Thanks for checking out my March Of The Pigs breakdown! For song & album requests and to support my channel and musical projects, please consider joining my Patreon (I can't monetize my videos): www.patreon.com/iximusic 🙌 You can also commission me to analyze your original music or do a piano cover. 🎹 And I teach private & group lessons, do film/video game scoring, and music transcriptions 🎶 TIPS: www.buymeacoffee.com/iximusic 💄

Side trivia: the "doesn't it make you feel better" piano piece is typically played live by the drummer, who then runs around from the keyboard, sits at the drums, grabs his sticks and comes in perfectly on time without tripping over cables, knocking the stool over, elbowing a cymbal or mis-handling a drumstick. Legendary show of dexterity and spacial awareness!

“Subscribed at “the Trentiest thing he could’ve done.” Lmaoooo

"It's the Trentiest thing he could have done"... Thank you for this little gem.

When my friend and I hit the pause after “Doesn’t it make you feel better”, on first listen, he turns to me and says “oh this is gonna hit REAL HARD”...and then it did.

I’m a classically trained piano teacher who grew up on early industrial music in the 80’s, and I remember the excitement of 1989 when Ministry’s Land of Rape & Honey and NiN’s Pretty Hate Machine were killing dance floors. Those (few) of us music school nerds who loved that chaos rejoiced at it all coming together in a commercial & very musical way. Trent took piano and knows theory. I live for moments when I meet a new student who wants to learn, say, Head Like a Hole or this song!

People are going to love your content for the same reason they love NIN. You are helping them look at music in a way they never thought of before.

Love that VI - VII - I progression... we always called it the "Mario progression", because that's the progression every time you finish a level in Super Mario Bros

It's funny to see someone describe the "inner workings" of March of the pigs so elegantly, you are uncovering a diamond in the rough. I love your videos, keep em coming!

I just discovered you and you’re brilliant.

fun fact: "all you need is love" by the beatles has the same 7 7 7 4 structure.

Trent does keep it clashy! My new favorite phrase.

As a drummer, I loved that you demonstrated how the groove works

Trent had a way of creating an energy within you almost like controlling your emotions through trance like beats followed by subtle piano tones then violently throwing you into the distorted guitar riffs. He was a master of transition.

"it's hard to play... but that's weird!" - ladies and gentleman, Nine Inch Nails hahaha love this

“And it does. It really does” Perfect

I'VE DISCOVERED YOU AND I CAN'T STOP SMILING! THANKS FOR BEING A NERD AND A NIN FREAK WITH US!!!

trent is the full package: innovative songwriter and groundbreaking producer.

I made the same discovery a while ago myself. This isn't the only song he does this in. MOST of his songs are in major keys...and it's crazy, because they don't sound it until you actually tear apart the song like you did. (Great job by the way). I've actually done the same on some of my music now. It's crazy how that works! He's a genius, but most people don't understand the full weight of just how much he is unless they truly understand the music theory behind what he is doing. Love what you did here! Subbed!

Back in the day I used to make remixes on the nine inch nails website for fun, and I thought I was cheeky and wanted to do a March of the pigs remix, but my adolescent mind couldn't figure out the time signature and that was the first time in my life I was musically stumped. Since then I have learned that you can alternate time signatures, but I get stumped on a million other things (I'm looking at you polyrhythm!!!)

I would like to see you interview Trent, THAT would be interesting.

One of the best albums ever written! The fact that the harmonic structure follows the lyrics so well is wonderful. I am talking about the "but doesn't it make you feel better" bit. Trent is such a genius and you have done an excellent job breaking down his composition again.

When I was at music school a million years ago, I used to walk around campus playing Downward Spiral nonstop on a cassette walkman. It completely blew my mind. I actually arranged one of the songs for full orchestra at one point for a class. NIN music theory is right up my alley!

What???!!! Major chords??!!! No way. I am blown away by that tidbit. The band geek in me is loving everything in this breakdown. Love NIN and make new discoveries every time. Every track, every album has been a winner since day one, and I continue to be amazed at Trent's genius. Thank you so much for sharing! 😊💙🖤✨

Their first 3 albums were all masterpieces. I remember buying the downward spiral on a Friday after school and I listened to it in my vehicle for like 4 hours completely blown away. The album was such a trip, very depressing in a lot of ways but very powerful. No album has come close since

This is just so weird - you look and sound so gentle and kind and yet here you are insightfully deconstructing this abrasive masterpiece of a song/album. You get instant sub. ❤

I wish I had this channel in Highschool when I studied music and also had a sick obsession with NiN. I have a greater appreciation of Trent's music after this analysis.

