'''''Head Like A Hole''''' is the first track on the 1989 release ''[[Pretty Hate Machine]].'' It was the first commercial success [[Trent Reznor]] had and received wide radio rotation at the time. Though Reznor doesn't dislike the song, he was quite surpised it became as big as it did, especially due to its relatively easy writing process compared to some of the lesser recognized tracks on ''Pretty Hate Machine'' ("[[That's What I Get]]" and "[[Kinda I Want To]]" most notably).
===Song Credits===
*Production: [[Flood]], Trent Reznor
*Engineering: Flood, [[Kennan Keating]], [[Keith LeBlanc]], [[Doug de Angelis]], [[Ken Quartarone]]
==Appearances==
===Halos===
*''[[Pretty Hate Machine]]''*''[[Head Like A Hole (halo)|Head Like A Hole]]'' (remixes)
*''[[Closure]]'' (music video)
*''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]'' (live)*''[[Beside You In Time (halo)|Beside You In Time]]'' (live)
===Other===
*''[[Purest Feeling II]]''
==Versions==
===Head Like A Hole===
The version that appears as the first track on [[''Pretty Hate Machine]], '' it's perhaps one of the most well known [[Nine Inch Nails]] songs. It's Its pounding synth bassline, tribal rhythms and chants, layered guitar and catchy double chorus are all signature aspects of the song. The stereo wipe at the end fades into the beginning of [["Terrible Lie]]." ===Head Like A Hole (Slate)===The first track on the ''Head Like A Hole'' single, this version contains more treble than its cousins and a somewhat dancier beat than most, along with higher pitched synths playing the bassline as a lead instead. Its intro is the same as the "(Clay)" remix. It also lacks the stereo wipe outro and instead simply loops as it fades out.
===Head Like A Hole (Clay)===
The second track on the [[''Head Like A Hole (halo)|Head Like A Hole]] '' single, this is the version that was used in the video for "Head Like A Hole. " The only major differences are a different intro (one that features the second half of the chorus and some rhythmic chanting) and an unadulterated and extended version of the outro stereo wipe.
===Head Like A Hole (SlateCopper)===The first track Present on the [[''Head Like A Hole '' single, the "(haloCopper)|Head Like A Hole]] single" remix seems to be a cut and paste of the various remixes above, this version contains more treble than its cousins containing bits and a somewhat dancier beat than mostpieces, along with higher pitched synths playing loops and interruptions of the bassline as a lead insteadother songs. It's intro is the same as contains the dance beat of "(ClaySlate) remix" but has the layered guitar of the original version as well as a slightly modified instrumental intro. It also lacks the stereo wipe 's outro and instead simply loops as it fades outis an odd drum loop that contains a bizarre squeak accompanying a ride cymbal.
===Head Like A Hole (Copper)You Know Who You Are===Present The fifth track on the [[''Head Like A Hole (halo)|Head Like A Hole]] '' single, this song is an instrumental composed of the (Copper) remix seems to be a cut background synths and paste of the various remixes above, containing bits tribal rhythms and pieces, loops and interruptions of chants that compose the other songssong. It contains 's more or less a wordless "dub" version of the song and is notable for being the dance beat very first true Nine Inch Nails instrumental. The outro of (Slate) but has the layered guitar of song is the actual intro to the original version as well as a slightly modified instrumental introof "Head Like A Hole. It" (This song is not to be confused with "[[You Know What You Are?]]," the second track off of the album ''s outro is an odd drum loop that contains a bizarre squeak accompanying a ride cymbal[[With Teeth (halo)|With Teeth]].'')
