Hand That Feeds

Nine Inch Nails

About Hand That Feeds

"The Hand That Feeds" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, With Teeth (2005). It is the highest charting song by Nine Inch Nails on all charts except for US Modern Rock Tracks, where it stayed at number one for five weeks, because the single that followed, "Only", stayed at number one for two more weeks (non-consecutively), and the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number 31, bested only by the group's 1999 single "The Day the World Went Away", which peaked at number 17 but did not chart anywhere else in the US and never had any popular success, making it one of their less popular singles. It is, to date, Nine Inch Nails' only single to hit the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, as well as their highest-charting single on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number two. It was also a crossover hit, crossing over to pop radio as their first top 40 radio hit since "Closer" and "Hurt" in 1994 and 1995, respectively, peaking at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 


Year:
2005
3:31

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You're keeping in step
In the line
Got your chin held high and you feel just fine
'cause you do
What you're told
But inside your heart it is black and it's hollow and it's cold

Just how deep do you believe?
Will you bite the hand that feeds?
Will you chew until it bleeds?
Can you get up off your knees?
Are you brave enough to see?
Do you wanna change it?

What if this whole crusade's a charade
And behind it all there's a price to be paid
For the blood on which we dine
Justified in the name of the holy and the divine

Just how deep do you believe?
Will you bite the hand that feeds?
Will you chew until it bleeds?
Can you get up off your knees?
Are you brave enough to see?
Do you wanna change it?

So naive
I keep holding on to what I wanna believe
I can see
But I keep holding on and on and on and on

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?

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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


12 facts about this song

Song Release
"The Hand That Feeds" was released as a single on March 22, 2005, which is Nine Inch Nails' (NIN) first-single release from their album "With Teeth."
Song Length
This song has a duration of 3 minutes and 32 seconds, keeping it short and concise yet effectively delivering its message.
Chart Performance
The song was a commercial success, peaking at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Award Nominations
"The Hand That Feeds" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, indicating its critical acclaim.
Song Composition
Trent Reznor, the band's primary member, was responsible for the songwriting, performance, production, programming, and additional guitar work on the song.
Song Meaning
The lyrics of the song have been interpreted as a critique of the political landscape, particularly the government's control over individual rights and freedoms.
Official Music Video
The official music video is directed by Rob Sheridan and Trent Reznor himself, featuring the band performing in front of a thermal camera.
Live Performance
"The Hand That Feeds" has become one of NIN’s most performed live songs since its release in 2005.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists, demonstrating its influence in the broader music community. Notably, a cover was featured in the 2015 video game "Rock Band 4."
Alternate Versions
There are various remixes of "The Hand That Feeds", available on the remix album "Every Day Is Exactly the Same" and other releases.
Public Protest
The song's politically charged lyrics prompted an outdoor performance by Nine Inch Nails in Chicago, intended as a protest against the George W. Bush administration in 2005. However, this was later canceled on request of the management company.
Song's Impact
Despite being over a decade old, "The Hand That Feeds" maintains relevance in contemporary society due to its outspoken political commentary and its energetic style, making it a standout track in Nine Inch Nails' discography.

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