“The Downward Spiral” – Songs Ranked

The 90’s was a time of great change in music, with bands like Nirvana reshaping the public’s perception of radio. One album that still seems alien to me, however, is “The Downward Spiral”.

It’s not that Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails were ahead of their time … it’s more like they were outside of their time. An anomaly. And this concept album about addiction and the depths of the human psyche is one that only becomes more profound with repeat listens. How would I rank every song?

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

OK

14 – I Do Not Want This

The middle of “The Downward Spiral” drags a bit, and the worst offender is “I Do Not Want This”.

It’s nothing we haven’t already heard.

13 – The Becoming

The other of the mid-album slump songs, and it comes right before “I Do Not Want This”.

The industrial production makes “The Becoming” stand out a bit more, but not by much.

12 – Eraser

“Eraser” could have been good, but the lyrics go nowhere.

Good

11 – The Downward Spiral

The title track may seem a little aimless and disjointed compared to the rest of the album, but it’s an important step before the grand finale.

It’s arguably the lowest point of the protagonist’s story, and the muffled vocals are really unsettling.

10 – Big Man With A Gun

“Big Man With A Gun” is one of the most outwardly-provocative songs on the album, which is saying something.

Those drums kick ass, even if the lyrics lack subtlety.

9 – A Warm Place

I wasn’t expecting a sombre ambient track, but it was a welcome change of pace.

“A Warm Place” is a nice breather before the final stretch of songs. It reminds me a lot of the ambient songs from Bowie’s “Low”, come to think of it.

8 – Piggy

The second song on the album. It’s sandwiched in between two personal favourites, however, so it never sticks with me.

I like the lyrics and the disturbing groove of “Piggy”, though.

Great

7 – Ruiner

Overshadowed by the track before it, but “Ruiner” is still notable in its own right.

It has some of the best, catchiest production on the album.

6 – March Of The Pigs

Holy drums Batman!

Trent Reznor screams his lungs out, and those slower bridges make “March Of The Pigs” a memorable experience.

5 – Mr. Self Destruct

The opening song, and one of the nastiest, most Industrial-sounding tracks on the whole album.

“Mr. Self Destruct” sets the tone for self-depravity and gnarly production, and it always makes me desperate to keep listening.

4 – Reptile

The most underrated song on the album. It starts with 90 seconds of screechy noise before any singing begins, to be fair, but I think that adds to the atmosphere.

It’s super rough and heavy, and Reznor’s lyrics make my skin crawl.

3 – Heresy

“The Downward Spiral” has an incredible run of songs to open the album, and the best of these has to be the third track “Heresy”.

It’s balls-to-the-walls chaos and noise, with some of the heaviest – yet weirdly danceable – production you’ll ever hear.

All-Time Great

2 – Hurt

We’re skipping straight past the “Amazing” tier into the “All-Time Great” tier, as I feel there are two songs on “The Downward Spiral” that will go down in music history.

“Hurt” is the last song on the album, and it’s strangely quiet compared to what’s come before … but then the lyrics hit you to your core. The methodical choruses tug at your soul. That massive finale bursts your eardrums.

It’s an overwhelming wave of emotions, both relief and despair, and they couldn’t have ended the album on a better note.

1 – Closer

When I first heard “Closer” as a naïve teenager, I didn’t know what I was listening to. It soon became one of my favourite songs ever.

That bass synth is phenomenal, the lyrics are perverted and yet oddly romantic, and the breakdown leading to the outro never fails to give me goosebumps. A high point of 90’s music – and alternative music in general.

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: