Johnny Cash - Hurt - Old Guy Reaction - Nine Inch Nails - Hurt

[@emmapeelfan]

NIN version is a song of self-loathing. Johnny Cash version is a song of regret. A man singing his own eulogy.

[@jimmymkirk]

Both... Cash had a self-loathing phase. He had a nasty heroin habit that June Carter helped him break. He probably had Trent's version take him back to his 20s and have his feelings put into song.

[@VelvetAura]

The original version is from the perspective of a young man who is struggling with addiction, specifically heroin. Johnny Cash took that and gave it the perspective of his life, from an old man with a lot of mistakes and regrets in his life.

[@PutnmaKE]

@@jimmymkirk Cash had problems with alcohol and pills, not needles

[@kmarie7051]

One of the saddest things I read about Johnny Cash's life was that when he was still a child he lost his older brother who he was very close with suddenly in a work accident. I cannot imagine how traumatic something like that must be for a child at such a vulnerable age and I suspect impacted his life in a huge way😢 I'm very close with my siblings and cannot imagine if one of them had died so tragically when I was a child.

[@Therealchrist]

More men need to see manly men like you openly being emotional. Thank you for unabashedly sharing your emotions with us. It means a lot.

[@dussdamuss]

I was just watching this thinking the same thing! the guy who you thought would be the big manly man was actually the most emotional that's awesome! I come across as a big tough guy but I cry at every single emotional point in a movie! But I'll still kick your ass or die trying too...bitch!

[@TheAndersox]

Johnny Cash heard it because of producer Rick Rubin. Rubin had to convince him to do it -- he wasn't sold on it at first -- and thank God he did. That's what makes Rubin such an incredible producer -- that ability to hear the possibility when no one else does. There's an episode of his podcast (Broken Record) where he talks about working with Cash. Definitely worth a listen.

[@oldguyreactions]

Wow....thanks for sharing that. That is incredible!

[@dustypeppers1358]

It always seemed to me that that the NIN version was him being done with life and Cash's version was about life being done with him.

[@hoon4tw]

I don't know if it is true or not but I read an article about 8 years ago about Hurt and how Trent was contemplating suicide at the time, but in the throws of his depression he decided he should write a song about it first. This is just before he decided to get sober and clean and met David Bowe (whom was his childhood hero and later mentor).

[@jonathanlocke6404]

This is extremely profound...

[@KP-zi6jx]

I've read that was their home...she let them do their thing and just stayed upstairs out of the way, and her appearance was simply coming downstairs to check on him. Her expression WAS NOT coached, or even her appearance planned...but it was captured and included. That was genuine feel and caring and love on her face. OMG! Their life and love included plenty of trials and tribulations, but they were meant for each other...and as wild as he was early on them together, HE ALWAYS treated her with such love AND RESPECT. Just watch an early version of them singing 'Jackson'. I believe I recall it was his TV show, she had just had a baby, their son I believe, and he had her on, she explained abt them having a baby, and she was 'rusty' or some word of having not been doing any singing, and when 'Jackson' starts, it's like they fed off each other, AND SHE LET IT RIP. THE BIGGER POINT HERE OF HIS RESPECT FOR HER, HE INTRODUCED HER AS 'JUNE CARTER', not June Carter Cash...that's mad respect for her, as her own person, and that was prob early 70's. But the way he smiled at her singing, laughed of in amazement/disbelief of when she just scorched itwas letting it rip...but the way he looks at her through the song, there's no bigger love than the way Johnny looks at June.J.C's Hurt released 03/01/03, 2 1/2 months later June passed 05/15/03, 4 months later Johnny passed 09/12/03. It's been said after her death, he just sat in the house and stared at a huge portrait of her on the wall. But March '03 to Mid Sept '03, in 6 1/2 months,this EPIC cover of Hurt, that seemed to encapsulate the end of his life, she passed, then he did...regardless of what his death certificate said, he died of a broken heart. May they both rest in peace...sorry long, but it's a love story so big, it's hard to condense.

[@lauraschelstraete4177]

His daughter said it sounded like he was saying goodbye...he said he was...June died 3 months later and he died a few months after that...so it was his last video

[@Hobodeluxe960]

exactly. he knew she was terminal. this was an apology to her for all the shit he put her through over the years.

[@aquamarine0023]

This song is so powerfully moving, I cried right along with with listening to it. The intensity and rawness and many layers of emotion in this video is incredible. Great reaction and so cool that you played both Johnny's and NIN's version. However, I totally disagree that Trent's version is just about drugs. It's about deep pain from feeling that he has hurt other people, and feeling that through his actions, everyone will always end up leaving him and feeling complete hopelessness.

[@Level80Seven]

I'm 35 years old right now. I'm thinking about the meaning of life and dead since I was 15. I don't want to think about how it's going to be when I'm getting older. I think about everything I do in life while some people just do whatever feels right and go for it. It's frustrating and tiring, I know that for a fact. I'm together with my loved one for more than 16 years and I can't imagine how it would completely break me if I would lose her. Songs like this though me deeply. Thanks for this honest reaction and showing your emotions, it takes a good person to do so.

[@CIAplayer101]

This song always makes me cry😢 and it hits too close to home for me.😩 This song has a special place in my heart.❤

[@Sidhecat]

If you aren’t in tears or close to it, check yourself, you may not have a soul. I start breaking when I see June watching over him, I did that as I watched my deceased wife go away, day by day.

[@notforsaletoday1895]

I’m sorry you had to go through that. My condolences.

[@Maple837]

First time I heard this I was crying too and for you to share this emotion is beautiful ❤️

[@lyndamaryfidler2922]

Awesome song

[@chris...9497]

I love you speaking of death & philosophy. I've been telling people that these COVID times were like Mother Nature sent us to our individual rooms to think about what we've been doing. We've been through a period that has made us take a long hard look at our lives & reconsider where our values have functionally been & where they SHOULD be. Johnny Cash is doing this at the end of his life, waiting on Death's visit; we pass Death in the streets now, never knowing if he's going to reach out & take us because we went to get batteries at the store & ran into COVID on the way... Johnny Cash performed this song as a proper goodbye, the punctuation to his career. He did it simply but authentically, & it captured something both personal & universal.

[@mrsmixmusic666]

Rick Rubin,excellent Producer of many, brought it to the table doing an album with Cash, he skipped on it at first but Rubin brought it up to Cash again with some possible visuals for a music video. Cash listened again and agreed.

[@troytalbot5746]

Thanks you guys for doing both. Netflix has a series called song exploder, where they do a deep dive into this song with Trent, it is amazing and worth the watch.

[@PutnmaKE]

I think I'm gonna cry If you don't feel that way, especially the first time you hear it, you aren't human But don't think you won't feel the same way the 50th or the 100th

[@On_The_Farm]

I have watch Johnny for decades and never knew about this song. It is probably the best performance I have ever seen. I am glad I found it. RIP Johnny Cash.

[@bsmt5070]

I appreciate your reaction so much - my tears with yours

[@bradmossman7201]

I play/sing the Johnny Cash version every week. First time I have heard the NIN version. Thank you. That was impressive in its own way.

[@ellemartinez9705]

JC had substance abuse problems. It’s everything you said but it also addresses his regrets. The people he hurt, including himself.

[@mandograssable]

The most powerful song and video of all time!

[@revy2294]

My favorite Nine Inch Nails song that has this sorta same vibe is "Right Where It Belongs" it's an emotional and amazing song.

[@geogia2733]

I'm amazed that this came up on my feed. The version of this song has been on my playlist since it was released. It's so meaningful, and it made, and keeps making me cry, everytime I hear it. Talk about powerful! Thank you for all you do!!! Really appreciated it!

[@jens309]

LOVE this song and never heard Johnny Cash's cover. It is downright haunting! It sounds like it belongs on a movie soundtrack during a profoundly heavy scene. Trent Reznor sings it with so much emotion as well.

[@Aldarion65]

it has been in several movies as the intro song and others on there soundtrack

[@scottthomas4779]

One of the best reactions to hurt that I've seen. Excellent job being open emotionally and doing a great job discussing your thoughts on it

[@AbbyJasmine-xu1kg]

That is insane awesome 👏 love to see that emotion and that’s what I relate to so keep that. No shame. His full broken humanity and life lived and loss is laid bare.

[@Maple837]

I absolutely love this song, what a classic..

[@epicmage82]

Johnny was a lover of songwriters. He's done lots of covers.

[@BushmasterRaZ]

There are professional musicians and composers that present this song as one of the best songs ever written to evoke that feeling "hurt" whatever your pain is. Whether getting old and watching your life fade like Johnny cash or your pain is watching what you wanted your life to be slowly destroyed by the choices you make like Trent's original version... You feel the song. Anybody could cover this song and make it sing the sounds of their personal pain. Trent is a musical genius as far as making the sounds of his voice and his music make you feel whatever emotion he wants you to connect to during the song. I HIGHLY recommend the Nine Inch Nails album "the fragile" it'll emotionally drain you. Trent plays this song at the end of every live show he does and the song is extremely important to him.

[@joeroberson6676]

In my opinion you should always cover the original BEFORE a cover to be able to see and note what changes the singer made to make it his own!

[@blueovaltrucker]

He made this in his museum The House of Cash because was too frail to travel by this time. Another fun fact in this is the small snip in this video where he says "you stay the hell away from me you hear" is from an episode of Little House on The Prairie.

[@andersgranstrom7128]

Honest and beautiful reaction - thank you!

[@akitacowboy1114]

U said, what really matters, what people do, that is it.

[@oldguyreactions]

The only thing that matters are relationships. Everything else is an empire of dirt.

[@andreamershon1]

So glad u did this song. I loved NIN when I was college BUT the Johnny cash version makes me tear up, over the NIN one, which says a lot. Both are heartbreaking songs. Reason why we all love music. I like how u guys seemed to get quiet during both songs.

[@bnferguson9827]

I truly love both!

[@davidkoblentz]

"that is all of us" ... a passing comment but a perfect statement. might I suggest "summerland" by King's X... or "the spell" by cellar darling... both top notch songs that have a universal message. great take by the way guys... I am 48 now but I am watching my parents whole gen just being decimated... and I know I am closer to that than my college days.

[@clodadd468]

Such an emotional song. Yeah as you get older the more knowledge, wisdom, and perspective you gain but one of the unfortunate byproducts of aging is the more you see of your family and friends die.

[@richp.7058]

Hey OG's, I loved your reaction. This songs gets to me too.

[@bjspeck4337]

He and June were both critically ill here (2003), she died in 3 months, he in 7 months. It was shot in the House of Cash museum. In early life he was addicted to drugs, spent time in prison. Folsom Prison Blues may be one you would appreciate. He spent time, effort and money after he got out of prison trying to make conditions better for inmates, particularly black and American indigenous people. He wore black to better the lives of those who don't have the power to help themselves. He was a good man with faults, but a heart. June Carter was his wife of 35 years, Roseanne Cash is their daughter. This cover is the reason Trent of NIN said, "It's Johnny's song now." He wrote it 20 years or so before Johnny sang it. His agent heard it and told Johnny to listen and think about it. Johnny played it 100 times before he decided and wrote Trent.

[@laureltaylor4535]

Like Trent said ...he wrote the song but Johnny Cash was meant to sing it. But Nine Inch Nails performance was still good. Trents was almost self loathing and Johnny's was was a song of regret, apology and end of life.

[@agga40s]

This is Johnny's apology song, and his recognition that all the success and all the awards he amassed could not make up for the hurt he caused others. The reference to drugs, the "needle," is about his battle with addiction, but addiction was not the only way he hurt those who loved him. I believe when he says, "Everyone I love goes away in the end," he realizes that some of them left because he drove them away. (Check out his first wife, Vivian). This is a song of deep regret, and the realization that sometimes, it really is too late to make amends. Yes, he is hurting too, but mostly because he is finally looking his life, and impending death, in the eye. The older we get, the more honest we can be with ourselves. And sometimes, honesty is gut wrenching. Johnny didn't write this, but maybe the lyrics say something he was never able to admit to himself before.

[@nathanpapp432]

Trent wrote it, not Johnny.

[@duncansbuddy]

The song presented in different perspectives through eyes of youth and eyes of a life liven.

[@duncansbuddy]

NIN wrote the song. Johnny Cash made it his swan song.. Cash's version hit's ppl like a sledge hammer, if not, you're not human. God's speed Johnny.. Totally enjoyed your vid, enjoyed your conversing. Thanks for sharing old younger than I guys..

[@thomaswhite3831]

Johnny Cash did have a substance abuse problem in his past . You all should have done Cash's version last, but the important thing is you watched it . In the end ,no matter our successes ,our fame and fortune ,you can't take it with you .So tell the people in your life that matter ,that you love them .

[@sadie608]

I'm a huge NIN fan, but I never really liked Hurt that much until I heard the Cash version. Very happy that you did NIN live version, they're so good live! I would love to see more NIN.

[@GrimrDirge]

If you don't shed a tear over this, stay away from me.

[@maryawaterbury1305]

Love you guys 😎

[@rkbartlettservices]

That was in the Johnny Cash museum, not his home. Trent Reznor wrote it about his drugs use, after he heard Johnny's version, he said "that is Johnny's song now". Rick Rubin (Johnny's producer) sent the song to him 4 times before Johnny agreed to record it

[@marycaibaiosai7638]

I just came across your channel and this powerful reaction to the legend! I subscribed. So loved your conversation!

[@oldguyreactions]

Thank you Mary, I appreciate this comment.

[@jackbackband7733]

The needle was his lifelong fight with addiction.

[@stephenpriola4301]

How is that nail through the hall .. crying 😭

[@leemouring]

Both songs talked of being in pain. NIN version was about inflicting pain on his situation (drugs) and perhaps on the people around him. It seems that was all that he had left or all he had to give to even feel. His sweetest friend was the cold uncaring drug and pain. It was all he had to connect with. Mr. Cash seems to apologize for what fame has cost him in relationships and disappointing his friends. I think we all want to be successful, we measure our lives. When we leave, you can't change what you did to get there or who you did it to. You can't take it with you or change what's left behind. Jonny Cash had his problems and his history. I think you could see where he was voicing his regrets at the end. In a way he was still chasing that elusive drug, fame, but it was falling down. When the song said, "everyone leaves in the end", his fame could not stop the losses. His wife's illness, his musium flooded and closed to the public. My empire of dirt is my legacy to those lives I influenced and interacted with. Hopefully, with few regrets I improved the soil for you. Remember me well and grow in the dirt I left you. When it's time for you to leave this world, we can talk on the other side if you believe in something after this. (My faith reassures me that there's more than we know. It comforts me, it is my crutch.)

[@stephenpriola4301]

We’re all just a memory as we are getting older you lose your parents you lose friends family members everybody disappears and you’re getting older and then you realize your mortality, and the pile of dirt covering his grave it’s very deep

[@NetTubeUser]

2:58 -- Perfect timing! You: _"Can't stop this, hehe!"_ Johnny: _"You stay the Hell away from me, you hear?"_ ... Johnny was like _"Don't even think about it ... don't stop my song."_

[@k0vert]

Good shit, yall. Much love from Virginia

[@chuckyost6973]

June helped Johnny get off drugs. This song was his according to Trent (the writer of the song.)

[@bennlloyd12]

As mentioned before, Rick Rubin (of Run DMC and Aerosmith crossover fame) took Cash under his wing because Cash had been a tribute act to himself. Rubin had the hard rock and rock contacts to cover because he had produced Slayer and Megadeth. This was a song that Rubin said Cash should cover...he wasnt wrong. Cash also covered One by U2, which is haunting in it's own right. Back to Hurt...the first time I heard this was on the Eddie Guerrero tribute show after he passed away. Dont know if you guys like wrestling or not, but it's heartbreaking. You should check it out.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

I believe that the producer Rick Rubin would have been the one to suggest this song to Cash. He did several albums with Cash in the 90's where Johnny did more contemporary material. He produced some big time rap artists like Run DMC and the Beastie Boys and hard rock like Slayer and The Cult.

[@MrMcconville]

Rick Rubin, Co founder of DEF jam records, Beastie boys, Run DMC Produced his last records. He has a bunch of amazing covers.

[@lisak6224]

Trent Reznor (NIN), after he heard Johnny Cash's version, said "it's his song now."

[@alexlongmore621]

I saw NIN perform at a festival and when they played hurt and people were saying "Isn't this a Johnny Cash song?"

[@davidtullis2810]

Before Johnny died he wanted to do one more album.He decided to do his favorite contemporary songs and this is one

[@bennlloyd12]

He did more than one album! After June passed away, Rick Rubin said that John was always in the studio and laying down at least 3 songs a day.

[@frankrenaldo8888]

You guys missed the big point of the Cash version. Johnny dealt with a lot of drugs and lies trough out his life. He’s actually singing that he regretted the way he lived because he always let everyone down and made everyone hurt.

[@rohitmark21]

Johnny Cash's version was used in the movie Logan ..... And the movie went to a whole new level when coupled with this haunting melody!

[@michaellivesey4354]

Same lads....early nineties, kid time

[@stasiasas7635]

What is weird is he lost his wife and his best friend within months of each other So it is truly upsetting song for him

[@stephanieprice5029]

Rick Ruben is the one that suggested this cover to Johnny. Ironically, Trent was not addicted to anything when he recorded Downward Spiral - his addiction to drugs came later. I'd suggest the Rusty Cage cover that Johnny did - compare this to Chris Cornell's original

[@MichaelRockwell-m6s]

The original was a 70 s version and contrary to popular belief cash's version was the intended version you can believe anything you want but now you know the absolute truth

[@mholliday2411]

Pretty ironic that these two guys can take so much out of Cash version and so little from Reznor when the lyrics are identical and Reznor wrote them about his life, depression and addictions. You’ve reduced that to a drug song while praising the same lyrics and giving more value to Cash version bc of your own obvious personal bias. I mean they literally use the same chord progressions just on different instruments with moderate distortion on the NIN version. Recent live performances usually have Reznor playing it solo on piano as well. I find it just as amazing he took a piano ballad and made it so guttural and grimy yet authentic to its theme. Both versions are amazing but they have totally different meanings. One is a life well lived and regret of hurting those he lost. The other is a young man in pain at the literal end of his rope and his last confession of hurt before the protagonist ends it all.

[@c.m.b.4868]

Trent Reznor wrote and performed this song with a great deal of power and emotion, Johnny Cash took that and multiplied it by 10. Reznor was absolutely right when he said the song no longer belonged to him.

[@therealslimshady989]

Jelly Roll - Save me Caesar and Brutus - Starlito and Don Trip The Kid Laroi - Tell Me Why Struggle Jennings - Too Close To The Sub MGK - Glass House

[@danedearmond4905]

NiN's version is hauntingly beautiful in it's own way. But, anyone who listens to Cash's version, and doesn't "feel" his pain? Is lacking in humanity and I know I don't want to know that kind of person. Anyone who can't feel it, is simply broken. When you consider Cash's version, it really drives home that in the end no matter who you are, or what you do it will all amount to nothing. Even if everyone around you remembers you after you're gone, who will remember you when THEY are gone? Eventually, EVERYTHING (in regards to people and humanity) gets forgotten to time. Mao, Stalin, Lincoln, Washington? All "important" names we've all learned about in history, but they ONLY matter to us. Once we're gone, their names and legacy's will amount to nothing. Death and time is the great equalizers. They eventually reduce ALL into nothing. As one gets older, this reality hits. No matter what you did, nothing can stop the march of time and the oncoming loss. And you mentioned that in the second verse he's sitting at a full banquet table wasting food. You likely noticed it, but he's old and when he's at that LARGE banquet table full of food.... he's alone. One of the most well-know musicians. People knew his name world-wide. And there he is. Old and alone. We will all be there one day. THAT is why it "Hurts".

[@aliselynch]

Johnny did a bunch of covers that blow the originals away imo, id also suggest Personal Jesus (depeche mode) and One (u2)

[@lifeofa.b9672]

This is great reaction! I just started a reaction channel as well

[@buckismith]

He was 71. His wife died a few month after the video release he died a few month later

[@sherrysaville6124]

Johnny Cash also had drug and alcohol issues in his younger days.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Johnny is an American badass legend…REAL men put God first

[@davidw.hulbertiv5211]

May the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us... Thanks for sharing your perspectives...

[@lyndamaryfidler2922]

Big time Favourite song what have I become my sweets friend

[@NoahSmith37]

Nine Inch Nails wrote the song, but after Johnny covered it, they said that it belongs to him now. His wife does appear in the video and died not long afterwards, when he puts down the piano cover at the end it was like he knew. She passed and he passed shortly afterwards. This was the last video he ever recorded.

