In Trent Reznor’s Hurt, a dominant and compelling theme that has been conveyed

musically and visually is the theme of Despondency. The idea and concept behind
despondency has to do with state of crumbling spirits caused by a dark and dim truth that
seems utterly undeniable in terms of its existence. Essentially, despondency pairs with
and stems from mainly gloomy realization, learning saddening and horrific findings about
something. Along with the performance of Reznor, sets up a youthful and energic attitude
that collaborates with the grim screening of images and clips that invokes a cynical
realization. This manifest into the message that people who are young will face very
bleak moments in their lives. Instances of this case would be during the music, it
projected images of dead burning bodies and young soldiers whom are distraught by their
actions in war. Although, seeing a dead body would be a traumatic experience, the
audience were mesmerized and captivated by what’s being shown and continue to listen
through. The almost possessive singing of Reznor along with the dead body fuels the
audience that there is unjust and inhumane death of people when involving conflict
particularly wars. The disappointed and ashamed gazes and faces of soldiers emits their
possible regrets and shame for being part of these wars. Once more, amongst the flame
engulfed dead bodies that are scattered around in the picture, briefly there was a large
field of crosses. These crosses are a religious reference to invoke peace and rest for those
who died. But, given the amount of it shows the scale of how easily life could be taken
away. In relation to despondency, it reveals that even if causalities are piling up, wars and
conflict continue happen and take more lives. Thus, produces a dramatic picture that the
future appears distant and separated from any “good” times. Reznor continues to
reinforce despondency by showing the image of a fox decomposing. The decomposition
of a living organism goes back to the dead body, where flesh fades away and no longer
exist as a whole. This connects to the theme of despondency as it feels mortifying and
uncomfortable knowing how at the end of life one just breaks into pieces. With Reznor
energetic and intense vocals allows the audience to become glued to the dreadfulness of
death and how they need to be aware of.
However, while Cash may have adapted to the lyrics of Reznor’s Hurt, the visual
and musical components are completely different thus producing another theme.
Although, in context, that the “seasoned” singer is meeting his end and appears to have
accepted this gloomy realization, the concept more presently in the video is a theme of
Contemplation (self-reflection). Before understanding the theme, two necessary aspects
must be kept in mind: the first is Cash’s age and appearance, giving he is elderly and well
groomed would appeal to an older generation of fans and individuals; however, this
doesn’t mean younger people can’t enjoy or listen to. Also, this means that Cash won’t be
boasting the same amount of physical energy as Reznor has but relies more his emphasis
on the sound of the music. Second, given it being rock n roll, it sounds more gritty and
tough while Reznor was low tone and eerie. Moving on to the theme of the video, Cash
conveys a reflective vibe and view about his personal struggles, memories and possible
beliefs. Example would be an image of Jesus Christ being crucifixion and killed, which
by nature is showing a biblical association to his possible religious outlook and views.
The idea behind the death of Jesus Christ largely has to do with resurrection but also
humility and one giving up their own life for the sake of others. Pertaining to his
conscious acceptance of death, Cash is implying there is may be something after death
and that as he reaches the end he will embrace and stay truth to his faith. In the lyrics, he
mentions “I wear this crown of thorns” thus implementating another religious symbol
regarding the crown Christ wore. This shows his deep thinking and consideration about
how he lived his life and understanding of his faith and mortal beliefs. Cash feels he too
will be meeting his death and must confront it. Other important images include quick
showings of his gallery of rewards and items including a shattered album. Something as
valuable as a winning record album should be preserved however it’s placed on the floor
with broken shards of glasses providing a different idea about its meaning. Cash sees
little in need of material substance or rewards as they hardly define him of who he is as a
person. He makes lyrical emphasis on the phrase “my empire of dirt” which denotes his
serious thoughts that having all the expensive food, as in the video he sits at table with a
variety of food, and reward recognition isn’t something that completes him and has no
use for it. In addition, in the video he pours a cup of wine on the table to gesture he’s lack
of attachment to these materials. The theme of contemplation (self-reflection) is
integrated and embedded into this music as it set on a deep personal level where there’s
memory of his early career, youth with his wife and him on trains to get around.
Overall, both artists in their respective setting and strengths conducted and
orchestra powerful and immense responses and videos about their individuals message
and ideas. Reznor with his proactive and youthful energy along with the subject of
despondency and tragedy illuminated the dangers and deathly matters in the world and
how the young will come to soon find out and confront with. On the other hand, Cash
with his aged self and music working in tandem of the theme and concept of
contemplation, reflects moments and thoughts about his life and how he seems to reach
an conclusion about it. The one however, that produced a more powerful emotion and
cognition in correspondence to the video being created would have to be Reznor Hurt
song because it revealed and showcased stronger visual inputs such as explosions and the
dead bodies as the means to get his point and idea across by stirring up the raw feelings
of the youth.