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Hurt

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Note: to play the chorus correctly and simulate the piano playing, keep the G on the third fret of the
high e string fretted with your pinky. This makes the chords G major, Am7, Fadd9, and C major. I also
suggest playing a Hendrix Fadd9, so wrap your thumb and play 1st fret low E string:
Am7 x-0-2-2-1-3
Fadd9 1-x-3-2-1-3
C x-3-2-0-1-3
G 3-x-0-0-0-3
The strum pattern for Intro/Verse/Transition is picked for the downs and strummed for the ups.
I suggest picking the A and D strings, and then up strum.
[Intro]
Am C D Am C D
[Verse 1]
AmI Churt mysDelf toAmday to Csee if DI still Amfeel
I Cfocus Don the pAmain the Conly thDing that's Amreal
The Cneedle Dtears a Amhole the Cold famDiliar stAming
Try to Ckill it Dall awAmay but I reCmember DeverythGing
[Chorus 1]
AmWhat have I becoFme? CMy sweetest frGiend
AmEveryone I kFnow goes away Cin the eGnd
And Amyou could have it aFll GMy empire of dirGt
AmI will let you dFown GI will make you hAmurt
[Transition]
(Am) C   D   Am   C  D  
[Verse 2]
AmI Cwear this Dcrown of Amthorns uCpon my Dliar's cAmhair
CFull of Dbroken thAmoughts CI cannDot reAmpair
BeCneath the sDtains of Amtime the Cfeelings DdisappeAmar
CYou are soDmeone eAmlse CI am sDtill right hGere
[Chorus 2]
AmWhat have I becoFme? CMy sweetest frGiend
AmEveryone I kFnow goes away Cin the eGnd
And Amyou could have it aFll GMy empire of Gdirt
AmI will let you dFown GI will make you Ghurt
[Outro]
If AmI could start agaFin a Gmillion miles aGway
AmI would keep mysFelf GI would find a way
(single strum)
All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Hurt" delves into themes of self-harm and heroin addiction, though its precise meaning is open to interpretation. Some listeners see it as a protagonist's suicide note born of depression, while others view it as a difficult journey to find a reason to live amidst pain. Johnny Cash's cover of the song, originally written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails for their 1994 album The Downward Spiral, gained significant acclaim. Reznor himself praised Cash's rendition for its "sincerity and meaning," feeling that the song no longer belonged to him after hearing it. Playing this song can evoke a profound sense of struggle and the search for meaning in the face of despair.

AI-written from these sources:Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song) — Wikipedia ↗Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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About Hurt Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Hurt by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hurt chords”, “Hurt guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Hurt chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Hurt chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hurt lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Fadd9, C, E, A, D.

FAQ — Hurt by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Hurt" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Hurt" by Johnny Cash on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Hurt" by Johnny Cash free?

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Can I transpose "Hurt" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Hurt" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hurt"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Hurt" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Hurt" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Hurt" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Hurt" in?

The chords for "Hurt" show the original chord names (including G, Fadd9, C, E, A, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.