Rhetoricalessay
Rhetoricalessay
Rhetoricalessay
Zach Gregory
English 1201
19 June 2020
We all hurt in different ways
There are some songs that speak to a generation while others may hold some
significance for the individual person. Some songs are special enough that they can speak
to many in different ways. These songs, transcend the testament of time and find new
meaning to those that come across it. The introduction of a music video can significantly
effect the meaning of a song. “Hurt” by Nine inch Nails was written in 1994, by Trent
Reznor the band’s lead singer, and released in 1995 as part of the band’s second studio
album. Johnny Cash released his version of the song seven years later in 2002. Reznor’s
version of the song addressed all people about the pointlessness of violence. Cash’s
The original video creates an ambiance of doom and gloom. A sweaty Reznor
stands alone on a stage with images projected on a screen behind him. The whole video is
shot in black and white while the background images flickered as if they were from a
1950s silent film. There are snippets of men, women, and children all effected by the
violence of war. A man can be seen to have been impacted by shrapnel to his face. A
mother holds her child to her chest. Several animals are shown accelerated, decaying into
the ground. There is an image of a snake and a chameleon. Towards the end, a bird
Cash’s version is shot in color and seems to tell more of a story than the original.
The video still has a gloomy presence but has staged scenes which makes it somehow
less raw than the version put out by Reznor. There are scenes from Cash’s life and career
mixed in between shots of him in his home sitting around luxury. He plays the piano
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Zach Gregory
English 1201
19 June 2020
while the song climaxes. We see memorabilia and awards from his career. The video
shows video reel from Cash visiting his childhood home along with reels of his wife and
children. Cash is seen sitting alone at a table full of luxurious food and drink. There are
Both videos use old footage to portray their viewpoints. Cash’s version shows old
video throughout his career while Reznor’s version shows footage from events in the
world. Both videos use these images to appeal to the viewers emotions. Feelings of dread
and darkness are portrayed in both versions of this song. The lyrics from each remain
similar if not exactly the same. A few words have been changed from the original version
of the song written by Reznor. Both videos share a stance on violence, evil, and war.
While Reznor’s version of the song targets a broad audience and speaks upon
public violence, evil, and war; Cash’s version speaks only for the violence, evil, and war
within oneself. This is evident, not only, in the images of each music video but the way
the videos were shot. The original version was filmed using a real crowd during a
concert. The later video is a recording of only Cash and his wife in their private home.
Reznor stands in front of images of literal death and decay. You can tell the people that
have been hurt in the video reel were effected by war due to uniforms and helmets
shown. The video compares us to animals showing a snake and a chameleon. Metaphors
for evil and those that hide right in front of our eyes.
Although these two versions are years apart in the making, the messages remain
similar. The original version targets people of the masses while the later version targets
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Zach Gregory
English 1201
19 June 2020
anyone that can see the monster within themselves. Both videos appeal to pathos and play
on the emotions of the viewer. Symbolic images are shown in both versions leaving the
viewer to decide how they interpret the meaning. Reznor uses his platform to inform the
viewer of what is happening in their world. He opens the viewers eyes to a broader truth.
The Cash version of this song takes an introvert view on the lyrics. Cash takes a look
within himself and finds a narrow truth. Although they target separate audiences, both
videos hold the same message. The messages in both videos are that we all die and the
violence, destruction, and evil acts of this life will all be for nothing.
Works Cited
Cash, Johnny. “Hurt” YouTube, 13 September 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8AHCfZTRGiI
v=dhh21crSohs&list=RDMMdhh21crSohs&start_radio=1