Johnny Cash was one of the most well known country artists of all time. He left an indelible mark on the American music industry and culture.
His major hits like “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Jackson,” are timeless classics that have touched the hearts of many. While Cash’s career was full of major achievements, his personal life was marked by some demons. He battled with struggles such as addiction, depression, and strained relationships. His tumultuous marriage with June Carter, another American singer, was both a source of pain and healing. As he aged, his music turned to themes of resilience and honesty.
The last song Johnny Cash released before his death in 2003 was “Hurt.” What many people don’t know is that “Hurt” is actually a cover of the original song by Nine Inch Nails. Written by Trent Reznor, it’s an honest reflection about self harm and how empty life can seem in a deep depression. Many even suspect that the song is meant to be written as a suicide note. The way that Cash sings “Hurt,” leads many people to believe that he was the writer of the song. It perfectly applies to Cash’s life story. Even Reznor said in regards to Cash’s cover of the song, “I thought: ‘What a powerful piece of art.’ I never got to meet Johnny, but I’m happy I contributed in the way I did. It wasn’t my song any more.”
The lyrics of “Hurt” resonate strongly with Johnny Cash’s life story. Cash built an empire with his music, but it came with a cost. The fame and fortune that Cash had acclaimed throughout his life came with great pain and regret. The specific line, “You can have it all, my empire of dirt,” speaks to this. It stands as a recognition that despite his legendary status within music, the fame means very little in the face of mortality.
Directed by former Nine Inch Nails collaborator, Mark Romanek, the music video for “Hurt” is incredibly moving and heartbreaking. It is a reflection of Cash’s life, displaying Cash himself dressed in black at his home. It also features a number of flashback videos of Cash in his prime, along with footage inside of the empty and neglected House of Cash museum. According to Romanek in an interview with Rolling Stone, the decrepit nature of the video was meant to reflect the poor condition that Cash was in.
