CloserNine Inch Nails1rank/position

Nine Inch Nails – Closer (Director’s Cut)

This is a signature song by Nine Inch Nails, who have also performed at Summer Sonic—a cool track that stands out for its dark vibe.

It’s the kind of song that might divide listeners, but once you start listening, it becomes addictive and you’ll want to play it over and over.

If you haven’t heard it yet, definitely give it a try.

HurtNine Inch Nails2rank/position

Nine Inch Nails: Hurt (live) (1995)

Among the figures often considered most important in the genre of alternative rock is Trent Reznor.

In recent years, Trent—now also renowned as an outstanding film composer—has continued to lead Nine Inch Nails, whose industrial rock–driven sound, intense stage performances, and intellectually introspective worldview have exerted immense influence on generations of artists.

Hurt, included at the end of their 1994 masterpiece The Downward Spiral, is a gem of a song that unfolds with a tranquil sound entirely different from the band’s typically hard-edged image.

That said, beneath its beautiful melody lies a painfully raw portrait of Trent’s inner landscape.

Take your time with it, and listen closely while engaging with the lyrics.

March of the PigsNine Inch Nails3rank/position

Nine Inch Nails: March Of The Pigs (1994)

A masterpiece of shifting time signatures woven from destruction and silence, this song is widely recognized as a symbol of Nine Inch Nails’ innovation.

Its complex structure—three repetitions of 7/8 before shifting to 4/4, forming a 29/8 cycle—combined with an ultra-fast tempo of 269 BPM creates an overwhelming tension that shakes the listener to the core.

The contrast between the ferocious noise and the sudden, serene beauty of the piano links perfectly with lyrics that deftly express both fury and resignation toward society.

Released as a single in February 1994 as the lead cut from their second album, The Downward Spiral, it also achieved commercial success, reaching No.

59 on the U.

S.

charts.

It has been featured in the Rock Band series and the game Fortnite, and continues to be loved across a wide range of media.

For those seeking a powerful catharsis or a musical experience that transcends traditional rock, this is an absolutely essential track.

OnlyNine Inch Nails4rank/position

Nine Inch Nails – Only

A song released as a single in 2005 by the American artist Nine Inch Nails.

It reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

charts.

The music video was directed by David Fincher, who is also known for films such as Fight Club.

The Perfect DrugNine Inch Nails5rank/position

Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug

Nine Inch Nails, led by the genius Trent Reznor whose name is etched in music history, is a rare band that achieved major commercial success with a total art form: an original sound rooted in what was then the minor genre of industrial rock, concepts and artwork grounded in Trent’s uncompromising aesthetics, and overwhelming live performances.

By the 2020s, it might even be Trent himself—successful as a film composer—who is better known.

The works Nine Inch Nails produced in the ’90s—albums and EPs alike—are all masterpieces and must-hear for anyone seeking innovative rock, though their sound is by no means universally easy to digest.

The song introduced here, The Perfect Drug, is an exceptionally catchy gem among their catalog, so starting with this track might be a great way to immerse yourself in Nine Inch Nails’ deep, deep sonic world.

Written for David Lynch’s film Lost Highway, it does not appear on any of their original studio albums, so be aware of that.

Its drum’n’bass-based sound is incredibly cool, and the melody line could even be called pop—and it’s fantastic—but… unfortunately, Trent himself doesn’t seem to be very fond of this song.

The Hand That FeedsNine Inch Nails6rank/position

Nine Inch Nails – The Hand That Feeds

Known as one of the defining socially conscious rock anthems of the 2000s, Nine Inch Nails’ “The Hand That Feeds” pairs lyrics charged with criticism of politics and power with a forceful, melodic sound.

Released in May 2005, it generated major buzz, holding the top spot on the U.

S.

alternative chart for an extended period.

The track appears on the album With Teeth and was also used in the trailer for the 2005 film Mystery Men.

It’s a highly recommended song for those who want to engage with social issues or who love energetic music.

As Alive As You Need Me To BeNine Inch Nails7rank/position

Nine Inch Nails – As Alive As You Need Me To Be (Official Lyric Video)

A monumental track crafted by the American heavyweights who redefined industrial rock, Nine Inch Nails! Released in July 2025, this song serves as the lead single for the soundtrack of the film TRON: Ares.

The industrial texture woven by distorted synth bass and mechanical beats is quintessentially their forte, and yet the melodious, vocoder-processed vocals carry a certain wistfulness that unmistakably hints at a respectful nod to Daft Punk, who composed for earlier entries in the series.

The lines searching for something to believe in sound exactly like the cry of a program awakening to self-awareness in a digital world.

Give it a listen on a night when you want to fully immerse yourself in a cyberpunk atmosphere.