This was filmed in February 2003. His wife, June Carter (seen standing behind him in the video), died in May that same year. Johnny died a few months later in September. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, the original songwriter, said after hearing the cover with it's accompanying video, "that song isn't mine anymore." The video was named the best video of the year by the Grammy Awards and CMA Awards, and the best video of all time by NME in July 2011. I personally fell on love with Johnny Cash through my grandfather, who used to sing rather well next to his record player, and Cash was among his most favourite artists. We will never have another like him, he was truly one of a kind.

One hell of a farewell letter. The moment he closes the lid of the piano at the end kills me every time.

This was his farewell performance, he died not long after. He didn't write these lyrics, but he definitely lived them.

The closing of the piano was significant because it is said he never opened it again. This was the last recorded music of his career.

I am 77 years old and have watched this video many times. That closing of the piano has such a sense of finality to it it sucks the tears out every time. We go thru this life and do all these things and in the end wonder what was/is the point. That thought hits really hard

I have seen dozens of reactions on this song. You are the first one who does not only mention the pouring of the wine, but who goes into a detailed analysis of it. For me this is the most heartbreaking scene in this video. The pouring of the wine is like he's pouring out his life on the table before the final curtain falls. It is also symbolizing that his fame, the money, the golden records he has gained is worth nothing in the end. I wonder why almost no-one has said anything on this little detail so far. The pouring of the wine is essential for me. And see his shaking hand as he does so. Heartbreaking.

Even Trent said this deserves to be remembered as a Johnny Cash song.

This is powerful because of regret. Everybody knows it, everybody feels it.

The best video ever made. It still makes me cry. The contrast between a young vital man, on top of the world, and an old man near the end.

I'm 66 years old and I still find myself lying to myself that I'm pretty young, heh. Life has gone by so fast and the older you get the faster it seems to go. Where did all the years and decades vanish? All the people we lose as we get older. Family members, friends, our idols. Singers whose songs we've always listened to, actors we've watched in the movies all our lives, etc. - When you're younger, you don't think about these kind of things, but at some point you start to notice it around you.

I always saw him closing the piano at the end to be him closing the lid on a casket of his life and career.

Allegedly his daughter told him that this song sounds like a farewell. He said yes. Shortly thereafter, his wife died, and shortly thereafter, he died. The picture in the video is probably his mother.

I am 73 and it have already started to deal with the idea that too many people are gone. I had a group of male friends, work friends 4 of them to be exact. We were friends even after we went our separate ways and our careers and now I'm the only one left. Pretty much everybody from the neighborhood I grew up in is gone. No my wife is seriously ill and we don't know how long we have left buried it's a strange experience getting old. It's not at all what I expected. And now it looks like I want to spend my final years alone. That stinks.

This song hits way different than the original, because of the perspective. Originally it was a young man's perspective, but taking it in this context, where he's not looking forward to what's to come, but looking back at it, it just feels different. Different enough that Reznor said it wasn't his song any more, but Johnny's song. His daughter, after seeing the video, said it felt like he was saying goodbye, and he said that he was.

You mentioned Johnny closing the lid of the piano. That shot was the last time he sat there playing that piano, and it was the last time he closed that lid. When it comes to me, I was raised listening to his music so I knew his songs well. I also listened to Nine Inch Nails (much to the annoyance of my parents) and knew Trent's work. When I heard this version by Johnny, I felt a loss of my grandfather. He was my world and no matter how bad things were, he'd tell jokes and do everything he could to put a smile on my face. So when I heard Johnny singing this song, it feels like it's my grandfather singing this song and it's emotionally crippling. I'm not one to get overly emotional, but this song breaks me. Thank you for taking the time to react to this song.

Something that always grabs my heart with this video is Johnny's eyes. Looking inward, looking into the past, looking towards the inevitable end. You see it all in his eyes.

This is a video that I absolutely cannot watch without breaking down, every time. So powerful.

imo you wanting to cry is you feeling his pain over his life ... this was his farewell to all of us ... i grew up on his music and can truly understand him in this video ....

the video combined with the life circumstances of both Cash and his wife make a perfect storm of emotional gut-punch here.

As a big Cash fan, the closing of the piano hits hard. This was him basically saying goodbye.

I consider this one of the most emotional videos to watch on KZfaq. There are a handful that can really break your heart, and this is one. The song alone is so heavy with emotion and resignation, but then the video presents such a powerful visual crescendo, before finally breaking to leave only his voice and a piano to close for good.