“Trentone” 🥰 I’m delighted to find your channel. Thanks for being so brilliant and wonderful while re-presenting the music that formed many of us.

What kind of witchcraft does the KZfaq algorithm use to find these videos for me?

You should do this with every single track on The Downward Spiral. It would be interesting to hear your take on them

PHM came out when I was 14. I somehow just knew that I was listening to some of the best music I'll ever hear. I wasn't musically inclined but I could sense that what I was hearing was genius.

It's definitely the 3rd iteration, 1st quote drunk sorry I play all strings, I SOOOOOO APPRECIATE YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL BREAKDOWNS, TRENT IS THE GOAT!!

Great video. So glad the algo sent me your way. I was living in New Orleans from 94 to around 2007 so NIN was a huge part of my life then. I saw Trent play in arenas and small clubs during this time. I was at a girlfriends house next door to the club he was playing in (Jimmy's) before the show. There's a knock at the door. She answers it and there's Trent. He says "weird question.... do you have any eyeliner I can borrow?" She goes to the bathroom and gets it and he says "I'll bring it right back." She says "keep it." No one else in the house even knew what was happening until he left and she told us. We were all like WTF??? Shit like that happens in New Orleans. Lol. The guy is an absolute mad genius. Fantastic breakdown of an absolute scorcher of a tune. I will always love NIN. Break down something from Broken. I loved PHM but Broken was the record that made me realize this guy was something special. Happiness In Slavery??? OMG!!

This has made my day. March wasn't the first song of NIN I've loved, but it's the first that made me desperate to go out and buy every album he ever released.

I wish to make music worth an analysis like this one day! You’re doing great work and I’m sure Trent would appreciate this 🧡

i think colleges should teach about how nine inch nails uses music theory, and these videos and your insights on nine inch nails should be the basis of the courses. the thing you talk about at the end, about how all the chords of this song are major kind of blew my mind. never noticed that before. I've heard that some colleges overseas teach music theory lessons and courses on how meshuggah uses polyrhythm, but trent and his understanding of rhythm and melody really can be used to push music forward if taught to people a certain way, and your channel proves the living shit out of that. i knew when i discovered nine inch nails yyyyyyears ago that i was getting like an almost alien language beamed into my head, and seeing your videos breaking it all down has shown me that my assumption was right. cheers to you for being awesome

I couldn't have wished for a more fascinating and hilarious breakdown of one of my favorite songs.

This is a great musical breakdown of the song. It is also interesting how the three main vocal sections of the song are not just performed differently but relate to three different speakers in a story. The first stanza is Trent's on stage personality yelling to the pigs, the second stanza is the pigs (old friends, fans, media, etc.), and the chorus is Trent's introverted personality reflecting on being violated.

This video is amazing. You have the talent and insight to deconstruct Reznor’s music in a way that tributes his genius. I feel like you explained the music theory behind what so many of us subconsciously felt and experienced with this song. After this master class into Trent’s demented audio psyche I appreciate march of the pigs so much more. THANK YOU!

Yeah, the major chords floored me. I wasn’t expecting that. All the tritones help add to the chaos. That was such a cool analysis!

Leave it up to Trent to take a soiled burlap sack of happy little major chords and break them up, smash them up, and fuck them up with such genius acumen that you end up with March of the Pigs. Downward Spiral is one of my favorite halos of all time. And your analysis is brilliant! Thank you!

This is brilliant. All I know about music is how much I love the way it makes me feel. I know nothing about chords, notes, or anything else you are talking about but it’s a true joy to watch you dissect these tracks

I was younger teenager when I heard this song for the first time. I had no knowledge of time signatures other than 4/4. And this rhythm literally blew my mind. Also 8:19 made my day, thank you :)

Loved this vid! Genius that the 'doesn't it make you feel better' part does actually make you feel better :)

Came for the colors on the bedspread, stayed for the Picardy 3rd. Thank you, algorithm. You really get me.

This album was a formative piece of music in my high school days. My dad was cool, liked NIN, took me and my friends to see this tour live. I always thought Prince was a huge influence on NIN. I hear a lot of that in DS. Thanks for these videos. I thought I knew this album in and out. You have opened my ears to a lot of new things and I've given the album a really deep listen again. Hard to believe its been over 25 years since this came out. the album still sounds "new" to me. TIme to hit the piano and guitar...

