Songs & Lyrics
Happiness in Slavery
“Happiness in Slavery” appears on Broken (1992) and has returned in setlists across multiple touring eras.
- Record type
- Lyrics available
- Classification
- Official NIN composition
- First record
- Halo 05 · Broken
- Known versions
- 7
Song details
About This Song
Available on three Halo releases in 7 titled versions.
- Classification
- Official NIN composition
- First documented release
- Halo 05 · Broken
- Release date
- September 22, 1992
- Track position
- 5
- Running time
- 5:21
- Tempo
- 120 BPM
- Known versions
- 7
Track Credits
- Production
- Trent Reznor
Live History
- Performance span
- Self Destruct Touring Cycle · Cold And Black And Infinite Tour through NIN 2022
Versions
- Happiness In Slavery
- Happiness In Slavery (Fixed)
- Screaming Slave
- Happiness In Slavery (Sherwood Slave Mix)
- Happiness In Slavery (PK Slavery Remix)
- Happiness In Slavery (Flaccid Edit)
- Happiness In Slavery (Live at Woodstock '94)
Related Records
Sources: NIN Wiki — Happiness In Slavery (song), revision 69453 (reviewed September 28, 2026). NIN Wiki song record
Words
Lyrics
Slave screams thinks he has something to say
Slave screams he hears but doesn't want to listen
Slave screams he's being beat into submission
Don't open your eyes you won't like what you see
The devils of truth steal the souls of the free
Don't open your eyes, take it from me
I have found
You can find
Happiness in slavery
Slave screams he spends his life learning conformity
Slave screams he claims he has his own identity
Slave screams he's going to cause the system to fall
Slave screams but he's glad to be chained to that wall
Don't open your eyes you won't like what you see
The blind have been blessed with security
Don't open your eyes, take it from me
I have found
You can find
Happiness in slavery
I don't know what I am I don't know where I've been
Human junk just words and so much skin
Stick my hands through the cage of this endless routine
Just some flesh caught in this big broken machine
Happiness
It controls you
Lyrics reproduced with permission for non-profit educational use.
Where it appears
Documented Appearances
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