When DAVID BOWIE sang NIN's "Reptile" - a comparative analysis

[@iximusic]

After listening to this song a few more times, I believe Trent and David are singing {please don't HURT me} however, I quite like the misheard lyric!

[@treyhudson73]

100% "hurt me", I'm sure. I would love to see what Trent would do with Space Oddity for some reason.

[@2totabon]

Besides live performances I think the only times I actually catch myself mishearing lyrics or having to re-listen to what’s being said and even adjust the volumes in order to better distinguish what’s going on… I think I do that most with Death Grips honestly. It’s also interesting that on Apple Music, whenever you have the display song lyrics option turned on, a couple of instrumental tracks from bad witch (and even on God Break Down the Door iirc) there are passages that are written out in all caps but are not at all sonically present in the composition anywhere. Coincidentally I found that death grips did this on their last album year of the snitch with the track the horn section, Bill this is strange because the only words spoken on this track are in the opening and that of someone telling a ‘motherfucker’ to get down- but the displayed words for the lyrics only read “this time on the floor.” I do find these cryptic things to be pretty fucking trippy In terms of what rabbit holes you’ll start burrowing through in what this means in the context of the works or whether this is intentional disinformation or even the artist directly acknowledging the limitations of the ways we now enjoy/consume the current form of the medium of music…. Anyway sorry for the banter but I just thought this was an interesting aside because I mean… You know… Extremely loud phrases and Beastly dynamic machinations that bowie nails and Grips are wizards at.

[@Len_M.]

It is indeed “Please. Don’t. Hurt. Me.” I love their version of Hurt, it’s so different.

[@praetentious2925]

It’s both of them, which makes it one of the coolest things I have ever heard. Gives me thrills

[@makeupartistrybyliz]

Trent has added “Please… don’t… hurt… me” to Reptile before (notably in the Woodstock ‘94 performance, which I got to watch on PPV as a young lass). Chills hearing it in unison, though. What a pairing.

[@dopey473]

The fact that the Disonnance tour exists proves that even with all the horrible things going on we're still in the right timeline.

[@BertramMoranda]

Funny you say that, I've been saying since 2016 that our inability to cure Bowie in time is what marked our divergence to the wrong timeline.

[@stuZeppelin34]

Trent does a good job suppressing a huge smile sharing a stage with Bowie!

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

Smile? He was probably terrified, as any mortal would be.

[@koka6837]

He smiles when he sings Hurt with, and I think that's the only perfomance of Hurt where he smile!

[@willowpiano]

Other people said it but the Bowie/NIN duet of Hurt is so interesting because they actually combined both bands to play the song. It actually feels like a different song. Pre-Cash cover.

[@nickjanuary7177]

Best of Bowie is the CD I credit with getting me into music

[@typtoeykan1416]

I was 7 when my parents (huge bowie fans) took me to see Bowie and NIN in Camden, NJ. The rest is history.

[@Bunke09]

I made the very smart decision as a 22 yr old boy to go to this show when it came to Wa. state. One of my favorite concert experiences of all time. Both men have influenced so much of what I love in the universe.

[@xtiane8]

Yeah..I saw this tour live....it blew my freaking mind...

[@iximusic]

yowww!

[@EYErobot]

I still think this is the greatest show I ever attended.

[@hustler3of4culture3]

Never anything like it before or since

[@kaicanyonellis]

I would listen to a whole album of you doing David Bowie impersonations 😂

[@iximusic]

😂 Did you find the video on Patreon where I listened to some David Bowie high on caffeine? There might be some more impressions in there, haha. It's one of my earliest videos.

[@kaicanyonellis]

@@iximusic I did not! But now I have to see them 🤣

[@vincentdawn9689]

It's sad that Reznor got a chance to tour with his (and my) hero, only to have this be a difficult time for him b/c the drugs were finally taking their toll and he says he was barely in any kind of shape to do this. I do love that he says years later, he called Bowie to tell him that he finally got his shit in order.

