FIRST TIME LISTENING TO: Johnny Cash - Hurt (REACTION) 

Fil, yes, drug abuse was part of Trent and Johnny's lives. Trent wrote this as a young man suffering and Johnny sang it as a man knowing he was dying at the time of this recording. Yes, everything you said. For an orignal songwriter to freely give their song to another still blows me away to this day. Thank you Fil. #QcumberSquad #JohnnyCash #TrentReznor - Fil, i'm off back to the study.

Trent said that this is no longer his song, it's Johnny's. Said with respect

He knew he was near his end when he sang this. But the sting in the tail is his wife died before him. When I first saw this video on TV, I just sat down and cried all the way through. It had THAT much power.

His wife, June (the lady on the stairs) passed on 3 months after this video was made. 4 months later, Johnny joined her. Never forget, despite what you may have heard, he who dies with the most toys, is still just dead.

Johnny Cash recorded this Trent Reznor cover in February 2003. His wife, June (the lady featured on the stairs looking down at him when he sings "What have I become, my sweetest friend") died in May 2003. Johnny (aged 71) died in September 2003. Trent's words were about his own battles as a young man. Johnny's feelings were from an old man, reaching the end of his life.

This is the most heart wrenching song I've ever listened to. Especially having grown up on Johnny Cash music from my parents. Yes he is a country singer with a very checkered past. He grew up very poor and went through addiction and the whole Hollywood experience. He was a great talent. This was his last video. The closing of the Piano at the end gives me chills. It's so final. Thx for the reaction 😎

His daughter said after she heard this song she said it sounds like your eulogy. He said it is. Closing the piano was like closing a casket

The way he closes the piano lid always gets me. Like a final nail in a coffin (or cross).

Trent Reznor - Addiction and Depression Johhny Cash - Regret, Apology and Goodbye Same song, different interpretation. Johnny Cash only changed one word. "Crown of Sh▪︎t" to "Crown of Thorns". The finality of the closing of that piano tears me up inside every time.

I have watched 20+ reaction videos to this song and you are the first person who truly gets it. Your understanding of how being a junkie causes one to not only ruin their own life, but it also destroys anyone around them... and the fact that whatever success one has acheived cannot outweigh the pain you have brought to those you love... I hope you have not had to live it. Because I have. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

You are the first one to understand what this song is about. I believe Trent wrote it about heroin addiction but it really did become Johnny's song. The most powerful video I've ever seen!

All of the bits of old film were glimpses of Johnny's past. A picture of his mother, the house he grew up in, the flooding that would wash away the year's crop, pictures of Johnny and June, and video of them with their son, John Carter. Finally seeing June standing on the stairs watching him with such love. She passed away in May and he died in September of the same year. He died of a broken heart.

When I saw you were reacting to this, I knew this would hit you hard. This is a powerful song! It’s like a confession of life that takes you right to the soul of it all.

Your reaction to this song was unique. My favorite pastime is watching reactors and I have seen many many people react to this video. First off, thank you for watching to the end to see Johnny close and say goodbye to the piano. In the original by Trent Resnor the song ends with a several minutes long silence that starts to get uncomfortable. Johnny only changed one word of the lyrics. I'm sure that has already been pointed out. Of all the reactors I've watched, you seem to have a more emotional connection to the individual lyrics and stop to feel them after the first hearing. It may have led to an awkward pause in the cadence of the song, but you caught all the parts that really spoke to Johnny. What is so unique about that is your intro. You know who Johnny Cash is because you know who Bruce Springsteen is, but didn't really know anything about him including what genre he sang, yet you nailed the ones that took some fans a second hearing to see the message. Well done.

