Johnny Cash Case Study

Johnny Cash, born on February 26, 1932 was an American country singer-songwriter, actor and author. He is acknowledged as one of the most influential musicians in the 20th century.

Cash has achieved numerous honours and awards as well as creating his own legacy. His rebellious image and anti-authoritarian stance influenced punk rock genre. In 1999, Cash received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received in his own spot in the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as debuting in numerous Halls of Fame.

Cash gain recognition through his songs: Give My Love to Rose, Solitary Man, God's Gonna Cut You DOwn, At Folsom Prison and more which has won various awards including Grammy Awards.

His cover of 'Hurt' originally by Nine Each Nails sparked the media gaining numerous awards from Counrty Music Awards to the Grammys.

Johnny Cash - Hurt (Official Music Video)

The music video was directed by Mark Romanek, an American director known for his notable work such as this music video, Scream by Michael & Janet Jackson and Closer by Nine Inch Nail.

The music video portrays Johnny Cash's days of youth and in his older years. This msuic video is one of the most important work of Johnny Cash as this is the last music video he has done before passing away in September, 2003.

Nine Each Nails - Hurt (Official Music Video)

This original music video by the original artist, Nine Each Nails is much different than Johnny Cash's.Their music video genre is whole-performace live based whereas Johnny Cash's is hybrid of Performance and Specticle.

"Hurt"
I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

[Chorus:]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

[Chorus:]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

The lyrics portray depressive mood through the line 'I hurt myself today', however this could change into a phase of moving on through the lines:

'If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way'



However, in Johnny Cash's video; Mark Romanek displayed his life from his younger years to his older years. This changed the view of the song giving it another definition: "capturing both his past and the stark reality of the present."