This song makes into the list for 3 reasons. Musically it’s full of understated chords, repressed emotions and pithy lyrics that are profoundly moving. Secondly the video itself is a work of art; an abstract and a literal history of Cash’s life. Thirdly and most importantly ‘Hurt’ cannot be removed from its context; it was a cathartic epitaph to Cash’s life of past regrets. And who hasn’t felt regret in their life? Any man who claims to have lived a life without regret is a liar. Recorded shortly before the loss of his beloved wife and indeed his own passing, it was a fitting end to a legendary career. Trent Reznor may get the writing credits but ‘Hurt’ was made and owned by Johnny Cash.











