H- Hurt. I would not have known of this song’s existence were it not for Johnny Cash. He took Trent Reznor’s reflective ballad and refined it into something utterly unforgettable. The synthesizer is replaced by acoustic guitar in Cash’s version and there is also a subtle change in lyrics (the “crown of shit” is artfully changed to “crown of thorns”). Dynamic contrast between the verses and chorus is driven by the instruments and enhances the intensity of the piece. Cash’s gruff voice lends an eerie quality that perfectly captures the measure of a man’s life. If you are not moved by this song, I suspect that you are made of stone.
You can have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down, I will make you hurt.
Johnny Cash, “Hurt,” American IV: The Man Comes Around, 2002
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