The Lyrics:
[No lyrics, although some people believe he whispers "the best thing about life is...knowing you put it together"]
(Pre 5-12-98)
To me, "A Warm Place" is the turning point and moment of clarity in TDS. The main character has realized the horror of his newfound power and ways and for a moment, his humanity surfaces allowing him to see what he has become. The ruin, hurt, and suffering he has caused is revealed to him and reveling in this humanity and compassion he thought lost, he is taken to a warm place. An interesting note to this song for me is of a dream I once had. This totally freaked me out and scared the shit outta me. I dreamed of a red, dusty, barren landscape, my vision just slowly sweeping across this empty space. I didn't know what to think of this as I continued to survey this land. I tried to move but I found my self unable to. I then felt my arms slam against something, leaving me spread open. I looked to the right to see a nail drive into my palm, pinning it to a wooden plank. I saw the same happen to my left hand, and then my feet. The view then swung out and around to allow me to see myself nailed to a cross, screaming. I then woke up, with "A Warm Place" playing loudly in my mind. As I thought about the dream the music seemed to fit perfectly. I immediately got up from my bed, walked over to my CD player, and put "A Warm Place" on repeat. I listened to it probably five or six times, replaying the dream in my mind, and finally managed to fall back asleep, "A Warm Place" still on repeat. When I thought about this, I thought that if anyone were to ever do a modern day interpretation of the crucifixion of Christ, "A Warm Place" should be playing during it. I find this song, especially combined with the dream, a very beautiful image. Even through the pain and horror I felt within the dream, I found it oddly peaceful and soothing at the same time. This song has remained one of my favorites, always helping me to find some solace.
(Pre 5-12-98)
This work of art called "A Warm Place" is a turning stone on my views on the album. It shows that all under this hate, fear and intimacy in the album, you finally have a moment where you feel it all just go away. Fear of aging, death religion, diseases, racism, and other just fade out. I love this piece because I just feel all the anger, hate, offensive remarks, put downs, and bigotry in my life just go to hell and I drift slowly up to heaven and peace. But when the music stops and "Eraser" begins, it all comes back and drags me to earth. Sadly enough, the song is very short and I wish Trent Reznor would make a longer version to the piece. This is my favorite /\/I\/\(-nin) song.
(Pre 5-12-98)
For me, this is the most painful NIN song to listen to. The lack of lyrics and calm, peaceful music is worse then the images in ruiner or big man with a gun. The worst thing to do, for me, is nothing. I have to take some form of action or I am miserable. To place this song after big man with a gun and before eraser is genius, of course. a warm place is like the eye of the hurricane in the downward spiral. To me it symbolizes taking time out, to think about what has just happened. That's when all the shit rises to the surface. I only listen to a warm place when I know I can handle it. Emotionally, it's like getting run over with a steamroller. The best metaphor I can think of is drowning. Being under the water, and not being able to breathe. Everything around you is calm and peaceful, but inside you're a mess of fear and desperation.