Old School vs. New One, Essay Example

There is probably no such thing which may reflect the essence of the culture and epoch as a single song interpreted under different covers. Sometimes second version is more successful and praise than the initial one; sometimes it is vice versa. The secret is not only in the difference of understanding and thus interpretation of the song by two different artists but also in its perception by the various categories of audience. The aim of the offered essay is not in making a conclusion of which interpretation is better; the aim is to characterize both variants in the close comparison in order to understand what cultures and epoch those songs represent and who they influence. Therefore, the central thesis of the work is to analyze songs’ performances in respect to the epoch characteristics of performance, songs meaning due to this performance and how they interact. The chosen pair of musical works is “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nail (NIN) and its cover by Johnny Cash.

There is not many music work that can be separated from its performer, the “Hurt” is not an exception from this rule. Like NIN, the modern industrial rock group, their performance of the song is heavier than its cover performed by Johnny Cash. The first difference is in genres and styles, while, in NIN’s case, the features are of rock, Cash’s interpretation is closer to the country style or the cowboy ballade. Rock atmosphere is created by the use of electronic instruments, presence of percussions on the background of the composition, metal emphasis of the focal point of storytelling. Country style was delivered by instrumental sounds of guitar and background of piano. Thus, each performer uses his characteristic style of singing and composing musical work. Subsequently, their personality and belonging to a certain epoch change audiences’ perception of the whole composition.

The structure of NIN’s performance is almost twice longer than its cover version. This is conditioned not only by the length of the song, but by the use of additional special effects. The intro and outro of the NIN’s variant use echo-effect as a means of philosophic interpretation of songs meaning, creating the feeling of length and durability essential for the comprehension of life durability and complexity (Huxley 1997). Additional passages that interrupt song’s narration only add to the feeling of waiting, anxiety to proceed while the time has run out. Duration and time length are also outlined by the singer’s melancholic voice timber. Cash’ intro and outro, together with the whole narration speak of finality of the time. Intro is a regular entrance with instrumental guitar accords and straightforward beginning of the narration. Performer’s voice reflects not melancholy, but finality and exhaustion, just as a singer himself, his performed hero faces the final stage of his life with calmness and patience (Huss and Werther 2008). The time is not lasting eternally like in NIN’s performance, where the end is not emphasized. The outro of Cash’s cover is particularly clear – the final phrase “I would find way” end together with the last chord and a few seconds of silence as the end of composition. The message is clear – the end of the way and drop-curtain.

On the example of musical works’ composition and difference in their emphasis of meaning, the difference of the epochs, two performers belongs to become even more vivid. Irrespective of the fact that the story tells about life lived, in NIN’s performance it is not over yet, there is still time to think about everything, or have another cigarette, while, in Cash’s interpretation, the life is lived and end instantly, like the last chord of guitar or a final sigh. Although chronologically Cash’ cover was created in 2002 and NIN’s original composition in 1994, Cash represents the old school of musical works performance, while NIN belongs to the contemporary music culture. The style of NIN’s song gives an impression that there is still time to change something, and the new generation will be able to do it, while Cash gives an impression that it is over, his times and his generation are long gone and there are very few things to be done in this world. It is not accidently that he died in a year after the performance of this song. The coming time was already in the air, and it was felt through his interpretation of the “Hurt” (Huss and Werther, 2008).

Another essential difference in works performance is the means of communicating with the audience. Cash is strictly attached to the uninterruptable flow of the song, making sounds as the background of the whole composition; thus, he contacts audience mainly with words, their meaning, his tone an intonation of the story narration (Huss  and Werthern 2008). On the other hand, NIN places emphasis on the sound effects as a means of communicating with the audience. He makes it feel through the sound passages, creating a creating a certain mood for the whole narration. Subsequently, the narration cannot be separated from the sounds (Huxley 1997). This difference reflects the specifics of target audiences for both performers and modern tendency in music consumption. While traditional comprehension and evaluation of the music was paying attention to the contents of the song, harmony or words and melody, nowadays music perception and consumption is more based on sound effects rather than contents of the work. It does not mean that words are not important; it is just that sound effect is put in the foreground and words re heard only afterwards. At least this is what the song “Hurt” shows.

Overall, analysis of the “Hurt” showed that in ideas disseminations via music not only contents of the song, but style and its performer’s charisma are essential. Irrespective of the same text of the song, NIN’s and Cash’s performances are entirely different. NIN represents modern industrial rock perception of the life lived, time length and the endlessness of space. This is achieved by means of electronic music, percussions in the background, multiple sound effects and song’s length. In his cover version of the “Hurt” Johnny Cash represents traditional instrumental guitar performance of country/cowboy ballade, which emphasis the finality of life and inevitable regrets in the face of coming death. Cash’s belonging to the outgoing epoch was shown by his emphasis on words and art of his voice intonation, as main means influencing audience’s feelings. On the other hand, nowadays sound is the first thing which is noticed by the young audience.

References

Huss, J., Werther, D. 2008. Johnny Cash and philosophy: the burning ring of truth. New York: Open Court.

Huxley, M. 1997. Nine Inch Nail. New York: St. Martin Griffin.