I think the house he visits and looks in the window was his actual childhood home but anyone correct me. Masterpiece doesn't begin to describe this. This is the most human and honest piece of music of any genre I have ever hear.

What does your music mean to me?As a metal and rock fan, I admired the man in black and his songs are quality and honesty earth and fire represented the stormy sky....Johnny Cash was not just a legend, he was a great force in his kind and I'm glad I could listen to his songs.

All you accumualte in life means nothing when the ones you love are gone. Hold them close. They're all that matters. His daughter said it sounds like you're saying goodbye. He said, "I am."

It’s an amazing video. Rick Rubin came and sat down with Johnny and did this video. That’s why it is what it is. This was straight Rick Rubin work

Anymore, happiness for me is like a dream. You get a few small, fragmented pieces of memory that no matter how hard you try hold on to it, it's gone!

I cannot get through this without crying.. every single time!!! 😢

No matter how many times I watch this video it brings me to tears. The raw emotion and the clips of his life...

This is the best reaction to this song and I’ve probably seen 20 or more. Love your emotion and analysis.

Bravo. You got it. Well done. This song, with its amazing poetry, while not written by Johnny, it’s him.

Your way of analyzing & feeling songs is incredible. I really enjoy & learn from you. Hope your family w/that newborn is great. Bless you! ❤️

"The needle tears a hole the old familiar sting" drug use... Johnny Cash did his time burying his pain. Always cry when I hear this song

What a song what a legend so sorry never to see you live shake your hand and say thanks Johnny for your music. Rosalie thanks for sharing greetings from South Africa

I hurt myself today. What about looking back on good times only to realise you can never have them back, looking at the picture of a loved one so close to grief. There's a reason lovers tend to die close to each other

You know, I've watched so many reactions to this raw nerve of a song, and some of them were even more emotional than yours, but until now I don't think I've ever heard anyone (including me) who got this so thoroughly and deeply as you did. This was an amazing, insightful tour through not just the art of this song, but into the very heart of the man himself. Thank you so much!

I've watched so many reactions to this video by Johnny Cash and this is the most insightful reaction I've seen. Rosalie - you picked up on every nuance - the train, the table of lavish food, his past, his present, the struggle he has with this point in his life. You've done an amazing job and yes- we all want to cry over this.

I cannot watch this video without crying. Every time.

AMAZING break down of the life of Johnny Cash ..TRUE LEGEND in the entertainment industry ..TY for this Reaction and Respect to the late Johnny Cash ...you are so smart and educated Rosalie TY

I would be interested to know the age of people who are not reduced to tears hearing this. It gets me every time.

Your reaction and your interpretation of this song was spectacular, your ability to communicate to the audience (us) allows each of us to self reflect, ty for posting this.

Thank you. You have incredible insight, empathy and an ability to touch a person's soul. Your reaction made the pain of this song more profound and personal for me. So again - Thank You.

This is what we look for. Our reactions are like yours. That's why we love listening to this song over and over. We like when something touches someone's soul and shares it. That's what you gave us. It makes you cry. It makes us cry. That is literally what we look for. Thank you.😊

Excellent and moving reaction! I appreciate the depth of analysis that you did-into Cash’s life, into the lyrics, your emotional response to them, and lastly, how this song and performance challenges us to live going forward. Magnificent. 💛

Beneath the stains of time hit me hard. Im 75 and the way i relate to that verse is that all the joy, the happiness those first feelings of love. You can remember those times but the feelings that were euphoric you can not remember or relieve. You know the feelings but nothing you can do can recall how they truely felt at the time. How your brain and body reacted.

The truth in this song is powerful, devastating and beautiful. I always tear up when I listen to this song. The truth is I can't listen to this song all the time but every few months it brings me back to remind me how fleeting this life is and to remember what's truly important and to remember who I fight to be.

I never listened to that much cash but for me he represents america...before 2001...

I watch a lot of reactions and I must say this is the deepest, most thoughtful one I’ve ever seen. Thanks for such a thought-provoking analysis ❤

Rest in peace to the man in black. You changed the world.

Thank you, Rosalie. Another wonderful reaction. Cash' version of Hurt is a phenomenal picture of grief.

Excellent reaction, once again! You dont tell us what IS, but what many possible reasons CAN be meant by the story. 🙏

Oh my dear sweet Rosalie, I've held off this song for so long... I knew you'd be the one to hold my hand and I thank you with every finger, every tear. Thank you.

There's very few people I have more respect than Johnny Cash. He turned his life away from all that was bad. Found the love of his life, found faith in God, loved his country and loved the down trodden everywhere in the world. In a way he became part of the conscience of our country, and became an American Legend. We're all better off for the life he lived and music he left to nurture and guide us. If you have never seen the YT video of Johnny singing Kris Kristofferson's song "Sunday Mornin' Comin" Down" Holy smokes what a song of lyrics and sung as only Johnny could sing it. Simply incredible.

the picture on the wall, was his mom. Johnny was a legend and had so many great songs, he leaves us with his music and what a treasure that is

It's refreshing to find a Reaction Video person who knows what they are talking about. subscribed. for yourself, you may want to find the "the making of " video Remember he didn't write this.... but it is PERFECT for him.

Absolutely incredible that it was a cover. I sounds on every level as his own song.

having grown up listening to him but not really following his career, sure I liked some of his music, and then, as I too look back at everything this song sticks with me, sad yes, but a life well spent.

It's the regret that he has to say if he could do it again again he would do it better.

House of Cash was a museum/office/studio owned by Johnny and June. I remember my father on vacation in the 70's pointing it out as we drove by and telling me about it

The closing of the piano is what really got me also in this video

What a way to say goodbye.

Nailed this one. Only reactor to talk about his accomplishments, museum, etc being just a pile of dirt in retrospect. Got a new sub.

intelligent and intense reactions.

Great reaction. You really dug deep into this song and video that went with it. It’s really nice when someone - like yourself - takes time to understand the work that these artists have created

A wonderfulll musician we will never forget him

The line that always gets me is the Everyone I know goes away in the end.. , thats the part that breaks me usually.. i'm in my early 50's and I have already lost multiple friends in my life, close ones and it is a bleak outlook but all i see is a future of losing more that are close to me,family and otherwise. It is unusual for a song to get to me, i can only think of a couple that do, this is top of the list.

Beautifully reviewed Rosalie. Thank you

Greatest music video ever.

I. Will never not tear up hearing this.

You are so insightful (and so beautiful) for being so young. This song is one of the most honest ever. Originally written by Trent Reznor and released by Nine Inch Nails on the 1994 album.

Ime a 60+ year old bloke and i well up every time I listen to this track. He didn't actually write this song, but wow he could have done, it is like you say powerful and apt. Great reaction 👍

This is a song about regret. I thin it means something different to Johnny Cash than it does Trent Reznor, but for Cash, it's about his lifetime of addiction and how it hurt everyone around him.

I just love the way you react. You have something I can not explain. Bravo, and thank you

Every time I hear this song 🎵, I cry as I sing to it. I have too many stains & washing my hands ain’t cleaning it…

I've watched a musical of Johnny cashs life and when this song came up I was in tears. The thing if the needle can be seen as a reference using heroine and other drugs for him

I’ve made the same comment on other pages. This song and video always brings tears to my eyes. I’m a gen xer, old school biker and bouncer. Met Johnny Cash in the mid 90’s. One of the most awesome people I ever met in my life. When he passed, it hit hard. Cash will always be one of the greatest that ever lived. With this cover it was him saying goodbye and also saying he is sorry for negative parts of his life. RIP Johnny you are in Valhalla as you deserve

Well done Rosalie, you absolutely nailed it. 🙋‍♂

"I feel like crying right now, and I need to assess why." is such a wonderful way to say you really understand this song.

This is about drug addiction and how it destroys everything. ‘The needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting, tried to kill it all away but I remember everything’. How it pushes everyone away, and no matter what riches you have it destroys

Great reaction. Loved the analysis. Amazing for a first listen. Very perceptive. Johnny still had game right up to the end. Another veteran getting amazing work done right before his death was Leonard Cohen Please check out "You want it darker" by Leonard.

