I will never pick which version is better. By virtue of the performances, they’re two different songs now. They’re both excellent versions.

Trent is an amazing musician. Besides how amazing NIN was (and you should check out Head Like a Hole, Wish, and Closer) but the dude Has been nominated for 3 and won 2 Oscars, a Bafta, an Emmy, 2 Golden Globes, and 2 Grammy's. Beyond talented as a rocker and a composer.

NIN’s version all day. I think that live versions hit harder when you know the studio version first. It is also the ending to the Downward Spiral album so it is part of something bigger. I think what helps Johnny Cash’s version is the video. If you think about it, anybody who has lived a long life and puts their images would have a similar effect. Trent’s video doesn’t break it down the same way so people can’t relate or see a direct correlation to the lyrics which were about depression. When Trent first heard Cash’s version he didn’t think too much of it until he saw the video. Rick Rubin was the person that brought this song to Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash's cover of this song is also great. But I love how Trent Reznor keeps you in suspense with the way he sings his lyrics.

Although I understand why people love Johnny Cash's version so much, I still find it baffling that NIN's original is so overlooked. It's not just the power of the song, the way it transmits all the pain and anger and sadness and self-loath, the emotional singing, everything is outstanding, but also it's even more powerful because it bookends the whole The Downward Spiral arc, the narrative and the worldbuilding of the album - yes, it sounds even better in a full album playthrough, the whole record is in itself a downward spiral that ends in Hurt, a possible end or the beginning of the way back up, since the small glimmer of hope remains.

This song was the theme song of a breakup I had 30 years ago. To me it’ll always be a song about heartbreak, regret, deep depression and despair. I heard Cash’s version once and I felt he ruined it. Like seeing a derelict wear and soil your favorite silk blouse. I avoid hearing that again. Listen to the NIN album version. I’ve seen Trent do the song by himself onstage with just keyboards, pretty much like the album. It’s incredibly powerful. And as the liner notes attest, NIN albums are all Trent, except when he brings in Manson or whatever on a track to add vox. He credits contributing artists and there are usually none. His touring band was the same crew for years but he doesn’t tour much now so idk.

Hurt was written by a younger man, at the end of a downward spiral, looking up at a faraway light he perhaps didn't fully believe he could reach but was bloodyminded enough to drag himself towards if it killed him. Cash redefined it as a song about looking back at a long life of mixed blessings and curses, of lost loved ones, successes and failures... and choosing to not change who you are deep down, to not let your fears and regrets shape you. Both are poignant readings that speak to the timelessness of the lyrics, but if Trent/NIN's version has changed at all, it's in how it now serves as a reminder of how far he has come since then, and how our lowest point doesn't always define who we are. He kept himself, and found a way.

It's about time for a dive into NIN's discography

Trent is just a musical genius. I'd love to see y'all react to Every Day is Exactly the Same, it's one of my favorites from him.

In memory of Kevin " Geordie" Walker who recently passed away you should check out Killing Joke, a band that many from the industrial genre sited as an influence. Trent Reznor certainly did.

I think the value of this song is that it is universal... many people can identify with the specific feelings of hurt so perfectly expressed by Trent Reznor in the writing and performing of this song. Each person who listens to it and performs it, applies it to the personal experience in their lives. Depending on the person, a different version may speak to them... some are impacted by both versions. Addiction, materialism, abuse... the list goes on... I hope many more people go on to listen to, and perform this song, because it is a gift to humanity to let others know they are not alone. I will always favor Trent Reznor's version because I was a teenage survivor of many tragedies culminating in my father's suicide... so I used to listen to this song over and over... somehow comforted knowing I wasn't alone.

Trent is in a lot of interviews, fascinating character so do seek them out! He also does a lot of soundtracks, most notably he won an award for the Disney film Soul. He also co-produced some songs with Halsey and worked with Bowie. With this song, he had written about a difficult time in his life as a young man; Cash wrote it as a man having lived a long painful life. Trent said that the song is now Cash's.

