Why Did Johnny Cash Write Hurt? What Inspired Him?

You’ve probably heard the song “Hurt” by Johnny Cash, I mean who hasn’t?  Before Johnny Cash recorded Hurt in 2002, he had a busy and exciting career. But this song stands out as one of his best ever. Let’s remember his version of the Nine Inch Nails track and how he got there.

Why Did Johnny Cash Write Hurt?

The truth is, “Hurt” is originally written by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. It wasn’t really Jonny Cash’s song. What happened was that producer Rick Rubin heard the song and thought Jonny Cash would sing it better, and he told Jonny Cash to make his own version of the song.

Cash thought Rubin was crazy for suggesting such a noisy song, but Rubin believed it would suit Cash if he sang it his way.

In the BBC show “Desert Island Discs,” Rubin explained: “I imagined Johnny Cash as the iconic man in black. Any song he sang had to fit this image.” He later added, “When Cash heard the lyrics and the format, he said, ‘Let’s give it a try.'”

Cash’s recording gave the song a fresh perspective. While Reznor’s original portrays the struggles of youth, Cash’s version tells the tale of an elderly man reflecting on his life. Though he is filled with regret, he accepts that the past cannot be changed.

What Made The Song Outstanding?

The song’s strength lies partly in its haunting music video. Mark Romanek directed it, choosing to highlight the raw emotion of “Hurt” by featuring a vulnerable Johnny Cash. June Carter Cash, Cash’s wife, also appears in the video.

In an interview with the Guardian, director Mark Romanek explained, “He wasn’t at his best anymore – he was fading, and that’s what I aimed to capture.” While filming Cash playing guitar in his living room, June Carter Cash unexpectedly joined, her expression a mix of love, pride, and worry for her husband. Moved by her presence, Romanek asked to film her, and she agreed.

As the video progresses, it alternates between the fragile Cash and archival footage from his younger days. It also includes scenes from the decaying House of Cash museum, a decision Romanek made to amplify the song’s rawness.

Final Thoughts

People say that when Johnny Cash covers your song, it becomes his own. That’s especially true for “Hurt”. The original by Nine Inch Nails is featured on Cash’s last studio album, “American IV: The Man Comes Around”. This album showcases Cash’s unique style as he covers songs by artists like The Beatles, Sting, and Simon & Garfunkel. Yet, the standout track is Cash’s poignant rendition of Trent Reznor’s “Hurt”.