"Hurt", released in 1994, was written by Nine Inch Nails band member Trent Reznor. His song earned a Grammy award nomination in 1996 for best rock song. Trent wrote "Hurt" from the perspective of a young man struggling with depression and drug addiction.
In 2002, Johnny Cash covered "Hurt" earning both commercial and critical acclaim. Reznor praised Cash's interpretation of the song for it's "sincerity and meaning", going so far as to say "that song isn't mine anymore".
Johnny Cash was gently persuaded to cover this song, thanks to the influence of musical genius of Rick Rubin, who produced what would become Cash's final album. For the rest of the story, make use to watch "The Greatest Cover Song of all Time".