Halo 08 · The Downward Spiral
Halo 08 · The Downward Spiral

Songs & Lyrics

Ruiner

“Ruiner” appears on The Downward Spiral (1994) and has returned in setlists across multiple touring eras.

Record type
Lyrics available
Classification
Official NIN composition
First record
Halo 08 · The Downward Spiral
Known versions
3

Song details

About This Song

Three titled versions are documented.

Classification
Official NIN composition
First documented release
Halo 08 · The Downward Spiral
Release date
March 8, 1994
Track position
6
Running time
4:58
Tempo
116 BPM
Known versions
3

Track Credits

Production
Flood and Trent Reznor
Mixing Engineer
Alan Moulder

Live History

Performance span
Self Destruct Touring Cycle · Performance 2007 · Wave Goodbye Tour · Peel It Back Tour

Versions

  • Ruiner
  • Ruiner (Version)
  • Ruiner (Demo)

Sources: NIN Wiki — Ruiner, revision 67467 (reviewed September 28, 2026). NIN Wiki song record

Words

Lyrics

You believed in all your lies, didn't you?
The Ruiner's got a lot to prove he's got nothing to lose and now he made you believe
The Ruiner's your only friend well he's the living end to the cattle he deceives
The raping of the innocent you know the Ruiner ruins everything he sees
Now the only pure thing left in my fucking world is wearing your disease

How did you get so big?
How did you get so strong?
How did you get so hard?
How did it get so long?

You had to give them all a sign, didn't you?
You had to covet what was mine, didn't you?
The Ruiner's a collector he's an infector serving his shit to his flies
Maybe there will come a day when those that you keep blind will suddenly realize
Maybe it's a part of me you took to a place I hoped it would never go
And maybe that fucked me up much more than you'll ever know

How did you get so big?
How did you get so strong?
How did you get so hard?
How did it get so long?
What you gave to me
My perfect ring of scars
You know I can see
What you really are

You didn't hurt me nothing can hurt me
You didn't hurt me nothing can stop me now

You had all of them on your side, didn't you?
You believed in all your lies, didn't you?
Now he's found a way for you to believe, didn't you?
Now I see you're wearing his disease, didn't you?

You had to give them all a sign, didn't you?
You had to covet what was mine, didn't you?
Farther than I ever thought you would go, didn't you?
But maybe that hurt me more than you would ever know, ever know

Lyrics reproduced with permission for non-profit educational use.

Where it appears

Documented Appearances