Yo this is sick, I've never seen anyone analyze March of the Pigs before so you've earned another subscriber and then I see that you've done the entire album, goddamn I know what I'm binging at 2:30am

ska typically uses only major chords and is so so happy, what insight. Thank you

This is going to make me cry. This is so good. I can’t believe how good this is

This album literally changed my life. I knew this is what I wanted to do, create music, and it’s because of this album. It’s such a masterpiece in so many ways and still my go to album for inspiration. Great video!

What an incredibly profound discovery, IXI, has a true gift. I'm elated that someone, could deconstruct NIN's album with such clarity. Not bad for a kid, who starting by working for Right Track Studio as an assistant engineer, as well as its janitor, but, it's there he could use the recording equipment to make free demos. It's no secret that Reznor has been and remains an "idol" of the underground EBM/Industrial scene; nonetheless, his history with record labels is considered "contentious" at best. With the success of "Pretty Hate Machine" he wanted to really stretch out, showcasing his immense talents. NIN's second album "Broken" is officially called "The Broken Movie" as a series of gruesome and flagrantly, socially unacceptable display of horror, that, are still banned from the internet. Critics touted these materials, as an epic failure. While the music itself, was a success reaching the top 10 in the United States, however, in Reznor's mind (the obsessive perfectionist) that just wasn't good enough. He couldn't stop from envisioning the visual and musical elements as essentially -- one in the same. Four of eight music videos, thematically stitched together as a mini-series, to form a single twenty minute movie: Critiquing humanities innate thirst for voyeuristic sadomasochistic desires. In "Happiness in Slavery", Bob Flanagan the renown performing artist who specialized in S&M performances -- enters a banal sterile looking room with an ominous looking stainless-steel (apparently self automated) chair. Flanagan strips nude, neatly folding then placing his clothes aside, deposits his money and sits down. In the beginning, there's not much, as the chair's mechanical systems locks him tightly in place and first offers pleasures. The imagery, straddles the line, between pain and pleasure. NIN's music follows each phase as the chair uses all manner of torture, eventually grinding his genitals off and eventual death. As innocuous as the chair may appear, it's mastered the full and complete experience; then, self-cleans and resets for another participant. Later, mysterious bootlegs find there way out and are now, considered to be the "crown jewels" for serious NIN devotees. Some back-story to "The Downward Spiral" album, is that this was Reznor's tirade against the music industry (that's no great mystery) as when he, now famously, mailed cut-out pieces of his old TVT Records publishing rights contract, back to them. Even with 2 Grammys and a Platinum-Record his disenchantment and brooding bitter resentment will become an impetus -- his modus-operandi for "The Downward Spiral" in making this masterpiece. Now, the official Wiki-related informed will, undoubtedly dispute this recount, as Reznor started working furiously on his new Apple laptop; with, good sound editing software, attached a synthesizer, various guitars, microphone, and a portable recording device to record the outside "industrial machinery" samples, a must have, the "hallmark standard" in the subcultures audio preferment and other samples as noted. Germany had dominated this particular "style" something the Detroit-boys, couldn't seem to really master. However, it's the Los Angeles scene that perfects the dance style, as seen all over KZfaq. Layers upon layers of rhythmic pounding, interstitially framed by sweet mechanical samples, that flood your ears and mind. With "The Downward Spiral" album Rezner perfects a true dichotomy; between, an uneasiness of wanting to turn it off, and, a yearning curiosity for base instinctual wanted desires to turn it up. He alone commenced doing, what others said couldn't be done and to show his true talents as a complete Renaissance-man, setting-up the framework for countless music artists to venture in his foot steppes. Many are right here, on KZfaq, such as Daniel Graves of Aesthetic Perfection, who virtually does everything himself, also a Renaisance-man of the industry, who will not compromise his creativity either. Commercial viability was "never" Rezner's goal (although the album does, become a global sensation): This was his way to unrepentantly abash and shame all the recording labels, the music industry elites, and those former managers by using "The Downward Spiral" as a musical critique, essentially saying, "F_uck You ... !!!" -- to them. According to some speculation, "March of The Pigs" is directed at the aforementioned. With his formal education, as a computer engineer, it wasn't long before he's hit with the epiphany, "I don't need anyone, or anybody, when, I can do it myself". He's the consummate perfectionist, where the word "compromise" is the worst word, a bad word, a Vampire in sunlight kind of word, that, resides in the pages of the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. Later, Reznor dangles the proverbial carrot, before the horse with Interscope Records. Interscope, is savy and knows negotiations would be futile with Reznor. He signs with Interscope Records and is finally given the freedom, that he had feverishly craved from the beginning. Interscope gives full budgets to have the music videos filmed, all under Rezner's hawkish eye. Today, he's sought out by the movie industry; Paramount, MGM, Sony Pictures, Warner Bother's, Universal Studio's, and so on, including -- Disney, now who would have ever guessed? Sorry for the long read. Sometimes, it's better to drive and watch the scenery, than to fly and miss everything. Thank you for your time, R ---

OMG! I remember being furiously in rage in my teenage years listening to this on my way to school (in the bus from some village to the next best thing called city). I totally get what you mean by revelation that it's all in mayor! Thank you for that delightful and funny analysis!

