Ok so big disclaimer: I hadn't seen this music video before (although I'm really familiar with the song) and really wasn't prepared for how much it affected me. I hope the small technical comments are enough for my technique-minded subscribers and that you still enjoyed the breakdown even if it was more emotion/intention/lyric inclined. Let me know how it affected you as well! What or who does this song make you think about?
Nightwish army 🤘🇫🇮 .'I'm gratefull to Nine Inch Nails that they gave this song to Cash - he owed it and made it his personal - maybe last goodbay... Stay safe and Take care..
@@donriggins8989 No, he didn't. 🤦♂️ I swear, I never seen so many false information be given about an artist and song as I do with Johnny and this song. Johnny deserves better.
@Sinvare Do you have a link to this story? Because in the interview that watched, she recounted the moment that she first watched this music video with Johnny and June, and she didn't say that.
Now yours is the best comment in turn. Telling people not to die with regrets...I'll also add for people to try not to LIVE a life of regrets either, if at all possible...
Johnny Cash really did go out on top with this song. I knew when I heard of Junes passing, he would follow her soon after. This song is such a heart breaker. Trent Reznor even said Johnny took it to a place he never could.
@@poulmba That was a response to the video, not the track. Trent was ambivalent about the cover until he saw the video. Johnny's version of the song is excellent, but the video is what makes it so powerful. As an interesting note, the director of the video is long-time NIN collaborator Mark Romanek, who directed the videos for 'Closer' and 'The Perfect Drug' among others. (note the video for the original is a recording of a live performance)
@@adam_mawz_maas It's also the fact that his voice is so powerful and recognizable, I mean he is the motherfuckin' Man in Black, the OG Outlaw of music; to hear him lean so strongly into vibrato and sing in such a broken way is absolutely heart-wrenching. It's obvious that while he's the King and can still sing after 70 years of hard living, his life has also taken it's toll on him both physically and emotionally. The reason you think the song itself falls short is the exact reason why it's so emotional and impactful for long-time fans of Cash. Sure, he could've belted out a fantastic cover in his prime had the song been out back then, but it wouldn't have had the weight of this stripped-down acoustic performance accompanying the tired voice of a living legend in his final days, his soul heavy as he looked back on the road he took. The video just adds more context to those who weren't already aware of who The Man in Black was.
Reznor is known for being difficult on most fronts. But even he said, "When Johnny Cash asks to cover your music, there is only one response. And thats, 'Yes sir, Mr Cash. Anyway I can help you?'."
When he closes the piano lid and caresses it like a lover gets me every time. As if he is saying goodbye to music, life and pain. All my best June and Johnny you will not be forgotten.
To me, it felt like he was closing a coffin. Heartbreak and resignation - there's nothing more to be said, nothing more you can do. The finality of it is crushing.
@@larryrodriguez1977 lyrics are only a part of the music, and I'd argue not even the largest part in the emotional impact. Musical arrangement and the singer's performance are very important. For an example, see (hear) Simon & Garfunkel's performance of "Sounds of Silence" vs. Disturb's rendition. *VERY* different impact, despite the same lyrics. Bottom line: if two different versions of the song leave you with different feelings, then it isn't the words that are moving you, but the singer.
@@lairdcummings9092 I agree wholeheartedly. but I guess my point was that not many people nowadays know that it was a nine inch nails song. I grew up with the NIN version so thats the one I am drawn to. The Cash version is truly moving I will admit but for me i cant hear anything but trent singing. I am little biased i guess
I feel a bit of that each time i hear it. That man worked his ass off his entire life doing something he loved, looking back at all his records, rewards and accolades, yet compared to his wife? Nothing but dirt, the only other thing he dedicated his life to.
well, it might be 'sadness', but imho, as a fellow american of a younger gen, now early 50's i am, his gen and his particular subculture and position within it, and within the larger american culture, is the major part of why he is literally THE icon is american musical history. He was essentially the only real social justice warrior, before that was even a concept, and he was reeeally really that, in ways NO one else was. He was the real deal, applying is personal moral /ethical values in deliberate ways, that are part of also what the civil rights movement was about of course. All of this is maybe why i rediscovered him for a second and much deeper time in my early 40's ten years ago and was just gutted by this song/vid. However, for ppl to more deeply understand his personality, may or may not be simple to do, depending on our own personalities and even understanding of mental health, for lack of a better word. He did have some very profound major depression, as i recall, and when u look at what he did in his life, i.e the specific good works, and the lyrics, and his attitudes he freely expressed, after originaly planning a career in gospel music, it all kinda makes sense, when u think of what life/society was like during his heyday. It was rough times socially. And the economy was nothing like today, it was far more hard scrabble, particularly where he's from. In any case i was nonetheless devastated pretty much by this song/vid, but in a good way, bcuz Cash generally is part of how i felt more solid footing in my first early mid-life difficult times. He had the firmness that americans need to retain our/their actual freedom, i.e. the basic structure of society which is clearly under assault by ultra conservatives using the legal system to push boundaries to the point of breaking.
To me it's two completely different songs. NIN is the anger, fear and depression you feel becoming man. Feeling the world is against you. Cash is the reflection of age, seeing what was really good in life and how much you wasted. Each evokes such a different emotions, they feel completely different.
I really do agree with both of you. I love(d) Johnny Cash, I was born in 1966, so there has never been a time in my life until recently)where he wasn’t present in some way. I’m an R.E.M, Green Day girl, but being Southern I grew up with country music playing off in the background to some degree or other. Johnny Cash (The Man in Black), was one of a kind, imho. This video slays me every time I see it. If you haven’t heard him sing ‘When the Man Comes Around’, you really should. It was used as the background in the opening of ‘Dawn of the Dead’, the new one. ✌🏻
It's even more powerful to realize June, died about 3 months after this video.... Johnny only 7.... when Johnny closed the piano for the last time.... it was really the last time..... this video is not only powerful.... its a living historical document in my view.....Thanks Julia for sharing.....
Came here to say this. It was literally Johnny and June saying goodbye. When she looks at him during this video being produced, that look from the stairs, it's one of the last times either one of them was healthy enough to be out in public. Not sure if Johnny Cash killed it, or the song killed Johnny Cash...
Trent Reznor talking about how he at first dismissed the song when he was told about it, busy with stuff, and not feeling good with himself; then later looked at the clip with the band - he is audably emotional thinking how impacted he was.
The beauty of the American Recordings is that they didn’t produce his voice at all. No auto tune, no polish, just the raw unfiltered voice full of age and truth and sorrow and wisdom.
@@markberard804 Auto tuning Johnny Cash would totally nullify what made him special. He made an art form of singing slightly out of tune for emotional effect.
He changed one word in the lyrics. He changed shit to thorns in the "I wear this crown off ..." June wasn't supposed to be in the video. She was resting upstairs and came down to see what was going on, and they kept it in. She died a short while after.
Just Dave yes, but it also serves to link the song into Johnny’s faith. They were both gone within a year or so of this release, which is part of what makes this piece so sad.
I personally believe this song has an ever increasing impact the older you get. Family and friends pass on and before you know it, you're pretty much alone. At 69, I cry every time I hear it.
When you visit the cemetery and say this is my husband, and here is mom and dad, and there are my two brothers, and over there is my best friend since kindergarten, oh and there’s Aunt so-and-so, and Tom (he was the first boy I ever kissed), and…and, and, and(…)
63 here. When you are 20 your think you have all the time in the world to right all your wrongs and make up for all your mistakes. Then at some point you realize you will just have to live with many of them. The people you hurt are gone, the things you didn't do that you should have done are in the rear view mirror.
"Closing the piano and music is his whole life, sorry. " I end up watching reactions to this video from different voice coaches/vocalist and this is so brilliant and true.
@@Vorador47 societyofrock.com/trent-reznor-i-wasnt-prepared-for-what-i-saw-and-it-really-then-wasnt-my-song-anymore/#:~:text=NIN%27s%20songwriter%2C%20Trent%20Reznor%20prolifically,and%20it%20was%20very%20strange. Do you spent 5 minutes thinking you know the answer, or actually go do research on it?
My father died 15 December 2016... I held his hand when he died. Exactly one year later, I held my mothers hand when she died. I come back to this song over and over again and I cry everytime. The two very first records I bought as young was with Johnny Cash in the late -60's. I miss my father and my mother so much and this song is special for me as it reminds me of my belowed parents.
I know your feelings on this. Lost my dad in 19 and I've tried so hard not to link this song to my dad. It's hard because my dad and Johnny lived very similar lives.
I feel your pain, friend. I lost Dad when I was 7, and Mom almost 4 1/2 years ago. It will always hurt, but time will ease the pain, if only a little bit.
I have not met nor seen any person yet that does not at the very least tear up upon watching this video for the first time. It's just so powerful. Many have tried to disect it and explain it and try to be methodical and rational about it but at the end of the day the power it holds is all in the emotion it evokes.
There was such a finality of that piano lid coming down. It was almost with reluctant acceptance. THE most moving and meaningful piece of modern art I have ever seen.
The fact that the video was shot at The House of Cash, Johnny Cash museum, and that is the actual condition it was in, plus June passed away 3 months after the video was shot, and Johnny shortly after make this quite possibly the saddest music video of all time.
@@JeremyNeish his house burned down. The former museum is now an office of some sort. I think a real estate type business. The House of Cash sign is still over the front entrance.
@@fnjesusfreak Romanek had the advantage of not only understanding Cash's intentions, but Trent Reznor's original ones. He's a long-time collaborator with NIN and directed one of the videos (Closer) for the album that Hurt was originally released on. It's one of the greatest videos released, a perfect understanding of the song, Cash and Reznor including both where Cash was (a look back on his very checkered past and the woman who kept him alive and gave his life meaning) and Reznor was when he first wrote it (a young man, alone and just about broken)
It doesn't matter if I just listened to the song 5 minutes ago, I cry every time I hear it. Grown man, Army vet... doesn't matter. I cry EVERY time I watch this video.
I think it's the undertone of the song. Tren was trying to work out a horrible situation in his life. Johnny is looking back on his. This song resonates with every life experience we can have, every failure, every triumph (which ultimately amounts to nothing, we have to leave it behind), every wrong thing I have done, or right thing I didn't. It calls us to do better, and reminds us we will still fail. Someone once said; "Life IS pain. Anyone who tells you different is selling you something." This song, and this version of it, speaks to that part of me deeply. And even deeper the more life I have.
Even Trent Reznor who wrote this song reacted strongly to watching this video for the firsts time and basically said how Johnny just nailed it. It fits so well with his life, and his voice can carry so much emotion with a lifetime of experiences coloring it....It reflects on all of us, our life choices, things we regret and are proud of, but in the end, all there is are memories...
" ...all there is are memories." If we are lucky. Alzheimer's took even that from both of my maternal grandparents. Between a traumatic brain injury and a stroke I have lost many memories from my earlier life already. Be thankful if you still have the good ones, as I am thankful for the loss of the bad ones (until someone in the family tells the stories of those bad times and "gifts" them back to me).
Trent and Johnny had a mutual friend, producer, Rick Rubin. Johnny had Rick asked Trent to see if he can cover the song. At 1st, Trent had reservations of Johnny's version, but hearing and seeing Johnny's version. Trent allegedly stated this is Johnny's song. I agree with him. Trent's version is about drug addiction. Johnny had his bouts with drug addiction during his life.
A dying man Knowing he’s dying and he still left us with this masterpiece. Thank you thank you thank you. Edit: typing through tears is hard lol. If you love this thank Rick Rubin. He made this magic happen.
When I first heard him sing this song, I thought to myself that there will never be a song as perfect as this, and it nearly brought me to my knees. I know Trent Reznor wrote this as an autobiographical piece, but it fit Johnny so beautifully, and the production by Rick Rubin strips it down to bare bones. I recall thinking, Johnny is going to sing Nine Inch Nails? And now, seeing this video, it is just devastating. Seeing June standing over him during what is clearly a time where he is ready to take his leave, I am in tears like you. Wow. Just, wow.
The video clip was recorded in February 2003. June dies 3 months later in May of that year. Jonny died 7 months after it was filmed in September of that year. Sadly, the house burned down in 2007 and the scene where June is standing on the stairs behind Johnny visibly upset was still visible after the house burned down. This scene of the fireplace after the house burned down seems like a sad metaphor to the song, the video clip and the meaning of the entire production. It is truly one of the most profound and heartbreaking productions I have ever seen. Live well people. Be kind to yourselves and others. Peace from Australia.
In my culture, we burn things to our departed love ones so they can use in the afterlife. They arent of my culture but I like to think that Johnny and his wife is reunited in the afterlife and is residing in their own home with each other once more
You hit the mark so perfectly with this, young woman. Johnny Cash dies within 12 months of recording this. You picked up on the sentiments and message perfectly. As a 71 yr old male myself, some of this sits uncomfortably close to the mark with me. Go bless you and keep up your fine work 🙏😓🤗🌹
June's placement during the video ended up being impressively symbolic with hindsight. June passed away only a few months before Johnny, so looking back she's almost there as a ghost, watching over the love of her life as his draws to a close.
Well, I'll be 72 next month and every time I watch this video it resonates with me and I tear up throughout the song. The piano lid does me in each time. Excellent reaction as always.
I've waited nearly 20 years to hear someone explain the impact of this song, this video in a way that captures how it impacted, and still impacts me today. Trent's original of Hurt touched me as a teen, having grown up with family members and friends that were addicts, some who gave up fighting. Johnny's on the other hand touches me in an entirely different way, in a way that I can relate to even more now at my age than i did 19 years ago, the regret, the sorrow and remorse in his voice, someone at the end of his life realizing all of the pain he has caused to those around him, and being forced to come to terms with the fact that what is done is done, he can't undo it, he can't fix it, this was his life as he sees it's, realizing that it's almost over. It breaks my heart every time I hear it because it hits so close to home.
I was not expecting to wake up today to start crying within an hour of getting out of bed. Hearing both Disturbed's "Sound of Silence" and Johnny Cash's "Hurt", and listening to your reaction, really did me in. Beautifully done, on both the video and the songs.
Julia, nine inch nails version is about a history of drug abuse, Johnny Cash's version here is more about a man realizing his life is coming to a close.
Even more than that, it's a reflection. Like, "Boy, it goes quick, don't it?" Realizing that all the fame, the money, it doesn't mean much in the end. You can't take it with you.
Johnny Cash had addictions and suffered from alcoholism too. I interpret this cover as as a dying man who realized he never lived his life to its full potential. He missed chances in life, did things he regret, the years of drug abuse trying to kill his emotions but all in vain etc. The last verse is him telling us to love ourselves and life more while we can.
@@eswing2153 they're both the last songs they recorded before their deaths, each one essentially saying goodbye to the world, and both weighed heavily by a life of experiences that fundamentally shaped them.
Julia: The fact that this moved you so deeply, gives you much more credibility. Don’t apologise for having to take a moment. This video was the last song that Johnny ever sung, and he knew it too. He was such a powerhouse of a performer; grassroots, singing from the heart
I've got to stop watching people react to this video.. someone keeps cutting onions. As to "not his lyrics" according to Trent Reznor, this is a Johnny Cash song now. The song is very powerful but the imagery of this video turns the emotion up to a much higher level. I've seen a dozen or more different reactions (many of whom had no clue who Johnny Cash was) and they all were either wiping their eyes or sitting perfectly still trying to process. One young man said "This sounds crazy but I feel like i know him now" you do lad, you do.
"Closing the lid of the piano, and music is his whole life". I'd pretty much held it together until then... I'm a 45 year old man, whenever I watch this video, it gets me choked up. But oh my word, watching your sincere reaction to this was melancholically beautiful, as stupid as that may sound. I cried with you, I'm happy to admit, and I don't think I've ever hugged my phone before... With regards to the song itself, I've listened to Nine Inch Nails for years, seeing them live some time ago and hearing it both live and studio. Trent Reznor is a genius, both troubled and strong, and their original version has often been portrayed with disturbing imagery, set out to have an emotional impact, but not in this way. This is down to basics sadness, it's human, and it's beautiful. I know exactly what you mean about the impact it has when coupled with the video, very clever directing and production, it turns even the most hardened soul into an empath. I can't think of many songs that have been covered, or in this case, repurposed as I'd like to think of it, with as much emotion and honesty. Thank you, lovely Julia, for this video. I'm subscribing, please don't make me cry again. :-)
like you can hear the end, the cadence death itself coming on the other side..and when it winds down...its him finally walking up to you to tell you it’s time
The crescendo provides the emotional resonance for the closing of the piano cover to symbolize the end of of first, his musical career and then months later his life.
Here's a virtual hug from a stranger. That was a raw, heartfelt reaction. I feel you. This week is quite tough for me to go through, it's my birthday week- and also the 3rd year anniversary of my mom leaving the world which we had on Monday. Nevertheless, I instill in my head she wouldn't want to see me sad, she'd want us to be happy...and that thought keeps me sane and I'm able to move on. Thanks for not afraid to show your emotions to us 💛
I'm 73, and when I pass, I want the memory of me to bring a smile to those who care about me. I want them to remember my sense of humor, a kindness, or my smile, or good times in general. We old folk don't want our memory to bring pain to those we care about. Build a stock of good memories of her in your mind, and, whenever thought of her brings sadness, focus on one of those good memories. Eventually, the thought of her will bring a smile to your face. Be well.
Not sure how I managed to stumble across the video and your comment.. but, I'm certainly glad to have seen it. Lost my mother last year to an accidental overdose. Today is her birthday. I'm not much of an emotional person. This one got me. Yup. I felt it. If sincere, anonymous, socially distant cyber hugs are the trendy offering here in the comments section, there's one in my basket for ya. *My empire of dirt* What an amazingly profound (and deeply meaningful) lyric.
I totally love Johnny Cash and this version of “Hurt” brings up such emotions. The fact that he was addicted to heroin for so long, as was Trent Reznor, and he knew the pain of the needle, shouldn’t be lost. Hence the regret and the fear in these lyrics. Thanks for your reaction.
NIN's version made me look at my life and clean up when it came out. Then Johnny Cash brought it back in such a different way, and made me clean up things in a very different way. It's strange getting slapped in the face twice in one life by the same song in such different ways. But as potent as Cash's version is, the tears on my face will attest to that, Trent's version is still the more important to me.
I think in general there are more people at younger ages that can empathize with nin's version of this song. The amount of life experience Johnny had when he covered this is something most people just don't have. Both are incredibly powerful songs lryicly and the goals are admittedly different.
It is true that age plays a factor. Trent's is a young man's story, Cash's is an end of time story. And Cash's rings stronger and stronger every year. But one saved my life, and that colours my opinion so strongly.
@@antanis I love both versions. I remember when NIN first released this song. I'm still "only" 37 but feel like I can relate to Cash's version a lot cuz due to my health I won't be around for much longer. I have so much regret and would love nothing more than to go back and do things differently knowing how short my time here will be.
The single piano note is hard to describe. The way it gently brings you in, and then keeps you pinned to your seat in a depth that feels hard to breath. It's a solitary death note guiding the way into something no one wants. The hammering of the nail, the banquet of food before him, and June actually struggling to understand while knowing she's unable to help, makes this video one of the most moving experiences I've ever had in a music video. It is so much more than that. God bless you Trent for suffering enough to bleed these heartbreaking lyrics into our lives.
I hear that solitary piano note as mimicking the sound of Christ being nailed to the cross. And there is so much biblical imagery with a feast laid before Johnny on the table. And how he ultimately knows that the stuff of this world is transitory ("dirt") and in the end means nothing.
Yeah, when June appeared was about when I lost it as well. As far as technical critique goes, the lesson here is when an artist bares their soul to this degree, technique is secondary at best.
Your estimation of this one is spot on. Sometimes technique is paramount, but sometimes the honesty in the message is all that matters, and you are reminded of what music is really all about in the end. It’s a powerful video, and maybe the most powerful image is of him closing the piano lid. He was closing the lid on much more than the instrument.
This is one of the rawest, emotional songs I've ever heard in my whole life, and every time I see this video and breaks me down to tears. It's relatable and personal, and I think that's what gets to people. Plus, this is coming from a man who is considered one of the biggest musical kings in history, who was at the end of his life when he did this. I don't know how you can't cry while listening/watching this.
Beautiful reaction and breakdown of the song, The video is stunning, and more poignant now both he and his wife and even The Cash Museum are gone (It burned down not long after filming I believe) - so everything you see has passed. I still hope that he didn't look back on all his life with regret, he was a good man, though obviously flawed (who isn't?), and had such a huge influence on people's lives and the music of multiple generations...he is an icon, not only in country music, but also many many other genres - his presence will be felt for a long time to come
Take this away, too, though, along with the regrets. The last lines of the song, which Cash claims as intensely as any of the rest... "If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way." He'd do it again, and he'd keep the person he was and who he became. He remembers all of it. He holds it close. He regrets the ending of it all, but he doesn't discard any of the real value that made him Johnny Cash. The passion of his cherishing is greater than the regrets.
You are literally one of the best reactors I’ve ever seen. The way you actually broke this down is incredible. I look for reactors who actually care and care about the music and don’t do it for views. Johnny was one of the best. You got my follow 👍😎 good day
Being able to illicit such emotional reactions is the mark of a great performer. That is what Johnny Cash was. You reacted the same way most of us did. Never be embarrassed to show emotion. I’ve only recently found your channel and love it. You can get into the nuance of musical theory, but you know when to leave that behind and focus on the rest. I learn something new every time I watch. Keep up the good work.
I'm a grown ass man and this version of this son brings me to tears every single time... I was never a particularly big Johnny Cash fan per se... rather I turned 50 this year. I am closer to death than birth and as a man this makes you sit back and think.
I played guitar for Johnny a few times and it breaks my heart every time I watch this video and I love your true reaction, thank you for not editing it out, that emotion is what makes us all human.
This song as well as Johnny's duet with his daughter, Rosanne, "September When it Comes" breaks me every time. That line: "Everyone I know goes away in the end." And then knowing that June predeceased him by something like three months after this video was shot? Breaks me every time. T^T
I made a similar comment on another TH-cam channel. The line “I cannot move a mountain now I can no longer run. I cannot be who I was then. In a way, I never was.” I almost can’t listen to Rules of Travel because I cry every time.
Third time tonight I've watched someone react to this. Third time tonight my grown-ass 51 year old man-eyes have sprung multiple leaks. Yup. Johnny Cash, The Man In Black. You are missed, Sir. You are missed. :(
You said you felt it was laughable that you covered this song. I disagree, as you said yourself, music is an emotional journey. You may cover the song again later in your life and the difference between your first cover and your second will convey a great deal of the experiences your life has had. It would be interesting to see the interpretations of both younger you and older you side by side to see the different life experiences that you connect with each time you've done the song. Really love watching your videos, you genuinely open yourself to any music you hear and listen with your whole being, I don't often see people feel the depths of every note the way you seem to.
I'm just curious, and you might know nothing about it. But....from your comment I think your much older than I and I just wander about what you might say.... Ezekiel 28:11-15 "Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." So being you know it, what do you think about what's written?
I think for most people that as they get older, like myself, they look back on their life at what they accomplished, what they did wrong, what they would change and if there is time left to do more or to change. It would be interesting to see how she sees it in 40 years.
@@stevenjackson7067 Yah I believe that totally. Reflection is a bitch, or a blessing. Can I ask you what is is that you believe in? Do you believe in God? Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Jesus died and rose again to save you from hell, but you have to accept him as your savior first. These Bible verses explain how you can accept Jesus as your savior and have eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 3:23, 3:10, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8-9, 10:9-10, 10:13, 10:17, 8:28, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 11:1-3, James 1:17, 2 Peter 3:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21:4-6) 🙂
Thank you for reacting to this. I remember when I used to listen to NIN a lot back in the day. First heard this song after being introduced to the band some years after The Downward Spiral album released. As I grew up, I thought it was a good song when Reznor sung it even though I was young and didn't really understand the full weight behind it all. Many years later a friend found out I liked NIN and asked me if I liked the Johnny Cash version of Hurt, to which I confusingly replied "...Sorry, what?" having had no idea it was even a thing. Sometime later, got my hands on a recording of it and was surprised when Cash's cover ultimately resonated with me more. Since then it's been a song that at odd times during my life I've either gone back and listened to or even just found myself thinking about the lyrics, the meaning and as a type of tool for self reflection. Despite me loving that you've reacted to Nightwish and Jinjer, two bands I adore, as well as your in depth comments and analysis showing your expertise when it comes to your breakdowns, allowing me to learn a lot from you, which was the reason I subscribed a while ago in the first place. I'm glad I did because I think this is probably your most heartfelt reaction yet and I'm glad I got to see it. Keep doing what you're doing, it's awesome and so are you. Plus us Aussies have to stick together right? :) Stay safe.
It's crazy how songs can impact the way you feel in a second. I remember hearing this song when I was in high school and I thought it was a sad song but I didn't connect to it. Hearing it again now in my latter years ...wow.... it humbled me and made me reflect on the choices I have made throughout my life.
Trent Reznor, the author, said something like, it isn't my song, I just carried it a while for Johnny. Johnny's wife, June, the woman on the stairs, died not too long after he recorded this. He died not too long after her. His daughter told him it sounded like he was saying goodbye and he replied, I was. You should listen to The Man Comes Around, which he wrote not too long before he died. It is a masterpiece.
FINALLY!! Someone who understands and appreciates this song. I love Johnny Cash and this song makes me cry every time I listen to it. His life and his career are an amazing journey that everyone needs to experience. When this legend died I was heartbroken. I watched your video wondering if you would "get it" and I was happy that you did. Thanks for sharing your comments and thoughts.
It doesn't matter how many times I listen ,and watch this ,it strikes me to my core each time. I always love watching the reactions from all the various types of people who "react" to this. They always start off with their particular kind of "persona" they want to project ,but by the time they finish listening ,and watching this masterpiece , that image that they want to project is striped away ,and we get a glimpse into the "real" person. This is a performance which transcends the usual boundaries of a "performance. " I loved your response ,and honest reactions.
This video is exponentially better because of your emotional connection and willingness to be honest about your own feelings. The video for Hurt is what made Trent Reznor adapt his response from not liking the cover on first listen to accepting it wasn't his song anymore.
@@pwlpc This song is johnys life, he hurt and miss treated a lot of people in his drug/booze years. Hes saying sorry from the botton of his heart, you really feel pain and regret....
I'd go further and say that technique would have ruined this song. Not that Cash was artless, but how he sang here was what the song needed - and there is NO technique that could have given what he gave.
This song was simply one of the most powerful performances I have ever seen in my many years. It was just so sublime and very raw. Thank you Greatly for your very good breakdown of this review Julia!
They didn't plan for June to be in the video but she came downstairs and they said "stay" ... so very, very powerful. I understand she passed away just a few weeks after this was filmed. ((I'm not crying, you're crying))
Wow , I deeply appreciated how you reacted to Johny Cash in this performance. It broke me down, the song, his voice, how you responded in detail about his life and the layers of meanings in the lyrics. It's deep and you "get it". Never heard someone tell it exactly how I felt and then give their insight to make me think. Thanks much 🎵👍
Has much as I love the Nine Inch Nails version, its almost as if this song was intended for him. You can feel the pain and emotion in his voice. I generally don't like covers they generally do not live up to the original, this however surpasses the original.
I have watched many reactions to this brutal song and video - yours is the most articulate and humbling of them all. You absolutely understand every nuance - just a fantastic reaction; you should be proud of your appreciative, emotional insight.
Ok so big disclaimer: I hadn't seen this music video before (although I'm really familiar with the song) and really wasn't prepared for how much it affected me. I hope the small technical comments are enough for my technique-minded subscribers and that you still enjoyed the breakdown even if it was more emotion/intention/lyric inclined.
Let me know how it affected you as well! What or who does this song make you think about?
@Shannon Taylor I'm so sorry for your loss
Makes me think of my own life, living with depression and anxiety..
@Shannon Taylor thank you 🙏
Nightwish army 🤘🇫🇮 .'I'm gratefull to Nine Inch Nails that they gave this song to Cash - he owed it and made it his personal - maybe last goodbay... Stay safe and Take care..
Thank you julia for a very nice and emotionell reaction 🙏
His daughter on seeing this video said "Dad it's like you are saying goodbye." He responded, "I am."
I was definitely not ready for this.
He passed away a few weeks after this video was made.
Don actually June died right after this was made and he died after they released it.
@@donriggins8989 No, he didn't. 🤦♂️ I swear, I never seen so many false information be given about an artist and song as I do with Johnny and this song. Johnny deserves better.
@Sinvare Do you have a link to this story? Because in the interview that watched, she recounted the moment that she first watched this music video with Johnny and June, and she didn't say that.
Dont blame yourself, im a grown ass man and i cry everytime i ear this song.
If you didn't one would be a monster.
Cause only a monster would not feel this song,
Same here. Never listen to it without wanting to cry.
Literally actually still can't hear it without crying, at least a bit
Like.... Years later now
truth
Yup.
"It's like watching him die and having regrets." - that is exactly what it is. He's giving us all one last lesson before he dies.
He speaks for all of us
by far the best comment i ever read on this song....dont die having regrets people, dont.....
Now yours is the best comment in turn. Telling people not to die with regrets...I'll also add for people to try not to LIVE a life of regrets either, if at all possible...
You’re going to fuck up in life. The trick is growing and forgiving yourself.
Johnny Cash really did go out on top with this song. I knew when I heard of Junes passing, he would follow her soon after. This song is such a heart breaker. Trent Reznor even said Johnny took it to a place he never could.
Trent Reznor prolifically responded to Cash’s “Hurt” cover with: “I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, and it really then, wasn’t my song anymore.”
@@poulmba That was a response to the video, not the track. Trent was ambivalent about the cover until he saw the video.
Johnny's version of the song is excellent, but the video is what makes it so powerful.
As an interesting note, the director of the video is long-time NIN collaborator Mark Romanek, who directed the videos for 'Closer' and 'The Perfect Drug' among others. (note the video for the original is a recording of a live performance)
@@adam_mawz_maas It's also the fact that his voice is so powerful and recognizable, I mean he is the motherfuckin' Man in Black, the OG Outlaw of music; to hear him lean so strongly into vibrato and sing in such a broken way is absolutely heart-wrenching. It's obvious that while he's the King and can still sing after 70 years of hard living, his life has also taken it's toll on him both physically and emotionally.
The reason you think the song itself falls short is the exact reason why it's so emotional and impactful for long-time fans of Cash.
Sure, he could've belted out a fantastic cover in his prime had the song been out back then, but it wouldn't have had the weight of this stripped-down acoustic performance accompanying the tired voice of a living legend in his final days, his soul heavy as he looked back on the road he took.
The video just adds more context to those who weren't already aware of who The Man in Black was.
Reznor is known for being difficult on most fronts. But even he said, "When Johnny Cash asks to cover your music, there is only one response. And thats, 'Yes sir, Mr Cash. Anyway I can help you?'."
Yes he said it was no longer his song.
When he closes the piano lid and caresses it like a lover gets me every time. As if he is saying goodbye to music, life and pain. All my best June and Johnny you will not be forgotten.
To me, it felt like he was closing a coffin. Heartbreak and resignation - there's nothing more to be said, nothing more you can do. The finality of it is crushing.
I always had that feeling about it, but you finally expressed it for me.
The piano was never opened again after you see him close it in the music video.
Yes. _"That's it. I'm done. Goodbye."_
It was an image of the closing of a casket lid... very emotionally and visually striking.
"What have I become?" is always what gets me teary. Decades of emotion in one line. It just hits different.
The line that gets me is "Every one I know goes away in the end". Parents dying, pets dying, kids moving away, all occurred in a short span for me.
Coming from Cash, at the end of his long and storied life, that line hits like a brick to the head.
But those weren't his lyrics. Those are Trent reznors lyrics so you're saying that Trent reznors lyrics are what move you.
@@larryrodriguez1977 lyrics are only a part of the music, and I'd argue not even the largest part in the emotional impact. Musical arrangement and the singer's performance are very important. For an example, see (hear) Simon & Garfunkel's performance of "Sounds of Silence" vs. Disturb's rendition. *VERY* different impact, despite the same lyrics.
Bottom line: if two different versions of the song leave you with different feelings, then it isn't the words that are moving you, but the singer.
@@lairdcummings9092 I agree wholeheartedly. but I guess my point was that not many people nowadays know that it was a nine inch nails song. I grew up with the NIN version so thats the one I am drawn to. The Cash version is truly moving I will admit but for me i cant hear anything but trent singing. I am little biased i guess
Johnny Cash had a love for June that most of us only ever hope to have.
and she had the patience of a saint to put up with all the crap he put her through.
I never loved her, and never hoped to love her.
The death of June was what killed him imo. A broken heart, he was ready for it.
I feel a bit of that each time i hear it. That man worked his ass off his entire life doing something he loved, looking back at all his records, rewards and accolades, yet compared to his wife? Nothing but dirt, the only other thing he dedicated his life to.
She saved him
I cry every time with this song. Johnny Cash seems so sad and I can feel the pain in his voice. Rest in peace MAN IN BLACK.
well, it might be 'sadness', but imho, as a fellow american of a younger gen, now early 50's i am, his gen and his particular subculture and position within it, and within the larger american culture, is the major part of why he is literally THE icon is american musical history. He was essentially the only real social justice warrior, before that was even a concept, and he was reeeally really that, in ways NO one else was. He was the real deal, applying is personal moral /ethical values in deliberate ways, that are part of also what the civil rights movement was about of course. All of this is maybe why i rediscovered him for a second and much deeper time in my early 40's ten years ago and was just gutted by this song/vid. However, for ppl to more deeply understand his personality, may or may not be simple to do, depending on our own personalities and even understanding of mental health, for lack of a better word. He did have some very profound major depression, as i recall, and when u look at what he did in his life, i.e the specific good works, and the lyrics, and his attitudes he freely expressed, after originaly planning a career in gospel music, it all kinda makes sense, when u think of what life/society was like during his heyday. It was rough times socially. And the economy was nothing like today, it was far more hard scrabble, particularly where he's from. In any case i was nonetheless devastated pretty much by this song/vid, but in a good way, bcuz Cash generally is part of how i felt more solid footing in my first early mid-life difficult times. He had the firmness that americans need to retain our/their actual freedom, i.e. the basic structure of society which is clearly under assault by ultra conservatives using the legal system to push boundaries to the point of breaking.
He had just lost his wife right around this time
So do I
I love NIN (always have), but let's be real, this song is 100% Johnnys now.
To me it's two completely different songs.
NIN is the anger, fear and depression you feel becoming man. Feeling the world is against you.
Cash is the reflection of age, seeing what was really good in life and how much you wasted.
Each evokes such a different emotions, they feel completely different.
I really do agree with both of you. I love(d) Johnny Cash, I was born in 1966, so there has never been a time in my life until recently)where he wasn’t present in some way. I’m an R.E.M, Green Day girl, but being Southern I grew up with country music playing off in the background to some degree or other. Johnny Cash (The Man in Black), was one of a kind, imho.
This video slays me every time I see it.
If you haven’t heard him sing ‘When the Man Comes Around’, you really should. It was used as the background in the opening of ‘Dawn of the Dead’, the new one.
✌🏻
The lead singer of NIN heard this version and said that this song is no longer his
Jr owns every song he sings. He only sings the songs he can own. The goat.
100% agree.
That wasn't a song, that was a glance into the soul of a legend.
It's even more powerful to realize June, died about 3 months after this video.... Johnny only 7.... when Johnny closed the piano for the last time.... it was really the last time..... this video is not only powerful.... its a living historical document in my view.....Thanks Julia for sharing.....
On top of that, the contour of the lid for the keys of the piano kinda look a bit like the curvature of the top of a casket as he's closing it.
Came here to say this. It was literally Johnny and June saying goodbye. When she looks at him during this video being produced, that look from the stairs, it's one of the last times either one of them was healthy enough to be out in public. Not sure if Johnny Cash killed it, or the song killed Johnny Cash...
@@FFVison Great observation. Hadn't noticed that.
Hard for me to listen to this track. It's like a kick in the nuts.
Trent Reznor talking about how he at first dismissed the song when he was told about it, busy with stuff, and not feeling good with himself; then later looked at the clip with the band - he is audably emotional thinking how impacted he was.
I cannot tell who is more sincere - Johnny singing or Julia listening. Thank you for this, Miss Nilon.
The beauty of the American Recordings is that they didn’t produce his voice at all. No auto tune, no polish, just the raw unfiltered voice full of age and truth and sorrow and wisdom.
I think auto tuning Johnny Cash in this song would be a crime against humanity and is likely prohibited by the Geneva Convention
@@markberard804 It would definitely be a capital offense.
@@markberard804 The things anyone that would do that to his voice would deserve are *certainly* against the Geneva Convention.
@@markberard804 Auto tuning Johnny Cash would totally nullify what made him special. He made an art form of singing slightly out of tune for emotional effect.
I love Johnny's voice.
I believe it was Steve Earle who described it as the sound of a train howling across a prairie landscape.
He changed one word in the lyrics. He changed shit to thorns in the "I wear this crown off ..."
June wasn't supposed to be in the video. She was resting upstairs and came down to see what was going on, and they kept it in. She died a short while after.
That was also the radio edit lyrics in the original song too
Just Dave yes, but it also serves to link the song into Johnny’s faith. They were both gone within a year or so of this release, which is part of what makes this piece so sad.
If I am remembering correctly, June died a few months before the video was released, and he died a few months after
Yes, the look of concern on June's face was quite genuine.
@@Green-Lyon That broke me this time. As many time as I have watched this video, I had never noticed her on the stairs.
I personally believe this song has an ever increasing impact the older you get. Family and friends pass on and before you know it, you're pretty much alone. At 69, I cry every time I hear it.
Beautifully put, Jim.
@@m.lindemann8400 Thank you.
Damn, hope you're doing well, bud.
When you visit the cemetery and say this is my husband, and here is mom and dad, and there are my two brothers, and over there is my best friend since kindergarten, oh and there’s Aunt so-and-so, and Tom (he was the first boy I ever kissed), and…and, and, and(…)
63 here. When you are 20 your think you have all the time in the world to right all your wrongs and make up for all your mistakes. Then at some point you realize you will just have to live with many of them. The people you hurt are gone, the things you didn't do that you should have done are in the rear view mirror.
"Closing the piano and music is his whole life, sorry. " I end up watching reactions to this video from different voice coaches/vocalist and this is so brilliant and true.
"The song no longer belongs to me." - Trent Reznor
I had no real opinion of Trent Reznor before learning that.
Knowing that he understood what happened, my respect for Trent went off the scale.
As a super fan of NIN, I immediately felt Cash took an incredible song and deepened it immeasurably.
It’s not quite the right quote but it still holds true,
It just goes to show how much he respects the legend.
@@BrandonWestfall yeah, every time i see this cover, someone writes that damn quote, despite Reznor never saying that.
@@Vorador47 societyofrock.com/trent-reznor-i-wasnt-prepared-for-what-i-saw-and-it-really-then-wasnt-my-song-anymore/#:~:text=NIN%27s%20songwriter%2C%20Trent%20Reznor%20prolifically,and%20it%20was%20very%20strange.
Do you spent 5 minutes thinking you know the answer, or actually go do research on it?
My father died 15 December 2016... I held his hand when he died. Exactly one year later, I held my mothers hand when she died. I come back to this song over and over again and I cry everytime. The two very first records I bought as young was with Johnny Cash in the late -60's. I miss my father and my mother so much and this song is special for me as it reminds me of my belowed parents.
I'm a young man who also lost both of his parents recently. I feel the same way when I hear this song. Thanks for sharing your story.
I know your feelings on this. Lost my dad in 19 and I've tried so hard not to link this song to my dad. It's hard because my dad and Johnny lived very similar lives.
I feel your pain, friend. I lost Dad when I was 7, and Mom almost 4 1/2 years ago. It will always hurt, but time will ease the pain, if only a little bit.
"That's My Job" by Conway Twitty is the tear-jerker for me.
may they rest in peace
I've seen this a hundred times... I'm a grown ass man, and I break down inside each and every time
That makes two of us brother
Same brother, every single time.
Yep.
Every single time.
I have not met nor seen any person yet that does not at the very least tear up upon watching this video for the first time. It's just so powerful. Many have tried to disect it and explain it and try to be methodical and rational about it but at the end of the day the power it holds is all in the emotion it evokes.
Me too.
There was such a finality of that piano lid coming down. It was almost with reluctant acceptance. THE most moving and meaningful piece of modern art I have ever seen.
The fact that the video was shot at The House of Cash, Johnny Cash museum, and that is the actual condition it was in, plus June passed away 3 months after the video was shot, and Johnny shortly after make this quite possibly the saddest music video of all time.
I think Mark Romanek well understood what Cash intended with his version of the song, and made a masterpiece of a video for it as a result.
And then I think the museum burned down not much later. Seems somehow fitting.
@@JeremyNeish his house burned down. The former museum is now an office of some sort. I think a real estate type business. The House of Cash sign is still over the front entrance.
I would be sadder if I was not dying too
@@fnjesusfreak Romanek had the advantage of not only understanding Cash's intentions, but Trent Reznor's original ones. He's a long-time collaborator with NIN and directed one of the videos (Closer) for the album that Hurt was originally released on.
It's one of the greatest videos released, a perfect understanding of the song, Cash and Reznor including both where Cash was (a look back on his very checkered past and the woman who kept him alive and gave his life meaning) and Reznor was when he first wrote it (a young man, alone and just about broken)
It doesn't matter if I just listened to the song 5 minutes ago, I cry every time I hear it.
Grown man, Army vet... doesn't matter. I cry EVERY time I watch this video.
This. SO much this. And the more you listen to it, or watch the video....the more it hurts, and the harder you cry.
You are not alone. 50YO and I cry every time.
I think it's the undertone of the song. Tren was trying to work out a horrible situation in his life.
Johnny is looking back on his.
This song resonates with every life experience we can have, every failure, every triumph (which ultimately amounts to nothing, we have to leave it behind), every wrong thing I have done, or right thing I didn't. It calls us to do better, and reminds us we will still fail.
Someone once said; "Life IS pain. Anyone who tells you different is selling you something." This song, and this version of it, speaks to that part of me deeply. And even deeper the more life I have.
"you can't fake the experience."
--> You deserve a like for that alone. Yes you can't.
"What's the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad."
This song does change with your age. The closer you get to the end of life, it becomes more relatable.
This video is why the question "what is the best cover of all time?" needs to be followed by "other than Hurt by Johnny Cash."
TJMiton agreed
Ok. That statement is valid. Number 2 is Whitney Houston covers Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You.
"What is the best cover of all time, and why is it Hurt by Johnny Cash?"
This and Disturbed’s cover of Sound of silence are what all covers are judged by
"Painkiller" covered by Death.
Trent Reznor was born to write “Hurt” .... Johnny Cash was born to sing it
Cody Evans so well said.
And indeed, it's so quintessentialy Cash, and yet still manages to remain quintessentially Reznor.
lol nah
@Brix Broox No problem buddy.
Johnny sang “Hurt” to say goodbye. You could say that he was dying to sing it😔
Even Trent Reznor who wrote this song reacted strongly to watching this video for the firsts time and basically said how Johnny just nailed it. It fits so well with his life, and his voice can carry so much emotion with a lifetime of experiences coloring it....It reflects on all of us, our life choices, things we regret and are proud of, but in the end, all there is are memories...
" ...all there is are memories."
If we are lucky. Alzheimer's took even that from both of my maternal grandparents. Between a traumatic brain injury and a stroke I have lost many memories from my earlier life already. Be thankful if you still have the good ones, as I am thankful for the loss of the bad ones (until someone in the family tells the stories of those bad times and "gifts" them back to me).
He also said he wrote it but it was no longer his song.
Trent and Johnny had a mutual friend, producer, Rick Rubin. Johnny had Rick asked Trent to see if he can cover the song. At 1st, Trent had reservations of Johnny's version, but hearing and seeing Johnny's version. Trent allegedly stated this is Johnny's song. I agree with him. Trent's version is about drug addiction. Johnny had his bouts with drug addiction during his life.
Not just that but i read in an article that Cash's Hurt rendition was the only one that passed by a large margin even the original version.
No! It’s watching him live, and you’re absolutely right, with regret. June Carter looking on always breaks me
A dying man Knowing he’s dying and he still left us with this masterpiece. Thank you thank you thank you.
Edit: typing through tears is hard lol.
If you love this thank Rick Rubin. He made this magic happen.
Cash and Bowie left the earth by the big door. No doubt.
I think most old people know when their time is coming. My grandma, 3 days before she died, told my mom she wasn't going to be arround much more...
@@LadyNikitaShark same. I do miss my gram
When he closed the piano, he was saying “it is finished” because his work on earth was complete. He was the very epitome of the word incomparable.
A lot of people have compared it to the closing of a coffin lid, with a final caress goodbye.
Let yourself cry, I was Ugly-crying the first time I heard this as an about 42 year old man who was raised not to cry.
Like you, first time I heard this I had a damp feeling on my cheeks. My first thought was music doesn't do this to me
I was wrong.
When I first heard him sing this song, I thought to myself that there will never be a song as perfect as this, and it nearly brought me to my knees. I know Trent Reznor wrote this as an autobiographical piece, but it fit Johnny so beautifully, and the production by Rick Rubin strips it down to bare bones. I recall thinking, Johnny is going to sing Nine Inch Nails? And now, seeing this video, it is just devastating. Seeing June standing over him during what is clearly a time where he is ready to take his leave, I am in tears like you. Wow. Just, wow.
Me: I'm not crying, you're crying
You: *crying*
Me: Ok fine we're both crying
To channel Letterkenny:
"If you're not crying, I don't care to know you."
I can generally hold it together until he closes the piano.. That usually does me in..
Enjoyed your reaction.
The symbolism of closing the piano...no words.
Exactly, the finality of him closing the piano, is very powerful.
Same.
That is an incredibly sad moment, there is even something in the expression when he looked down. I can somehow feel the pain.
Yeah it always kills me in movies when they flip a light switch off at the end of a scene.
The video clip was recorded in February 2003. June dies 3 months later in May of that year. Jonny died 7 months after it was filmed in September of that year. Sadly, the house burned down in 2007 and the scene where June is standing on the stairs behind Johnny visibly upset was still visible after the house burned down. This scene of the fireplace after the house burned down seems like a sad metaphor to the song, the video clip and the meaning of the entire production. It is truly one of the most profound and heartbreaking productions I have ever seen. Live well people. Be kind to yourselves and others. Peace from Australia.
In my culture, we burn things to our departed love ones so they can use in the afterlife. They arent of my culture but I like to think that Johnny and his wife is reunited in the afterlife and is residing in their own home with each other once more
@@johnsonye683 That is a nice thought.
You hit the mark so perfectly with this, young woman. Johnny Cash dies within 12 months of recording this. You picked up on the sentiments and message perfectly. As a 71 yr old male myself, some of this sits uncomfortably close to the mark with me. Go bless you and keep up your fine work 🙏😓🤗🌹
This
His closing the lid on that piano is like closing the lid of a coffin.
June's placement during the video ended up being impressively symbolic with hindsight. June passed away only a few months before Johnny, so looking back she's almost there as a ghost, watching over the love of her life as his draws to a close.
That's the part of the video that gets me every time. This cover and the video are both masterpieces of contemplative art.
Johnny Cash didn't die,
God wanted guitar lessons.
Amen
Well said my friend.
Lol. Facts
The best way looking at it !
god wanted to learn the Tennessee flat top box
Probably the best reaction video I have seen.
Well, I'll be 72 next month and every time I watch this video it resonates with me and I tear up throughout the song. The piano lid does me in each time. Excellent reaction as always.
This is the first time I've heard this song and I'm speechless. My heart hurts.
I've waited nearly 20 years to hear someone explain the impact of this song, this video in a way that captures how it impacted, and still impacts me today. Trent's original of Hurt touched me as a teen, having grown up with family members and friends that were addicts, some who gave up fighting. Johnny's on the other hand touches me in an entirely different way, in a way that I can relate to even more now at my age than i did 19 years ago, the regret, the sorrow and remorse in his voice, someone at the end of his life realizing all of the pain he has caused to those around him, and being forced to come to terms with the fact that what is done is done, he can't undo it, he can't fix it, this was his life as he sees it's, realizing that it's almost over. It breaks my heart every time I hear it because it hits so close to home.
Really great comment.
I was not expecting to wake up today to start crying within an hour of getting out of bed. Hearing both Disturbed's "Sound of Silence" and Johnny Cash's "Hurt", and listening to your reaction, really did me in. Beautifully done, on both the video and the songs.
Julia, nine inch nails version is about a history of drug abuse, Johnny Cash's version here is more about a man realizing his life is coming to a close.
Even more than that, it's a reflection. Like, "Boy, it goes quick, don't it?" Realizing that all the fame, the money, it doesn't mean much in the end. You can't take it with you.
Remember, Cash had a long history of alcoholism and drug abuse, too.
Johnny Cash had addictions and suffered from alcoholism too. I interpret this cover as as a dying man who realized he never lived his life to its full potential. He missed chances in life, did things he regret, the years of drug abuse trying to kill his emotions but all in vain etc. The last verse is him telling us to love ourselves and life more while we can.
You could feel the pain in his voice
You could see it in his eyes
You felt everything just by his voice
It does hurt
Everything pain you have comes up
it hurts
Another song in a similar vein is David Bowie's Lazarus. Sort of a musical last will and testament, and performed fearlessly.
Queen: 'The Show must go on'. Freddie got it in one take.
Yes yes and yes to the Lazarus comment!
Lazarus is a beautiful spine tingling song
It’s not even close. What are you talking about?
@@eswing2153 they're both the last songs they recorded before their deaths, each one essentially saying goodbye to the world, and both weighed heavily by a life of experiences that fundamentally shaped them.
Julia: The fact that this moved you so deeply, gives you much more credibility. Don’t apologise for having to take a moment. This video was the last song that Johnny ever sung, and he knew it too.
He was such a powerhouse of a performer; grassroots, singing from the heart
I've got to stop watching people react to this video.. someone keeps cutting onions. As to "not his lyrics" according to Trent Reznor, this is a Johnny Cash song now. The song is very powerful but the imagery of this video turns the emotion up to a much higher level. I've seen a dozen or more different reactions (many of whom had no clue who Johnny Cash was) and they all were either wiping their eyes or sitting perfectly still trying to process. One young man said "This sounds crazy but I feel like i know him now" you do lad, you do.
"Closing the lid of the piano, and music is his whole life". I'd pretty much held it together until then...
I'm a 45 year old man, whenever I watch this video, it gets me choked up. But oh my word, watching your sincere reaction to this was melancholically beautiful, as stupid as that may sound. I cried with you, I'm happy to admit, and I don't think I've ever hugged my phone before... With regards to the song itself, I've listened to Nine Inch Nails for years, seeing them live some time ago and hearing it both live and studio. Trent Reznor is a genius, both troubled and strong, and their original version has often been portrayed with disturbing imagery, set out to have an emotional impact, but not in this way.
This is down to basics sadness, it's human, and it's beautiful.
I know exactly what you mean about the impact it has when coupled with the video, very clever directing and production, it turns even the most hardened soul into an empath. I can't think of many songs that have been covered, or in this case, repurposed as I'd like to think of it, with as much emotion and honesty.
Thank you, lovely Julia, for this video. I'm subscribing, please don't make me cry again. :-)
This was the most genuine and heartfelt “reaction” of this performance. I’m glad to see you get it. Every time I watch it, I become Niagara Falls 😭
This was Mr. Cash the artist, final masterpiece.
Johnny Cash's final interview is on TH-cam. Mr. Cash was ready to go.
the piano crescendo at the end utterly breaks me every time. It is so disturbing... and I think it is supposed to be.
the crescendo paired with the eerie distortion of his voice just gives me chills and you can just feel his emotion in it.
like you can hear the end, the cadence death itself coming on the other side..and when it winds down...its him finally walking up to you to tell you it’s time
The crescendo provides the emotional resonance for the closing of the piano cover to symbolize the end of of first, his musical career and then months later his life.
This was actually the last video that June Carter was in. She died shortly after.
Here's a virtual hug from a stranger. That was a raw, heartfelt reaction. I feel you. This week is quite tough for me to go through, it's my birthday week- and also the 3rd year anniversary of my mom leaving the world which we had on Monday. Nevertheless, I instill in my head she wouldn't want to see me sad, she'd want us to be happy...and that thought keeps me sane and I'm able to move on. Thanks for not afraid to show your emotions to us 💛
Awww here's another virtual hug for you, my friend ❤
Happy Birthday Juliette, I'm so sorry about your mum
I'm 73, and when I pass, I want the memory of me to bring a smile to those who care about me. I want them to remember my sense of humor, a kindness, or my smile, or good times in general. We old folk don't want our memory to bring pain to those we care about. Build a stock of good memories of her in your mind, and, whenever thought of her brings sadness, focus on one of those good memories. Eventually, the thought of her will bring a smile to your face. Be well.
Thank you, everyone 😊
Not sure how I managed to stumble across the video and your comment.. but, I'm certainly glad to have seen it.
Lost my mother last year to an accidental overdose. Today is her birthday.
I'm not much of an emotional person. This one got me. Yup. I felt it.
If sincere, anonymous, socially distant cyber hugs are the trendy offering here in the comments section, there's one in my basket for ya.
*My empire of dirt*
What an amazingly profound (and deeply meaningful) lyric.
I totally love Johnny Cash and this version of “Hurt” brings up such emotions. The fact that he was addicted to heroin for so long, as was Trent Reznor, and he knew the pain of the needle, shouldn’t be lost. Hence the regret and the fear in these lyrics. Thanks for your reaction.
NIN's version made me look at my life and clean up when it came out. Then Johnny Cash brought it back in such a different way, and made me clean up things in a very different way. It's strange getting slapped in the face twice in one life by the same song in such different ways. But as potent as Cash's version is, the tears on my face will attest to that, Trent's version is still the more important to me.
I think in general there are more people at younger ages that can empathize with nin's version of this song. The amount of life experience Johnny had when he covered this is something most people just don't have. Both are incredibly powerful songs lryicly and the goals are admittedly different.
It is true that age plays a factor. Trent's is a young man's story, Cash's is an end of time story. And Cash's rings stronger and stronger every year. But one saved my life, and that colours my opinion so strongly.
@@antanis I love both versions. I remember when NIN first released this song. I'm still "only" 37 but feel like I can relate to Cash's version a lot cuz due to my health I won't be around for much longer. I have so much regret and would love nothing more than to go back and do things differently knowing how short my time here will be.
@@campybear I totally understand that
@@cannotwaittoseedavanteadam4301 your comment made me cry all over again. my thoughts are with you and I hope you aren't in any pain.
If the purpose of music is to evoke emotion, this is a masterpiece.
Arguably the best cover ever and one of the most impactful music videos ever produced, regardless of genre.
Johnny did the best job ever of pointing out that stuff means dirt. Family and friends are the true legacy
The single piano note is hard to describe.
The way it gently brings you in, and then keeps you pinned to your seat in a depth that feels hard to breath. It's a solitary death note guiding the way into something no one wants.
The hammering of the nail, the banquet of food before him, and June actually struggling to understand while knowing she's unable to help, makes this video one of the most moving experiences I've ever had in a music video.
It is so much more than that.
God bless you Trent for suffering enough to bleed these heartbreaking lyrics into our lives.
I hear that solitary piano note as mimicking the sound of Christ being nailed to the cross. And there is so much biblical imagery with a feast laid before Johnny on the table. And how he ultimately knows that the stuff of this world is transitory ("dirt") and in the end means nothing.
Yeah, when June appeared was about when I lost it as well. As far as technical critique goes, the lesson here is when an artist bares their soul to this degree, technique is secondary at best.
Your estimation of this one is spot on. Sometimes technique is paramount, but sometimes the honesty in the message is all that matters, and you are reminded of what music is really all about in the end. It’s a powerful video, and maybe the most powerful image is of him closing the piano lid. He was closing the lid on much more than the instrument.
The most powerful real moment of his life. This song was made for him. As hard as his life was this was a exit of class and redemption
This is one of the rawest, emotional songs I've ever heard in my whole life, and every time I see this video and breaks me down to tears. It's relatable and personal, and I think that's what gets to people.
Plus, this is coming from a man who is considered one of the biggest musical kings in history, who was at the end of his life when he did this. I don't know how you can't cry while listening/watching this.
Beautiful reaction and breakdown of the song, The video is stunning, and more poignant now both he and his wife and even The Cash Museum are gone (It burned down not long after filming I believe) - so everything you see has passed. I still hope that he didn't look back on all his life with regret, he was a good man, though obviously flawed (who isn't?), and had such a huge influence on people's lives and the music of multiple generations...he is an icon, not only in country music, but also many many other genres - his presence will be felt for a long time to come
It was 5 years after filming, 4 years after he himself died.
This song ALWAYS make me cry... you can feel every second. A masterpiece
what a beautiful and respectful reaction.
Makes me cry every time I see it. So much emotion in his voice, and the way June looks at him. Kills me…
So true,she is so broken, it breaks my heart, I cry so much 😢
Take this away, too, though, along with the regrets. The last lines of the song, which Cash claims as intensely as any of the rest...
"If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way."
He'd do it again, and he'd keep the person he was and who he became. He remembers all of it. He holds it close. He regrets the ending of it all, but he doesn't discard any of the real value that made him Johnny Cash. The passion of his cherishing is greater than the regrets.
Beautiful.
You are literally one of the best reactors I’ve ever seen. The way you actually broke this down is incredible. I look for reactors who actually care and care about the music and don’t do it for views. Johnny was one of the best. You got my follow 👍😎 good day
When a voice holds a lifetime of experience behind every note.
Being able to illicit such emotional reactions is the mark of a great performer. That is what Johnny Cash was. You reacted the same way most of us did. Never be embarrassed to show emotion.
I’ve only recently found your channel and love it. You can get into the nuance of musical theory, but you know when to leave that behind and focus on the rest. I learn something new every time I watch. Keep up the good work.
I'm a grown ass man and this version of this son brings me to tears every single time... I was never a particularly big Johnny Cash fan per se... rather I turned 50 this year. I am closer to death than birth and as a man this makes you sit back and think.
When he played this for his children they said “it’s like you’re saying goodbye” he said “I am”.
Damnnn
My great grandfather asked the nurse to play this on repeat, he was dying of sepsis
I played guitar for Johnny a few times and it breaks my heart every time I watch this video and I love your true reaction, thank you for not editing it out, that emotion is what makes us all human.
thanks
This song as well as Johnny's duet with his daughter, Rosanne, "September When it Comes" breaks me every time.
That line: "Everyone I know goes away in the end." And then knowing that June predeceased him by something like three months after this video was shot? Breaks me every time. T^T
I made a similar comment on another TH-cam channel. The line “I cannot move a mountain now I can no longer run. I cannot be who I was then. In a way, I never was.” I almost can’t listen to Rules of Travel because I cry every time.
Third time tonight I've watched someone react to this.
Third time tonight my grown-ass 51 year old man-eyes have sprung multiple leaks.
Yup.
Johnny Cash, The Man In Black. You are missed, Sir. You are missed.
:(
Me as well. Same age. Same response.
You said you felt it was laughable that you covered this song. I disagree, as you said yourself, music is an emotional journey. You may cover the song again later in your life and the difference between your first cover and your second will convey a great deal of the experiences your life has had. It would be interesting to see the interpretations of both younger you and older you side by side to see the different life experiences that you connect with each time you've done the song. Really love watching your videos, you genuinely open yourself to any music you hear and listen with your whole being, I don't often see people feel the depths of every note the way you seem to.
I'm just curious, and you might know nothing about it. But....from your comment I think your much older than I and I just wander about what you might say....
Ezekiel 28:11-15
"Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."
So being you know it, what do you think about what's written?
I think for most people that as they get older, like myself, they look back on their life at what they accomplished, what they did wrong, what they would change and if there is time left to do more or to change. It would be interesting to see how she sees it in 40 years.
@@stevenjackson7067
Yah I believe that totally. Reflection is a bitch, or a blessing. Can I ask you what is is that you believe in? Do you believe in God? Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Jesus died and rose again to save you from hell, but you have to accept him as your savior first. These Bible verses explain how you can accept Jesus as your savior and have eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 3:23, 3:10, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8-9, 10:9-10, 10:13, 10:17, 8:28, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 11:1-3, James 1:17, 2 Peter 3:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21:4-6) 🙂
You might check on
#LetterToMyself
by
#FuryInTheSlaughterhouse
I think the song only gathers more meaning and impact to the listener the older we get, the more people we lose, and the more regrets we accumulate.
Thank you for reacting to this. I remember when I used to listen to NIN a lot back in the day. First heard this song after being introduced to the band some years after The Downward Spiral album released. As I grew up, I thought it was a good song when Reznor sung it even though I was young and didn't really understand the full weight behind it all.
Many years later a friend found out I liked NIN and asked me if I liked the Johnny Cash version of Hurt, to which I confusingly replied "...Sorry, what?" having had no idea it was even a thing. Sometime later, got my hands on a recording of it and was surprised when Cash's cover ultimately resonated with me more. Since then it's been a song that at odd times during my life I've either gone back and listened to or even just found myself thinking about the lyrics, the meaning and as a type of tool for self reflection.
Despite me loving that you've reacted to Nightwish and Jinjer, two bands I adore, as well as your in depth comments and analysis showing your expertise when it comes to your breakdowns, allowing me to learn a lot from you, which was the reason I subscribed a while ago in the first place. I'm glad I did because I think this is probably your most heartfelt reaction yet and I'm glad I got to see it.
Keep doing what you're doing, it's awesome and so are you.
Plus us Aussies have to stick together right? :)
Stay safe.
It's crazy how songs can impact the way you feel in a second. I remember hearing this song when I was in high school and I thought it was a sad song but I didn't connect to it. Hearing it again now in my latter years ...wow.... it humbled me and made me reflect on the choices I have made throughout my life.
I have watched Johnny’s video hundreds of times, and I have cried every time. Every time.
Trent Reznor, the author, said something like, it isn't my song, I just carried it a while for Johnny. Johnny's wife, June, the woman on the stairs, died not too long after he recorded this. He died not too long after her. His daughter told him it sounded like he was saying goodbye and he replied, I was. You should listen to The Man Comes Around, which he wrote not too long before he died. It is a masterpiece.
"and you can have it all, my, empire of dirt" Devastating lyric
FINALLY!! Someone who understands and appreciates this song. I love Johnny Cash and this song makes me cry every time I listen to it. His life and his career are an amazing journey that everyone needs to experience. When this legend died I was heartbroken. I watched your video wondering if you would "get it" and I was happy that you did. Thanks for sharing your comments and thoughts.
It doesn't matter how many times I listen ,and watch this ,it strikes me to my core each time. I always love watching the reactions from all the various types of people who "react" to this. They always start off with their particular kind of "persona" they want to project ,but by the time they finish listening ,and watching this masterpiece , that image that they want to project is striped away ,and we get a glimpse into the "real" person. This is a performance which transcends the usual boundaries of a "performance. " I loved your response ,and honest reactions.
This video is exponentially better because of your emotional connection and willingness to be honest about your own feelings. The video for Hurt is what made Trent Reznor adapt his response from not liking the cover on first listen to accepting it wasn't his song anymore.
Watched MANY reactions to this song... yours is by far the most comprehensive and meaningful. THANK YOU!
Even more emotional when you know June Cater died shortly after this video was made, and he passed away only 3 months later.
These three months must have been the worst for Johnny and so adds to the song
He died four months later
@@pwlpc This song is johnys life, he hurt and miss treated a lot of people in his drug/booze years. Hes saying sorry from the botton of his heart, you really feel pain and regret....
@@mr_ozzio5095 I know
They say Johnny died from diabetes, he didn't die from that, he died from a broken heart from losing June.
the technique isn't important in this song. it's just one of those songs where the emotion does all the work.
Those are often the best songs
Amen
I'd go further and say that technique would have ruined this song. Not that Cash was artless, but how he sang here was what the song needed - and there is NO technique that could have given what he gave.
All emotion
This song was simply one of the most powerful performances I have ever seen in my many years. It was just so sublime and very raw. Thank you Greatly for your very good breakdown of this review Julia!
They didn't plan for June to be in the video but she came downstairs and they said "stay" ... so very, very powerful. I understand she passed away just a few weeks after this was filmed. ((I'm not crying, you're crying))
I've never expected to see the best reaction to this song this late, but I stand corrected. Thank you for this, it was perfect
I feel like it’s really a prayer. A lamentation over his mistakes.
Completely agree with you
He was praying for forgiveness and I think he got it.
It does feel like a prayer and the images of Christ’s crucifixion would add evidence to that notion.
Wow , I deeply appreciated how you reacted to Johny Cash in this performance. It broke me down, the song, his voice, how you responded in detail about his life and the layers of meanings in the lyrics. It's deep and you "get it". Never heard someone tell it exactly how I felt and then give their insight to make me think. Thanks much 🎵👍
If this song and this video don’t make you feel something you simply don’t have a heart... this is pure emotion in the form of music
Has much as I love the Nine Inch Nails version, its almost as if this song was intended for him. You can feel the pain and emotion in his voice. I generally don't like covers they generally do not live up to the original, this however surpasses the original.
I have watched many reactions to this brutal song and video - yours is the most articulate and humbling of them all. You absolutely understand every nuance - just a fantastic reaction; you should be proud of your appreciative, emotional insight.