2. Johnny Cash - Hurt
Johnny Cash had already cemented his status as a music legend well before releasing this cover. His career had seen so many ups and downs that he probably had no idea which way was up and which way was down anymore. The last thing anyone expected from Cash at 70 years old was a career resurgence and it's for damn sure that no expected him to kick off that resurgence with a cover of a Nine Inch Nails song. Lyrically this song was made for Jonny Cash. In a sense Trent Reznor's lyrics describe Cash's journey in a way that even he couldn't have done better himself. Johnny Cash's delivery here is what truly sells this song and makes the cover as great as it is. Where Reznor broods Cash takes it slow and let's you experience the song from the perspective of a man that is reflecting on 10 lifetimes worth of mistakes. Nine Inch Nail's version is a great song in it's own right but where their version is undeniably depressing Cash somehow finds a way to make sadness sound inspirational. Not only did this cover manage to introduce Johnny Cash to a whole new generation it also scored him a platinum record and a MTV Music Video Award...at 70 years old! Nine Inch Nails also benefitted from the attention that Cash's song was getting in the form of much more radio play for their own version. This song gets a lot of credit for renewing public interest in Johnny Cash and introducing him to a whole new generation.