I was a huge Nine Inch Nails fan when I was younger. You should check out the original version. As Frank pointed out, it feels completely different. Trent Reznor is a talented song writer and he was able to poignantly portray the pain he was in. The first time I heard this cover I thought it was going to be an odd pairing, but it was so powerful … and terribly tragic. It’s one of those songs and videos that touches a deep part of you and it’s hard not to cry. There’s nothing worse than regret, especially from pain you may have caused others. Johnny Cash is and was a legend, but it’s tragic that this is how he spent his final days 😿 They did such a great job in the video following the crescendo and intensity of the song with the images and imagery. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time 😿

His wife appears in the video by surprise - she had come downstairs at their home to make sure he wasn't doing too much or getting too tired and they kept it...good!

It's mind-blowing how well a song written from a young junkie's perspective is performed by an old man facing his twilight.

For NIN fans that heard this when it first came out it meant a lot because many knew exactly what it was about and now so many years later when we hear this version, the different meaning resonates just as much. It's grown with age and reinterpretation.

“Cut you down” is another goose bump experience, a tribute of epic proportions. And then…the man in black. After you see that, it makes Hurt hurt that much more😭❤️

Johnny Cash's suffering is deep, more than any one human should ever know, and began when his brother was nearly chopped in half but still killed in a saw accident when Johnny was 12.

The best song and video of all time. If it does not bring a tear you are not human!

Thanks for this. The power of this song is immense. The first commandment is You shall have no other gods before Me. Putting yourself on a throne (which turns out to be made of lies) and crowning yourself (with what turns out to be thorns) subverts this first of all the commandments. You can't be the King of your life and have it turn out well. Following up on GK's thoughts below, putting yourself and drugs or glory first, leads to regret.

Another great one! Johnny Cash is a legend. 💯❤️

This was Johnny's final message to the world and he knew it. Shortly after the release of this song, his beloved wife June passed away and he followed her soon after. I think the bit at the end when he finally closes the piano always gets me so damned hard.

You perfectly got what Johnny wanted to say.. .. this so ripped me up.. 😢 his final farewell💞

His wife June Carter tried to keep him off the drugs (often flushing them). When she died he was only 4 months behind her. This song was one of the last he recorded.

Always love your reactions! I love how you stop and really listen to the lyrics - so many reactors, justly, talk about how movingly Cash performed this song, but Trent really does deserve the kudos you give for the kind of honesty and reflection that had to go into writing the song in the first place. This one always gets me right in the gut - thanks for sharing this with us ❤

This track hits so hard and the video to match ( also knowing that this is Johnnys last video)

It continues to amaze me on the different reactions to this song. The biggest differentiation in impact from both emotions and presentation of the meaning comes from ppls age difference. Young ppl, for good reason, have yet to look their mortality in the eye. This is the most powerful, impactful, and human thing I have ever watch and listened to from a song. And I'm not particularly a Cash fan, different eras. Enjoyed your sharing.

He got tangled in the "Man in Black" persona and couldn't get out. I am still right here.

He died shortly after making this, his last record/song.

This is one of the most emotional song ever . Frank you are a star.

Everybody can relate to this one. Super powerful! You can see it and you can feel it.

Johnny's life was definity not easy or a fairy tale,,, he struggled with drugs, with relationships until he married June Carter,, she passed a few months before Johnny

Always, always hurts me when I listen, but this is great song. 😭😭😭

I want this played at my funeral service. If the people I have let down give me one...

Johnny is an absolute legend his voice is divine absolutely love this Frank has incredible taste ..another one quite moving .. Love your reaction you are so lovely ..very sweet thanku so much love an God bless always x

This is the most emotional song and video I have ever seen.

Don't forget, the song was written by a man half Johnny Cash's age with half of his life experience.

Theres a video of his that famous Artists put together with Johnny Cash singing called Gods gonna cut you down after he passed because he inspired artists with his music.

Trent wrote a beautiful song… but he never knew how to perform it. It is quite correct to say it’s Johnny Cash’s song now.

It really is incredible. You're reaction is the correct one. Glad you received it that way. I felt the same as you And everytime I watch it, it always hits to the marrow. Such a masterpiece.

