Posted on 08/08/2020 12:43:55 PM PDT by dmam2011
(CU News) - Almost a year before his death at the age of 70, Johnny Cash would gain a younger generation of fans by covering a Nine Inch Nails song from 1994 entitled “Hurt”. The question of how did he end up covering that specific song is bound to be asked? It seemed like a strange choice at the time while also being very appropriate given his stage life.
The original version of “Hurt” is a much different take on the song. However, Cash’s version applies an entirely unique translation based simply on who is singing the lyrics. The original artist, Trent Reznor, believed the song’s story was about a young person spiraling into either self-harm or drug addiction. The Johnny Cash version provided the song a new light with an interpretation focused on an older man who knew his life was coming to an end.
(Excerpt) Read more at clarksvillian.com ...
One of my absolute favorite versions.
It’s the only version I know. I mostly tuned out of “new” music in the mid-80s.
OMG, the Pain...
Drummer for NIN was one of my kid’s instructors.
That was great. Thanks for sharing.
Right. In the words of an elderly neighbor, ‘What a self indulgent piece of crap to end a great career with.’
That version of “Hurt” is one of my favs to listen to when in a dark mood...
HEAVY!
I always took it to be about Johnny’s own self-harm through addiction, not about “growing old”.
Review
Cash had a lot to regret in his life from drug abuse to the way he treated his first wife and daughters. He probably did feel considerable pain.
exactly.
As well as Rusty Cage. No idea why he would do Personal Jesus, being that he was a Christian.
it isn’t clear to me who actually picked some of the songs - hurt obv. was rubin’s idea. rubin has danzig write 13, which obv. cash didn’t solicit, he had never met danzig i think or maybe even heard of him. wont back down was done likely because petty’s band was the backing band for 3rd record.
I am not sure how many of the non-cash songs actually were personal choices by cash.
I love the Cash version.
Love it. Big Cash fan. My parents knew him when he lived in Casitas Springs CA.
I have a picture of me at 4 years old sitting next to.him.
I had heard somewhere that after hearing the Cash version of the song, he signed over the authorship of it to him. Not sure where I heard that. I did also hear that Reznor wept at length.
I can’t say I blame him. It was a very personal song he wrote. I don’t figure he cared as much about sharing the experience via Cash, but it was likely crushing to have the original completely replaced by the newer.
My 2 cents. The original was perfect.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.