Hurt, written by Trent Reznor is one of my favourite songs. It is so raw, empowering and beautiful. The Nine Inch Nails version of Hurt has its own distinct sound. The Johnny Cash cover brings a new level of emotion to the song.

Which version is better?

I am posting the lyrics and a link to a YouTube video of each. The lyrics are the same, except for Cash’s omission of profanity (which is paying homage to his Christian faith.) It’s strange, but the one changed lyric makes a substantial difference to how the song is delivered. Reznor found Cash’s cover of the song so impressive that he stated ” the song is Cash’s.”

Johnny Cash – Hurt

I hurt myself today

To see if I still feel

I focus on the pain

The only thing that’s real

The needle tears a hole

The old familiar sting

Try to kill it all away

But I remember everything

What have I become

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know

goes away

In the end

And you could have it all

My empire of dirt

I will let you down

I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns

Upon my liar’s chair

Full of broken thoughts

I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time

The feelings disappear

You are someone else

I am still right here

What have I become

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know

goes away

In the end

And you could have it all

My empire of dirt

I will let you down

I will make you hurt

If I could start again

A million miles away

I would keep myself

I would find a way

Nine Inch Nails – Hurt

I hurt myself today

To see if I still feel

I focus on the pain

The only thing that’s real

The needle tears a hole

The old familiar sting

Try to kill it all away

But I remember everything

What have I become?

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know

Goes away in the end

You could have it all

My empire of dirt

I will let you down

I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of shit

Upon my liar’s chair

Full of broken thoughts

I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time

The feelings disappear

You are someone else

I am still right here

What have I become?

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know

Goes away in the end

You could have it all

My empire of shit

I will let you down

I will make you hurt

If I could start again

A million miles away

I would keep myself

I would find a way