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Annie section/quote. if you'd rather it not be its own section, do fix
'''"The Becoming"''' is the seventh track on the 1994 album ''[[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]].''
A semi-acoustic version can be found on ''[[Still]],'' which has an accompanying performance video released at the time on [[nin.com]].
===Meaning===
This is a rare example of Reznor directly referencing a name ("Annie") in his lyrics. Usually, he uses ambiguous pronouns. This may express the need for attachment, the need to interact intimately with another human despite the becoming of something different, OR it could also be interpreted as a demonstration of the responsibility for the transformation (Annie's fault).
===Annie===
In a 2004 interview for Alternative Press, Reznor was asked about the use of the name Annie in this song.
<blockquote>
<p>"Oh, and "Annie" was abstractly referring to a college sweetheart/ heartbreak situation that, at the time I was writing that song, was a valid source of emotional pain to draw from. Her real name is Andrea Mulrain, and her phone number is [number deleted for privacy purposes. -Patriot Act Ed.]"</p>
<p>—Reznor [http://www.theninhotline.net/archives/articles/manager/display_article.php?id=11]</p>
</blockquote>
===Song Credits===