The saying goes that if Johnny Cash covers your song, it’s not your song anymore. Well, if that’s true for any song, then it’s most definitely true for “Hurt”. The Nine Inch Nails original appears on Cash’s final studio album “American IV: The Man Comes Around”. An album on which Cash covers artists such as The Beatles, Sting, and Simon & Garfunkel in his own iconic style. The highlight of the album, however, is Cash’s haunting version of Trent Reznor’s “Hurt”.
Let’s dive into the story and meaning behind the song!
The Story Behind the Song
“Hurt” is originally written by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. The song depicts the story of a young Reznor pushing through life despite experiencing unbearable pain. From that perspective, it’s logical Reznor was somewhat skeptical when producer Rick Rubin asked him if the old Johnny Cash could cover his deeply personal song. Despite the skepticism, Reznor told Rubin he’d be flattered if Johnny Cash covered “Hurt”.
The idea of covering “Hurt” wasn’t from the “Man in Black” himself. The idea was brought forth by producer Rick Rubin. Cash thought Rubin was insane for suggesting such a noisy song. But Rubin thought the song would fit Cash if he sang it in his own style.
In BBC’s show “Desert Island Discs” Rubin said: “I thought of the image of Johnny Cash as the mythical man in black. And any song that he sang had to suit this mythical man in black.” Later Rubin added: “When he (Cash) heard the lyrics, and he heard the format of what it could be, he said: Let’s try it.”
Johnny Cash’s recording showcased the song in a new light. While Reznor’s original depicts the story of a young person going through pain, Cash’s version tells the story of an old man reflecting back on his life. The old man looks back with painful remorse but knows nothing can be changed about it.
Reznor admitted he initially found Cash’s rendition unsettling to listen to. In an interview with the Sun he said: “I listened to it and it was very strange. It was this other person inhabiting my most personal song. I’d known where I was when I wrote it. I know what I was thinking about. I know how I felt. Hearing it was like someone kissing your girlfriend. It felt invasive.”
But the impact of Cash’s version dawned upon Reznor when he heard the song in combination with its haunting video clip. He changed his mind and became an admirer of Johnny Cash’s cover.
The Music Video for Hurt
Part of the song’s power is undeniably its haunting music video. The video was directed by Mark Romanek, who decided to emphasize the rawness of “Hurt” by showcasing a fragile Johnny Cash. Cash’s wife, June Carter Cash, appears in the music video too.
In an interview with the Guardian director Mark Romanek said: He was no longer in his prime – he was fading and that was what I wanted to show. While I was filming the opening segment of Johnny playing guitar in his living room, his wife, June, came down the stairs and watched. The look on her face was so complex: full of love and pride and concern for her husband. So I asked her if I could film her too and she agreed.
From the first chorus on, the music video alternates between the fragile Cash and archive footage of Cash in his younger years. The video also contains footage of the closed House of Cash museum, which Romanek found in a state of complete decay. Romanek decided to film there nonetheless to add to the rawness of the song.
in 2004 the music video for “Hurt” won a grammy for “best short-form music video”. It is often cited as one of the greatest music videos of all time.
Legacy
U2’s frontman Bono once said that Trent Reznor was meant to write the song, whereas Johnny Cash was meant to sing it. A powerful statement many would agree with. Reznor’s version of “Hurt” is hauntingly beautiful, but Cash elevated the song to a new level. Producer Rick Rubin and video director Mark Romanek had a great sense of the raw-ness “Hurt” needed. They play great roles in the beauty of Cash’s version of the song.
In the music video Johnny Cash visibly struggles with health issues. 7 months after filming “Hurt” Johnny Cash passed away at the age of 71, 4 months after his wife June Carter Cash passed away. “Hurt” is known as Cash’s swan song and is acclaimed among his finest records. The song is often cited as the greatest cover of all time. No other than “The Man in Black” himself showcased that no matter how old you are, you’re still capable of great feats.
Cette chanson me rappel mon frère décédé. Elle me fait pleurer à chaque fois. La musique à un fort pouvoir pour remmener des souvenirs… Merci Beaucoups de le faire revivre en moi au travers cette chanson!
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