About the song
“Hurt” is a profound song written by Trent Reznor and performed by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Featured on their second studio album, *The Downward Spiral* (1994), the song was released as a promotional single on April 17, 1995. It earned significant recognition, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song in 1996. In 2020, *Kerrang* and *Billboard* ranked it among the greatest Nine Inch Nails songs.
In 2002, the song was covered by the legendary Johnny Cash for his album *American IV: The Man Comes Around*. Cash’s version of “Hurt” garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim. The accompanying music video, directed by Mark Romanek, is widely celebrated and was named the best video of the year by several awards, including the Grammys and CMAs. In July 2011, it was declared the greatest music video of all time by *NME*.
The video for Cash’s cover features powerful imagery, including scenes from Cash’s life and decaying objects, reflecting both his storied past and the harsh reality of his later years. The video’s raw portrayal of Cash’s vulnerability, alongside the haunting visuals, deeply moved audiences and critics alike. Trent Reznor himself praised Cash’s rendition, expressing that the song had transformed into something deeply personal and different, appreciating its new depth and sincerity.
Cash’s cover of “Hurt” was immensely popular, selling over 2 million downloads in the United States by March 2017. It remains one of Cash’s most acclaimed works, consistently appearing in lists of his greatest songs. Billboard ranked it number four in their list of the greatest Johnny Cash songs in 2017, and American Songwriter placed it third in 2021.
The song has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and documentaries, underlining its broad impact. Its influence extends beyond music, affecting various aspects of popular culture and media. The song’s legacy was cemented with multiple awards, including Best Cinematography at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards and Best Short Form Music Video at the 2004 Grammys.
Johnny Cash’s rendition of “Hurt” is considered a powerful and poignant reflection on life, loss, and redemption, cementing its place as one of the most memorable and influential covers in music history.
Video
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