Hurt
Trent Reznor & Peter Murphy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end
cnd you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end
cnd you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down




I will make you hurt

If I could start again
c million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of "Hurt," the singer grapples with profound feelings of emptiness and despair. The act of hurting oneself serves as a grim reality check; it’s a way to feel something tangible in a world where emotional numbness prevails. The imagery of focusing on pain as the "only thing that's real" speaks to a deep existential crisis, where pain becomes a means of confirming one's existence. The reference to "the needle" evokes the idea of substance abuse, suggesting that the singer is resorting to self-destructive behaviors as a way to cope with their internal turmoil. This duality of desire to escape pain and the inevitability of remembering it highlights a struggle between fleeting relief and the lasting impact of one’s choices, creating a powerful juxtaposition that sets the tone for the rest of the song.


As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the weight of his existence, expressing a deep-seated sense of loss and regret. The question "What have I become?" serves as a haunting admission of personal deterioration, conveying a feeling of alienation from one's former self. The phrase "my sweetest friend" implies that despite the pain, there is an acknowledgment of a deeper connection, perhaps with someone who once provided solace. However, this is quickly overshadowed by the realization that everyone in the singer's life eventually departs, reinforcing a pervasive sense of isolation. The metaphor of "my empire of dirt" starkly encapsulates the futility of earthly accomplishments. It resonates with the idea that material success and relationships can be fleeting, ultimately leading to disappointment. The promise that the singer will let others down accentuates a cycle of self-sabotage and betrayal that emerges from their pain.


The third verse delves into the burden of guilt and regret. The "crown of thorns" is a striking biblical reference that symbolizes suffering and sacrifice, suggesting the singer feels trapped in a persona built on lies and deceit. This "liar's chair" paints a vivid image of a throne constructed not from respect or authenticity but rather from manipulation and brokenness. The acknowledgment of "broken thoughts" underlines a profound cognitive dissonance, reflecting a mind overwhelmed with feelings that cannot be reconciled. Time’s decay is evident in the line "beneath the stains of time," indicating that, despite the passage of time, the emotional scars remain. The shift in perspective where "you are someone else" portrays disconnection not only from others but also from oneself, as the singer laments the loss of identity amid the chaos of their feelings.


In the song's closing lines, there is a yearning for redemption and the possibility of starting anew. The desire to be "a million miles away" signifies a wish to escape the current reality and the intrinsic pain associated with it. The statement "I would keep myself" reflects a longing to retain one’s true self, suggesting that the singer feels a sense of alienation from who they have become. There's an overarching wish to find a path back to authenticity and healing, to reclaim lost parts of themselves that have been overshadowed by struggle and suffering. The poignant simplicity of this hope encapsulates the essence of the human condition – the desire to overcome hardship and the longing for a second chance. Ultimately, "Hurt" becomes a meditation on the profound complexities of pain, loss, and the intricate journey toward self-discovery and healing amid life's relentless challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

I hurt myself today
In this moment of self-inflicted pain, I confront my emotional numbness and seek a connection to my own humanity.


To see if I still feel
I engage in this act of pain to determine whether I am still capable of experiencing any kind of emotion or sensation.


I focus on the pain
I center my attention on this physical suffering, which seems more tangible and authentic than my mental anguish.


The only thing that's real
This pain is the sole aspect of my existence that feels genuine amidst the chaos of my life.


The needle tears a hole
The drug use creates a destructive void within me, signifying both addiction and the craving to escape.


The old familiar sting
This sensation is not new to me; it brings back memories of past pain and suffering that I cannot escape.


Try to kill it all away
I attempt to erase all my emotional suffering by numbing myself through any means possible.


But I remember everything
No matter how hard I try to forget, the memories of my past haunt me relentlessly.


What have I become
I find myself questioning my identity and the person I have turned into amidst all of this pain.


My sweetest friend
The one I hold dear, who reflects my most intimate truths and struggles, still remains close.


Everyone I know
All the connections and relationships I've built throughout my life seem transient and fleeting.


Goes away in the end
Ultimately, every significant person I've encountered seems to fade or leave my life over time.


and you could have it all
You have the potential to acquire everything one could desire, a life full of passion and fulfillment.


My empire of dirt
What I thought I had built—a life or legacy—has turned out to be insubstantial and meaningless.


I will let you down
I acknowledge my inevitable failures to meet your expectations, causing you disappointment.


I will make you hurt
My actions will inevitably inflict pain on you, as I cannot escape my own destructive tendencies.


I wear this crown of thorns
I carry the heavy burden of my guilt and suffering, a reminder of my painful choices and regrets.


Upon my liar's chair
In this position of manipulation and falsehood, I sit, surrounded by self-deceit and dishonesty.


Full of broken thoughts
My mind is cluttered with fragmented ideas and feelings that I struggle to make sense of or repair.


I cannot repair
There exists a sense of hopelessness as I recognize my inability to fix the shattered pieces of my psyche.


Beneath the stains of time
As time progresses, the marks left by my experiences and choices become more pronounced and haunting.


The feelings disappear
Emotions that once defined me slowly fade away, leaving me feeling increasingly hollow.


You are someone else
The person I once knew has transformed, leaving me feeling alienated and disconnected.


I am still right here
Despite the changes around me, I remain caught in this cycle of pain and reflection, unable to move forward.


What have I become
Once again, I am confronted with the realization of my own deterioration and lost potential.


My sweetest friend
The bond we shared seems dulled by the reality of my struggles, yet I still hold this friendship dearly.


Everyone I know
Reiterating the temporary nature of human connection in my life—a truth that weighs heavily on me.


Goes away in the end
An acknowledgment that all relationships eventually lead to separation, leaving me in solitude.


and you could have it all
The potential you have to achieve greatness or happiness stands in contrast to my own failures.


My empire of dirt
Again reflecting the emptiness of my ambitions; I realize they have led to nothing of worth.


I will let you down
A promise of inevitable disappointment, acknowledging that my limitations will affect you.


I will make you hurt
Recognizing that my inability to cope with my struggles will cause emotional pain to those around me.


If I could start again
Contemplating the possibility of a fresh beginning, yet longing for a chance to rewrite my past mistakes.


a million miles away
Imagining a place or state of mind far removed from my current reality, where I could escape my pain.


I would keep myself
In this new existence, I would hold onto my true essence and self-worth, unmarred by my experiences.


I would find a way
I am determined to rediscover a path to healing and redemption, regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Sinistralooming

Peter still sounds amazing. What a voice, what a man

@MazIOO-nr8xl

Sinistra Looming 2587 69 93 96 Mn

@666finnegan

The fact is, this song is a masterpiece. No matter who sings it.

@ArmedPoverty

Guest vocalist: Count Dracula

@rattusmortis

Not Bela's...perhaps Peter Cushing?

@angharad588

lol

@mhildebrand6849

I just SPIT out my soda reading this....OMFG!! HAHAHA!!

@SandraLovesSun

HAHAHAHA OMG

@jimmyjump8335

Lol for real though

1 More Replies...

@LadyMoonwitch

Murphy's voice is a drug that blows me away. He takes me to the most obscure part of myself. This song by itself it's fantastic with the prince of darkness what can we expect? Just wonderful.

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