Best cover ever?!
I'm a huge cash fan anyway but lately this song is my favourite.
The way he sings it you can tell he has such a connection with the lyrics and the simplicity of the music.
I really wish I could have seen him live!
I know it's probably an unpopular opinion, since everyone and his dog adores this cover (:p), but I prefer NIN's and really don't enjoy Cash's... I mean I'm not saying it's bad or anything, it just doesn't appeal to me.
(That's not to say I don't enjoy a lot of Cash's other material mind!)
I know it's probably an unpopular opinion, since everyone and his dog adores this cover (:p), but I prefer NIN's and really don't enjoy Cash's... I mean I'm not saying it's bad or anything, it just doesn't appeal to me.
(That's not to say I don't enjoy a lot of Cash's other material mind!)
I agree, NIN's version is better, but the cover by Cash is still good. It's far superior than that tripe served up by Leona Lewis.
I actually prefer the Johnny Cash version as well. I love the emotion he puts into it. The original is good too, but I don't connect to it in the same way.
I just don't 'get' Johnny Cash's music and never have, much to the bemusement of my wife who is a big fan So that particular cover doesn't do much for me. I do love the original, though and really like Leona Lewis' cover.
I prefer Leona's cover to Cash and NIN's covers....just my opinion....
I love Leona but I would say Johnny Cash's version is better. Of course her voice is great and her royal variety performance was spectacular. But I think her cover of "Color blind" puts it to shame, she puts so much emotion into that song.
I love Johnny Cash and this is one of my all time favourite songs. Its special because you can hear the hurt and pain in the song, I don't mind the NIN original, though they are in fact two very different songs. One is a bout addiction and the other is about a man coming to the end of his life and realising he is not enough. What makes is special is the fact Johnny was on his way out when recording, I don't think it would have had the same effect if he was a young man. I think the reason why its makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up is because his vocals sound so beat.
He takes songs to another level, just look at One for instance. A friend once told me that when Johnny Cash covers your song it isn't your song any more. That may sound hopelessly pretentious but he has a point.
I just don't 'get' Johnny Cash's music and never have, much to the bemusement of my wife who is a big fan So that particular cover doesn't do much for me..
yeah im not keen on johnny cash's material... its all pretty lame, except 'hurt', because it shows cash for being more then a cheesy country singer, its well out of his comfort zone, and he executes it brilliantly.
A friend once told me that when Johnny Cash covers your song it isn't your song any more. That may sound hopelessly pretentious but he has a point.
I believe Trent Reznor said something similar about this cover, too.
Just to reiterate what I was saying earlier, while I DO prefer NIN's version - I can certainly appreciate WHY people would prefer Cash's version. (I re-read what I put and didn't want to sound like I was saying everyone who preferred it was wrong haha)
I do also really like Leona's version, I mean her interpretation of the song is of course suited for her voice (I always see it as more of a 'bad/abusive relationship addiction' with her version). .. but I think a lot of people just see her as trying to "steal" the glory of JC's version or something (because she's 'mainstream'), but simply it was an EP she put out with her covering 3 of her favourite songs with a 'Leona' spin on it. Doesn't affect how I feel about the original whatseoever (or Cash's) and it shouldn't affect anyone else either. It's not like she 'ruined' it... I noticed the arrangement was based a bit more on the 'quiet' version of NIN's, which was cool.
(Sorry, I know that was a bit of a rant - but I hate it when people make ridiculous claims about mainstream artists covering songs - especially when they are genuinely talented)
I am tempted to agree not many artists get to sign off their career and their life in a video. More than touching and proof of the value of the artists life.
yeah im not keen on johnny cash's material... its all pretty lame, except 'hurt', because it shows cash for being more then a cheesy country singer, its well out of his comfort zone, and he executes it brilliantly.
It's not all 'lame', a lot of the hit singles perhaps.
Cash has a wicked sense of humour and mixed his spiritual and artistic visions at times. He was a deep thinking religious man, a bit like Van Morrison in that respect and full of contradictions, a bit like the conscience of America. The live prison records are brilliant..a true Country and Southern artist.
It's not all 'lame', a lot of the hit singles perhaps.
Cash has a wicked sense of humour and mixed his spiritual and artistic visions at times. He was a deep thinking religious man, a bit like Van Morrison in that respect and full of contradictions, a bit like the conscience of America. The live prison records are brilliant..a true Country and Southern artist.
well ive not heard everything by cash, so fair comment, but i havnt liked what ive heard so am unlikely to seek out other material.
It's not all 'lame', a lot of the hit singles perhaps.
Cash has a wicked sense of humour and mixed his spiritual and artistic visions at times. He was a deep thinking religious man, a bit like Van Morrison in that respect and full of contradictions, a bit like the conscience of America. The live prison records are brilliant..a true Country and Southern artist.
That reminds me, I absolutely adore his version of God's Gonna Cut You Down, and I really loved that 'tribute' video they did with a lot of artists/musicians. It was really nice, slightly morbid, but still really, really good.
That reminds me, I absolutely adore his version of God's Gonna Cut You Down, and I really loved that 'tribute' video they did with a lot of artists/musicians. It was really nice, slightly morbid, but still really, really good.
Yes, I know the video catches the essence of the guy.
I think it spoke volumes about Johnny Cash's ability when he covered it. Despite being incredibly old and fragile at the time. He still managed to deliver the emotion for it.
Problem with Leonas version was the production, basically some smart arse producer decided to try and be fancy with it. Piano in it slightly butchered it aswell. With Cash they just left an acoustic guitar in.
Comments
(That's not to say I don't enjoy a lot of Cash's other material mind!)
You're sacked .. please leave
It's a brilliant, brilliant song. Best cover ever for sure.
I agree, NIN's version is better, but the cover by Cash is still good. It's far superior than that tripe served up by Leona Lewis.
I think Leona's cover is quite good too. I think we're in the minority though, as most people seem to hate it.
I never got why people hated it, i thought she took the song, vocally, to a new level.
I think it's the same whenever a pop artist covers a classic rock song. Lana Del Rey's cover of Nirvana's 'Heart Shaped Box' got a similar reaction.
I agree about Leona's vocals though. She's an amazing singer and the power in her voice towards the end of the cover is fantastic.
I probably listened to Johnny Cash's and Leona's version of it more than the original though, Cash's version is really emotional.
I think you will find the NIN version is the original, not a cover version.......
I love Leona but I would say Johnny Cash's version is better. Of course her voice is great and her royal variety performance was spectacular. But I think her cover of "Color blind" puts it to shame, she puts so much emotion into that song.
He takes songs to another level, just look at One for instance. A friend once told me that when Johnny Cash covers your song it isn't your song any more. That may sound hopelessly pretentious but he has a point.
yeah im not keen on johnny cash's material... its all pretty lame, except 'hurt', because it shows cash for being more then a cheesy country singer, its well out of his comfort zone, and he executes it brilliantly.
I believe Trent Reznor said something similar about this cover, too.
Just to reiterate what I was saying earlier, while I DO prefer NIN's version - I can certainly appreciate WHY people would prefer Cash's version. (I re-read what I put and didn't want to sound like I was saying everyone who preferred it was wrong haha)
I do also really like Leona's version, I mean her interpretation of the song is of course suited for her voice (I always see it as more of a 'bad/abusive relationship addiction' with her version). .. but I think a lot of people just see her as trying to "steal" the glory of JC's version or something (because she's 'mainstream'), but simply it was an EP she put out with her covering 3 of her favourite songs with a 'Leona' spin on it. Doesn't affect how I feel about the original whatseoever (or Cash's) and it shouldn't affect anyone else either. It's not like she 'ruined' it... I noticed the arrangement was based a bit more on the 'quiet' version of NIN's, which was cool.
(Sorry, I know that was a bit of a rant - but I hate it when people make ridiculous claims about mainstream artists covering songs - especially when they are genuinely talented)
I am tempted to agree not many artists get to sign off their career and their life in a video. More than touching and proof of the value of the artists life.
It's not all 'lame', a lot of the hit singles perhaps.
Cash has a wicked sense of humour and mixed his spiritual and artistic visions at times. He was a deep thinking religious man, a bit like Van Morrison in that respect and full of contradictions, a bit like the conscience of America. The live prison records are brilliant..a true Country and Southern artist.
well ive not heard everything by cash, so fair comment, but i havnt liked what ive heard so am unlikely to seek out other material.
That reminds me, I absolutely adore his version of God's Gonna Cut You Down, and I really loved that 'tribute' video they did with a lot of artists/musicians. It was really nice, slightly morbid, but still really, really good.
Yes, I know the video catches the essence of the guy.
Leona puts her own spin on it also and it does work well, i love the power in her voice in the song.
Me too - its painfully moving.
Problem with Leonas version was the production, basically some smart arse producer decided to try and be fancy with it. Piano in it slightly butchered it aswell. With Cash they just left an acoustic guitar in.