[@hustler3of4culture3]

This show was amazing. We'll never see another like it. No two bands can meld into each other like they did. An absolutely unique event in my musical experience. So good.

[@Charlie_Azrael]

I love the different kinds of stage prescence they had here. Trent jumping around, erratic very involved and physical, while David kind of stalks and lurks.

[@fishplatski5348]

You shoud really do a video like this on the Bowie + NIN 'hurt' performance on this tour. It's such a unique version with a bunch of new musical aspects in it.

[@justintonation9726]

One interesting thing I noticed on both the David Bowie version and Peter Murphy versions of Reptile is they both sing “She spreads her legs wide open to let the insects in.” On the album it’s “She spreads herself wide open to let the insects in.”

[@justintonation9726]

Commented too early, ixi already noticed it. 😀

[@flannelogue]

I'd love to see you explore more bowie stuff on this channel. such an incredible discography right until the very end. there's soooo much going on there.

[@Pizzaparty152]

agreed!

[@leonline3424]

+1

[@britneydeville]

Totally agree 1000000%

[@jasonryan74]

So very cool. I saw the NIN/Bowie tour in 1995 in Pittsburgh. I’m so happy I got to see Bowie and this September makes 10 times I’ve seen NIN. Thank you for what you do! I can see you feel them like I do! 🌀

[@praetentious2925]

Lucky!

[@nepntzerZer]

oh david we miss you so

[@mattking6367]

I got so entranced by the duo of Trent and David singing Reptile that I forgot I was watching Ixi's reaction video for a sec haha! So good!

[@zyzzdigller4334]

TRENT + Bowie = Fire Best Show EVER

[@YellowWalkman]

I was at this tour! Too young to really appreciate it!

[@cometstarmoon]

Same. I wish I understood Bowie the way I do now when I went to this show. I knew it was important but didn't truly appreciate it.

[@lebrongames8511]

This song with Peter Murphy singing is insane!

[@galen__]

18:00 - Rocky Horror vibes. Reminds me of the connection between Bowie and how audience participation became a part of Rocky Horror screenings and performances.

[@tonynekrews]

Great vid. What you refer to as the “chug” of the intro, I call the juggernaut. It’s just a deep, almost unstoppable, force barreling it’s way towards you

[@pwalker1360]

I remember them in Tacoma, WA. One of the best experiences of my life.

[@AathielVaDaath]

I don't know how I'm just finding your channel now, but it's wonderful!

[@iximusic]

thank you!

[@mangasky7]

If you want to witness a masterclass of Bowie's vocal delivery just listen to Wild is the Wind, Lady Grinning Soul, Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing reprise, Win, or the Drowned Girl. Bowie actually possessed six or seven voices that he would deploy depending on the nature of the song and lyric.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

Because of that he was able to harmonize with almost anybody he sang with. Just an incredible voice.

[@britneydeville]

Yessss to all the songs you mentioned. Lady grinning soul is one of my all time Favorites and it never gets enough attention/recognition. And sweet thing/candidate/sweet thing reprise is an awesome little masterpiece in itself. A ton of goodness on the young Americans album I recommend ALL of it.

[@MrHoppy-so2no]

Bowie has such presence - gravitas - cool factor :) I saw the tour in Chicago - remains one of my all time favorite concerts!

[@jpgduff]

I WAS HOPING YOU'D COVERED THIS!! 😍 I'm in Ireland and we never got to see this tour but i managed to get a bootleg (one for the kids there...) and couldn't believe how good this was. Trent'a influence on Bowie's work at the time was tangible - I'm afraid of Americans and Heart's Filthy Lesson (and the remix by Trent) are really worth a listen if you haven't already. Thank you *again* for all this. Just brilliant.

[@WHR17]

Was lucky enough to be right up front in the pit for the Dallas show. One of the greatest live shows I have been too. My friend and I were yelling at Bowie to play fashion. He smiled and pointed at us!!! It was truly a magical night.

