DEMON SEED

1
it keeps growing 
and i can feel it breathe 
i have been trying 
to behave myself
it keeps growing 
and i can feel it breathe 
i have been trying 
to tolerate you

2
well i am reaching the point
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

3
i thought maybe
i thought this would go away
but it continues
the only constant
every day
stronger

4
i will use my voice 
and i will use my fist 
to destroy 
everything i can

5
now i know 
what this is all about
now i know 
exactly what i am

6
these is a seed 
inside of me
that makes me




Lyrics submitted by vapur

Track duration: 04:59


Demon Seed song meanings
Add your thoughts

21 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment:Just my personal take on this song obviously but here's what I think he's thinking as he writes..

    "it keeps growing
    and i can feel it breathe
    i have been trying
    to behave myself
    it keeps growing
    and i can feel it breathe
    i have been trying
    to tolerate you"

    This is from a 3rd person perspective simply talking about himself. Hair keeps growing from his head, his scars heal, he's still alive as he knows it because his body grows, etc. He is watching/experiencing the creation that he sees/is. He is trying to behave himself not necessarily out of fear of God, whom he is realizing he is at least a part of as the whole "God", but in cooperation with the thing(s) around him that he has created/is creating/is. He's trying not to be violent which could make his life worse though the impulses are great, life gets boring enough to think about it, & he can justify it.

    "well i am reaching the point
    yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah"

    I believe he's referring to the story of God breathing life into Adam as depicted by Michelangelo's painting "The Creation of Adam" which illustrates God pointing/reaching to Adam. He is "reaching the point" in two polar opposite ways; the point of creation & the point of ultimate destruction. The words "well i am" symbolize the names "William" (the "will of God"), "Michael", & "Adam". The meaning of the name Michael is the question "Who is like God?" & Adam is described as being created in God's likeness; so answers to "Michael" are "Adam" & "William" (well "i am"). Reznor is realizing what he is. He is at once everything; he is God reaching Adam (human that he is) giving him life, the demon seed planted by him inside himself, Adam reaching back at the pointing God, the will of God, & you ("Matthew" which means "Gift of God") whom he has created & is trying to tolerate, etc. He has figured things out.

    "i will use my voice
    and i will use my fist
    to destroy
    everything i can"

    By being forced by himself to live as a human ((what I am - "William", "Matthew", "Adam") "Michael") in a seemingly imperfect world, he is promising himself to destroy everything just as he has brought upon creation from himself.

    "now i know
    what this is all about
    now i know
    exactly what i am"

    He has thrown himself into humanity from absolute Godliness as an experience for realization from no prior knowledge. Having no memory of thoughts/experience before his humanity, he has realized he is the Almighty God still stuck in human form by himself. The word "exactly" symbolizes the name "Zachary" which means "the Lord remembers" (he now knows that he is like God because he IS God & won't/can't forget); the word "what" symbolizes the name "Matthew" (his gift to himself i.e. you); "what i am" symbolizes the name "William"; "i am" symbolizes the names "Michael" & "Adam". He is the omnipotent Demon Seed of & inside himself & everything else that may seem not to be him/you/me/them/us.

    "a seed
    inside of me
    that makes me"

    Any questions?
    Flag LouieTheLipon April 17, 2012   Link
  • -1
    My Opinion:The Slip refers to when someone using drugs/alcohol after quitting.Its been said Trent was an addict when you look at it from that view he seems to be talking about the craving/want the little voice telling you to use again....
    Flag lucyyfuron September 11, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:"3
    i thought maybe
    i thought this would go away
    but it continues
    the only constant
    every day
    stronger"

    I don't hear this part anywhere in the song... ?? is it just me?
    Flag ThoR294on July 22, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Ruiner, I know it's your interpretation, but I think you're far off.

    "it keeps growing
    and i can feel it breathe
    i have been trying
    to behave myself"

    This thing inside of him is growing and he's aware of it's presence.

    "it keeps growing
    and i can feel it breathe
    i have been trying
    to tolerate you"

    Pretty self explanatory. He's trying his hardest to remain neutral.

    "well i am reaching the point
    yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah"

    Everyone has that point at which they just snap, and he's inching closer and closer to that point.

    "i will use my voice
    and i will use my fist
    to destroy
    everything i can"

    He's right at that boiling point and he's choosing a side.

    "now i know
    what this is all about
    now i know
    exactly what i am"


    He finally understands what is going on and his role in it

    "these is a seed
    inside of me
    that makes me"


    He's accepting it.


    Literal translation, but that's what I get.
    Flag SigSaueron June 13, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:because each album seems to be thematic.
    Flag sonoflifeon December 17, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Why do people try so hard to assume that this is a sequel to Year Zero?!

    And why do people always assume every fucking Nine Inch Nails cd is a CONCEPT ALBUM?!
    Flag The Honest Liaron November 10, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I absolutely beleive the slip is a sequel to year zero. he's talking about he's tried to peacefully deal with all the shit that's going on in the world and not get too pissed off at people's ignorance and stupidity. But now he's had enough and he's gonna beat the fuck out of everyone! GRRR! I feel the same way!!
    Flag closetgothon October 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree that this album is a continuation of the year zero plotline. I think this and lights in the sky are related. The person's best friend, wife, mother, whatever, dies in Lights in the Sky, this person joins the army out of anger, desperation, whatever. I think this has to do with the drug that makes the soldiers ruthlessly violent. Demon seed as a nickname.
    Flag DarkSideMoonon July 08, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:this song is about realization....if this is the ARG, humans have finally realized the errors of what they have done and now realized the consequences

    "now i know what this is all about..."

    the slip is yz2.
    Flag benja69on July 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Rosemary's Baby!
    Flag farbeyondrepairon June 28, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain