Hurt – Johnny Cash (2002)

Johnny Cash is a singer-writer of country music born on February 26th, 1932, at Kingsland, Arkansas. He sold more than 90 millions albums during his 50 years carrier.

He was very close to his older brother Jack, so he has been shocked when, aged 14, he hurt himself with a circular saw and died.

At an early age, he began working in cotton fields where he is imerged in folk, country and gospel.

He signs his first album with Sun Records in 1954. At this time, he plays with “the Tennessee Two”.

In the beginning of the 60s, he plays more than 300 times on the same tour. He begin to drink huge quantities of alcool, takes amphetamines and barbiturates. He is soon to become alcoolic and drug addict.

In 1965, on his way back from Mexico, he was arrested by the narcotics squad who seeks heroin. He was only carying amphetamines (legal at this time), he is released.

In 1968, thanks to June Carter and her family, he managed to quit drugs after a month of isolation.

Close to the end of his life, he meets the producer Rick Rubin with whom he released a serie of 6 albums on which we can find cover songs from various artists such as: U2, Nick Cave, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden or even Leonard Cohen.

He dies on September 12th, 2003, only 4 months after the death of his wife June Carter.

“my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt”

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Further information on Wikipedia [en]
‘Hurt’ Live on Youtube
Buy American IV: The Man Comes Around on Amazon.com