Johnny was a Rockabilly / Rock Star in the 50s by starting his career at SUN RECORDS at the same time when Elvis, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis were at Sun also. .He did turn into the country artist .. A Boy Named Sue is huge hit also..

Johnny did this as a cover... Watch the Rick Rubin video on the recording of this song. Rick sent it to Johnny twic3 and still had to convince him to record it. Rick is genius, Johnny is the greatest! This is powerful...

Thanks for this reaction. I love this song so much but saw this MV only once: this is one of the saddest I have never watched, it is too difficult, it deeply hurts: the testimony of a very old man, who had everything and, at the very end of his life, looks back and only has regrets...

Just one additional comment aince I didn’t see it here, that shot of him closing the piano was the last he played any instrument before he passed

For an old Country artist to do a 9 inch nails song is Amazing in itself

This is one of my favourite songs. I love the Nine Inch Nails versions but this one hit me even harder. maybe because it's so real...you can feel emotions, you can feel the pain. Great reactions

His daughter after the3 shooting told him he closed the piano like he was saying goodbye to an old friend for the last time. His answers? "I was."

Thank you for the awesome reaction as always Fil, this song is also in the official Logan trailer and another Johnny Cash's song is played during the credits, if you never watched that movie, I highly recommend it, it's a masterpiece. Have a great day!

Johnny Cash dealt with drug addiction when he was younger and diabetes (the line about "the old familiar sting" of a needle) in his later years,

The man in BLACK...LEGENDARY !!!

And lest we forget, Johnny did NOT write this song. Trent Reznor did. But now you see why Reznor said that when he heard it by Johnny Cash he knew this song now belonged to Cash. The fact that we tend to forget that Johnny didn't write it, points how what a great song stylist and singer he was. He totally made us believe the lyrics belonged to him. This song can break your heart but if you want to hear a Cash song that will make you laugh, listen to "Boy Named Sue". It is as funny as this song is sad. And if you want to hear great songs that tell a story, react to "Here Comes that Rainbow Again" or "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down". Just a bit of trivia. To show you what a giant he was in the world of country music, back in Johnny Cash's heyday, out of every FIVE albums sold in this country, ONE of them was by Johnny Cash! This is why he is a legend!

This was his last music video. It was his goodbye song. Watch the movie Walk the Line. Its about him. He was addicted to pills. His wife helped him to get off of them before she became his wife. Its. Very good movie.

Johnny Cash is the only musician in the Country Music, Rock and Roll and Gospel Hall of Fame. At least he was. Ray Charles was recently made the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not sure if Ray is in the gospel or not. Pretty rare company either way. This was Johnny Cash's last song. His goodbye if you will. You can't take it with you when you go. Johnny's career lasted from the mid to late 50's until the early 2000's. He was a bad ass all the way.

One of my top three covers of all time 🖤

"I think he's a country singer..." Lol. The 9n9 version has a different chord that ends the repeated hook of the song. Very dischordant. Cash's version is resolved. Very powerful within the context of the two singers and where they are in their lives. Cash is at peace. I smile when it gets to "my sweetest friend" and his wife, June Carter (country music royalty) is featured. His last 6(?) albums are masterpieces of song selection, simplicity, and restraint. Cash just singing songs he wanted to sing.

My understanding is that Johnny fell off a stage at a performance injuring his back. He became addicted to pain killers. His drinking may have caused the fall. He played this for his daughter and asked what she thought. She said it sounded like he was saying goodbye. He told her, "I am."

He was considered a founding father in rock a Billy and early Rock and roll!

This was another great reaction from you your the best thank you

It's an epic song and video! Sadly his wife June Carter died very soon after this video was shot. She's standing in the background a few times. And he died not to long after as well.

Yes! At last! Thank you Fil! Edit: And thank you Frank!

Thank you for this reaction.

