Analysis of Song Lyrics Johnny Cash - Hurt

Johnny Cash - Hurt

I analysed the music video for Johnny Cash's Hurt but listened to the song and lyrics before hand. The song appears quite somber and melancholy from the acoustic guitar and blues harmony. As a listener you experience a great deal of emotion and understand his story through the pain in his voice.

[Verse 1:]

I hurt myself today

To see if I still feel - numb

I focus on the pain -

The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole - perhaps represents self harming or drug addiction

The old familiar sting

Try to kill it all away - bad memories/ suicide..?

But i remember everything - still remembers pain in the past

[Chorus:]

What have I become

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know goes away

In the end

And you could have it all

My empire of dirt - has nothing/worthless fame and fortune

I will let you down

I will make you hurt

[Verse 2:]

I wear this crown of thorns - religious connotation = Jesus

Upon my liar's chair - carrying a burden

Full of broken thoughts

I cannot repair - can not change past

Beneath the stains of time

The feelings disappear

You are someone else - change/ moved on

I am still right here

[Chorus repeats:]

If I could start again- wants 2 start over again/ feelings of regret

A million miles away

I would keep myself - would still remain the same

I would find a way