Johnny Cash was suffering from autonomic neuropathy brought on by diabetes and by the time he recorded Hurt, his health was failing. Johnny Cash covered the song Hurt for his album, American IV: The Man Comes Around. Three months later, after the filming of the Hurt music video was released June Carter Cash, the musician's wife of 35 years, died, on May 15, 2003. Johnny Cash passed away only 4 months after June on September 12, 2003, just under a year after the release of his album American IV: The Man Comes Around. Johnny Cash's wife, June Carter Cash is seen alongside him in the music video for Hurt. The Music video for Hurt was filmed at the House Of Cash which doubled as a Museum for his musical career and was closed to the public for years because of the lack of visitors. Johnny's old home/museum was falling apart it was in such a state of dereliction and filming there would be a candid way to show Johnny's life and health struggles late in his life and it was a great place to show Johnny's mental baggage on top of a deep, and intense song. The video amplified the themes of the song's bleak outlook on life and the sad inevitability of death. Themes of regret and joylessness of possessions as Johnny's house and museum of lifetime achievements crumbled and fell around him. It was the perfect heart-wrenching backdrop for an already intensely sad song the video included as many symbolic moments as possible. Showing off a lavish/Decadence feast with only Johnny around to eat it with many clips of Johnny's early career placed close together throughout the video for contrasting effect. He's cracked platinum records along with his pouring away red wine. Pouring one out refers to “pouring a liquid (usually an alcoholic beverage) on the ground as a sign of reverence for friends or relatives that have passed away. It also can symbolize the Holy Spirit Wine traditionally is the central symbol for transformation. Nature often holds up a mirror to see more clearly, and the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives. Wine is a mirror held up to nature. Closing a piano lid showing the end of his career/life tragically the song itself embodied an omen of what was to come when June is seen standing over Johnny and June's death 3 months after the music video was released would recontextualize the music video as it looks as if June is watching over Johnny from above in the video. Four years after the passing of Johnny Cash his dilapidated home the House Of Cash which doubled as a Museum in which he lived for 30 years burned to the ground which eerily Symbolises the music video for Hurt.

Johnny was very honest about his flaws and failures, but he was also a man of great faith that believed he was saved by the grace of God when he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. He appeared at numerous Billy Graham crusade events to speak and to sing. If not familiar, Billy Graham was probably the most well-known evangelist of the last century and spoke at auditoriums and stadiums all over the world. There are more sides to Johnny Cash than this one video.

Most people say, "RIP" as a verbal tic or as a thoughtless act of social conformity. You made me feel that you really felt it and said it sincerely and sweetly. Gave me a warm smile. Thanks.

Thank you for this bonus reaction - deeply insightful, as yours always are.

The song & video becomes more emotional after you find out his wife June passed away not long after the release of the video, the he passes away only months after her. Makes you think, did he die of a lonely heart ? He was prolific with music late in life - from a similar time, I love his version of “Gods gonna cut em down”. More upbeat, almost gospel like, sung in a way only Johnny can.

WHOA! This lady is pretty!! Really REALLY pretty!

I just found your channel. This was my first time viewing one of your videos. You seem to understand and catch things in the lyrics, music, and videos that seem easy to me, but most reaction channels miss. It evidently goes right over their heads. It’s refreshing to have someone that “gets it”. I will subscribe and continue to watch. Thanks!

Truly one of my favorite muscisicians of all times.

This was a song to his wife... And then a goodbye to their kids.... He couldn't live with out her!! And said sorry to everyone that he hurt, and stuck by him.... This is way too heavy for me today!!!

Nine inch nails said this is now Johnny Cash’s song. He put the feelings and hurt of his life into the song. I’ve heard the original version but it didn’t feel the same. His wife June died in surgery about 6 months after the release of this song and he died 6 months later

The perfect coda for a legend who lives on in his vast history and catalog of music. Still tear up when I listen to this.

I remember when this song came out from johnny. I still cry and still feel his pain may june and johnny rest in the embrace of true love. This man was a god among men.

Thank u for ure insight.

This song makes me remember that I'm living the bad end of my life. It's okay, it's okay.

Another goodbye song is “I’m not going to miss you” by Glen Campbell. His last recording due to Alzheimer’s. It’s heart wrenching also.

Breaks my Heart. Thinking of MAMA. Sie ist auch Deutch. RIP MAMA 🙏

The woman on the stairs was the love of his life, June Carter Cash.

10:53 Your Heart Heard What Your Ears Could Not.

Trent gave Johnny this song after this. He said he couldn't do it as good. It was cool that Johnny did a Nine Inch Nails song.

Without a doubt, this is the best, most insightful commentary on this performance on youtube. No question about it.

I remembered going to the theaters with my dad to watch 2003 The Hunted and it had this song at the end of the movie. I memory I’ll cherish forever as my dad was a movie lover passed away two years ago. Thanks for reacting and making this new to me again through your eyes.