I wish I had this video 27 years ago. I played ''March of the Pigs'' in my ''music appreciation'' class in 8th grade. It would have been really awesome if I could have shown this video to explain why this song is so amazing!

I really love how you break this down. I remember all those hours spent listening to this album and this song in particular with all the details in it. A Masterpiece. Great work on this!!!

I'm blown away. I'm glad I discovered this channel. "I have never heard a song that used only major chords that sounded so twisted." Haha

Fantastic video! The ending of the song is especially unsettling because of the first chorus followed by silence. If that brought reprieve, this, with the continuation and the coda, also followed by silence, leaves listeners with an expectation that is never met. It's the vain dream of the pigs who, " have won tonight, they can all sleep soundly and everything is alright". Except that their voraciousness leads to nothing but to a silent closure, a dream forever unfulfilled.

Ixi Ixi Ixi! You have struck a beautiful nerve with me! I bought Downward Spiral with my 14th birthday money. It's always been one of my favorite albums. I love how you "peel back" the many layers Sir Trent has gifted us all with. The sonic walls and almost imperceptible noises, ticks, grunts and slipped in beats- thank you so much for discovering and sharing your assessments of Reznor's genius. 🤘🏽🥰

My first album of NIN was the fragile... Cause my record store didn't have the downward spiral at the time. But man oh man, what a great album. I love how you clearly love it as much as I do.

You know, I don´t even really know music theory so most of this just flies past my head... but damn, I love your videos :D Great job with these!

All major chords! What?! Even more respect for one of my all time favourite musical artists comes from your analysis of this intense - & now I feel, intensely beautiful! - song 😎🤪💕

I grew up to nails in the 90s and I just have to say, you are amazing. I also produce industrial music, and you showed me some things I could never figure out. Bravo! You ROCK! Pure genius 👏 🙌 👌

The Becoming is my favorite song of all time off of TDS. MOTP is so damn good. Love your vids.

Just phenomenal. I’m a lifelong NIN and Reznor fan and any and all analysis is welcomed. I’ve always felt my love of the juxtaposition of extremes, the beautiful and grotesque, could be seen as starting from listening to Reznor’s work (and watching the video for Closer), and your analysis highlights his ability to walk that line.

I love your breakdowns just as much as I love NiN. I love the way Trent messes with us as well. Fantastic :-)

This deserves every like I can give.

Not sure how YT just recommended this to me, but this is flippin’ awesome! Can’t wait to watch more!

That NIN album coincided with a changing/discovery of the teenage me. I think it was for a lot of us. I was 17

I just came here because this is a really good song and i wanted to hear what you had to say. Good analysis! The thing about majors/minors is that it's actually culturally influenced. Some classical pieces that sound angry or sad to us sound like happy, energetic to others. But yeah, it kind of blew my mjnd with the realization that it was all major chords.

Hi, ixi, great. I studied music in the college, 2000-04 (didn't graduate though), and a handful of musical stuff just fell on me with your analysis of this music! (which I just came to know yesterday, by mere chance - not a big NIN's fan, but when they kick ass, they kick ass, right?) Jesus, since how many years I didn't listen to "pycardy third"! Yeah, obviously I've being listening to it lots of times... but had no one to chat about. Of all of my friends (are not so many ones), though everybody is crazy about music, only one is a musician, and he knows close to nothing of theory - he "feels" the things, but he can't "describe"em, rationally, describe what he's feeling, you know what I'm saying? Of course you do. I've seen other chanel of analysis of pop music (Bennett, I think it's his name, british)... but there was, I don't know, always something on his presentation that disliked me, made me feel unconfortable. Kinda presumption on him, I guess. Anyway. But I didn't feel this absolutely in you (that's my first time). The only friend I could talk with about these things, a huge guitarist, vocalist and composer, passed out on this januery, and... and I miss him not only for the love we shared by each other. But it's time to move on, life goes on. And, yes, "makes you feel better".

