Full Of Broken Thoughts

It's possible that Johnny Cash might clean up at the MTV Awards for his rendition of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt." I'd just *love* it if he kicked the asses of Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake. Cash's "Hurt" is something the original song wasn't-- a kind of life-anthem, hauntingly resonant and utterly unforgettable. And since the passing of June Carter Cash, watching the video again has a kind of cruel poignancy, especially in those shots where she watches Johnny sing and you can see her sadness only barely restrained. Johnny's voice itself is unforgettable-- withered yet strong, it carries the lyrics with a kind of broken majesty that few other vocalists could. If Cash doesn't win in his categories, there is no justice.

.... And yes, I do know the MTV Awards are absolutely meaningless, rewarding more often than not the mmost insipid of acts simply because of their popularity and so forth. But I want Johnny to win, mainly because it would be a great personal consolation that people these days would value greatness over the pissant-ic. (Yes, I'm coining a new word there. I kinda like it. ;-) ).