You Know What You Are?
You Know What You Are? (Clint Mansell Remix)
You Know What You Are? (Beside You In Time)
"You Know What You Are?" is the second track from 2005's With Teeth. It is a very aggressive and upbeat song, featuring a gang-shouting chorus and heavy guitar tracks. A remix of this song by Clint Mansell appeared on the Doom soundtrack, and played during of end credits of that movie. The title strongly resembles a track on the Head Like A Hole single, entitled "You Know Who You Are."
Contents
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song appear to be commenting on a person's inability to change for the better, evident in lyrics such as "You can dress it all up you can try to pretend/But you can't change anything in the end." and "Don't you fucking know what you are?/Go on get back to where you belong." Many interpretions of this song often overlook the possibility that the "you" to which Trent Reznor refers, may in fact be himself.
Song Credits
- Live Drums: Dave Grohl
Appearances
Versions
You Know What You Are?
This is the original album version.
You Know What You Are? (Clint Mansell Remix)
This is a remix by Clint Mansell created for the soundtrack to the movie adaptation of Doom. It closely resembles the original version, with some altered vocal effects and a different mix.
You Know What You Are? (Beside You In Time)
This version can be seen and heard on the Beside You In Time DVD. The band omit the ending wah guitar and piano, ending the song once the last chorus finishes.
Live
"You Know What You Are?" has become a staple of Nine Inch Nails' live performances. The song, when performed live, sounds very similar to the album version. The only big differences are more intense guitar sounds and improvisational soloing by Aaron North during the bridge.
Lyrics
I tried to sneak myself through I tried to get to the other side
I tried to patch up the cracks and the holes that I have to hide
For a little bit of time even made it work okay
Just long enough to really make it hurt
When they figured me out and it all just rotted away
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
You better take a good look because I'm full of shit
With every bit of my heart I have tried to believe in it
You can dress it all up you can try to pretend
But you can't change anything
You can't change anything in the end
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Remember where you came from remember what you are