Posted on 10/27/2022 3:21:22 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The song appeared on Cash’s 2002 album, ‘American IV: The Man Comes Around.’
Rick Rubin was interviewed on October 23 by Lauren Larverne for BBC Radio’s “Desert Island Discs” show, and during their chat he revealed how he got Johnny Cash to record Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” for his 2002 farewell album, American IV: The Man Comes Around.
Shop the best of Johnny Cash’s discography on vinyl and more.
According to Rubin, when he first suggested the cover, “Johnny looked at me like I was insane.” He adds, “The Nine Inch Nails version of the song is very noisy, aggressive. Johnny was wary,” Rubin said, though Cash would agree in the end. “I think I did a demo where I had a guitar player play it, and I said the words the way I imagined [Johnny] saying it, and then when he heard the lyrics, and he heard the format of what it could be, he said, ‘Let’s try it.’”
Later in the conversation, Rubin adds, “I thought of the image of Johnny Cash as the mythical Man in Black, and any song he sang had to suit this mythical Man in Black. And one of the ones that seemed to have resonated with people after we did it was ‘Hurt.’ If you listen to the words, it’s like looking back over a life of regret and remorse.”
For his part, Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor was also as skeptical of the ideas as Johnny Cash was. He recounted the tale to Alternative Press in 2004. “Rick Rubin has been a friend for a long time, and he called me asking how I felt about Johnny covering ‘Hurt.’ I was flattered, but frankly, the idea sounded a bit gimmicky to me. … A few weeks later, a CD shows up with the track. … It sounded… weird to me. That song in particular was straight from my soul, and it felt very strange hearing the highly identifiable voice of Johnny Cash singing it.” Once Reznor saw the video, however, he was convinced of the new version’s power.
It is the better song when he did it, imo.
Bravo to both men.
Two major studs on the same song. J Cash is one performer I genuinely miss. I made a fool out of myself the one time I saw him (and J Carter AND the Carter Family with Mother Maybelle!!!) live at the Denver Coliseum.
That’s ok, Trent will always own “Head Like A Hole”, a song that gets more relevant with time.
I think Trent Reznor admitted it. (I don’t think it’s close, but I don’t really like their music) He said it felt like his girlfriend cheated on him and left him)
Who is the second stud?
It would hurt if you put your soul into a project and then somebody comes along and copies your project and they do a better job with half the effort.
Excellent song...sad.
rip Johnny
A magnificent song performed by a master.
I liked “Closer” better. (musically)
Head Like a Hole was the first one I knew though.
Totally different sounds.
It is definitely Cash’s song now. Almost as if it was written for him. So I give Rubin props for recognizing it.
That said, Rick Rubin wanted The Black Crowes to change their name to Kobb Kounty Krowes (eg KKK).
Like when Manfred Mann covered Springsteen's Blinded by the Light, and gave Bruce his only No. 1 single - as the writer. (his highest charting single as a solo performer was "Dancing in the Dark" in 1984, which reached No. 2)
3 of my 4 daughters love Johnny Cash. June used to catch my attention when she had gorgeous long hair. lol
As for the song artist I miss most-—Harry Chapin.
Wow!
Thanks
The most powerful and affecting music videos I have ever seen. So powèrful it inspired to learn the song.
9 inch nails and Trent Reznor are the most overrated group and singer in rock ‘n’ roll history
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