About
“A Warm Place” functions as a sliver of hope before the protagonist ultimately succumbs to the inhuman “voice” in his mind. The song is a pseudo-interlude between the bombastic “Big Man with a Gun”, the last proclamation of the protagonist’s ‘human’ side, and “Eraser”, wherein the inhuman side of him finally takes control.
Structurally, the song rearranges the album’s leitmotif as a single piano over an ambient synth wash reminiscent of Brian Eno. It is undoubtedly the calmest, most relaxing track on the album. The whispered lyric can be heard towards the middle of the song when the organ-like synth begins.
Some of the melody in this track is remarkably similar to Crystal Japan by David Bowie. In an interview between Trent Reznor and David Bowie, Reznor admits he probably unintentionally ripped Bowie off. He recalls listening to a lot of Bowie during the time, and feeling like there was no way he could have written the melody himself.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning