Like Eye said on the Full episode was with Johnny Cash in the UK pre Glastonbury 'n' Hurt ...Got ta lotta memories there...Very PWR - Full ones...+ + +... Is that why A I 8 my comment on your channel ? ... One thing 4 sure the man in black wouldn't like this G' Orwellian censorship in 2022..."When the man comes around" Thats a classic 2 'n' Boy Named Sue...Sanquenton 'n' That dirty old egg sucking Dog 2 name a few : ) ) ) Spot ify recon SO ! ova
Being from Nashville and hearing about cash going to aa meetings and parents going to his house the lyrics just pulls all that life together even more beyond just an old man at the end of his life.. once in a lifetime song/performance truly
@@gordonc615 Yes ! "U may find yourself" and Johnny did...+++...He is Gods gift to America...JC was the "REAL DEAL" in such a fake world...where the confusion was allegedly SO real !?..."JC"...A painter a poet who felt the red clay 'n' NOW lives 4 ever 4 ever risen above those storm clouds that had encircled this Historical cruel world... Tis Like Bob said...He cried 4U...He told the truth Btw...+++...He had no real appetite 4 the other stuff...He was always looking UP when he didn't feel down...music was the friend that God arranged 4 him : ) And his brother was never far away : )
Speaks to the depth of what Trent was going through, a song seemingly written for an old man during his last days, but he was a young man, already feeling like he was dying.
The fact Cash was able to open his mind to Trent's music is one of my favorite things about this song. Usually you hear of people growing old and sticking to their ways and preferences. Cash taking this song on adds to the beauty.
Maybe I missed something in this video, but Rick has said before that Cash couldn't really listen to the song due to the distortion. It was simply too alien.
We feel like this because we generally have our taste in music. We have the genres we like and listen to. But musicians don’t discriminate. True musicians have an affinity with each other. The recognise true art when they hear it.
I lost my father 6 years ago when I was 16 and I hadn’t listened to much or any of Cash’s work beforehand but Id listen to this song everyday on repeat for months and the emotion he portrayed really helped me cope with the pain and emotion I was feeling. It truly is a deeply beautiful song.
And the craziest thing is he's actually known to be really hands off as a producer. Just gets the right people in a room together with the right songs and lets the magic happen
There are a lot of moments in that music video that stick with me, but none more so than at the end when he closes the lid to the piano, and caresses the top. It was like he knew it would not be opened again by him.
The voice perfectly reflects the man, where he's been and where he is which pairs perfectly with the lyrics This is true art but not the kind that is the result of a person's effort, it's the nature of humanity laid bare and vulnerable through honesty It's like a sunset over an ocean
Amazing piece. Lyrics: I hurt myself today To see if I still feel I focus on the pain The only thing that's real The needle tears a hole The old familiar sting Try to kill it all away But I remember everything 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 I wear this crown of thorns Upon my liar's chair Full of broken thoughts I cannot repair Beneath the stains of time The feelings disappear You are someone else I'm still right here 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 If I could start again A million miles away I would keep myself I would find a way
It's a cool song, but the reason Rick Rubin is Rick Rubin is his profound ability to blow smoke. In the scheme of truly fantastic lyrical writing, Townes Van Zandt, Cohen, Kirstoferson, those lyrics from Reznor are typical teenage angst from the early 90s. They're good lyrics but... Rick Rubin is responsible for getting Cash going again at the end of his years, but playing covers is nothing new to Cash. The majority of Cash's discography is covers. I really enjoy the Lowe Cover of The Beast in Me Cash made with Rubin. Nobody talks about that one.
I always thought of this song as Johnny Cash's eulogy to June and himself. He knew he was finished and this is a swan song. After decades, this video still gets me.
It's not even his song. The original is much better. Cash sings it narcissistically and Reznor sings it with shame. Cash even changes 1 word to emphasize that difference.
@@AD-bb9np bwahahaha your delusional Reznor said himself that Johnny Cashes version was better and that he made the song his own and that it no longer belonged to him
@@hbsavage0387, he is not "mine" he's a famous artist. Obviously he tried to be classy when asked about Cash stealing the song. Doesn't mean anything about my opinion or even his.
What Rubin did with Johnny Cash is some of the most universally loved music from the 90's/early 2000's. I almost never hear anyone say they don't love Cash from that era. It's just so amazing, and touching. And the sound of his voice, old, and crusty and beautiful.
While Johnny Cash's rendition of this song has a special meaning, I don't think people give enough credit to NIN's original masterpiece. The industrial and distorted overlays, especially at the end of the song as it decays, bring the lyrics alive.
I agree - NIN's version is a perfect piece of music for young troubled men. I find it quite wonderful that its the same words - just each artist bringing their life experience and emotion to a single point of time. In many ways it is like Reznor wrote it as an old man - perhaps that aspect is a reflection on what the drugs did to him.
@@harman5453 I heard something similar, trent was sceptical off the cover but when he heard it he said he now realised he wrote it for JC. Both versions are epic though and have different meaning from the people they come from.
My father was a broken and defeated man towards the end of his life, I remember him referencing this song, and remember him telling me how he felt it every day
Anyone thats known real struggle has lived it( which is most) and thats why the song touches so many. With tht said. I like Trents version more. But i do love Cashes Take
When my mom passed away when I was 21, I played this song on repeat. Johnny was able to articulate my pain and why I Hurt when I was incapable of it. Such a surreal experience. No song will ever hit like this one does, especially when life takes away the ones you love the most.
I remember crying about the passing of a loved one, and as stupid as it sounds I remembered the words of butters from South Park, in which he was happy to feel sad, because something could make him feel that way. That helped me with the pain, I was so grateful that I got experience so much joy that this loss brought me to my knees. That something had impacted my life in such a meaningful way. As stupid as it sounds I get tears but I smile.
@@bluesilkdesigns Right, and NIN likes Johnny's rendition better than theirs. That says something powerful about Cash's abilities to reach a persons heart.
I absolutely love the Johnny cash version. Incredibly melancholic. But I adore the pure pain and discomfort that nine inch nail provides in the original. It honestly goes to show how great of a cover it is, as it’s a completely different type of turmoil/emotional pain that’s been portrayed to us. Such a raw capture of a man who knew exactly where he was in his life. And what he had accomplished. And what he had regretted.
7:40 "When you're 20 years old, talking about regret, it's heartbreaking, but it's heartbreaking in a different way, because you have your whole life to figure it out. When you're looking back over your life, at the end of your life, with regret, it's brutal, it's brutal."
The original was a seminal song for my generation, but I totally understand why many didn’t find it compelling until Cash’s version. It articulates the same human condition from two different vantage points on life’s arc. Cash completed that picture, which is even more heartbreaking.
Agreed but Trents is king. Not even close. With that said. I do love Cashes version also. N i truly couldnt see anyone else doing their take of the song. But nothing comes close (well maybe CASHES) TO THE ORIGINAL.
Every sentence is like a sledgehammer. It's the most powerful song that I have ever heard. It will bring out powerful memories and emotions! If you have a soul it will make you cry!
I don't want to steal the light from Johnny but I would like to show my appreciation towards Trent Reznor for this. Yes, this songs now belongs to Cash, Trent himself says that. It's his song now. But Hurt does not exist without Trent. Johnny's rendition just enriched the words a 100 folds.
Lex hit play and I was immediately shivering with goose bumps. Man such beautiful tribute to a life. Actual art can be spontaneous or it can take a lifetime to achieve. IM grateful we were able to be given this by Mr. Cash, truly beautiful.
I absolutely agree with your assessment of Hurt being performed by Johnny. I am 70 and when I first heard this it consumed me like no other song. When I saw the video I openly wept. I cannot unhear that song…I cannot unsee the video. The emotions well up at every listen. I hurt…but I’m so thankful for the gift he gave us.
Exactly the words I'd described it - you just feel that this is not only a song - its his requiem, sung by himself. He knew his time will be gone very soon, when he recorded it. And you just can hear that he meant it, with every word.
This and David Bowie's "Blackstar" are definitely some of the most poignant glimpses into an artists life and their mind right prior to their death and ultimate demise. They both took their last figurative breaths and made a show and project out of it all, like genuine artists to the last minute.
I mean, the song is written by Trent Reznor. It's not a Johnny Cash original, the meaning just changes when its sung by a man who is about to die, rather than someone who is in the grips of a heroin addiction. 'The needle tears a hole' is a direct reference to injecting heroin.
@@MegaHariboboy lyrically obviously it’s coming from Reznors mind. Not Johnnys but the video shows Johnnys Mindset at this point and how he was feeling mentally and emotionally. Obviously Ik you weren’t being a smart ass but the video does show the glimpse into Johnnys life.
This song is something special. It gives me chills. Every song he covered on that album was an immensely powerful reconstruction. 'In My Life,' is my favorite. Hard not to cry on that one. Apart from the covers, I have to say, 'The Man Comes Around' is one of the greatest masterpieces in songwriting. It reveals a mind absolutely saturated in Biblical stories and language, with an extremely intimate understanding of all the intricate symbolism. I can't think of anything else like it.
Rick rubin is literally the guy that made every big album i listened too as a kid, guys a goddamn genius, whether its hip hop, rock or metal, he just knows what to do
One of the many dozens of times I was in rehab we all came together on this song. That time never got me clean, but it set "better living" in motion. I'm not there and hurting bad right now, but I'm close.
That Johnny Cash video makes me cry every time. We can all relate to it, we will all age, we will all have regrets. The director did a brilliant job, it should be right up there as one of the best music videos ever! I actually love watching reaction videos on TH-cam of this song, every single one cries, Every. Single. One.
I cannot listen to that song without crying, for me it perfectly encapsulates the human experience, the passage of time, regret, suffering, love, respect, deep life long reflection. Stunningly beautiful song. The souls journey..."I would keep myself, I would find a way"
Rick hit the nail on the head @7:28, looking back over your life with regret, at the end of your life, is brutal. There is no more time to figure it out, you're done.
I have a difficult time crying and this song helps pull it out of me without fail. I'm 31 right now and I already know that it will have deeper levels of meaning as I go through life. Hurt by Johnny Cash and Changes by Charles Bradley.... nothing short of therapeutic for me.
Interestingly, both originally written by young men around the same age. So, they were feeling these deeper levels of meaning around the same age you are now. Cool how the lyrics don’t change much between the covers, but they do hit differently due to the age of Bradley and Cash. Also think both videos help add to this effect significantly. Cool they can act therapeutic for you and I also feel they will only get heavier as time goes on.
Johnny's voice had certainly changed over the years, but remember, he was on stage and performing for decades as a singer and a story-teller. He had craft, and he is using it in this song. That's not a weak voice; that's Johnny Cash.
I knew the song earlier, but the feeling and perspective that Johnny Cash added hit my soul like a hammer. I was going through some really dark times, and I have never or will find a friend that I can bare my soul to like this(my sweetest friend). Every thing about this recording is flawless, the performer, the deliberate pace, the instruments and building to a crescendo(not unlike the last gasps of breath). Thank you for this song!
Stunning. Brave. Beautiful. Sometimes music just shows us something we cannot see any other way. This is just a gift to all of us. Thank you thank thank you to all involved. RIP Johnny.
it's a beautiful poem of life, love, regret, lessons, pain, grandeur and desperation. makes me tear up everytime, hits all the nerves, all the humanity
Rick Rubin is a LEGEND. But to have worked with Johnny Cash in his last years is something that most can only dream. Great Lyrics, Great performance and engineering to get that song with so much emotion throughout. Fantastic Video concept and production and direction. 10/10 on all. Cheers
This song is dangerously powerful; Like I feel absolutely wrecked with grief and despair if I listen to it fully. Even in small doses I have to take a minute. Lex, fantastic interview with this absolute legend.
The way he closed the piano then rubbed his hands across the lid is exactly the way I have seen old people rub their hands across the casket of their dead husband or wife as a final physical contact.
It’s his goodbye to the world and his family… Johnny’s family and especially his daughters didn’t want the song released, They said to Johnny “dad it feels like your saying goodbye it’s to sad for the family” Johnny said “I am saying goodbye my love” His daughter says it in an interview!! So cathartic!!
I love both versions of the song, they are great. I connected with the song when it first came out on Downward Spiral, and while written by a young man, the wisdom and sorrow in it were outstanding and applicable to becoming an adult and making mistakes and regretting them. But then the Cash cover came, and added a whole new depth to it, the ending of life and the inability to recover, all the that has been lost and no time to rekindle or find anew, the seemingly pointless nature to it all. Brilliant work, on both parts. Sometimes can't even listen to the song it is that powerful.
Johnny could put so much soul and depth into the lyrics that transformed the original songs he covered. The "Break my Rusty Cage" cover of Soundgarden's hit is up there with the Hurt cover. Really brings a whole different understanding of the lyrics.
the synchronicity of this coincides with me taking half my library to half price, going in sunlight, coming out to the threat of rain and dark skies. Letting go of books came after a dream of letting go of past home I will never see again, friends and family I will never see again, and sometimes it all seems unbearable- and why i couldn't fathom carrying those books any further than I did to part with them, and hope, someone might find them as lovely as I did. Everyone and everything goes away in the end, this empire of dirt is the dust I cleaned off empty shelves... Good ol' Johnny Cash!
Lex, I have just begun watching your videos and it didn’t take long to figure out that you are special. But, after watching this interview and hearing you describe your feelings toward a great song by a legendary artist just blew me away! It is unusual for a young man like yourself (and, born in a foreign country) to be able to truly feel the emotions of this song. I now have your podcast in my library and will be a regular listener. I am 72 years old; saw combat in Vietnam as a teenager; seriously injured during the Tet Offensive); love this country; and, saw Johnny Cash in concert over a dozen times throughout the country…I consider you a brother, something that veterans only extend to Americans.
It’s strange for me, as an avid NIN fan, Trent bled that song, poured that song out of his soul. He shared his feelings on stage at every live show with Hurt. I was a teenager at the crux of my vulnerability, shame and depression when I heard that song. Hurt carried my pain and sung it back to me in Trent’s voice. Putting that in front of me to face it, was some of the greatest therapy one could have. It will always be my favorite rendition as I am pretty sure it offered me the tools to spare my own life. Now…I love Johnny Cash. However, I feel Johnny sang HIS pain to himself and we got to witness it. Which is beautiful, but it isn’t relatable as he is THE Johnny Cash. Which on any given day sounds better than being ourselves. That being said, I never understood why radio DJs would say “Now here’s Johnny Cash with his new song ‘Hurt’”. I thought it perverted the original and was disrespectful to take that song’s credit from Trent. Aaaaaand then Trent came out and said “it’s Johnny’s now” LOL. Well whatever ! 😂HAHAHAHA. Still learning from Trent to not take myself too seriously. :)
Beautiful version of Reznor's song. I personally find it heartbreakingly sad, the inclusion of the photo and video elements and the sheer melancholy and regret that emanates from this song. The way it's all put together, is stunning. Hauntingly sad, but beautiful. "My empire of dirt......" What a line. Great reaction video.
One of the most beautiful and painful songs of regret I have ever heard. Something about the haunting vocals over such simple instrumentation really gives it a deeper, more timeless quality.
Hurt changes every time its sung by another person. those words mean different things depending on where you are and where you've been in life and that's very unique when it comes to art as a hole. Hurt is a song that cannot be artificially redone because the most beautiful things in this world or even in this universe happen by accident, Trent wrote a song that the music industry can't cloned and mass produce which that makes it so much sweeter to enjoy.
I’m a huge music fan with interests in most genres and yes there’s something about this song and the way it’s portrayed by Johnny Cash. You just feel it on a different emotional level. Great to listen to Rick Rubins added input on this topic to. Love it 👍🏼
Johnny Cash, in this song, was standing before the door we will all face one day. We will all stand with one hand on the knob while looking back over our shoulder at all that we have done with this gift of life we were given. His was an evocative appeal to not worry about it. It'll all be okay. There's no need to fear dying. And besides, there's not one god-damn thing you can do about it, so accept it and move along to whatever it is that comes next. In this life you are done. RIP, Sir Johnny of the Cash clan, you did well with your allotted time.
Lex you’re an absolute legend, but please be aware of when you’re asking a question to let them answer that question rather then asking another 3 or 4 afterwards. They’re all valid great questions, but I want to know the answer to the first one!!! Great video.
My sense is Lex helps reframe the question several ways, giving a chance for the sitter to formulate a thoughtful response rather then jumping to easy automatic and less potent words
Lex, you just hooked my loyalty and love forever, for this one, that surprised me. I grew up as a young kid who pretended to be the Man in Black, because I loved Everything about him and his music, specifically, that my parents lightly teased me about, in good fun. This video broke me out of a terrible time when I first heard it, seeing him giving his truth with powerful emotion.
What's so cool about this song is you only have a few chords repeating, yet the way they are played have just as much emotion as Johnny's singing. Then the piano coming in with the big chords just lands it home. While the other instruments are layered, but nothing every dominates or pulls the distraction away. While by the end everything takes on a feeling of chaos. Its a masterclass. I say this as someone who plays in a Johnny tribute band and does the piano on this, and have listened to it over and over.
If I could start again. A million miles away. I would keep myself. I would find a way. The way Cash sings that, for whatever reason always makes me break down
Rick Rubin is truly a genius. He has amazing insights himself (who else could have figured out Johnny Cash should cover Hurt), but he gets the most out of the people he works with.
I share a deep love for this song. I didn't know until now it was a cover and I can't imagine anyone else doing it, let alone a young person doing it, because it's so holyshit overwhelming.
Fell in love with this version the first time I heard it. Have enjoyed and appreciated Johnny Cash since the first time I heard him when I was a preteen in the late 50's. Moved on to rock and roll, but never lost touch with that early love of Country and Western Music. Now in my 70's and it is even more powerful with the perspective of understanding so much more about life, loss, and regret. But it's not only the view of an old man looking back, it's the younger man's view as well. I worked as an RN in mental health and had much contact with folks who literally would cut on themselves to make sure they could still feel. This song brings the struggles of many of them to my thoughts as well. Another has said in the comments, without Trent, there would be no Cash version. I am thankful to Trent and Johnny. And deep respect to Mr. Rubin as well. Without his urging, this world may never have been given such a gift from "The Man in Black."
It was on when I was walking thru Walmart electronics... I'll never forget, it immediately grabbed my full attention, I stopped to watch it and knew instantly that it was something special. (I had never heard NIN's version prior)
One can never walk away from, rinse off, or scrub away a song like this. From the moment it has found you, it is forever a part of you. It seeks out every crevasse of self-hatred, shame, and regret fracturing ones soul, solidifies in those broken places, and becomes forever a part of you.
Some singers transcend genre and Johnny was one of them. He wasn't country, he wasn't rock, wasn't blues or indie. Johnny Cash's genre was Johnny Cash. His sound was his own, even when singing covers.
Cash’s rendition makes me feel like a person has comes to terms with who they are…. As sad, as hurtful, as tragic as a life can become has come to terms with reality
I think of Eddie Guerrero and Raw after his passing when I hear this song. I remember watching that show live and it was obviously very sad but when they played that video package of his life with this song, just started weeping.
Full episode with Rick Rubin: th-cam.com/video/H_szemxPcTI/w-d-xo.html
This is a highly underrated guest.
Like Eye said on the Full episode was with Johnny Cash in the UK pre Glastonbury 'n' Hurt ...Got ta lotta memories there...Very PWR - Full ones...+ + +... Is that why A I 8 my comment on your channel ? ... One thing 4 sure the man in black wouldn't like this G' Orwellian censorship in 2022..."When the man comes around" Thats a classic 2 'n' Boy Named Sue...Sanquenton 'n' That dirty old egg sucking Dog 2 name a few : ) ) ) Spot ify recon SO ! ova
Being from Nashville and hearing about cash going to aa meetings and parents going to his house the lyrics just pulls all that life together even more beyond just an old man at the end of his life.. once in a lifetime song/performance truly
@@gordonc615 Yes ! "U may find yourself" and Johnny did...+++...He is Gods gift to America...JC was the "REAL DEAL" in such a fake world...where the confusion was allegedly SO real !?..."JC"...A painter a poet who felt the red clay 'n' NOW lives 4 ever 4 ever risen above those storm clouds that had encircled this Historical cruel world...
Tis Like Bob said...He cried 4U...He told the truth Btw...+++...He had no real appetite 4 the other stuff...He was always looking UP when he didn't feel down...music was the friend that God arranged 4 him : ) And his brother was never far away : )
How does it feel to be shorter than Joe Rogan? Are you taller or shorter than Danny Devito?
Johnny Cash's performance of that song is potent medicine... it's there when you need it, but take it sparingly or it'll mess you up.
💔😪❤
Thank you.
Well said
Well put.
If I were not pretty stable I would kill myself.
Speaks to the depth of what Trent was going through, a song seemingly written for an old man during his last days, but he was a young man, already feeling like he was dying.
Heroin is a hell of a drug.
Was about to add that Trent wrote it as he BATTLED heroin addication!!!!
Fuuuckkkk. Such a short sentence... Yet heavier than carrying the weight of the world.
Cash sang it with narcissism and Reznor sang it with shame.
@@AD-bb9np we get it dude you're a NIN fan
The fact Cash was able to open his mind to Trent's music is one of my favorite things about this song. Usually you hear of people growing old and sticking to their ways and preferences. Cash taking this song on adds to the beauty.
Maybe I missed something in this video, but Rick has said before that Cash couldn't really listen to the song due to the distortion. It was simply too alien.
We feel like this because we generally have our taste in music. We have the genres we like and listen to. But musicians don’t discriminate. True musicians have an affinity with each other. The recognise true art when they hear it.
Most of Cash’s songs were written by other people
Not many songs make me feel such emotion like this one. His cover has made me cry more than i would like to admit.
pull your self together, dork
Everytime I hear it
I lost my father 6 years ago when I was 16 and I hadn’t listened to much or any of Cash’s work beforehand but Id listen to this song everyday on repeat for months and the emotion he portrayed really helped me cope with the pain and emotion I was feeling. It truly is a deeply beautiful song.
Take care of yourself Jimmy.
…and while I have you here, I recommend you give the song “ Lines on my face “by Peter Frampton a listen to as well.
Sorry for your loss.
Man Rick Rubin is partially responsible for so many good songs we all love. Much respect and thanks goes to him.
agree
Okay
His résumé is ridiculous
And the craziest thing is he's actually known to be really hands off as a producer. Just gets the right people in a room together with the right songs and lets the magic happen
@@thebr0wnhornetNice. I didn't know that. He probably makes the artists feel comfortable and in control and they end up making better music.
There are a lot of moments in that music video that stick with me, but none more so than at the end when he closes the lid to the piano, and caresses the top. It was like he knew it would not be opened again by him.
The voice perfectly reflects the man, where he's been and where he is which pairs perfectly with the lyrics
This is true art but not the kind that is the result of a person's effort, it's the nature of humanity laid bare and vulnerable through honesty
It's like a sunset over an ocean
perfect
Well said. Thanks.
Absolutely, as cryptic as it is Johnny was dying and you can feel that in this.
you do know trent reznor from nine inch nails wrote this song about his struggle with addiction yeah ?
"like a sunset over an ocean" - that's a really nice way to think about it.
Amazing piece. Lyrics:
I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything
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
I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I'm still right here
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
If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way
The original song has: “I wear my crown of shit”
Thanks for posting this
It's a cool song, but the reason Rick Rubin is Rick Rubin is his profound ability to blow smoke. In the scheme of truly fantastic lyrical writing, Townes Van Zandt, Cohen, Kirstoferson, those lyrics from Reznor are typical teenage angst from the early 90s. They're good lyrics but...
Rick Rubin is responsible for getting Cash going again at the end of his years, but playing covers is nothing new to Cash. The majority of Cash's discography is covers. I really enjoy the Lowe Cover of The Beast in Me Cash made with Rubin. Nobody talks about that one.
I always thought of this song as Johnny Cash's eulogy to June and himself. He knew he was finished and this is a swan song. After decades, this video still gets me.
@@dirtroadscholar i cry everytime
It's a cover but yeah
It's not even his song. The original is much better. Cash sings it narcissistically and Reznor sings it with shame. Cash even changes 1 word to emphasize that difference.
@@AD-bb9np bwahahaha your delusional Reznor said himself that Johnny Cashes version was better and that he made the song his own and that it no longer belonged to him
@@hbsavage0387, he is not "mine" he's a famous artist. Obviously he tried to be classy when asked about Cash stealing the song. Doesn't mean anything about my opinion or even his.
What Rubin did with Johnny Cash is some of the most universally loved music from the 90's/early 2000's. I almost never hear anyone say they don't love Cash from that era. It's just so amazing, and touching. And the sound of his voice, old, and crusty and beautiful.
While Johnny Cash's rendition of this song has a special meaning, I don't think people give enough credit to NIN's original masterpiece. The industrial and distorted overlays, especially at the end of the song as it decays, bring the lyrics alive.
I agree - NIN's version is a perfect piece of music for young troubled men. I find it quite wonderful that its the same words - just each artist bringing their life experience and emotion to a single point of time. In many ways it is like Reznor wrote it as an old man - perhaps that aspect is a reflection on what the drugs did to him.
Johnny Cash's version is hauntingly beautiful, NINs original version is haunting
NIN even said it themselves that this is Johnny Cash's song, they were in complete awe
@@harman5453 I heard something similar, trent was sceptical off the cover but when he heard it he said he now realised he wrote it for JC. Both versions are epic though and have different meaning from the people they come from.
The live version , with just Trent on Piano is one of my favourite songs of all time
I've never seen Lex like this..
This song is truly powerful.
My father was a broken and defeated man towards the end of his life, I remember him referencing this song, and remember him telling me how he felt it every day
What is most powerful about JC cover of this song is simply this.
I believe him, he lived it
Anyone thats known real struggle has lived it( which is most) and thats why the song touches so many.
With tht said. I like Trents version more. But i do love Cashes Take
When my mom passed away when I was 21, I played this song on repeat. Johnny was able to articulate my pain and why I Hurt when I was incapable of it. Such a surreal experience. No song will ever hit like this one does, especially when life takes away the ones you love the most.
My mother passed when I was 21 also. I know how you feel. It forever changes you. Sorry for your loss🙏
He didn't write the song though, it's a Nine Inch Nails cover
Sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you, your family, friends, and loved ones.
I remember crying about the passing of a loved one, and as stupid as it sounds I remembered the words of butters from South Park, in which he was happy to feel sad, because something could make him feel that way. That helped me with the pain, I was so grateful that I got experience so much joy that this loss brought me to my knees. That something had impacted my life in such a meaningful way. As stupid as it sounds I get tears but I smile.
@@bluesilkdesigns Right, and NIN likes Johnny's rendition better than theirs. That says something powerful about Cash's abilities to reach a persons heart.
One of my top 5 favorite songs. To describe Johnny Cash's performance in one word it'd be heartbreaking.
Groin grabbingly heartbreaking
Anguish..heartbreaking yes
@@manunited7198 ballbreakingly
@@dirtroadscholar I'll give you my #1, Spoke in the Wheel, Black Label Society
I absolutely love the Johnny cash version. Incredibly melancholic. But I adore the pure pain and discomfort that nine inch nail provides in the original. It honestly goes to show how great of a cover it is, as it’s a completely different type of turmoil/emotional pain that’s been portrayed to us. Such a raw capture of a man who knew exactly where he was in his life. And what he had accomplished. And what he had regretted.
Just burst into tears, a song that reminds me of my childhood friend, who died at 46, 8 years ago. Profound song.
7:40 "When you're 20 years old, talking about regret, it's heartbreaking, but it's heartbreaking in a different way, because you have your whole life to figure it out. When you're looking back over your life, at the end of your life, with regret, it's brutal, it's brutal."
Impossible to listen to without being consumed by the feeling you feel before you cry. Well done. Thank you.
Crazy Trent wrote such deep lyrics possibly being half the age of johnny Cash
When my grandma died, I listened to that song all day long. Great piece of art.
The original was a seminal song for my generation, but I totally understand why many didn’t find it compelling until Cash’s version. It articulates the same human condition from two different vantage points on life’s arc. Cash completed that picture, which is even more heartbreaking.
I love both. Both are so deep and strong.
Always loved NIN, and Trent. When Johnny covered this song, it was nice to bond with older generations over some real, authentic art!
Agreed but Trents is king. Not even close.
With that said. I do love Cashes version also. N i truly couldnt see anyone else doing their take of the song.
But nothing comes close (well maybe CASHES) TO THE ORIGINAL.
@@82PeRK Cute how you use an absolute when discussing a subjective thing. :P
@@johrathbun well. It is absolute for me.
Johnny Cash took that song to a whole new level that will never be accomplished again.
A different level.
Every sentence is like a sledgehammer. It's the most powerful song that I have ever heard. It will bring out powerful memories and emotions! If you have a soul it will make you cry!
I don't want to steal the light from Johnny but I would like to show my appreciation towards Trent Reznor for this. Yes, this songs now belongs to Cash, Trent himself says that. It's his song now. But Hurt does not exist without Trent. Johnny's rendition just enriched the words a 100 folds.
dont forget he also did the beat for old town road in ghost 34
Great art belongs to all of us. Trent was the conduit, bless him!
No shit
The best way I’ve heard it described; Trent was born to write the song, Johnny was born to sing it.
After watching the video of Johnny singing “Hurt,” Trent Reznor said “that song isn’t mine anymore.”
That’s actually beautiful.
Yes, he did. He knew that those lyrics had found their home.
It never was he just never knew it. Sounds once sung are in the public domain
Exactly
I'm confused, I thought NIN covered the song from Cash?
Lex hit play and I was immediately shivering with goose bumps. Man such beautiful tribute to a life. Actual art can be spontaneous or it can take a lifetime to achieve. IM grateful we were able to be given this by Mr. Cash, truly beautiful.
I absolutely agree with your assessment of Hurt being performed by Johnny. I am 70 and when I first heard this it consumed me like no other song. When I saw the video I openly wept. I cannot unhear that song…I cannot unsee the video. The emotions well up at every listen. I hurt…but I’m so thankful for the gift he gave us.
Exactly the words I'd described it - you just feel that this is not only a song - its his requiem, sung by himself. He knew his time will be gone very soon, when he recorded it. And you just can hear that he meant it, with every word.
Trent Reznor wrote it, Cash solidified it. Emotion is everything and this rendition is the epitome of the performing arts. Pure magic.
Dude Lex is such a pure genuine soul. I think he has a heart of gold
This and David Bowie's "Blackstar" are definitely some of the most poignant glimpses into an artists life and their mind right prior to their death and ultimate demise. They both took their last figurative breaths and made a show and project out of it all, like genuine artists to the last minute.
Don’t forget the show must go on from Freddie
Keep me in your heart for a while by Warren Zevon is another one!
avenged sevenfold fiction is another one
I mean, the song is written by Trent Reznor. It's not a Johnny Cash original, the meaning just changes when its sung by a man who is about to die, rather than someone who is in the grips of a heroin addiction. 'The needle tears a hole' is a direct reference to injecting heroin.
@@MegaHariboboy lyrically obviously it’s coming from Reznors mind. Not Johnnys but the video shows Johnnys Mindset at this point and how he was feeling mentally and emotionally. Obviously Ik you weren’t being a smart ass but the video does show the glimpse into Johnnys life.
I would love to have 30 minutes with Rick. Not to explain me how he sees the world but to help me explain myself. My absolute idol!
Trent is the hero here …. Incredible lyrics - and arrangement- his performance equally as powerful
This song is something special. It gives me chills. Every song he covered on that album was an immensely powerful reconstruction. 'In My Life,' is my favorite. Hard not to cry on that one.
Apart from the covers, I have to say, 'The Man Comes Around' is one of the greatest masterpieces in songwriting. It reveals a mind absolutely saturated in Biblical stories and language, with an extremely intimate understanding of all the intricate symbolism. I can't think of anything else like it.
I have chills now just thinking about it...
Rick rubin is literally the guy that made every big album i listened too as a kid, guys a goddamn genius, whether its hip hop, rock or metal, he just knows what to do
One of the many dozens of times I was in rehab we all came together on this song. That time never got me clean, but it set "better living" in motion. I'm not there and hurting bad right now, but I'm close.
Johnny took that song on another level.
@@RedRumble14 I always thought it was junky reflections & aftermaths
@@RedRumble14 whatever you want it to be...
@@RedRumble14 pain...in its most accute manifestation, where its so heavy, the soul hurts as well
That Johnny Cash video makes me cry every time. We can all relate to it, we will all age, we will all have regrets. The director did a brilliant job, it should be right up there as one of the best music videos ever! I actually love watching reaction videos on TH-cam of this song, every single one cries, Every. Single. One.
Beautiful. Showing the depth of humanity's emotion at its best.
yes
I cannot listen to that song without crying, for me it perfectly encapsulates the human experience, the passage of time, regret, suffering, love, respect, deep life long reflection.
Stunningly beautiful song.
The souls journey..."I would keep myself, I would find a way"
this song never ceases to give me chills. And the video imagery is top-notch as well. A fantastic cap to an amazing legacy.
Lex is a master at keeping his mouth shut and listening at just the right time. That's what makes these interviews so fantastic.
Rick hit the nail on the head @7:28, looking back over your life with regret, at the end of your life, is brutal. There is no more time to figure it out, you're done.
I have a difficult time crying and this song helps pull it out of me without fail. I'm 31 right now and I already know that it will have deeper levels of meaning as I go through life.
Hurt by Johnny Cash and Changes by Charles Bradley.... nothing short of therapeutic for me.
Changes is definitely another perfect example
Interestingly, both originally written by young men around the same age. So, they were feeling these deeper levels of meaning around the same age you are now. Cool how the lyrics don’t change much between the covers, but they do hit differently due to the age of Bradley and Cash. Also think both videos help add to this effect significantly. Cool they can act therapeutic for you and I also feel they will only get heavier as time goes on.
Johnny's voice had certainly changed over the years, but remember, he was on stage and performing for decades as a singer and a story-teller. He had craft, and he is using it in this song. That's not a weak voice; that's Johnny Cash.
I knew the song earlier, but the feeling and perspective that Johnny Cash added hit my soul like a hammer. I was going through some really dark times, and I have never or will find a friend that I can bare my soul to like this(my sweetest friend). Every thing about this recording is flawless, the performer, the deliberate pace, the instruments and building to a crescendo(not unlike the last gasps of breath). Thank you for this song!
Props to Rick for making this song possible. 🙏
Honestly made me cry every time. Hard to face the past when the future is always so uncertain.
I rarely ever cry for anything but this song man... it just hits different. You can just sense that it's coming straight from the soul
The first time I heard Cash’s version of that song I god full on goosebumps when he sang the first line “I hurt myself today”.
Stunning. Brave. Beautiful. Sometimes music just shows us something we cannot see any other way. This is just a gift to all of us. Thank you thank thank you to all involved. RIP Johnny.
it's a beautiful poem of life, love, regret, lessons, pain, grandeur and desperation. makes me tear up everytime, hits all the nerves, all the humanity
Rick Rubin is a LEGEND. But to have worked with Johnny Cash in his last years is something that most can only dream. Great Lyrics, Great performance and engineering to get that song with so much emotion throughout. Fantastic Video concept and production and direction. 10/10 on all. Cheers
This song is dangerously powerful; Like I feel absolutely wrecked with grief and despair if I listen to it fully. Even in small doses I have to take a minute. Lex, fantastic interview with this absolute legend.
The way he closed the piano then rubbed his hands across the lid is exactly the way I have seen old people rub their hands across the casket of their dead husband or wife as a final physical contact.
The fact Trent Reznor wrote this so young and it speaks to so many people on a deep level proves he is on a different level to most.
True.. Very True
One of the greatest musicians of all time
Jackson Browne wrote "These Days" at 16. Explain that one.
@@willowtandy9162 he should fight with Trent to solve this question forever
@@whatever1661 yeah
It’s his goodbye to the world and his family…
Johnny’s family and especially his daughters didn’t want the song released,
They said to Johnny “dad it feels like your saying goodbye it’s to sad for the family”
Johnny said “I am saying goodbye my love”
His daughter says it in an interview!! So cathartic!!
I love both versions of the song, they are great. I connected with the song when it first came out on Downward Spiral, and while written by a young man, the wisdom and sorrow in it were outstanding and applicable to becoming an adult and making mistakes and regretting them. But then the Cash cover came, and added a whole new depth to it, the ending of life and the inability to recover, all the that has been lost and no time to rekindle or find anew, the seemingly pointless nature to it all. Brilliant work, on both parts. Sometimes can't even listen to the song it is that powerful.
Johnny could put so much soul and depth into the lyrics that transformed the original songs he covered. The "Break my Rusty Cage" cover of Soundgarden's hit is up there with the Hurt cover. Really brings a whole different understanding of the lyrics.
the synchronicity of this coincides with me taking half my library to half price, going in sunlight, coming out to the threat of rain and dark skies. Letting go of books came after a dream of letting go of past home I will never see again, friends and family I will never see again, and sometimes it all seems unbearable- and why i couldn't fathom carrying those books any further than I did to part with them, and hope, someone might find them as lovely as I did. Everyone and everything goes away in the end, this empire of dirt is the dust I cleaned off empty shelves... Good ol' Johnny Cash!
Lex, I have just begun watching your videos and it didn’t take long to figure out that you are special. But, after watching this interview and hearing you describe your feelings toward a great song by a legendary artist just blew me away! It is unusual for a young man like yourself (and, born in a foreign country) to be able to truly feel the emotions of this song. I now have your podcast in my library and will be a regular listener. I am 72 years old; saw combat in Vietnam as a teenager; seriously injured during the Tet Offensive); love this country; and, saw Johnny Cash in concert over a dozen times throughout the country…I consider you a brother, something that veterans only extend to Americans.
It’s strange for me, as an avid NIN fan, Trent bled that song, poured that song out of his soul. He shared his feelings on stage at every live show with Hurt.
I was a teenager at the crux of my vulnerability, shame and depression when I heard that song. Hurt carried my pain and sung it back to me in Trent’s voice. Putting that in front of me to face it, was some of the greatest therapy one could have. It will always be my favorite rendition as I am pretty sure it offered me the tools to spare my own life.
Now…I love Johnny Cash. However, I feel Johnny sang HIS pain to himself and we got to witness it. Which is beautiful, but it isn’t relatable as he is THE Johnny Cash. Which on any given day sounds better than being ourselves.
That being said, I never understood why radio DJs would say “Now here’s Johnny Cash with his new song ‘Hurt’”. I thought it perverted the original and was disrespectful to take that song’s credit from Trent. Aaaaaand then Trent came out and said “it’s Johnny’s now” LOL. Well whatever ! 😂HAHAHAHA. Still learning from Trent to not take myself too seriously. :)
Beautiful version of Reznor's song. I personally find it heartbreakingly sad, the inclusion of the photo and video elements and the sheer melancholy and regret that emanates from this song. The way it's all put together, is stunning. Hauntingly sad, but beautiful. "My empire of dirt......" What a line. Great reaction video.
One of the most beautiful and painful songs of regret I have ever heard. Something about the haunting vocals over such simple instrumentation really gives it a deeper, more timeless quality.
Hurt changes every time its sung by another person. those words mean different things depending on where you are and where you've been in life and that's very unique when it comes to art as a hole. Hurt is a song that cannot be artificially redone because the most beautiful things in this world or even in this universe happen by accident, Trent wrote a song that the music industry can't cloned and mass produce which that makes it so much sweeter to enjoy.
I’m a huge music fan with interests in most genres and yes there’s something about this song and the way it’s portrayed by Johnny Cash. You just feel it on a different emotional level. Great to listen to Rick Rubins added input on this topic to. Love it 👍🏼
It’s amazing that arguably the greatest Country Artist can be full of so much regret
It makes me cry so much about my uncle that took his life and my divorce a few years ago. Thank you, Mr Cash.
Johnny Cash, in this song, was standing before the door we will all face one day. We will all stand with one hand on the knob while looking back over our shoulder at all that we have done with this gift of life we were given. His was an evocative appeal to not worry about it. It'll all be okay. There's no need to fear dying. And besides, there's not one god-damn thing you can do about it, so accept it and move along to whatever it is that comes next. In this life you are done. RIP, Sir Johnny of the Cash clan, you did well with your allotted time.
Just wish it was quick and painless for most of us..
❤
Lex you’re an absolute legend, but please be aware of when you’re asking a question to let them answer that question rather then asking another 3 or 4 afterwards. They’re all valid great questions, but I want to know the answer to the first one!!! Great video.
My sense is Lex helps reframe the question several ways, giving a chance for the sitter to formulate a thoughtful response rather then jumping to easy automatic and less potent words
it felt like Lex was really excited to sit with Rick on this one.
Lex, you just hooked my loyalty and love forever, for this one, that surprised me. I grew up as a young kid who pretended to be the Man in Black, because I loved Everything about him and his music, specifically, that my parents lightly teased me about, in good fun. This video broke me out of a terrible time when I first heard it, seeing him giving his truth with powerful emotion.
The song is great & but the deliverance & performance from Mr. CASH is purely amazing & soul touching
What's so cool about this song is you only have a few chords repeating, yet the way they are played have just as much emotion as Johnny's singing. Then the piano coming in with the big chords just lands it home. While the other instruments are layered, but nothing every dominates or pulls the distraction away. While by the end everything takes on a feeling of chaos. Its a masterclass. I say this as someone who plays in a Johnny tribute band and does the piano on this, and have listened to it over and over.
If I could start again. A million miles away. I would keep myself. I would find a way.
The way Cash sings that, for whatever reason always makes me break down
Pretty crap lyrics tbh
Man... this song reminds me of my dad. So intense. Legends
This was incredible. This song never fails to make me tear up.
We need another podcast with these two. One of my absolute favorites
It is one of the greatest songs of all time and Cash’s version will literally made you or break you.
Rick Rubin is truly a genius. He has amazing insights himself (who else could have figured out Johnny Cash should cover Hurt), but he gets the most out of the people he works with.
On par with Cash covering "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young with Frusciante's guitar behind. Absolute classic.
Thanks. Had no idea that existed
Or "Cant find my way home" by Blind Faith
This rendition of the song never ceases to bring a tear to my eye. Big fan of Reznor & NIN and this is wonderful complementary art piece.
I share a deep love for this song. I didn't know until now it was a cover and I can't imagine anyone else doing it, let alone a young person doing it, because it's so holyshit overwhelming.
I have enjoyed all versions of it, but Johnny Cash's with the music video was really sad and moving. Always makes me tear up.
Fell in love with this version the first time I heard it. Have enjoyed and appreciated Johnny Cash since the first time I heard him when I was a preteen in the late 50's. Moved on to rock and roll, but never lost touch with that early love of Country and Western Music. Now in my 70's and it is even more powerful with the perspective of understanding so much more about life, loss, and regret. But it's not only the view of an old man looking back, it's the younger man's view as well. I worked as an RN in mental health and had much contact with folks who literally would cut on themselves to make sure they could still feel. This song brings the struggles of many of them to my thoughts as well. Another has said in the comments, without Trent, there would be no Cash version. I am thankful to Trent and Johnny. And deep respect to Mr. Rubin as well. Without his urging, this world may never have been given such a gift from "The Man in Black."
I remember when that first came out. I was just mesmerised watching the video. Definitely still one of the best. Hits deep.
It was on when I was walking thru Walmart electronics... I'll never forget, it immediately grabbed my full attention, I stopped to watch it and knew instantly that it was something special. (I had never heard NIN's version prior)
One can never walk away from, rinse off, or scrub away a song like this. From the moment it has found you, it is forever a part of you. It seeks out every crevasse of self-hatred, shame, and regret fracturing ones soul, solidifies in those broken places, and becomes forever a part of you.
Trent's version is heartbreaking, Johnny made EPICALLY heartbreaking.
That song is easily the #1 most moving song I have ever listened to. There's times in my life where I just listen to it over and over again.
It’s his song now. So haunting + magical
He did make it his own
This hits deep, right in the feels... 🥺
Some singers transcend genre and Johnny was one of them. He wasn't country, he wasn't rock, wasn't blues or indie. Johnny Cash's genre was Johnny Cash. His sound was his own, even when singing covers.
Thank you Alex for this interview I can’t wait to listen to it in total . Thank you Rick Rubin for the music.
I have to thank Rick Rubin for recording those songs with Johnny Cash. Hurt is magnificent.
For anyone who is interested, the live version of Streetlights by Jason Isbell is the only other song that comes close to this for me.
Johnny was a gift to music all over the world.
Cash’s rendition makes me feel like a person has comes to terms with who they are…. As sad, as hurtful, as tragic as a life can become has come to terms with reality
I think of Eddie Guerrero and Raw after his passing when I hear this song. I remember watching that show live and it was obviously very sad but when they played that video package of his life with this song, just started weeping.
Although the cover of 'hurt' is wonderful I was more blown away by Johnny's version of 'Rusty Cage' by Soundgarden.