Hurt Analysis

In 2002 Johnny Cash covered the song “Hurt” by the Nine Inch Nails. The original version from the Nine Inch Nails was industrial rock whereas Cash gave the song a more emotional take on the song. Cash produces a heartfelt video with hindsight to his life, examining the mistakes he made. The lyrics chosen by Cash are emotionally deep and really explain his depressive state of mind:




What have I become

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know goes away

In the end

And you could have it all

My empire of dirt

I will let you down

I will make you hurt



Knowing his personal life helps us to understand the pain behind these lyrics, Cash has encountered several devastating events in his life that has helped contribute to his emotional pain. Cash was very close to his older brother, Jack, who in 1944 was pulled into a whirling table saw in the mill where he worked, and cut almost in two. He suffered for over a week before he died. Cash was only 12 at the times so you can imagine the emotional torture he experienced. But the experience that most relates to these lyrics is the divorce from his first wife, Vivian Liberto. Cash spent years of drugs, alcohol and affairs with other women during his marriage, the continuous problems led to a divorce in 1966. The divorce links heavily with the lyrics of the song – “I will let you down”, this suggests that Cash is admitting to making mistakes in his life and that the song is almost an apology.



The Nine Inch Nails cover expresses more anger than the emotional pain of Cash’ cover. A prime example of this expression of anger is how the band uses the quote “I wear this crown of shit”, whereas Cash quotes “I wear this crown of thorns”. These lyrics contrast the two different feelings that are created by both artists. Cash further expresses his pain through his video. Close-up shots of Cash reveal his fragile state, he looks old and exhausted, suggesting he’s very ill. The video promotes a more personal feel by using personal images, throughout the video we see clips of a younger Cash and his old home, which today is a museum in honour of the late singer. These personal images connect us more to Cash as like him, we reflect on his life. The images shown of a younger Cash shows him as being happy, this contrasts to the modern Cash who is shown as tired and depressive; this suggests that despite the happiness shown on the outside he was in fact hurting inside.



Cash’ “Hurt” video was different to any of the other videos he had ever made, this was the first time he had ever based a video solely around himself, his other videos would be based on events and not himself. Cash’ video was also new to the country music audience, country music is known for a more upbeat sound and the videos would be based in the countryside with the artist playing an acoustic guitar. Cash doesn’t set his video in the countryside as the video is personal and he wanted to set in a personal setting (his home). However, Cash keeps a certain iconography of country music by playing an acoustic guitar throughout the video.



The editing of the video helps to create a mellow atmosphere which helps to emphasize Cash’ pain. Gentle shot transitions are used throughout to create a slow pace and establish a calmer mood, this allows you to take in Cash’ words and helps you to understand his story. This editing technique is also used in Dido’s video “Don’t believe in love”, although the editing is not exactly the same as Cash’ video, they still both create the same atmosphere, and the result is effective. Another technique used to create a calmer mood is by using long takes, this technique is used in Cash’ video to calm the mood but also so the audience can take a longer look at Cash and really examine the pain in his aging face.



Most artists call upon intertextuality when writing music, Cash is no different in this instance, it is obvious that the Nine Inch Nails cover of Hurt is Cash’ source of inspiration. We do not know the exact reason for Cash wanting to cover Hurt but we can guess that he chose it because the lyrics relate to the story he wants to tell and therefore he felt it was necessary to use these lyrics but change the tune to relate to a more depressive mood. Cash could of also chosen these lyrics because of the biblical references, an example of this is the lyric “crown of thorns”. The biblical aspect of the song could relate to Cash repenting his sins, he has come to the time in his life where he is about to die and wants to leave with on a clean slate. Also, by using this song it can attract the attention of a wider audience, the original version was industrial rock so the song was listened predominantly by rock fans. Because the audience recognise the song, it flatters them and they become more engaged with the song; exactly what Cash wanted from the song.