Wish (Nine Inch Nails song) explained

Wish
Cover:WishBroken.jpeg
Type:promo
Artist:Nine Inch Nails
Ep:Broken
Released:1992
Prev Title:Happiness in Slavery
Prev Year:1992
Next Title:March of the Pigs
Next Year:1994

"Wish" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their debut EP Broken (1992). It was released in 1992 as a promotional single from the EP. The drumming on the track was performed by Martin Atkins.[1]

"Wish" was remixed twice for the companion disc to the EP, Fixed, as "Wish (Remix)" and "Fist Fuck". Both remixes were produced by J. G. Thirlwell.[2]

"Wish" won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1993. Referencing a lyric from the song, Trent Reznor later joked that his epitaph should read: "REZNOR: Died. Said 'fist fuck' and won a Grammy."[3] [4] In 2020, Kerrang and Billboard ranked the song number one and number four, respectively, on their lists of the greatest Nine Inch Nails songs.[5] [6]

Music video

The music video for "Wish" was directed by Peter Christopherson, who also directed the music video for "March of the Pigs" and Brokens eponymous film.[7] The video shows Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor on vocals, Chris Vrenna on drums, Richard Patrick on guitar and James Woolley on keyboards) playing inside high, caged walls while hordes of angry men assault the exterior of the cage. The band is eventually accosted: Woolley is lifted off his feet by a suspended man, Vrenna is lifted off by a crane hook and Patrick is grabbed through the sides of the cage. The video ends with a brief scene of men breaking open the gate of the cage and storming into the cage with bats and clubs.[8] MTV felt that the ending scene was too violent and alternate footage was used for network airplay.

A second video is a live performance filmed by Simon Maxwell in 1995 and was released on Closure in 1997.[9] This performance was taken from a concert film originally intended for release in 1996, but was subsequently shelved because Reznor was not satisfied with the final product.

Track listings

  1. "Wish" (No Bad Words Mix) – 3:37

A1. "Wish" (Fixed version) – 9:08

A2. "Wish" (Broken version) – 3:47

B1. "Wish" (Fixed version) – 9:08

B2. "Wish" (Broken version) – 3:47

  1. "Wish" (radio version) – 3:51

A. "Wish" (radio edit) – 3:37

Cover versions

Appearance in other media

The song was featured on an episode of Beavis & Butthead.[24] While most music videos are typically made fun of, the animated duo ultimately approved of "Wish".

The song is used and heard on the debut trailer of the first-person shooter by Electronic Arts and People Can Fly, Bulletstorm.[25]

The song is featured as a playable track in , although incorrectly listed with a 2002 release date.[26]

The O'Keefe Music Foundation produced a video with a band composed of children covering the song. The lyric "fist fuck" is replaced by "fist bump."[27]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Tour:Smart: And Break the Band. Atkins, Martin. Martin Atkins. Chicago Review Press. 2007. 978-1556529740. December 4, 2012.
  2. Web site: J.G. Thirlwell Discography - Credits - Remix. Discogs. December 4, 2012.
  4. Book: Taylor, Steve. The A to X of Alternative Music. Continuum International Publishing Group. 2006. 0826482171. December 4, 2012. 165.
  5. Web site: The 20 greatest Nine Inch Nails songs – ranked. Sam. Law. Kerrang. August 7, 2020. August 29, 2022.
  6. The 25 Best Nine Inch Nails Songs: Staff Picks. Andrew. Unterberger. Billboard. November 5, 2020. August 29, 2022.
  7. Web site: Broken (Video 1992). IMDb. December 4, 2012.
  8. http://www.arkmay.com/closure/wish.html new sweat to drown me in: wish
  9. Web site: Simon Maxwell. IMDb. December 4, 2012.
  10. "Wish" . US promotional CD single . . . 1992 . PRCD 4893-2.
  11. "Wish" . US promotional 12" single . Nine Inch Nails . Interscope Records . 1992 . DMD 1947.
  12. "Wish" . UK promotional CD-R single . Nine Inch Nails . . 1992 . IS 552 DJ.
  13. "Wish" . UK promotional 7" single . Nine Inch Nails . Island Records . 1992 . IS 552 DJ.
  14. 'Kidz Bop' Could Never: Watch a Bunch of Children Cover Nine Inch Nails' Self-Loathing Anthem 'Wish' . . 25 March 2024 . ‘Kidz Bop’ Could Never: Watch a Bunch of Children Cover Nine Inch Nails’ Self-Loathing Anthem ‘Wish’
  15. Web site: Silverstein – Transitions. Discogs. December 4, 2012.
  16. Web site: Dillinger Escape Plan, The – Plagiarism. Discogs. December 4, 2012.
  17. Web site: NIN: Wish live w/ Dillinger Escape Plan, Perth 3.02.09 [HD]]. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/qboe5CebixA . 2021-12-21 . live. 8 March 2009 . YouTube. December 4, 2012.
  18. Web site: Beatsteaks – Die Wohnzimmer-EP. Discogs. December 4, 2012.
  19. Web site: Behemoth Reissuing Out of Print EPs, Nine Inch Nails and Danzig Covers. Noisecreep. Sciaretto. Amy. April 18, 2011. December 4, 2012.
  20. Web site: Linkin Park Live @ Rock A.M Ring Concert. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bn496_tgqIk . 2021-12-21 . live. 21 February 2006 . YouTube. December 4, 2012.
  21. Web site: Stemm - Blood Scent. Ruhlmann. Williams. AllMusic. December 4, 2012.
  22. Web site: Brand New - Wish (Nine Inch Nails Cover) (LIVE HD). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/uE1rs80P9XY . 2021-12-21 . live. 29 April 2011 . YouTube. December 4, 2012.
  23. Web site: DAVID DRAIMAN en Twitter: @joshconnelly614 COVER . 2013-03-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140825193112/https://twitter.com/DAVIDMDRAIMAN/status/310628596295290880 . 2014-08-25 .
  24. Web site: Beavis and Butt-Head Season 2 Episode 4 - Baby Makes Uh, Three. TV.com. December 4, 2012.
  25. http://www.gametrailers.com/video/debut-gameplay-bulletstorm/100172 Bulletstorm Video Game, Debut Gameplay Trailer HD | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
  26. Web site: Nine Inch Nails, A Day To Remember Added To Guitar Hero. Ultimate-Guitar. December 4, 2012. January 13, 2011.
  27. Web site: Kids DESTROY "Wish" by NIN / O'Keefe Music Foundation . . 20 March 2024 .

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