For a few weeks now, Johnny Cash’s American
IV: The Man Comes Around has been
a jukebox favorite at the bar I frequent on a regular basis, particularly his
rendition of Nine Inch Nails’ "Hurt." Thanks to an
article at Slate, I stumbled
across the
music video for the song, and I was downright shocked at how good
it is.
I can’t remember the last music video I saw…it’s been at least a few years,
probably more than that. Although I must admit I’m very curious to see one
by The Strokes, since part of me is
dying to know what my
old college nemesis has been up to (that’s a story for another day).
Regardless, this is an unusually honest video, that takes a look back at his
career and shows him as he is now. He’s not in the best of health and it shows…but
what really makes this a powerful bit of cinema are the shots of his wife,
both now, as she watches him perform and in archived videos of their better
days. It’s really something, and apparently my
reaction is the same as “Hurt” composer Trent Reznor’s. Even if you couldn’t
care less about Johnny Cash (and shame on you if you don’t…you need to hang
out in more bars!), check it out. It’s definitely worth the four minutes it’ll
take you to watch.
