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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 ....

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

Lead singer for nine inch nails wrote this song. After he recorded it he had a realization that this song was for Johnny Cash. So nine inch nails contacted Johnny Cash and he said you going to think I'm crazy but I think I just wrote a song about you and for you. Johnny read the song and recorded it. After 9 inch nails heard Johnny do the song he confirmed that that was Johnny Cash's song. After Johnny Cash daughter heard the song she started crying and said she didn't like the song Johnny asked her why. Cuz she said it sounds like you're saying goodbye Daddy. He passed away shortly after recording this song. He is a legend and he never let the music industry ever put him in a box. He wrote his songs for the common working man. R.I.P Man in Black.

Johnny was so big for so many years! The man in black! Being born in 1960 I remember him as only bigger than life!

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.

I consider this one of the most emotional videos to watch on UKposts. 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.

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.

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."

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

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

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

I'm an old hard rock fan but this right here is a profound, timeless work of art.

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

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 picture was of his mom. His wife, June, comes into the video later. She died a few months after this video was filmed. He died a few months after her. Absolutely an incredible video. I am 40 years old and some of this really hits home at this stage of my life.

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.😊

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

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

You've done an AMAZING job "analyzing" this video Rosalie !! This last video by Johnny Cash never fails to make my eyes water up 😢.

The woman in the photo is his mother. And June wasn't planned on being in the video. She just was around during the recording session and it was an impromptu idea for her to be included. Also, the House of Cash was a museum own and operated by Johnny Cash and his family. It closed down sometime in 2002 or 2003 and Johnny filmed this video there during the closure. It never reopened after his death.

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.

This is the first time I have watched you and you are spot on I felt you and Johnny cash I have a vintage music store in the uk and you have inspired me the way you done this reaction ❤❤❤

👍🇺🇲❤ RIP.....MR. CASH 🎸....❤ GOD ❤ BLESS U & YOUR LOVED ONES XOXOXOX

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

Johnny crawled into a cave on his land until his light finally went dim, to die. He awoke to the lord telling him that wasnt Johnny's choice so he crawled on his hands and knees for hours until he had seen a light. From then on he was a blessed man.

This song was made specifically for me. This would also be my last hoorah song to play for those at my funeral. Sticking it to them, those that nothing was good enough, no appreciation. He shows the lavish dinners, the materialistic things, nothing was enough. Then the false accusation (the crown of thorns) which lead to seperation and he is saying it from HIS liars chair as i am sitting on hers as i type. yes they go away in the end, and i at least hope they finally appreciate at least the pile of dirt i leave behind for them. Life Sucks Life is not Fair But i have no regrets not thinking of myself but about everyone else. much love from the caribbean. PS i feel so sad he had to go this way. But i feel all good men end up this way.

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

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.

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

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.

wow...what a wonderful reaction.... a worthy reaction, thank you.

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.

Wow, your review of this song was simply incredible!

Hi Rosalie. I stumbled on this reaction and absolutely did not regret it. Your analysis is right on point, relevant and quite emotional (which is a very good thing!) as "Hurt" by Johnny Cash is one of my favorite. 5 months ago, up here in northern Quebec, the signer of a french band, Les Cowboys Fringants (yup, The Frisky Cowboys!) died due to prostate cancer. Days before he passed away, he recorded 6 songs that would appear on their last album, leaving behind his wife (also member of the band) and his 2 daughters. I know that French isn't your first language (neither is it for most of your followers), but one song amongst the 6 recorded is litterally a musical testament. It is called "La Fin du Show", the end of the show. You might want to get a translation of the lyrics, since it's sang in Quebec french. The video broke the Million views in 5 days. Although it might not be amazing if you compare that to other famous singers, but for a band of a canadian province of 8 millions, it's a big achievement. On that, have a great day!

The piano closing hits hard.

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 ❤

Even though it was one of the last songs he wrote, this was probably his best.

I. Will never not tear up hearing this.

Still packs a huge emotional punch.

he made that his song like no one else ever did

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

Excellent reaction young lady.

Great reaction. Thank you.

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

You feel it deep inside because he felt it😢😢😢😢

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

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.

Man I can't believe this song is 20 years old now. Damn it goes fast

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 didn’t want to cry right now, but here we are.

Your reactions are so eye opening Rosalie. You come across as a truly beautiful and genuine soul. Thank you❤. I think the original lyrics were solely about someone's struggle with substance abuse (hence the needle reference). Johnny Cash made them so much more relatable to most people. He appears as an old man who knows that he is about to die. He cleans out his closet and sums up his life. He has had a long, adventurous life. He went through successes, failures, drug abuse and imprisonment. Got back on his feet and was once again successful, famous and admired. A true legend. So as it nears the end, he asks: What did I achieve? Will it all be just another pile of dirt? It's so heartbreakingly existential. Perhaps the most important piece of music he left behind.

He was one of the all time greats in any genre of music. God bless you, sir

This song means so to me. A recovering addict i have felt nothing. The lack of feelings are so unbearable that you look for any stimulation.

This performance always brings a tear to my eye. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

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

intelligent and intense reactions.

House of cash is a museum

I get that all this physical shit we aquire thru life doesnt matter a thing in the end, its more important the relationships we develop thru out life. Thats just me. Its so true, everyone I know goes away in the end.

The woman in the picture was his mother. His parents were share croppers and the white house was the home he grew up on. The footage came from a TV special done on him in the 70s.

His honesty really hurts. 😢👍

Truly one of my favorite muscisicians of all times.

I will miss Jerry Lewis. I was able to be at his home in Nevada and seeing all the beautiful birds he had. It would of been amazing to meet mr.cash

If you DIDN'T feel like crying at the end, I would be concerned... NiN made this powerful when it was released... Johnny Cash made it LEGENDARY.

Highs and lows, good and bad, but still a great man.

Thank you for giving this man, this song, and his life the time and love it deserves ❤ Love the Selena shirt too btw😊❤

After Trent Reznor heard the song he says the song no longer belongs to him.

I think everybody cries listening to this. I think because it's everybodys life, in a way and we know it all. But when an old wise man tells you, you can no longer hide it within yourself... or something like that. Seize the day!

Wonderful reaction, your thoughts and comments are right on and wonderful. You really got to the heart of the message. It brought tears to my eyes as I could relate to wishing I had done things different and how I would if I could start again.

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

The guy from nine inch nails said that this johnny cash"s song now it is his Honorable statement

Love cash love his music from Ireland love the show

You should check out the original song live from "nine inch nails" the man who accually went though all this pain as a young man. I think the song works for John as well as an older man. The last line really works for Trent since he was a much younger man at the time and had time "to find a way"

NIN said this was his song after he did this, it’s insane and beautiful

The original by NIN is a man deep in depression and addiction Cash is a man at the end of his life looking back

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.

💯💔A masterpiece layered upon a masterpiece... A powerful and moving reaction ❣

He was a good man, nice reaction 👍 He did a lot quietly behind the scenes for the handicap and there families.

This was simply his farewell. This was an old man at the end of his life, something all of us will be someday. reflecting on memories, regrets on everyone you hurt, the fame was his dream once but it changed him to something he didn't like.vthe best line is the last. If he could go back he'd keep himself. In other words, don't sell your soul because it's all you have at the end.

The lead singer of 9ins Nails acknowledged the Cash version.

Thank u for ure insight.

Do Not be ashamed of youre Feelings period

Amazing insight, thank you, I feel this song is my life and I feel that so many people do as well.