The Hand That Feeds

Nine Inch Nails

About The 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
189 
#2

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You're keeping in step
In the line
Got your chin held high and you feel just fine
Because 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 want to 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 want to change it?

So naive
To keep holding on to what I want to 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?

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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 Information
"The Hand That Feeds" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their fourth studio album, "With Teeth" (2005).
Track Record
It was released as the album's lead single and reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2005.
Genre
The song is noted for its departure from Nine Inch Nails' traditional industrial rock sound, instead featuring a more accessible, electronic beat often classified as synth-pop.
Grammy Nominations
"The Hand That Feeds" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006 but lost to System of a Down's "B.Y.O.B.".
Music Video
The song's music video was shot by Rob Sheridan and it features the band rehearsing the song in Trent Reznor's studio.
Live Performances
It has remained a staple of Nine Inch Nails' live performances, often serving as the show opener.
Protest Song
The lyrics are a critique of the U.S. government, with explicit references to issues such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq, making it one of Nine Inch Nails' more politically charged songs.
Chart Success
Despite its political message, "The Hand That Feeds" achieved considerable chart success, peaking at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Nine Inch Nails' highest charting single in the US at that time.
Remixes
The song has been remixed numerous times, most famously by Photek, whose version ended up on the UK version of the single.
Cover Versions
"The Hand That Feeds" has been covered by several artists, including Straight Line Stitch and the Zac Brown Band.
Public Statements
Trent Reznor, the band's lead vocalist, has said that "The Hand That Feeds" is about "biting the hand that feeds you" and questioning authority instead of mindlessly following it.
Release on GarageBand
In an unusual move, Reznor released the original multi-track recording files for "The Hand That Feeds" on his website, allowing fans to remix the song. They were released in GarageBand format, which was a first for a major label recording artist at the time.

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    The Hand That Feeds

    25.2M
    153.2K     4,208

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2005

    Billboard #31


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