The Hand That Feeds (song)
The Hand That Feeds (DFA Mix Instrumental)
The Hand That Dubs (DFA Version I)
The Hand That Dubs (DFA Version II)
The Hand That Feeds (Photek Dub)
The Hand That Feeds (Photek Dub Instrumental)
The Hand That Feeds (Photek Straight Mix)
The Hand That Feeds (Ruff Mix)
almost (if not all) shows
Contents
About
'The Hand That Feeds is the first single of the fifth album With Teeth, and it has received the designation of Halo 18. It began playing in the Nine Inch Nails's official Myspace before it radio release.
Meaning
THTF is a verbal attack on the United States Government, specifically the Bush administration and it's foreign policy, but can be interpreted as speaking out against authority in general.
MTV VMAs
Nine Inch Nails was scheduled to perform this song live at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, but denied Trent's request to perform in front of a large image of President George W. Bush's face. As a result, Trent decided to cancel the performance. He was replaced by The Foo Fighters.
Trent Reznor responded on the Official NIN Website:
We were set to perform 'The Hand That Feeds' with an unmolested, straightforward image of George W. Bush as the backdrop. Apparently, the image of our President is as offensive to MTV as it is to me. See you on tour this fall when we return to play in America.
The Video
The video for this song was directed by Rob Sheridan and is a simplistic in-studio performance by the touring line-up. The video is tinted blue throughout, and showcases some natural distortion effects due to the digital nature of the source material.
Lyrics
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 I 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? 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?