Johnny Cash’s career as a music legend spanned many decades, collecting numerous top spots on the charts. And that distinctive voice is recognized by anyone. Cash speaking on the arrival of his voice, he said “When I was 17, I had been cutting wood all day with my father and I came in and I was singing a gospel song, ‘Everybody’s Gonna Have A Wonderful Time Up There, Glory Hallelujah.’” His voice broke and that deep richness came forth.
Even in his later life that richness and character can be heard in his 2002 hit “Hurt.” “Hurt” was written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and can be found on their 1994 album “The Downward Spiral.” The song was nominated for Best Rock Song in 1996.
It wound up in Cash’s hands through producer Rick Rubin in their work on the “American Recordings” albums. Cash was not particularly interested in the music itself but Rubin then sent the lyrics. Cash took a second look.
Trent Reznor wrote the song during a period of depression and it was very personal to him. Rubin approached him about a cover track for Johnny Cash. I can imagine writing a deeply meaningful piece and then entrusting it to someone else, even to a legend. Reznor thought it was a “gimmick” and “weird” and some other things also, yet he gave permission.
Cash took the song of a depressed young man and sang as an elder nearing the end. The video which was shot in the environment of the House of Cash museum adds to the interpretation. Reznor said of his song after seeing the video, “…that song isn’t mine anymore.”
The video and song have received several awards, including Cash becoming the oldest artist ever nominated for an MTV Video Music Award. “Hurt” has become one of my favorite songs of all time. My simple words could never properly describe the impact of the song or the video but I provided a link if you have not seen it or it’s been a while.
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