[@bigguy1164]

I'm always taken aback by bald Robin Finck lol

[@scarymsmary]

He has the most insane hair throughout this tour. lol

[@britneydeville]

LOL ME TOO.

[@leonline3424]

Cool, as a Bowie fan i would love to see somthing on the Hurt live duet, i really love how that came out !!

[@jarrettenaope7038]

I Mean Rocking it w Sir David Bowie😇🙏🤘Iconic

[@musicwired1]

IVE ENJOYED ALL THE GUEST MOSTLY THAT REZNOR HAS PLAY WITH NIN.NEWMAN, BOWIE .PETER ETC.HIS HEROES AS HES SAID .

[@walteravila4072]

Love when they play Subterraneans.

[@Jefwth1F]

Saw this show in Detroit. Still the best NIN concert I've witnessed, and I've been to 6

[@jaysmakingprogress]

Agreed with the other comments re: Hurt with Bowie was otherworldly good and has been stuck in my head since I bought the bootleg in… 96?

[@caseybrewer8950]

This was the first time I saw NIN and my first concert. It was awesome.

[@770yd1n5pac3]

Holy shit that was incredible! ‘Give it!’ Also A* Bowie impersonations 👌

[@fezpikaii2850]

I would love to see ixi do Daughters- you won’t get what you want. I think, similar to TDS, she can show me through her musical training/communication/ gift how this album creates emotion.

[@swivelnek5]

That was an amazing tour!!! They also wrote original material that was played in between each of their sets that phased in and out for like 3 hours.

[@carlgibson285]

I had no idea this version existed. Thank you.

[@JohnDoe-gy5dr]

You're awesome!

[@drummerrene]

You mimicked that girl sound around the 26:22 mark perfectly, watch it get sampled now haha

[@theninfeed2987]

Ok admit it, Ixi, this was another excuse to listen to and watch this song.😉 I don't blame you though- it's such an EPIC song!!!🙌 David and Trent's vocals work together so perfectly. My highlights are Bowie going "TRAAAAAAIL", Trent screaming "REPTIIIIIIILE" and Trent's scream/yodel/whatever that is at the end, which absolutely floors me! 😭 By the way, I didn't know this was also a 'how many Bowie impressions can I do in half an hour? video', but I'm here for it!🤣

[@scarymsmary]

If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend the Closure video they put out. It was originally a double VHS set and YEARS and YEARS later it is finally available to watch online. I played it until the VHS tapes Gave Up. It's SOOOOO good.

[@ryanwalker5723]

Blackstar. I hear Trent's influence, however small. Cheers Ixi!

[@canibaloxide]

My hope is that you would start doing some Bowie analysis when you finish up the downward spiral

[@miinyoo]

Bowie is such a legend! He created the alt. He was alt before anyone thought the thing "alt" and rang out like tubular bells. Rest in peace dear friend with your fellow rebels. (edit: back up the hubris silly man and dump it in a ditch. There are more fundamental alts and most of them were born into severe hardship.)

[@JamesSmith-xq4us]

Lmfao i was getting goosebumps when you were reacting aswell.

[@maureenwagg5305]

I see the influence on Marilyn Manson. This is fantastic. I love both versions. Bowie wow. Love it. Listen to Kinderfeld by Manson vs the very beginning of this song.

[@danielpalmer643]

I wonder if the 'please don't hurt me' lyric was an earlier version that he used as a variation here? It would be more meaningful if it was 'please don't help me', but I don't think it is either. I definitely hear the 't' at the end of the word

[@brettmarlar4154]

The only thing I heard besides the chugging guitar that would sound close to a "gun cocking" was the snare kick, snare kick fill. But I did like how their voices fit together. Now I gotta hear Peter Murphy's version. I know I will likely get crucified for this, but I like Peter Murphy more than David Bowie. But I like his East-End London pronunciation of "trail of honey". That tickled me.

[@stephenmandelbaum2027]

The chug might just be the guitarists. The album version doesn't place the guitars prominently, but at a live venue, just the acoustic space would add beef to a low end chug (palm mute).