I saw NIN and David Bowie in 1994… it was the best show ever…. Trent said after Johnny released his cover, he said that Hurt became johnnys song… ❤

NIN records are arranged in a way to where the tracks flow from one to another. Even Trent admitted the Cash’s made it his song. The lyrics from an elderly man at the end of his life is more powerful than a young depressed heroine addict. Cash died before any live collaboration on stage was possible.

It's been a while since I've heard this song. NIN was the oddball goat back in the 90s. I know what im gonna be listening to today.

Beautiful song, such pain and dispair, you can feel it.

You should do Skinny Puppy - Assimilate (live '87) they are the Industrial pioneers and they infuenced NIN.

Not sure if anyone has answered this yet but Trent Reznor has been the only permanent member of Nine Inch Nails and the only other permanent member who Trent recognized in 2016 is Atticus Ross who has worked with Trent since 2005. Trent and Atticus have also worked on a number of scores for movies which have earned them both two Oscars. The other members of the touring band have varied over the years but most folks stuck around for a while. Among them are Danny Lohner who was there in the earlier days until 2003 and then played with bands such as A Perfect Circle and Pusifer, Richard Patrick (89-93) who later started the band Filter, and Josh Freese (2005-2008) who is now the drummer for Foo Fighters after the death of Taylor Hawkins. The current live lineup of Robin Finck on guitar, Alessandro Cortini on bass and synth, and Ilan Rubin on drums have been together since 2013. When Nine Inch Nails was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, they included 7 members; Trent and Atticus, the 3 other current members Robin, Ilan, and Alessandro along with Danny Lohner and long-time drummer Chris Vrenna who later played with Marilyn Manson. Fun fact, in September of 2020, Ilan Rubin became the youngest person to ever be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at just 32 years old. The kid can play. Sorry for the long post...

Speaking of Industrial, why not do one of the founders of the genre, Skinny Puppy, who have now retired after their last tour two days ago. Maybe start with "Smothered hope" or "Far To Frail", two of the earlier tracks from the early 80's.

All the bands you name are metal industrial. True pure industrial are bands like skinny puppy, front 242 and front line assembly. I could name 50 others but those are a good start.

This looks like the 2009 Lights In The Sky Tour. I was lucky enough to see it. One of the best sounding concerts I've seen. The bassist ended up playing for Maynard on the Puscifer album Money Shot.

The original NIN demo was called Purest Feeling and that was recorded in 1988. Its almost full 80's sounding. In 1989 Pretty Hate Machine came out which was an Industrial version of the Purest Feeling album. so a lot of people attribute modern industrial coming from that.

Ouch 😢 I definitely felt Trent’s pain. I can’t compare. The age difference alone makes it a different song to me.

I love Johnny Cash’s version because the lyrics strike a sentimental chord as a tribute to Johnny’s life. Hurt is most effective when listened to in the context of the downward spiral album that sets up the protagonist’s narrative. I think your connection to Johnny creates a subjective and emotional attachment to Trent’s lyrics

We can all argue till the cows come home which version is the best(Trent's), but I think one thing we can all 100% agree on is this song is amazing. Probably one of the best songs of all time in my opinion, won't say the best but damn it is up there. With that out of the way, I'd highly suggest some Fear Factory, anything from the Obsolete album is just amazing. A very good, very underrated Industrial band.

Trent Reznor was amazing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of the Cure! You wouldn't think Trent was as passionate about the Cure as he is!