Cash est extraordinaire et cette chanson 🎵 tellement magnifique 😍 Bravo pour tes choix toujours géniaux Bisous de la France 🇫🇷

I reviewed many reactions to this song, This was the best.

Nice Frank ,yes there was so much to talk about there. It was shorty after June died. He was a legend and he did so much more. Travelers is a good one. Some times to feel alive, we need to feel pain so we feel anything at all anymore. But I've seen death and life. But he's heart is played bare from another man's words. Pain is easy living is hard. Always love you both brothers. Out table chairs..... And bs told you lol in weird chat

Always get the chills from this song!

You got the point.

You could feel his pain and regrets in this one. His wife died not long after this. Johnny died not long after her.

Regrets. The broken human condition. This song captures these things and more. The original was good but WAS specifically about addiction and the destruction it brings. This song, simply by its presentation in the timbre and tone of his voice, brings so much more into the interpretation. Nice reaction. You were honest and genuine, and that came through.

Can you do Lazarus by David Bowie. That was his farewell song!

Love the man in black ya I'm amazed he admitted it when he spoke of his liers chair and why did the glass bowl have no blackberry's in it because the black. Crows ate them all

Surprisingly, this was a huge huge song in the goth world's. It pulled me thru some hard times.

You should check out the original version.

The original shouldn’t be forgotten. It’s just as good.

This is a tortured life examined.

His wife died 3 months after the video release Johnny died 6 month later

This is a wonderful song and I believe like a week after filming this video he died

This is Johnny’s song now. ✌️😎

Boom

I love Johnny cash ❤️ great song... I love his better than the original 💘

Johnny Cash was a former drug addict & alcoholic who made a LOT of wrong choices throughout his life. His wife had died not long before he recorded this & he had just found out that he had a very short time left to live, so he was in a LOT of internal /emotional pain at the time of the recording. This is his farewell to his family, friends, & fans!!!

dude, I'm sure you already know, but Micheal Knowles read your comment on his show today! so cool

Did you notice two details in the video, that Johnny is driving the train in the first train footage when he was young (the cockiness of youth?), whereas he hops on the train near the end of the video (God is now driving the train and taking Johnny where he will for the last stages of his journey?) and the second time he says “my sweetest friend,” he looks up to the heavens after which the next person that appears is Jesus (his sweetest friend as he approached his earthly end and crossed into the afterlife?)

I just wait on new people to react to this

Please react to the magician Erick Chien on the AGT 2019!

Loved your reaction. You should check out NIN version for a comparison.

He isn’t in physical or mental pain any more. He is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

No black Barry's in the glass bowl because the black Crows ate the all imagine that because he did!

😇😇😇

The Junkie's Prayer are another deep story song. If u want to react to.

Yes, Johnny Cash was a country singer.

If you end up doing Trent's version at all, I suggest this ones. It's definitely the best live version out there ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CAqP7M1A6HE.html

LMAO..... " something to pass down to the younger generation...." He was young once, I was young....once. I'm sure he was told, as was I. In our youth we are ten feet tall, bullet proof, and have the world by the balls.... Or so we think. Age has a way of flatting a man, taking from him that which is his. Good, bad, or indifferent we are the sum total of our life's experiences. Alter one you change the whole. At a young age I learned to cherish my pain in equal measure to my joy. For to truly know one you have to know the other. As a old man, I too have been my own worst enemy. Booze, pills, needles, women I've known them all. I've been half way around the world and back again. I've seen and done things many can only dream of. In the end I'd change.....nothing!!!

Hard, hard to listen this song! ...hard to listen ...Live!

Although not a popular opinion I do like this version I feel the original by Trent and Nine inch nails is better

You should watch the movie, Walk the Line... It's about Johnny Cash's life, it will bring some perspective to his interpretation of this song

Powerfully Sad 😔

He was dying.

The needle reference is about the pain and struggle of being a recovering drug addict, only to grow old and then struggle with old habits because you now have to inject yourself daily with insulin.