10 Great Non-Rock Covers Of Rock Songs
1. Johnny Cash - Hurt (Originally By Nine Inch Nails)
Look, it's been said before but it bears repeating - Johnny Cash's version of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt is beyond perfect.
Originally released by Trent Reznor and co. in 1995, The Man in Black took on the song in 2002 despite his failing health and fragile state of mind. In fact, seven months after the iconic video was shot, both Cash and his wife June would be dead.
All this tragedy merely adds to the legend of this song. Here is a man who has lived a life of dizzying highs and stomach-turning lows, a man who experienced all the raw emotions life had to offer and paid the price for it. His story is tailormade for the lyrics of Hurt, which is baffling considering he didn't write them.
The song strips away almost everything from the original except the basic tune. Played on a sparse array of guitars and piano, Hurt zeroes in on Cash's failing voice, creating a truly captivating sense of intimacy.
It's like listening to a message from beyond; like Cash's spirit is still alive in its notes. Simply put, it's one of the best covers of all time - rock or otherwise.