[@mattd8725]

If you like 90s Bowie then take a look at "David Bowie The Voyeur Of Utter Destruction (As Beauty) The White Room '96".

[@shinskoalachewin7245]

Random trivia - green is Trent's favorite color.

[@harrisonthacker9707]

"He's got a Bowie on his back!"

[@disembodiedstudios]

"TrAILL... Im ridiculous" lolol haha... So funny. but also so right!!

[@albertocasashermida5218]

Chills! :)

[@unciervoenciervado]

"Hi everybody I'm ixi" is a good intro

[@ElisaBerlin_]

SO good.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Apropos of Crystal Japan and A warm place; Koyaniqatsi main theme by Phillip Glass

[@H.F.Jimenez]

That was enlightening. Will you ever do a live reaction to Al Yankovic's GERMS?

[@rainbowrotcod]

Oh man , that song disturbs me

[@alexeygumenyuk8510]

4:58 "Хе-хе, сука...")

[@matc6221]

I dig your pits 😉👍

[@MrGreendayzed]

I like to think bowie's flow is almost Shakespearian

[@TheHazyWay]

ok now i need tim curry singing Reptile

[@iximusic]

Omg! Me too!

[@gglovesgorillazmj7784]

YESSS THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN sorry caps lol

[@shinskoalachewin7245]

How bout Tim playing Darkness one last time and singing Reptile. I know...seems impossible.

[@soaribb32]

Well damn, that sounds perfect.

[@Boogieman55117]

Gaaaaah so good!

[@sveticus]

I think in the vulnerable interlude it is intentionally vague. It can be “please don’t help me” but also “please, don’t. Help me.”

[@iximusic]

🤯

[@allanfelix7662]

I could swear that they say "hurt", instead of "help" - "Please, don't hurt me".

[@allanfelix7662]

I'm not native english speaker so... maybe i understood that wrong for all this time haha

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

That was SONIC DELIGHT!!!... I believe that I truly missed far more than I even imagined while I was enlisted... Hindsight is a B!*@# sometimes (Shrug).

[@jameshannagan7830]

I wonder if you ever considered doing reactions to my other favorite band besides NIN Radiohead they like NIN are very interesting from an arrangement and compositional standpoint.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Bowie singing Hurt > Johnny Cash . Check out Peter Murphy singing Reptile upside down

[@iximusic]

Upside down! Wow!

[@Reprodestruxion]

@@iximusic “whispers” 🧛‍♂️ 🦇

[@Reprodestruxion]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJvIaYepebuneMU

[@britneydeville]

I absolutely agree with bowie/Trent hurt > Johnny cash. Unpopular opinion but I do not like cash’a cover at all. 😆

[@evetssmada8638]

Sounds more like "please don't help me"

[@javaally1203]

I feel Former Artist Known as Prince would have been another good choice

[@hiway7]

These two.

[@s.gharavi1614]

I thought David Bowie's nuance was all lost and overwhelmed by NIN glam rock on almost every track done for the show. ... but still good.

[@ahoymatey2315]

I like this funky little Jewish princess. Come to Dallas 😃

[@nikniven762]

What is wrong with who disliked this? 🧐

[@musicwired1]

ALSO WASTED DRUG REZNOR VERSUS CLEAN WITH MURPHY AND GARY N..BIG DIFFRENCE GOOD AND OR BAD

[@solisdruid8442]

I love Bowie but his voice doesn't fit well with the anger needed to sing this song. Atticus did well enough. I know everyone will hate my opinion. Might as well say Hurt by Johnny Cash was crap in my opinion. If you take in the account the initial emotions of the song. Beyond that, the cover is great. It should not be compared, as they sang from 2 opposite perspectives and times in their lives. Then we get Old town road or whatever....Ugh. Just wish Trent, got his just desserts. For the greater good.

[@nubarkemwer6399]

I think Bowie was not so prowd of his interpretation.

[@D4vd81]

Love David Bowie but his timing was off