===Head Like A Hole (Opal)===
Exclusive to the UK version of the [[''Head Like A Hole (halo)|Head Like A Hole]] '' single, the mix is notable for it's "realistic" drums and strange instrumentation, much of which isn't present on any of the other remixes. It is perhaps the most unique remix, having a few lyrical differences from the original version of the song, as well as using an inverted version of the bassline rather than the bassline itself and a totally different drumbeat. The only element that found its way over from the other mixes is the wood percussion intro from the original version of the song, which the drum beat follows exactly. The song ends by fading away while Trent Reznor whispers "You know... you know who you are." repeatedly, a line of this song only found on this version . ===Head Like A Hole (Soil)===The longest remix of the group, it starts off with a distorted version of the "(Clay/Slate)" remix intro. It has the original drumbeat, but lacks the synth bassline which actually comes in during the middle of the song to lead as a bridge with some odd sounding synths. There are also some odd steel drum sounding synths which stereo wipe back and forth at various points in the song.
====Head Like A Hole (Demo)====
Present on the [[''Purest Feeling II]] '' bootleg, this demo is a fake. It's actually the "(Opal) " remix from the UK release of [[Head Like A Hole (halo)|''Head Like A Hole]].''
===Head Like A Hole (Soil''And All That Could Have Been'')===The longest remix of 13th song on the CD (16th on the groupDVD/VHS versions), it starts off with a distorted version falls directly after "[[Closer]]" and is the end of the (Clay/Slate) remix introregular set. It has The lights are bright and the original drumbeat, but lacks LCD displays behind them show mostly interference snow in time with the synth bassline which actually comes in during music. At the middle end of the song , the band completely destroys all the instruments and the music melts into dissonance, hanging for a bit while the strobes increase in intensity (almost to lead as a bridge with some odd sounding synthsthe point where it's impossible to see) before the lights shut off completely. There are also some odd steel drum sounding synths which stereo wipe back and forth at various points in This minute delay or so gives the band time to prepare for the songencore.
===You Know Who You Are=== The fifth track on the [[Head Like A Hole (halo)|Head Like A Hole]], this song is an instrumental composed of the background synths and various tribal rhythms and chants that compose the song. It's more or less a wordless "dub" version of the song and is notable for being the very first true [[Nine Inch Nails]] instrumental. The outro of the song is the actual intro to the original version of Head Like A Hole (This song is not to be confused with [['Beside You Know What You Are?]], the second track off of the album ''[[With Teeth (halo)|With Teeth]]In Time'')===Coming soon.
==Live==
===Live, from ''[[And All That Could Have Been (halo)|And All That Could Have Been]]''===The 13th song on the CD (16th on the DVD/VHS versions), it trails directly after [[Closer]] and is the end of the regular set. The lights are bright and the LCD displays behind them show mostly interference snow in time with the music. At the end of the song, the band completely destroys all the instruments and the music melts into dissonance, hanging for a bit while the strobes increase in intensity (almost to the point where it's impossible to see) before the lights shut off completely. This minute delay or so gives the band time to prepare for the encore. ===Live, from ''[[Beside You In Time (halo)|Beside You In Time]]''===''Description forthcoming.'' --[[User:GrayscaleRain|GrayscaleRain]] 01:05, 26 February 2007 (PST) ===General===It "Head Like A Hole" has appeared in almost been played at nearly every concert that [[Nine Inch Nails]] has performed since its appearance concert and has become is a staple part of the live set. Often it closes out the concert.
During the [[Lollapalooza 1991]] Tour, various guitarists from other bands (such as Ice-T of Body Count) would come out onstage to perform with the band. [http://youtube.com/watch?v=g-eM7H4NHKo YouTube video]
The video contains three different sequences, used at different intervals of the song. During the verses, footage of tribal dancers is undercut with rotating cybernetic heads, creating a strobe effect. For the main chorus and instrumental interludes, the band is seen playing in a large cage with wires and magnetic tape at their feet. The sub-chorus features black-and-white footage of Reznor lowering his head into a tub filled with water and bringing it back up. At the end of the video, Reznor's feet have become entangled in the tape and wires as he is lifted off the ground, hung upside-down and writhes in mid-air.
When the video was shown on ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' in 1993, the "Copper " mix was used in place of the "Clay " mix.
==Covers==