The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 4


'Hurt'
Johnny Cash (2002)

The Breakdown: In failing health, the great American singer tolls a death knell for the rest of us with this brutal Nine Inch Nails song about addiction and self-destruction.

The Waterworks: "And you could have it all/My empire of dirt/I will let you down/I will make you hurt."

Casualty Count: Everyone he knows ("goes away in the end").

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