Case Study :'Hurt' by Johnny Cash

'Hurt' By Johnny Cash'

The original song was by Nine Inch Nails. (NIN). NIN released an album called 'The Downward Spiral which featured the song on it in 1994. In 2002 Johnny Cash did a cover version of the song (above).


When analysising NIN music video compared to Johnny cash's version there are some major differences. NIN's version appears suicidal and has a depressed and unusual tone to it. The song talks about differences in society and suicide/self harm. NIN music video is a live performance with the visuals on the screen behind the artists linking to the theme of the song/lyrics. For example there are images of death, war, violence, etc).


Johnny Cash's music video has an altogether different meaning and theme. His music video was directed by Mark Romanek. He has won three Grammy Awards for best short form music video. Romanek has worked with both NIN and Johnny Cash during his career. Romanek decided to capture the memories of Cash's life from a young age to his older years through the music video (Johnny Cash was 71 when he filmed this video, he died 7 months after the filming of the music video). The theme of the music video was changed from NIN who focused on death and suicide to one of religion and faith. The music video made reference to Christ and Christianity, some of the lines were changed to also get this across, e.g a line changed into 'Crown of Thorns'. Cash's cover of the song was named the best video of the year by the 'Grammy Awards and CMA (Country music association awards)', and the best video of all time by NME (New musical Express) in July 2011.'


Johnny Cash has been called an influential figure in the country genre worldwide, the most influential singer of the 20th century and a pioneer of the rock and roll genre.
Johnny Cash's music video achieves its effects through it's simplicity. The use of photo montage inbetween shots of the artist highlight Cash's upbringing and rise to fame. The use also of visuals such as  the flowers that are wilting show decay as a reminder of what inevitably is to come in the future. There are visual reminders of his faith, such as the figure of Jesus, we also see the Johnny Cash Museum which again reminds people watching of his life and popularity.