Why we always gotta compare stuff? March of the Pigs, Wish, Terrible Lie, Down in It

Both versions are incredible and hold a somewhat different perspective from each singer. Trent was in an incredibly dark place when writing this entire album but he overcame it all and now has a secondary career as a music composer. He’s scored all of David Finchers films (with Atticus Ross) since The Social Network (‘10)

My favorite song is “something I can never have” (still) version

NIN version imo is miles better but to each their own. Man, I would love to see you guys do about 15 more NIN songs, mainly from their 1st 2 albums. Check out "Dead Souls" from The Crow soundtrack also....it's straight 🔥

I saw NIN live, and this song you could hear a pin drop in the stadium i didn't see a dry eye on anyone when the song was done seeing NIN live is one hell of an experience

In reality, the two versions can't be subjectively compared because they are presented from two vary different narratives from each other. When Trent Reznor created this song, he was offering us a glimpse from the point of view of someone struggling with addiction and mental health issues while simultaneously having considerable success in his career. He was faced daily with being in the public eye and everyone only being concerned with his music and rising fame, while privately his personal life (in his eyes) was falling apart. He was using heroine at the time as well as trying to cope with a feeling that he didn't belong in that environment and possibly dealing with the feeling that he doesn't deserve his success while also knowing what his skill level was, which I would think would clash against each other pretty chaoticly. Because of this personal connection with Hurt he took it very seriously, and other people had approached him asking to do a cover of it and he always completely refused them the rites to cover or perform his song. Until one day he was approached by someone on Johnny Cash's behalf requesting permission to cover the song, at first Trent wasn't going to let it happen but he thought about it (and I don't know if there was any conversation between the two during this time) and he decided to give Johnny a chance but he wanted to hear it before they released it. So when it was done Trent got to hear Johnny's cover and was impressed and granted Johnny permission to use the song as he wished, saying something along the lines of, "This is his song, I wrote it for Johnny, I just didn't know until now." (It was something along those lines, I don't remember exactly how he said it.) As for Johnny's approach, he sang it from the point of view of a very successful elderly man who's approaching the end of a life lived hard as he realizes that his kingdom means nothing and he would give everything to have more time with people he cares about that were or still are in his life.

He was up there with David Bowie. Awesome version!

Actually, trent was said to have said that when he heard Johnny's version, it was his song in meaning it no longer belonged to trent

Nine inch nails is a reference to an interview done by Al Jorganson the founder & lead singer of the band Ministry. The Godfathers of industrial metal. He said listening to Ministry is like driving nine inch nails into your skull! 🤟

I can pinpoint when my love of metal started. It was 1991, i heard Head Like a Hole and i was gone. I was 12.

You two made my day today w this drop. Thank you! Well, I'm gonna get a lot of looks from my friends tonight for my choice of music lol😂

I prefer the version by NIN better but both versions of this song are incredible. Both versions have completely different meanings although both come from the same source. NIN's version is about a dude who is ready to end it all from depression and drug addiction. Cash's version was about life choices that were also influenced from drug addiction It is okay to like the Cash version better. It is all personal preference. This is why we are all unique

Yes Smokey!! Throwing out KMFDM, Fantastic!! Skinny Puppy after that would have been Extra!! Yall are just Awesome!! Gonna finish watching this now... Love Yall & Everyone Involved that helps Yall Do Yall!!!

Industrial has some amazing bands! Nine Inch Nail is probably the best well known but from a little earlier like mid 80's or so is my favorite and that is Front 242! They were the first concert I ever saw with a friend and no family ! The concert was amazing and I spent the whole show in the pit. I still have something from that concert that will always remind me of it. Very bad Tinnitus! lol

I think theyre both equally great in their own right and both performed and conveyed with what they were feeling as a person. As I understand it and could be wrong Trent Reznor played keyboards/piano on Johnny Cash's cover of it.

I've said this many times before but I'll say it again, you guys need to dedicate a day to Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor is an amazing artist and he has such an extensive catalog of music to go through that you could do a song a day and not run out for years. If you did do a song a day you could call it "Nightly Nails" or something like that.

Trent Reznor wrote this song, Johnny Cash performed it as a cover - both are amazing versions of the song.

Should check out NIN "something I could never have (still) "

Trent's version pierces my soul. It is bare, powerful and pure. I saw this live and it marked me for life.

So, he didn't perform it live with Cash, but he DID perform it with David Bowie in 1994!

I wouldn't assume because Trent hasn't lived 78 years that Cash has dealt with more. When everyday is a battle with your own mind it's exhausting.

If i could start again, a million miles away... 🤘

Seeing this live is always so powerful

Mr Hollywood if you ask me who did this song better I say both versions are separated song for me. NIN Hurt and Johnny Cash Hurt is a different "entity" and both are beautiful and give me different feelings (NIN - tension, Cash - sadness). To reply to your question: I wish to see Devin's Townsend version of this song. Fantastic reaction as always

I did see him do a duet with David Bowie on this song. It was pretty fuckimg amazing

Y'all should check out nine inch nails- something that I can never have

Right where it belongs. Please!

Hate to be that guy who says "you watched the wrong video bro" but I've got to say it. Trent in 2013 (when this video is from) is a recovered man. He's got a beautiful wife, starting a family, made a shit ton of money, won all the prestigious awards. Truly a different man then he was in 1995 when this track dropped. Its remarkable he made it through, and thrived. Anything after the performance of "hurt" post the Fragile tour in 2000 is just Trent picking a scars, not even scabs. He can still give a strong performance, but it's just that, it's performing. The iconic video from 1995 is basically Trent up their lacerated on stage bleeding out in front of a crowd, behind the most bleak vision of reality imaginable. There's clips of the backdrop in this 2013 version, but it's way more harsh in the 1995. I'd recommend going back and watching the 1995 version. It's the best stand alone take of Nine Inch Nails "Hurt". Of course, to get the main impact of this song you need to listen to the entire Downward Spiral album, it's the culmination of a 'not so concept' "concept album". As much as it pains me to admit it, as someone who's been unhealthily obsessed with The Downward Spiral since it was released in 94, Cash's version is a better self contained, more relatable rendition. Nine Inch Nails version will be more relatable to "broken" people. Everyone can resonate with an old man looking back at the end of his life with pain and regret. Myself, I am completely "broken", so I feel the NIN version coursing through my veins. I can't imagine what my life would be like without Downward Spiral, probably wouldn't be here at all. Anyway, enough rambling into an empty pitch black void. I'd highly recommend checking out some of the live clips from the 90's. "Gave Up" from 1992, recorded live in the studio is amazing. Features a young Marilyn Manson before his gimmicks, also Richard Patrick from Filter, both on guitar and backup vocals. Filmed in the Tate murder house, which they turned into a recording studio at the time. March of the Pigs 1994, explosively high energy live performance in a small white room. Great stuff.

Trent Reznor also makes music for movies. He won an Oscar for the music from the movie The Social Network.

Was a teen on my own when Downward Spiral came out. This song so related to my problems at the time.

I always felt after Johnny did his, Trent's hit even harder for me, I love both.

I was yelling "The Frozen Tundra!" at my phone like a lunatic!🤣🤣🤣💜

Puscifer falls under the industrial umbrella for some tracks. This track is phenomenal on its own but it really works best in context at the end of the album. I definitely recommend a full album listen at some point.

Thanks for doing this today you guys, Love NIN, such a breath of fresh air when he first came out we were Ready for it! I have one of his CDs in my car right now LOL Trent Reznor is definitely an enigma, and he was good friends with another Enigma called Tori Amos back in the day, they both have incredibly interesting esoteric enigmatic lyrics, they helped each other a lot with their music in those days and they pulled from each other's lyrics occasionally... don't know who came up with the term Nine Inch Nails as a lyric or a band name first but they both use it, also Pretty Hate Machine is the name of one of his albums and lyric in one of her songs, others that are escaping me right now but I always thought it was a really cool connection. She will cover his songs from time to time, I've never heard him cover hers though most people wouldn't even try LOL Normally I wouldn't recommend this particular song to anyone unless they need it, it's very deep and hard to listen to, but if you want to see the power of Tori Amos it's one you want to check out... can she get a crowd riled up like any good rockstar, but she also has the power to silence a room with thousands of people when she sings the words "5:00 a.m. Friday morning" leading into ME & A GUN... Tori has a massive underground following that doesn't mind staying in the shadows and when you hear this song you'll understand why. Watching her do this live at the Montreux in 92 is something you'll probably never forget. Keep the Nine Inch Nails coming I'm here for all of it, so so good🤘🖤😎🎹

Johnny Cash didn't even want to do the cover of this song. He got convinced to do it while recording his last album by Rick Ruben (if I remember correctly ).

Hi there guys you always post early before I even get up 😂, but as soon as I can I watch you guys just love you guys so awesome

A lot of those guys that toured with him toward so many times with him that they became synonymous with nine inch nails and actually got inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside him One of them was actually a drummer that started when he was 19 and was with him for 9 or 10 years before they got inducted I think he might be one of the youngest inductees ever

That was a fantastic live performance, I can't pick either version over the other, just glad that we have both to enjoy. Now, call me a grumpy old man but it really triggers me when the audience feel the need to scream, shout, whistle etc. during quiet songs. Why the fuck can't people just listen until the end?

I'm super surprised you guys haven't went deeper into nine inch nails. Should definitely add it alongside all the tool love. The Downward Spiral full album reaction would be absolutely amazing. Hurt is the end of the entire album. It's a concept album meant to listened to start to finish.

I would suggest checking Eraser if you like this one

Another industrial band is The Thrill Kill Cult which you may know from The Crow soundtrack . And Front 242 goes way back .

Nine Inch Nails is probably my favorite 'band" ever. Trent is a God!! Maynard and Roy Orbison are the only two artist I consider to be in the same God tier as him. I've been waiting for you two to cover more NiN. I think I'll just have to become a Patreon member to force you two to listen to more 😅🤘🏼

Nice reaction! I was lucky enough to see NIN at the 1st Lollapalooza in 1991 in San Fran and again in 1994 on their Downward Spiral tour with Marilyn Manson and the Jim Rose Circus of Freaks and saw NIN again for their Fragile tour - no band will ever be as good live as NIN was period... Ever. You need to see the official Hurt video it is live from the 94 performance from the Spiral tour it will tear your heart out chew it up and spit it out I was right there at the front of the stage. I would give ANYTHING to go back and be at these concerts again🖤🖤🖤 Please keep going down the NIN rabbit hole I subbed for this especially. So many songs to recommend I don't know where to start🤣Thanks!!!!

Trent Reznor said in an interview that "Hurt" is now Johnny Cash's song, given how big Johnny's cover became.

I gave you guys this list 3 years ago on your Head Like A Hole video. It was a while ago so ill reiterate. If you are going to dive into NIN I suggest 1. Wish 2. March of the Pigs 3. Last 4. Down in It 5. Gave Up 6. Happiness in Slavery 8. The Wretched 9. Mr. Self Destruct 10. Terrible Lie I'll add 11. Somewhat Damaged 12. Reptile. 13. Starfuckers Seriously hope you guys start working on this list. You will NOT be disappointed.

They never did a duo. But you could check out the remix Trent did with David Bowie called I'm Affraid of Americans. There's actually a music video of it with Bowie and Reznor in it.

Really think you boys should check out the official video of the studio version.

Afaik The name Nine Inch Nails unfortunately holds No deeper meaning, but he chose the name because he knew the NiN-logo would look good. Its really intresting to see how this song in its NiN-version is about drug addiction and alienation and how it transform into something completely else as Johnny Cash performs it with the weight of a man at the end of his life looks back at what was andwith regret realizes how little the most of it mattered to him. A truly awesome song.

You really need to listen to the entire album. In order to get every song. This song was written about Trent's fight with addiction. This song is a young man's anger on his current issues. Verses Johnny Cash's version is about a old man looking back on his life. Both are great songs.

I do not think that Johnny Cash ever performed with Trent Rezner, but David Bowie did. There is a live version of this song of the two of them singing.

Johnny Cash sadly passed not long after he recorded and filmed the video, they sadly never got the chance to preform together 😢

Some industrial metal/techno sound I liked in the 80's. KMFDM, Ministry, NIN, Lords of Acid, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Flesh Messiah.

Nine Inch Nails "Terrible Lie" 😁👍

guys, you missed out Skinny Puppy. why has no one informed you of them until now 😄 their sound, image, vocals and bass lines are insanely good! their sooo many groups that would not exist without them, including the great Fear Factory, as well as this band. you must stop by and pay them their dues and respect 🙏

here is a fun fact, westside connection which was a group with ice cube, WC and mc ren have a song that samples this the gangsta the killa the dope dealer

"You know what genre we rarely toss out there? Industrial." As the guy on the left is wearing a Rammstein shirt....That's comical!

When that piano kicks in it just snatches my soul

Man, if you wanna hear the BEST version of this, look up the live performance with David Bowie. Shit was other-worldly. Also, you asked if NIN was just Trent Reznor - yes it basically is. But there was another great musician that came out of this band. His name is Richard Patrick, who after leaving NIN started a band called Filter. You should check out "Hey Man, Nice Shot" from them. Another random fun fact about Richard Patrick - his older brother played the T1000 in Terminator 2. Ya'll do good work! Watched a few of your vids and have officially subscribed.

On nine inch nails 2005 album With Teeth lot of the drums were done by Dave grohl

2 bands that do amazing covers of this are SEVENDUST and IN FLAMES

I saw NIN on The Downward Spiral tour live and it was amazing !!! Everybody in our group was tripping and that giant screen combined with the music and the deep bass is a show I will never forget ! Marylin Manson opened up for them before they were big time famous and super over the edge freaky looking as they ended up becoming . Marylin just had on leather pants and no shirt like your standard rock star look ya know ? Before all the theatrics . Great show still though .

Awesome guys, i used to release my angst to NIN and other industrial and gothic metal type bands.

And also check out the song "disapointed" from the same concert. Amazing visuals.

I'd recommend the NIN song Happiness In Slavery from the "Broken" EP. Another favorite is Reptile from "Downward Spiral"

Trent has studio musicians come in. He can play multiple instruments - keyboards, bass, guitar. He gets a lot of drummers in.

There's a version of this song featuring David Bowie. For his album Outside in the 90's, he went on tour with NIN across the USA. Bye the way, you should listen to this album. You can start with Heart's Filthy Lesson, or Hello Spaceboy. This is nothing like the Bowie you know!!

Maybe you guys should react to Trent and David Bowie's collaborations. They did a song called I'm Afraid of Americans together, and they also performed live together a few times.

Johnny Cash's version is definitely up there with things like Disturbd's Sound of Silence and Shinedown's Simple Man.

Awesome reaction guys johnny cash is a legend and Trent Reznor is awesome ducess 🤣🤣🤣

Other industrial bands: Nitzer Ebb, and my second favorite, Mussolini Headkick.

Trent has been quoted as saying that Hurt was no longer his song. Johnny cash made it his.

Morning fellas! I love NIN!!! Such a good song! And wished it was longer too! Love johnny cashs version too! Check out more songs by NIN album pretty hate machine! Great album front to back!❤️🤓

I'd never heard a live version of NIN, I can't do a who did it better because they are both in a juxtaposition to each other. Trent was a younger man that dealt with different circumstances. Johnny was an older man knowing his days with his loved ones were coming to an end. Time ultimately changed the internal meaning of a very profound song to each of the artists, that's how I see it anyway. Sometimes a cover can make certain lyrics hit harder or have more depth or a message more reachable, that doesn't mean 'better' just different 💞❤‍🔥.

You can't beat the original because you can just tell it comes from his soul.