'MARCH OF THE PIGS' - Nine Inch Nails // music theory analysis

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Hold onto your pigs because this analysis is, to quote myself, "crazy and super weird". I should have known breaking down "March of the Pigs" would be full of surprises! This vid has a blooper reel too and some accidental ASMR for your tinglies. I have a very important question for y'all at the very end so I hope to see your comments :)

[will]

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!

[ShaunButterley]

"It's the Trentiest thing he could have done"...

Thank you for this little gem.

[russell_szabados]

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!

[cscarp]

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

[allisonmccord]

I just discovered you and you’re brilliant.

[philippes]

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!

[spagzs]

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

[Snarkonymous]

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.

[doccomoli]

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.

[malwair]

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.

[MidiboyGregg]

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!

[GeorgeL]

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!!!)

[muneerahabdusshahid]

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

[briansullivan]

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

[harleensingh]

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.

[devinandrews]

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

[wingoshack]

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!

[joelchristman]

I'm 5 videos into your library and this is very well done. I hope you are as authentic as you appear (as nothing on the internet is true). Thanks.

[fabriziofiore]

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

[nitemareman]

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!!