Reaction to Julia Nilon's Reaction to "Hurt" sung by Johnny Cash.

You have brilliantly captured the true and undeniable essence of this song, Julia. Johnny Cash's intense introspective into what he had accomplished during his long and storied musical career and the emptiness that he felt at the end is truly a jarring tragedy. The things that he once valued in his younger days and the things that he sadly missed or willfully ignored along the way is a valuable lesson to all of us. We must not fall into the abysmal trap that he did. The ephemeral trappings of success can quickly fade away or gather dust in a dark, cold, empty room. The real success comes from the wonderful and lasting memories that friends and family can make together, unfettered by shallowness, pomposity, materialism or the numbing and detrimental effects of drug, alcohol abuse, neglect, and infidelity. What really counts is what is carefully and lovingly nurtured in the heart. Close, intimate, organic experiences do build the solid foundations which will sustain a person through both the storms and tranquility of life. This video pointedly reveals that incredible success is definitely not the sole means to find true fulfillment. That can be attained through the more subtle and so-called mundane things which add to life's treasured experiences and that enriches the soul. The priceless asset that brings all of this together is true love. It also can bring about healing and redemption. This process, admittedly, can be very messy.

The joltingly eclectic and striking visual elements add such a startlingly profound kick to the lyrics. It is so very heartbreaking to see. They create a complete 360-degree field of vision that gives one an incredibly profound purpose, meaning, clarity, and immersive depth to the words of the song. The extremely morose story that this video relates is so very deep and emotional on so many multiple levels. One can readily hear the raw, chilling, and painful emotions emerging in Cash's mature voice as he expresses his many heartfelt regrets. The video, itself, creates such a beautiful, interwoven artistic tapestry which so strongly tugs at one's heartstrings and thoroughly shakes one's soul. It is fiercely epic in its very unusually intimate storytelling. It is Johnny's confessional. This is truly a vocal and visual masterpiece that cannot and should not be ignored. It is a musical legacy that Johnny Cash, himself, leaves to his fans to fully reflect and learn from. It is a soulful revelation that he freely gives to each and every one of us without the slightest degree of hesitation or reservation. When we listen to Cash's unforgettable rendition to this deeply disturbing song, we have a unique opportunity to glean deep insights from a man who has done it all. This can only come about if we are truly discerning and open to counsel from a man who is human, flawed, and who has committed a multitude of regrettable mistakes in his life. We can all benefit from these truthful revelations no matter how painful they may be. The sage wisdom that is so viscerally and forcefully imparted is potentially life-changing if heeded. It is the precious gift that is so lovingly fostered from a sober farewell originating from the iconic legend who is Johnny Cash. It is notable that from a position of frailty, weakness, and old age, he summons up enormous superhuman strength to get his final, powerful points across. He was a man with a purposeful mission that was near and dear to his heart, and he accomplished it well.

Thanks, Julia, for having the immense courage and the dogged determination and fortitude to complete this intensely emotional and upsetting video review. People who are sensitive, empathetic, and who have goodness in their hearts, will definitely find this video deeply thought-provoking, quite disturbing, and perhaps physically draining. I think that this is the most down-to-earth, gritty song ever sung by Johnny Cash. It is real. It is universal. It springs up from a mortally wounded and saddened heart. It can really motivate a person to do some serious soul-searching and is a stunningly impactful reality check.

In retrospect, Johnny Cash's masterful performance cuts through the vast portals of time and space. It is a testament to his being and to his stark, honest motivation that he can still influence people from beyond the grave. This has been done so masterfully, despite originating from out of the bowels of despair and abject shame. If we heed his warnings, the light of positivity can emerge from the darkness of regret freeing us from the cruel and heavy shackles of guilt and paralysis. The enduring relevancy of this last poignant video of Johnny Cash will remain steadfastly timeless in scope and magnitude. It is his final heartfelt farewell and a powerful final attempt at mentorship on both a broadly personal and public level.

The choice of Johnny Cash's covering Trent Reznor's song was a match made in heaven. It's content aligned perfectly with Cash's purposeful execution of the song. Though generations apart, it was timeless in content and served as a meaningful vehicle for Cash's regret-driven motivation. He made it his own.