Yesterday I was at a philosophical discussion. The subject was "Are there higher and lower forms of pleasure?". Someone suggested that opera was a higher form of pleasure than common hit songs. In order to appreciate opera you must make an effort to understand it. Than it struck me, this song is not pleasure, but it´s a high form of art. In order to understand this song you must be familiar with suffering. Those who are lucky to not have suffered very much are not likely to understand it. This song is also an example that high quality art can trigger very strong emotions. I can't listen, or even think of it without tears coming from my eyes.
because Trent was more interested in creating an atmosphere of desolation and despair, while prioritizing goosebumps and emotion rather than complexity. but NIN and other Reznor's projects are quite complex
Tobo: well, it's about a lot of things I guess. It could be about the main character from The Downward Spiral looking back after suicide, but it could be about depression, but it could be about drug addiction.
Why do people even compare?? It's 2 different artist and both do the song justice. Don't like one? Don't listen to it. But don't say it's better or worst cause it isn't.
Why are people so bothered about which version is better. Although they are technically the same they are both completely separate pieces of art done by people in completely different circumstances with completely different motives
I do feel like he nin version is more relatable to me en I think that’s the case for most younger people. The cash cover is more based on the experience of being old and ready to say goodbye tot your life and feeling alone in a changed world. The nin version is more about depression and/or addiction. And wanting to end it before your time. It’s a totally different song even though they’re the same. This is a nice example why music is my favorite thing in life.
I haven't used heroin for nineteen years in the upcoming 4th of December. I've stumbled upon this song a couple of times and it still hurts without being ironic. I wonder what he feels when the audience cheers while he is wide open with his pain and struggle.
Johnny Cash's version is a whole different level. The two can't be compared. The band even liked his version more. As great as NIN is, they know they'll never be as big and as influential as Cash.
RCG yea they both are insanely emotional and sad but are in two different categories to the point where it’s stupid to compare them. This version sounds very off putting to me and is very emotional with the vocals well Johnny’s version is emotional when thinking about it and what the artist is going through at the time
bRuH Clan The NIN version is depressing in a more... emo way. Like it still hits the feels but given they're still young and don't have the reputation that Cash has it didn't stick in me as harshly.
I love (yet feel the anguish and pain is palpable still) the fact this man wrote this song at a time and in a state that most musicians sadly die,or fade into obscurity. He did neither.He was meant to carry on and beat the crap out of his demons.....Not many have the strength.He did.And I applaud his strength and fight,as much as I applaud his performance of this song so many years later.And I love how a small part of the piano is so slightly different at one point.(I know nothing of music,though I'm sure ppl know what I'm on about). Everyone hates a long post,but I feel justified.....Oh,and sanctified ;) Brilliant performance,Trent.
I killed a man when I was 23. He was on drugs and breaking into my car when I was leaving work. He died right there in the parking lot at 1:00 am. Justifiable homicide they called it. When I was 36 his daughter found me. Told me she forgave me for killing her father. I had been drinking heavily for the past 12 years. That sobered me up.
When I see and listen to trent reznor's version, I really feel so related to his voice, his words, his pain.. I love johnny cash's version too and also he keeps that feelings on his own way and life But when it comes to trent, man I feel very connected to him. I wish someday I could sit with him and just talk about life, about those lyrics, about how it was to him to fit those shoes.. What a great performer.
Truly introspective. Talking to myself, crying my entire heart out. Sobriety hurts so bad right now but I will find a way. Did this crap to myself, the pain is bad but it will be okay.
I've heard this song so many times it has lost it's ability to give me the creeps and blow my mind the way it did when I first heard it but this live version brought all those emotions back to life and makes me feel again
This is how I take this songs many versions Newer live(NIN): Hopeful and proud that he changed Older live(NIN): With more anger and thoughts that life is a rut Album(NIN): Depressing look into how life can truly harm anyone and get away with it no matter who and they're circumstances Cash version: With embarrassment and confusion that his near 50 year career made him someone he hated but couldn't change because it was to late
I heard this live the first time back in 1995 when NIN played at MSG. I was 21 and I was all sorts of fucked up and I needed it as angry and hopeless as it was. Now I’m 2022 at 47 this version is exactly what I need now. There’s a completely different edge to it. Somehow I’m in many ways the same screwed up girl I was back then. I just hide it a bit better now I suppose. Shit time goes by way too fast….
I'm 44 and battling the same bullshit but I find myself with some hope lately. It does go by way to fast. Most of the people I shared it with didn't get to make it through so I don't share my memories with many and sometimes I question if it was really real...
If i ever met Trent Reznor. I'd want to thank him for writing this song. I knew this song before Rick and Morty I knew it during Rick and Morty. I pray to this song every night. It reminds me that I'll never escape from my thirteen year old self. My friend who died in a drive by when i was 13. and I'll always ask myself what did i do with the life i was so undeservedly granted. and I'll thank trent reznor for giving me so much.
This song destroyed me. Hearing this song at his North American tour this year is one thing I'll never forget. I just wish I could go back and listen to it again.
I have to respectfully disagree with anyone who says Johnny Cash made this his song, while Cash's version was good, this is GREAT. If you don't understand addiction, all you have to do is look up these lyrics.."the needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting... try to kill it all away, but I remember everything..."
It's pointless saying one version is 'better' than another, it's all personal preference. For me I much prefer hearing Reznor sing this, the lyrics sound incongrous coming from Cash, it's not the sort of phrasing he'd use in his own work (unlike his cover of The Mercy Seat for example, where you can believe the words are coming from him). There's just something about the pain that Reznor manages to get into his delivery of the chorus that gets across the fact you're listening to a destroyed human being. The delivery of 'empire of dirt' on the album version always manages to punch my heart right into my spine.
