Hurt

The song was originally written by Trent Reznor for Nine Inch Nails, which he was band leader and singer for, on their 1994 Album "Downward Spiral". It's official release date (according to Wikipedia) is April 17 1995.

The exceptions?

Where as Trent says it's about physical self harm, I can't help but think it's also a

"Why" song.

"Why is this happening to me? Why me?

Why did I do that?".

Also, in some way's, like it's later Cover by Mr. Johnny Cash, it's a song about regret.

As I said earlier, in Trent Reznor's version many believed it to be his Suicide Note to the world.

In contrast many believe Johnny Cash's version to be his ultimate Legacy and Epitaph.

Well taking that into consideration, you could say the real difference in the two versions is the type of pain discussed.

In Trent's it could be related to a temporary pain, one that is really strong but fades in time, you could go as far as to say that as it fades you won't remember or feel it as strongly.

Or in Johnny's which shows a pain that's grown over the years, one that you have lived your whole life with, one that never fades, but you've learned to accept it.

It's such a huge contrast, but one that can be narrowly missed.

Hurt was released on Johnny Cash's 2002 Album,

American IV: The Man Comes Around. It was Cash's last album before his death and consisted mainly of cover's, still one of his most memorable and popular album's. It was his 87th Album and it received Platinum Status on November 21 2003, just two months after his death.

To most non-Christians the story of Christ's Crucifixion would have them believe that he was forced onto the cross. But to Christians and readers of the story, they would (usually) know that Christ sacrificed himself.

Trent, in the song, blaming other's for his

pain. (Remember: Why Me?) Though I'm not saying that as a negative thing. It's typical Teenage Angst.

[The non-Christian view of It was forced on him].

Johnny, forcing his pain upon himself. (Remembering all his mistakes and errors in his life and now knowing there's nothing he can do to change that and accepting it as a way of life.)

[The Christian view (of the story) of he knew what was happening and decided to embrace it.]

Moving on to

"The Man In Black" himself

Another thing I'd like to point out...

How does this relate?

The Original

A Little Background knowledge on

the song?

Just A Side Note...

So...

What was the song about?

Over the year's their have been huge

dispute's over what this song is really about. Some say it was a "farewell song" aka Trent Reznor's suicide note. Other's see it as a song about a reason to live.

After huge controversy, and many vicious cyber trollings, the band decided to state, "Officially... It's about differences between Society and Self Harm."

The World Renowned Cover

Johnny Cash's version, in general, is more well known than it's originate, the NIN version. Trent Reznor was once asked "What he thought of Johnny Cash's take on the song", almost sheepishly he admitted, "[Hurt] Is almost like an Ex-Girlfriend, important and meaningful to me, but it's not [my song] anymore. Johnny went and made it his."

In his first interview after the release of the cover he says, "When Johnny first sent me the disk and I listened, I couldn't help but feel invaded. Another person was inhabiting my most personal song. I felt like I was watching someone else kiss my girlfriend."

After close inspection I can come up with nothing better than to agree. With a few exceptions of course...

And the difference it makes

Of course generally in society profanity of any type is frowned upon, but if you look closer at the word you'll find a much deeper meaning that trying to sound grungy and bad-ass.

...this crown of s**t.

I don't want to go and explain the complete meaning of this word to you, but generally when this word is used besides it's obvious other definition, it means lies, or garbage.

So when he says, this crown of s**t, I can't help but think he's referring to all the lies he's forced to see and wear.

Johnny Cash's version for me is so much more emotional because it's a song that not just describes a bleak and dark spot, in his life, like Trent's, but his entire life and all the sadness and regrets of it. The balance to that is that still, somehow, in the song, he seems to be able to come to terms with this, to accept it and not just move on but keep the pain, as a reminder and teacher, with him and continue to live.

What does this have to do with anything?

Well with that perspective in mind

you could say that Cash, a very religious man, and Reznor, a mutual though religious in his own way, are the embodiment's of those two beliefs.

That one lyrical change

There is one little lyrical switch between the two songs that really changes the whole meaning.

I wear this crown of thorns,

Upon my liars chair,

Full of broken thoughts,

I cannot repair

( Johnny Cash)

I wear this crown of s**t,

Upon my liars chair,

Full of broken thoughts,

I cannot repair

(Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails)

"I pop the video in, and wow... Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps... Wow. [I felt like] I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine anymore... It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form. I wrote some words and music in my bedroom as a way of staying sane, about a bleak and desperate place I was in, totally isolated and alone. [Somehow] that winds up reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning — different, but every bit as pure."