My appreciation for Johnny Cash comes more recently than to other folks. Sure, I got into a couple of his songs over the years, but never to the degree that I had with other bands/songs. But then he began to reach out a bit, releasing a series of albums that were essentially all covers of classics and more modern work.
The whole series of albums are absolutely great. Must-haves for any collection. But American IV: The Man Comes Around
Cash’s version of “Hurt,†originally released by Nine Inch Nails on Downward Spiral
Lyrically, he stays very close to the Nine Inch Nails version with the single exception: “crown of shit†is changed to “crown of thorns,†but otherwise it’s right on. Yet at the same time that’s where the similarities end.
The NIN version comes across as frustrated and angry about the state of the world. With its sparse instrumentation – not much more than a guitar and his voice – Cash departs from the original. He gives the song a melancholy, almost remorseful, look back at where his life has been. The video only seems to reinforce that feeling of regret and sorrow.
Although it seems unlikely to find beauty in the heartache of Cash’s cover, it’s there; laid bare for the whole world to see.
NIN’s front man, Trent Reznor, has said “…that song isn’t mine any more…†in reaction to Cash’s remake and the corresponding video. I find myself in complete agreement. Cash truly made the song his own, stripping it down, leaving just raw emotion.
Listen to both versions back to back. Compare them for yourself. Knowing what we do of Cash’s life, concentrate on the words, they’re enough to make you cry.
May we never know such sorrow in our own lives.