happiness In Slavery

Nine Inch Nails

About Happiness In Slavery

"Happiness in Slavery" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their debut extended play, Broken (1992). It was released in November 1992 as a promotional single from the EP. The song takes its title and refrain from Jean Paulhan's preface to Pauline Réage's 1954 erotic novel Story of O. "Happiness in Slavery" peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Nine Inch Nails' performance of "Happiness in Slavery" at Woodstock '94, included on the concert's compilation album, won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1996. The song's music video was almost universally banned for its depiction of Bob Flanagan being tortured by a machine. The track was sampled for "Centipede" by Canadian extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad, appearing on their 1997 live album No Sleep 'till Bedtime. 


Year:
1992
134 

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Slave screams he thinks he knows what he wants
Slave screams thinks he has something to say
Slave screams he hears but doesn't want to listen
Slave screams he's being beat into submission
Don't open your eyes you won't like what you see
The devils of truth steal the souls of the free
Don't open your eyes take it from me
I have found
You can find
Happiness is slavery
Slave screams he spends his life learning conformity
Slave screams he claims he has his own identity
Slave screams he's going to cause the system to fall
Slave screams but he's glad to be chained to that wall
Don't open your eyes you won't like what you see
The blind have been blessed with security
Don't open your eyes take it from me
I have found
You can find
Happiness is slavery
I don't know what I am I don't know where I've been
Human junk just words and so much skin
Stick my hands through the cage of this endless routine
Just some flesh caught in this big broken machine

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Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails (abbreviated as NIN, sometimes stylized as NIИ) is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction. Nine Inch Nails' music straddles a wide range of genres. After recording a new album, Reznor (until the 2009 Wave Goodbye Tour) usually assembles a live band to perform with him. The touring band features a revolving lineup that often rearranges songs to fit a live setting. On stage, Nine Inch Nails often employs visual elements to accompany performances, which frequently include light shows. more »

7 fans

Written by: TRENT REZNOR

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release
"Happiness in Slavery" is a song by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their 1992 Extended Play (EP), "Broken".
Title Meaning
The title of the song critiques the notion that people find comfort in the routines and expectations placed on them, effectively finding 'happiness in slavery'.
Lyrics and Message
The lyrics of the song are said to argue against complacency and institutional control. It calls for the listener to break free from the chains of societal norms and expectations that bind them.
Music Video Controversy
The music video for "Happiness in Slavery" was banned from MTV due to its graphic content. The video depicts a human being tortured and eventually disintegrated by a machine, while a figure resembling Trent Reznor (the band's frontman) watches impassively.
Winning Director
Despite the controversy, the music video, directed by Jon Reiss, won the award for Best Industrial Video at the 1993 Billboard Music Video Awards.
Live Performance
"Happiness in Slavery" was performed live during the band's 1994-1995 "Self Destruct" Tour.
Covered by Other Artists
It has been covered by numerous artists, including Stefan Olsdal of the alternative rock band Placebo during a solo performance.
Influences
"Happiness in Slavery" was reportedly influenced by the 1975 French film "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom". Both the song and the film comment on the nature of power and submission in society.
Sound
The song is known for its aggressive sound, characterized by distorted, layered guitars and pounding percussion, typical of the industrial rock genre.
Unique Track Feature
This song features a scream by Trent Reznor that lasts for a total of 16 bars, making it one of his longest recorded screams.

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