Burning The Ground Exclusive 1989
“Down in It” is the debut single by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on September 15, 1989. Taken from the band’s debut album Pretty Hate Machine, it was the first song ever written by frontman Trent Reznor.
The song’s outro contains lyrics referencing the nursery rhyme “Rain Rain Go Away”. In 2010, Reznor admitted that the song was his attempt to make a rip-off of the Skinny Puppy song “Dig It” from the 1986 album Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse.
The first track on the single edition, “Down in It (Skin)”, is the mix found on Pretty Hate Machine. The cover art is very similar to Joy Division’s first album Unknown Pleasures, with Joy Division always being cited as an influence by Reznor, and Nine Inch Nails later covered the Joy Division song “Dead Souls” on the soundtrack to the 1994 film The Crow.
Around the time of the single’s release, the band lip-synced a performance of the song on the dance music show Dance Party USA. The footage, originally thought to be lost, was rediscovered in 2012 and went viral after being uploaded to YouTube. Reznor responded to the video on his Twitter account, stating that the band had decided to appear on the show after deciding it was “the most absurd choice [they] could come up with at the time” for a television program on which they would be interested in performing, but were surprised when they were actually booked to appear on the program.
SIDE A:
Down In It (Skin) 3:46
Down In It (Shred) 6:53
SIDE B:
Down In It (Singe) 7:02
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: TVT Records – TVT 2611
Series: NIN – halo one
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Sep 15, 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Industrial
CREDITS:
Management [Exclusive Representation] – J Artist Management
Mastered By, Lacquer Cut By – TD*
Performer [Performed By], Written-By, Recorded By –Trent Reznor
Producer [Reproduced By], Remix – Adrian Sherwood, Keith LeBlanc
Sleeve –Föhn, Gary Talpas
NOTES:
halo one.
Studios: Right Track (Cleveland), Unique (New York), Roundhouse (London).
1.733 bps
104.0 bpm
6240 bph
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Amazing DJPaul, thank you. Trent is a musical genius. There’s a music theorist on YouTube called ixi who examines what he’s doing with NIN music, chord structures, progressions, etc… it’s very cool to understand what he’s up to.
Ahh their TVT days before they got wise to Steve Gottlieb’s business practices (like he did Pitbull and the others), and later had their big AOR crossover smash “Closer (To God)”.
NIN & Reznor are amazing! Watch the YT video with guest Gary Numan where Trent stays in the background and lets him rock out with “Cars” in tribute to the master.
“1.733 bps 104.0 bpm 6240 bph” BWAH HA HA HA!!!
I should convert my DJ library to this format!
Thanks Paul for the awesome “industrial week”
This has been an incredible week for my musical DNA – New Order, Ministry AND NIN?! I have never heard this NIN era from vinyl and boy am I grateful for your excellent work! Thank you!
Nine Inch Nails was my pride and joy when “Pretty Hate Machine” came out. It was my personal secret. Not too many people knew of the band at first, so I felt privileged. Of course, everyone soon found out.
Love this record a lot. I wish he’d make more catchy music like this!!
Paul, thank you for this past week of incredible music. My muscles are all pumped up!! Have the best weekend Paul! And you too, Song and Dance!! I’m happy that you love the song too!!
Jeff
I agree wholeheartedly!!! Pretty Hate Machine is still his best album and one of the greatest albums of all time. I wish he would return to that sound (just like DM should return to Black Celebration/Music For The Masses)!
This song is a clear rip-off, I mean homage to Skinny Puppy’s best song … but it’s also somehow better!
I just saw NIN live a couple of months ago … man, that guy can rock!
Thank you so much, Martika. Oh, and I second to what you said about Depeche Mode. Wasn’t producer Flood involved with both artists? That man is one fantastic producer. I love on this NIN single that Adrian Sherwood and Keith Leblanc did the remix too. Their work was on Ministry’s great album, “Twitch” as well.
“Dig It” is a great song, but Nine Inch Nails’ “Down In It” was more masterful, like you said, somehow better!
Have a fantastic weekend!!
You’re absolutely right. It’s amazing how certain people behind the screen impact the music (and film industry). It applies to the three people you mentioned above, Trevor Horn, Rick Rubin, Mutt Lange …
I have to disagree with all of you, He wishes he was Skinny Puppy! He’ll never come close.
You have a right for your opinion and I have a right to mine.
Have a good day.
Jeff
I raise my hand and admit that Nine Inch Nails totally flew under my radar. I couldn´t give you ONE singles title by them. THIS IS AWESOME. I´ve only listened to the short version yet and I love it. How could I miss them? Thank you for opening my ears, Paul 🙂 Have a great weekend. And you too, dear Jeff 🙂