Most people have no idea or to be honest "a fucking clue" as to what he is referring to. The pain of addiction is more than just "oh snap, gotta get high." Sorry for anyone currently dealing with addiction. I hope you figure out what life means to you soon.
I was there at that show wow El Paso , Texas my hometown really made it special. Al Jourgensen was there too. My gf at the time past out after the first song medics took her out. I watched the show alone and it was one of the best experiences of my life!!!!!
worked and went to school. worked all week and the night shift on the week ends. sunday morning, many many sundays ago was on the may way home at breaking of sunrise. for a month befor i had gotten my own car. no more rides to work. used my hard earned money to buy new car. my first real adult purchase. was so proud myself. hardly anyone at 18 buys their car and with their own money. nods. was so proud myself. but workin so much and going school. this sunday morning i let myself fall sleep at the wheel. was ded tired. i remember telling myself befor fell asleep... "just 2 minutes. it'd be ok"... is what my final thought was befor fell sleep at the wheel. i actually let myself fall asleep. saying to myself it'd be ok. well i wrecked coming to a curve and rail road tracks. totaled the cars under belly. i didnt get hurt. but waking up as your crashing is a real rude awakening i tell ya.... anywho. i was mentally demolished from it. was 18 and getting somewhere and was feeling alot better about life. then Poof. it was gone. felt like it was end the world to me at that age. didnt speak or eat for over three days. family got mad me cuz wouldnt speak or come out the basement. my room. locked self in the dungeon. not wanting try anymore. this song "hurt" played on repeat for many many hours as just laided in bed in the dark. didnt want anyone around cuz didnt want anyone see tears coming from eyes. gosh i took that hard. hmmm.... so but this song "hurt" lol... goes back 14 years for me. "if i could start again. a million miles away. i would keep myself"
This is the best version I've heard with the lights behind him and the cigarette lighters in front this song sums my entire life up in five minutes past present but not my future
The whole debate feels kind of pointless - both versions are absolutely fantastic and I feel like which one you prefer mostly depends on the context. Personally I've heard (and saw extremely powerful music video) Johnny Cash version first and it really struck me so his version is closer to me. That said, the original is insanely close.
I heard the version by Mr. Cash, stumbled on it, Hurt when learning about playing guitar. Ironically, I was going through my own Hurt, which is from my past. My present has been affected, my relationship is barley hanging on by a thread. I know by this song, whether or not Mr. Cash sings it or NIN front man, (sorry don't know his name.) It's Raw, and real....
It's crazy to me how every single version of this song seems to have its own meaning. The album version is downright depressing, the older live versions are filled with far more cynicism, while this one has a slight feeling of hope to it, warmth even I'd say. On top of that we have the Johnny Cash cover which also stands on its own. It takes one hell of a talented songwriter and performer to create something like this.
Core of this song is like soup base. By changing receipe a little, you could get quite different taste. From creepy warning by warm chicken soup to your soul to great farewell from great man.
I remember watching this on MTV as a teenager. It’s had so many different meanings to me through my lifetime - now I’m 42 and it’s such a different experience. You nailed it.
WOw...Wheeww, I almost let go one night listening to this song for hours,.homeless in a 6yr Meth Hell. I didn't mean to watch this, stumbled on it from someones Vlog Vid, takes me back to that night. Didn't realize it would hit me so hard! I got well, visited Rome, Madrid, Paris, lived in Manhattan 6mnths, have a Son, Home just crying thinking of all I would have missed. 21yrs Clean, Sober.
I can't imagine the pain of creating a masterpiece of a song based on your struggles with heroin addiction, only to have the entire world believe it belongs to another artist and condemn you for doing a 'shitty cover'. Fucking disgraceful.
I love Cash's cover, but they're both amazing. I actually originally thought the name of the song was Nine Inch Nails until I looked it up and noticed that it was originally done by Nine Inch Nails, listened to the original and really liked it.
Nicolas Clark Yeah , but I think the perspective changes when it's Cash singing - it gives it more depth (in my opinion) since when he sings it acquires this deeper meaning of loss and impending death, while NIN's version is clearly about drug addiction. In NIN's version it seems like there's still hope (since Trent Reznor is younger and seems to have a lot of years ahead), while Cash's version seems like acceptance of physical decline, loss and impending death (there's no hope there).
Mottahead I definitely agree with you. I mean, I listen to this song often thanks to a playlist I listen to and I can't help but feel Cash's suffering and tear a bit. But when I listen to the NIN's version, I just don't feel that powerful emotion that Cash pulls off.
Nicolas Clark Mottahead It's amazing, and shows the subjectivity of music and art in general. How an 80 year old sings the song, and it is about life and how over the course of it, we lose people close to us. Also when Reznor sings it, it takes that element of addiction and the effect that has on you at a personal level. Being such a beautifully crafted song, it can be adapted to translation and interpretation with subtle change, and the listener's or viewer's perception of where it comes from. When Cash covered Soundgarden's Rusty Cage, Chris Cornell stated that it was an honor for a legend to sing his song, and breathe new life into it..
k9genesis And apparently it breathed enough life into it that Black Ops 2 used the Cash cover instead of the original for one of the songs in Mob of the Dead. But yeah, it is a phenomenal song that I expect to be listened to for a long time.
"My sweetest friend" is not an addmition to a lost relation or letting some one else down. This song is about yourself. It is about letting yourself down. About reaching in and realizing your "fragile" and sometimes you fail big time. I'm there right now. The bottom end of a bottle. I have to look at myself now and realize what I have become.
Exactly! That is the finest comment I have come across!... Fair fuckin play to u Steve. I spent 4 yrs in a cell listening to this and that is the exact conclusion I came to. Its about urself nd only u. I'm out now nd trying to improve. Meet u in Dublin some day for a drink 😈👍😎
