Songs & Lyrics
The Idea of You
“The Idea of You” appears on Not The Actual Events (2016).
- Record type
- Lyrics available
- Classification
- Official NIN composition
- First record
- Halo 29 · Not The Actual Events
- Known versions
- 2
Song details
About This Song
Two titled versions are documented.
- Classification
- Official NIN composition
- First documented release
- Halo 29 · Not The Actual Events
- Release date
- December 23, 2016
- Track position
- 4
- Running time
- 3:27
- Tempo
- 120 BPM
- Known versions
- 2
Live History
- Performance span
- No public performance documented
Versions
- The Idea Of You
- The Idea Of You (Instrumental)
Sources: NIN Wiki — The Idea Of You, revision 69288 (reviewed September 28, 2026). NIN Wiki song record
Words
Lyrics
Maybe I was somebody else
I'm sorry, for what it's worth
If that means anything anymore
I think there's something just wrong
I have been wondering
When, when did you know?
You know, really know?
No, no, no, no, I don't think that's going to happen here
You missed all that on the way out
Remember, I don't wanna remember anymore
Maybe I was somebody else
Just go back to the idea of me
Just go back to the idea of me
Just go back to the idea of me
Just…
Wait
Wake
Breathe
Believe
Hey, you tell yourself…
None of this is happening
Oh and if I start to tell you anything, please don't pay attention
That's not really me in there
I would never do that
Just go back to the idea of me
Go back to that idea
Can you even hear me over here?
Everything absorbing, liquid twitching, forming something terrible
The sores are gone
And you can hardly tell now but
That was someone else who isn't here anymore
Wait
Wake
Breathe
Believe
Hey, you tell yourself…
None of this is happening
Wait
Wake
Breathe
Believe
Hey, you tell yourself…
Hey
Can you hear?
It gets
So lonely in here
Lyrics reproduced with permission for non-profit educational use.
Where it appears