Top 10 Nine Inch Nails Songs

Script written by Matthew Thomas.

Top 10 Nine Inch Nails Songs

Their music is like the perfect drug. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Nine Inch Nails songs.

For this list we’ve chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist’s fan favorites and their most commercially successful songs.

#10: “Terrible Lie”
Pretty Hate Machine (1989)

A staple of the bands live shows including seminal performances like the one that took place at Woodstock ‘94, “Terrible Lie” serves as a perfect introduction of everything the band stands for. With dark lyrics which focuses on somebody who feels mislead and betrayed by everything he holds most dear, and a synth heavy sound, this song is one of the band’s strongest efforts.

#9: “Every Day Is Exactly the Same”
With Teeth (2006)

Released as a single, this industrial rock track became the best-selling dance single of 2006 according to Billboard. Eventually nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, the tune was both a critical success while being one of the band’s most impressive commercial moments. With a driving drumbeat provided by guest performer Dave Grohl, the track was definitely a standout on the band’s 2005 effort With Teeth. Although the song takes on a more mainstream song, it is considered a fan favourite and is just as popular with the casual listener.

#8: “We're in this Together”
The Fragile (1999)

Frontman Trent Reznor drew inspiration from glam rock king David Bowie for this track, which served as the second single from the band’s late nineties album The Fragile. Featured in a teaser for the first Avengers film more than a decade after its release, this song grows in intensity before its melodic and cathartic ending. Engrossing and inclusive, NIN fans worldwide really felt included in the bands struggles with this fantastic tune.

#7: “March of the Pigs”
The Downward Spiral (1994)

One of the most driving and uncompromising songs ever released by a band known for its heaviness, featuring a whopping 269 beats per minute. Despite the unforgiving nature of the track and the unusual time signatures, this “March” was actually able to chart in the top 10 on the Canadian Singles Chart. With a music video that was as stripped down as the song itself, “Pigs” has managed to be one of the band’s most popular tracks.

#6: “The Perfect Drug”
“Lost Highway” Soundtrack (1997)

Written and recorded for the soundtrack to David Lynch’s film “Lost Highway”, this Nine Inch Nails classic has remarkably never been performed live by Trent and company. Backed by frantic drum machine beats, this song, like many of the band’s most intense tunes, is an explosion of sound and emotion, led by impressive Reznor vocals. One of the songs featured in first downloadable packs for the Rock Band series, “The Perfect Drug” is the perfect example of what makes Nine Inch Nails a great addition to any soundtrack.

#5: “The Hand That Feeds”
With Teeth (2005)

The first single from With Teeth, this song was first introduced to fans through music sharing service Napster. If that isn’t timeline specific enough for you, it was intended as a commentary on George W Bush. Charting in many countries, including America and Canada, “The Hand That Feeds” set the music world on notice that NIN was back and not to be trifled with. Originally set to be played at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Trent’s plans to perform the single in front of an image of the president led to the band being replaced by much less controversial rock icons, the Foo Fighters.

#4: “Wish”
Broken (1992)

Without a doubt the most aggressive song to make our list, “Wish” is one of Nine Inch Nails angriest and most driving tracks. Amazingly awarded a Grammy for Best Metal Performance despite its unflinching sound and lyrics, “Wish” gets to the core of the band’s early imagery and content. Known for being riddled with profanities, Reznor’s vocals are as heated as the subject matter. The track has also been covered by many notable musicians such as Linkin Park and Brand New.

#3: “Hurt”
The Downward Spiral (1995)

A song which in recent years has become more synonymous with Johnny Cash than the man who initially wrote it, people should never forget there is a reason it was chosen to be covered by the musical legend. Evocative and moving, this song lives on at most Nine Inch Nails concerts as the song that the crowd sings along with, drowning out the music and voice of band leader Trent Reznor. Slow and melodic this song also manages to feel like a natural fit for a band that’s discography is much, much heavier.

#2: “Head Like a Hole”
Pretty Hate Machine (1989)

The first track off the band’s first album, this tune has managed to remain one of the group’s most standout songs. “Head Like a Hole”, the final track recorded for Pretty Hate Machine, is heavily influenced by heavy metal while having an important influence on later musicians. This song is without a doubt one of the band’s most covered, with bands like Devo and AFI having recorded versions. The track is a staple of the band’s live shows, often being performed during the encore.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Dead Souls”
The Crow Soundtrack (1994)

“The Day the World Went Away”
The Fragile (1999)

“Into the Void”
The Fragile (2000)

“Reptile”
The Downward Spiral (1994)

“La Mer”
The Fragile (1999)

“Came Back Haunted”
Hesitation Marks (2013)

#1: “Closer”
The Downward Spiral (1994)

If you listened to the radio over the twenty years since this track was first released there is little doubt that “Closer” is the one that has penetrated the consciousness of the average music fan the most. Widely known for its chorus, the song had to be censored heavily when people played on mainstream media. Being used in movies such as “Seven” and “The Fan”, it’s not surprising this daring tune made its mark on pop culture. Promoted by a music video that has since been heavily edited or banned by most music outlets, this is NIN at its rawest and best.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Nine Inch Nails song? For more music Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com