Hey. Just wanted to jump in quick and say this is my favourite track, and the song that got me into this band all the way back in the 90s. I've never actually sat down to do an analysis, and I'm so glad I watched this video. You really made me love the song even more. Great video. Looking forward to watching some more :)

Really dig how much joy you get listening to Reznor's music and sharing your experience of it. Thank you for dedicating so much energy and to one of my all-time favorite bands

You just made my day! March Of The Pigs is not only my NIN favorite but one of my favorite songs off all time. And you started, of course analysing the drums / tempo (the music starts with just the drums). One other thing: You've noticed the SILENCE. Which for my one of key elements on music: Give complete silence. And the all major chords thing is definitely cool! Now I respect Trent Reznor even more. Didn't think that was possible. :)

I only have a very amateur understanding of music but this was really fascinating. Also, your ASMR voice is incredible. Please do more.

The KZfaq algorithm pushed this onto my feed, and I am glad it did. Fantastic!

Thanx for showin our boy trents song genius🤘this is my favorite song from NIN

I don't even know how I came across your channel, but I am so glad I did. Your work is becoming my favorite thing to watch when I have time to devote my attention between classes. Learning the music theory behind one of my favorite musicians is so great and gives me some actual insight into his brilliance. Much love and keep it up!

I'm in love at first sight, great song to analyze, he led that era

“And doesn’t it make you feel better” Discovering a channel on one of my favorite bands to this day and deconstructing a legendary song like this? Yes. Yes it does. I’ll definitely binge through these videos and give a subscribe

such an entertaining, humorous and informative video!

Blown away, just found you right here, right now. NIN was one of the most influential artists of my young adulthood and hearing this breakdown was so satisfying! Excellent content! Subscribed

When the algorithm gets it, it gets it. Subscribed!

When you find that magical KZfaq channel and smash that MF subscribe button before even watching the first video (saw some other videos in the sidebar). Can't wait to watch this!

13:58 "Don¡t like the sound of it" I wanna watch it come down

First time ever seeing your videos. Bam: SUBSCRIBED. I think the reason it's major-but-dark is the association we have with military marches. This is more overt in The Fragile, but when you take such a thing and slam the peaks like you're punching or thrusting, it comes out positively scary. That era of his music, every time he put out something new, I felt nervous for weeks listening (mostly scared that I liked it, and didn't know what that meant)! Thanks for the thorough break-down. My knowledge of music theory is pretty scant, but it's lovely to get a peak inside the machine.

The juxtaposition of the music to the visuals is jarring.

This is a really fantastic analysis.

I love alternate versions of NIN songs. I collected all the Halo releases that accompanied the major releases. The time Signature of March of the Pigs is much more straightforward in All the Pigs, All Lined Up from the March of the Pigs EP. But I like the time sig on the original better. Thanks for talking about this.

“Doesn’t it make you feel better?” “It does...yeah”...made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

wow. you blew this apart. trent would be proud of you. hope he sees this ! subbed !

I have long been a Trent Reznor fan and have always been impressed with his abilities and yet this video demonstration gives me an even greater level of respect for his talent. BTW, I have always said The Downward Spiral is, for me at least, the greatest album of the 90's - yes, even greater than Nevermind by Nirvana.

At last someone does a deep dive on NIN!

the major chords give it very hellraiser kind of feel. pleasure through pain. masochism.

Omg I was only obsessed with your Björk video not even knowing you have many NIN videos. I'm obsessed with your channel!

Analyzing NIN? Instant subscribe.

I hate/love how much Trent plays around with entering in weird measures. It hurts even more when im ONE beat off!!!! lmao

Hey Ixi (Big fan of your channel btw)! Just wanted to say thank you for successfully unintentionally advertising your condenser microphone to me, turns out I now own it and it is GREAT. Thought to give you a proper shoutout, whether you’ll read this or not. And also of course, awesome video as usual… 🤙🏻

Damn, I can’t read music and I don’t know any music theory and this is still super interesting.

A really interesting and enlightening analysis!

Just discovered you a couple hours ago. NIN is probably the only band whose concerts I could attend and never wonder what song they were playing. I love your professional analysis! I just started *finally* taking piano lessons back in February and am glad to be doing something I’ve always wanted to do since being a child. Getting a total Alantis Morissette vibe from you, too. Looking forward to watching your channel! Best wishes from Tennessee!

My first video of yours. Amazing analysis! Took a few days, but I needed to be in the right headspace to hear this song again. The official video is so much better than I remember! (Been 20+ years) No spoilers.