Evan Davis

Professor Reynolds

English 1201

21 February 2020

Hurt 2X
The quote “I hurt myself Today to see if I still feel” in the song “Hurt” sung

by Johnny Cash. This is a reference to Cash’s mental struggles in life and how he has to

physically harm himself to see if he is not numb to the pain. The true definition of the word,
“Hurt” is “cause physical pain or injury to… to cause emotional pain or anguish to”. The version

of “Hurt” by Nine inch nails and Johnny Cash have a similar meaning in how they have dealt

with their mental struggles. But, the two music videos paint two different stories in what these

artists have been through. The version of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is more dark and gives you a

more depressed or saddened feel, while “Hurt” sung by Johnny Cash is more of the feeling of

guilt for what he has done to his family and friends in the past. It seems as if Johnny Cash and

Nine Inch Nail both have regrets from their past actions based on their songs "hurt". Both of

these versions of “Hurt” give the audience a more depressed and lonely feeling in different

ways.

The version of “Hurt’’ by Johnny Cash was written in 2002. There are many clues

throughout the song that refers back to Cash’s early struggles with depression, self-harm, drug

addiction. And this explains the pain he had caused his loved ones during this dark time in his

life. “The needle tears a hole, The old familiar sting”, this quote foreshadows the drug

addiction that Cash struggled with in his early years. Johnny Cash told Rolling Stone,

“She loves me in spite of everything. In spite of myself. She has saved my life more than

once”. Through the dark times of Cash’s life his wife had always stayed by his side and

guided him to better health and that he is very thankful for everything she has done for

him. In the video, Cash’s wife June Carter Cash appeared and is an influential part in
how he turned his life around. “My sweetest friend” refers to the love of his life.

Throughout Johnny Cash’s version of the song there are many references to the early

struggles and how he felt he let the ones he loved down. In the lyrics he believed that

the only way he could heal them was getting many miles away from them. “A million

miles away”, this is Cash saying how far he would need to be to not hurt his loved ones.

But, in the end he believes he would find a way to hurt them with his constant struggles.

The original version of “Hurt” was written and performed by Nine Inch Nails in 1994.

Many experts say that their album, “The downward spiral” is known as one of the best selling
albums in the United States of all time. The feeling of the song “Hurt” performed by Nine Inch

Nails often brings sadness to the listeners. The slow and sad tone of the song also plays an

effect on the audience’s feelings. Their version of the song often refers to them finding a reason

to keep living despite the major depression and pain they are in. The music video by Nine Inch

Nails shows dark scenes of Trent Reznor the lead singer for the band and main clips of dead

objects or glory scenes such as bombs or blood splattered on a soldier's face. The style of the

song and the music video tend to give off a goth feel. A quote from the song, “I focus on the

pain” shows that they cannot live life without pain, that the pain consumes their everyday lives.

Within each version of the song “Hurt” there are many differences and similarities. The

original version by Nine Inch Nails gives us a feeling of darkness and sadness from the pain that

they are in. That they struggle to find their reason for living. The remastered version by Johnny

Cash in 2002 shows us his struggles in his early years and how he has overcome them with the

love of life, June Carter Cash. But, he still lives with demons from his past that have damaged his

loved ones. In conclusion, there are many differences and similarities within these versions of

songs, but in the end they have the same meanings of how they are dealing with their struggles

whether that is depression or drug abuse the songs are showing how they are dealing and

handling their problems.

These two different versions of the song, “Hurt” portrays an emotional level that is

considered pathos. Both of their lyrics in the song express how they do not want to hurt the
ones they love and that they remembered the pain they caused themselves. This could relate to

the individuals that are afraid to help or do something for the ones they love, but are too afraid

to help because of past accidents. These versions of the song are directed to people with certain

life choices and experiences. Also, this could describe an individual’s pain and suffering caused

from themselves or someone else. Overall, the song “Hurt” is an emotional song that can

connect with an individual’s current and experiences in life.

In conclusion, the song “Hurt” by Johnny Cash and Nine Inch Nails share many

similarities, but at the same time have their differences. Throughout the lyrics and music videos
they share an emotional connection that can be related to many other individuals dealing with

the same issues. After hurting someone you love once, you will never want to do the same thing

that hurt that person ever again.

 Works Cited

Bertram, Colin. "Johnny Cash Described His Love for June Carter as 'Unconditional'. Inside

Their Love Story." 04 Dec. 2019. Web. 22 Feb. 2021.

https://www.biography.com/news/johnny-cash-june-carter-love-story-relationship

"Hurt." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 22 Feb.

2021.https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurt

“Hurt”, by Johnny Cash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI

“Hurt”, by Nine Inch Nails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbHz9p7Z4OU