Closer is arguably the most popular song by Nine Inch Nails, and it is probably one of the least understood. What is happening at this point of the story is this: Trent has surrendered to the Pig, and he is returning to life as usual. This song introduces Annie, Trent's significant other, and it is the beginning of his domination over her.
You let me violate you. You let me desecrate you You let me penetrate you. You let me complicate you
In this song, we see how Trent is beginning to see Annie. She accepts him, and he feels that he desecrates her when being intimate.
Help me I broke apart my insides. Help me I've got no soul to sell Help me the only thing that works for me. Help me get away from myself
When he is with her, he gets away from the Pig a little, but there is no longer love between them, as he has none to give. It's all physical.
I want to fuck you like an animal I want to feel you from the inside I want to fuck you like an animal My whole existence is flawed You get me closer to God
The animal analogy implies the lack of love in the relationship. It's all physical and instinctive. There is no intimacy, only penetration. He is flawed because of the Pig, and by being with him, Annie makes him just a little better, but he is beginning to dehumanize her.
You can have my isolation. You can have the hate that it brings You can have my absence of faith. You can have my everything.
Trent is giving himself to Annie. She can have all of him. While it may seem like a romantic act to her, Trent is really giving himself to her because he doesn't want it anymore.
Help me tear down my reason. Help me it's your sex I can smell
Animals are drawn to each other by scent.
Help me you make me perfect. Help me become somebody else I want to fuck you like an animal I want to feel you from the inside I want to fuck you like an animal My whole existence is flawed You get me closer to God
Annie makes Trent a better person, but he hates himself and wants to be someone else.
Through every forest, above the trees Within my stomach, scraped off my knees I drink the honey inside your hive You are the reason I stay alive
At least Trent has Annie, and it's something to be happy about. She gives him strength, and she is the only reason he continues to live.