[@roger5322]

Good, bad, or indifferent we are the sum total of our life's experiences. Change one, you alter the whole. I learned at a young age to cherish my pain in equal measure to my joy. For to fully know one, you must fully know the other. I'm an old man now. I've been half way around the world and back again. I've done and seen things most can only dream of. We are all our own worst enemy, some a little more than others. Lol The drugs ( the needle is a cold mistress that will take you to where you want to go. But you can't return), booze ....you name it "been there, done that!!". When i was 18 God blessed me with the experience of dieing. I'll save you the messy details but I can tell you this..." Dieing is a life altering event" I learned a lot that day. I lost something of no value that day.....fear of death. "When Death comes knocking on my door next time, I'll welcome him as a old friend who's come to take me home." .... With no regrets

[@jamescook9378]

YES the NIN version was 1994 and johnnys version was 2003. Jume carter Cash passed in march 2003 video came out in may and John died in sept. 2003

[@AbbyJasmine-xu1kg]

Trents studio version is always an important jumping off point

[@MindsWide]

First vid. Instant sub

[@MarkWilliams-d5o]

Gotta be honest, I heard the JC version when it first came out and it was like a sledgehammer to the chest. The NIN version I think I would have turned off after 20 seconds. This is the first time I've heard this version. Sorry 😢 but there it is.

[@aramacsounds]

I dunno. I'm definitely biased towards nine inch nails in general, but I think people tend to miss the heartbreaking aspect of a man in his late 20s being brought to the point that his words fit so comfortably sung by a 70 year old man. They're both approaching death. They're both watching their mortality dwindle. It's not my thesis statement but I think it's probably at least partially because society devalues people struggling with addiction.

[@rebelbabeconner9064]

EXACTLY

[@DanaClarkDana]

Nice conversation about meaningful things - I recommend you check out Peter Gabriel - Robert Fripp version of Here Comes The Flood (suite)

[@BrandonJ-hm4qo]

Correct this is a nine inch nails song but Trent, the lead band member of NIN said this isn't his song anymore, its Johnny Cash's.

[@tigerlily8447]

Trent is Nine Inch Nails brother

[@brainofjtd]

I reject his decision

[@mattigins]

If you're gonna be yelling, i'd suggest a limiter for your microphone. As it is your mic is peaking and distorting when you yell which hurts headphone users ears.

[@OriginalMiztiki]

This. ☝️

[@mattjns]

Scared. The. Shit. Outta. Me. Jesus.

[@brycezeisloft5567]

Turn down your volume then.

[@lizrayne]

Johnny Cash also used to do drugs if I remember correctly, so that correlates as well.

[@billhiggins1882]

Losing June is what killed him. Broken heart

[@Jedi4Life-u5y]

Johnny Cash's version of this classic song was used, in it's entirety and uninterrupted, in the opening sequence of one of my favorite episodes of Person of Interest entitled "The Devil's Share." kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ2tXq16gNVmaq8

[@Shadowfax2409]

Yesss! That song made that episode even better!

[@maryannanderson2213]

Thank you for including that link. I had never seen that before. Very powerful in the way it was used.

[@sharonclement-i4f]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jeremycooper638]

Nin nails did the song 1st, cash was inspired by it, cash spoke about the talent nin singer has.

[@ttagg3710]

I don't care for Johnny Cash's version personally. I'm old, though, so NIN was the one i know

[@awkwardstudios1165]

I love Johnny Cash but respectfully he was on drugs all the time early on in his career reference “cocaine blues”

[@therealmpk7651]

Anyone has any idea what microphone he's using? is that a blue yeti?

[@tristadav]

Cash embodied the song to the point of blunt truth, and the song's soul belonged to him after that.

[@someguy8498]

Rick Ruben produced Johnny cash’s last album and he is said to be the person that pushed Cash to record this song. So, we all probably need to thank Mr. Ruben for having the ear to mesh the two artists.

[@dizastro5437]

Nice reaction. The legacy always fades. As a simple contributor to my sphere, I wonder how long until I'm forgotten. A huge celeb, like Mr Cash, has to wonder as well. My only hope is my progeny carries some of the values I've tried to teach.