Songs & Lyrics
The Fragile
“The Fragile” appears on The Fragile (1999) and has returned in setlists across multiple touring eras.
- Record type
- Lyrics available
- Classification
- Official NIN composition
- First record
- Halo 14 · The Fragile
- Known versions
- 5
Song details
About This Song
Available on two Halo releases in 5 titled versions.
- Classification
- Official NIN composition
- First documented release
- Halo 14 · The Fragile
- Release date
- September 21, 1999
- Track position
- 6
- Running time
- 4:35
- Tempo
- 143 BPM
- Known versions
- 5
Live History
- Performance span
- Fragility v2.0 · Performance 2007 · Wave Goodbye Tour · Peel It Back Tour
- Live debut
- September 9, 1999 · New York, NY
Versions
- The Fragile
- The Fragile (Instrumental)
- The Fragile (Deconstructed)
- The Fragile (Still)
- The Fragile (Bridge School Benefit)
Sources: NIN Wiki — The Fragile (song), revision 68944 (reviewed September 28, 2026). NIN Wiki song record
Words
Lyrics
In a world full of ugliness
She matters
When everything is meaningless
Fragile
She doesn't see her beauty
She tries to get away
Sometimes
It's just that nothing seems worth saving
I can't watch her slip away
I won't let you fall apart
She reads the minds of all the people as they pass her by
Hoping someone can see
If I could fix myself I'd—
But it's too late for me
I won't let you fall apart
We'll find the perfect place to go where we can run and hide
We'll build a wall and we can keep them on the other side
…But they keep waiting
…And picking…
It's something I have to do
I was there, too
Before everything else
I was like you
Lyrics reproduced with permission for non-profit educational use.
Where it appears