I Do Not Want This
I Do Not Want This (Instrumental)
"I Do Not Want This" is the eighth track on the 1994 release The Downward Spiral.
Contents
Song Credits
- Production: Trent Reznor
- Mixing Engineer: Alan Moulder
- Drum Performance: Stephen Perkins
- Drum Treatments: Flood and Trent Reznor
Appearances
Halos
- The Downward Spiral
Versions
I Do Not Want This
This is the original album version. Crossfading in from the ending of "The Becoming," its manipulated introductory drum loops give way to an immediate and louder first verse, characterized by the same drum loops, unmanipulated, and piano, which drops out for Reznor's vocal layering and returns for the pre-chorus. The chorus, in contrast, is much louder, lead by a fast guitar progression and yelled, distorted vocals. The bridge adds layers of synthesizers, guitar and noise loops onto the base drum loop before building into the loud, final coda.
In the April 1994 issue of Guitar World, Reznor was asked about Stephen Perkins' drumming on this song:
- GW: You created many of your drum loops by recording Porno for Pyros drummer Steve Perkins live in the studio. Is that one way you've retained some humanity?
- REZNOR: Yeah. He just played a bunch of beats. We recorded them and made some loops of his playing. It's a great way to work.
I Do Not Want This (Instrumental)
Released by Reznor via his remix.nin.com account, this instrumental version does not fade in the opening manipulated drum loops.
Live
Relegated initially to rare encore status on the Self Destruct Tour, the song returned to setlists in 2009 on the [[Wave Goodbye Tour], where it was performed sans all the spoken-word vocal samples of Reznor in the verses, and with a different rhythm for both guitar and vocals in the loud chorus.
Lyrics
I'm losing ground
You know how this world can beat you down
I'm made of clay
I fear I'm the only one who thinks this way
I'm always falling down the same hill
Bamboo puncturing this skin
And nothing comes bleeding out of me just like a waterfall I'm drowning in
2 feet below the surface I can still make out your wavy face
And if I could just reach you maybe I could leave this place
I do not want this
I do not want this
I do not want this
I do not want this
Don't you tell me how I feel
Don't you tell me how I feel
Don't you tell me how I feel
You don't know just how I feel
I stay inside my bed
I have lived so many lives all in my head
Don't tell me that you care
There really isn't anything, is there?
You would know, wouldn’t you?
You extend your hand to those who suffer
To those who know what it really feels like
To those who've had a taste
Like that means something
And oh so sick I am
And maybe I don't have a choice
And maybe that is all I have
And maybe this is a cry for help
I do not want this
I do not want this
I do not want this
I do not want this
Don't you tell me how I feel
Don't you tell me how I feel
Don't you tell me how I feel
You don't know just how I feel
I want to know everything
I want to be everywhere
I want to fuck everyone in the world
I want to do something that matters
A small addition was made to the fourth line in the second verse:
There really isn't anything, now is there?
External Links
- Guitar World 4/94 interview transcript
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