Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” truly demonstrated the power of simplicity in guitar music. The guitar line has a haunting quality to it that perfectly complements Cash’s soulful singing. A single, somber acoustic guitar accompanies his voice, adding a palpable depth to the raw and honest lyrics.

“Hurt” is a relatively simple song to learn on the guitar, requiring only a handful of chords and a basic understanding of strumming patterns. The song is mainly played in the key of A minor, but the stark transition to the key of C major on the chorus adds another layer of complexity and emphasizes the emotional impact of the song. Even novice guitar players can learn to play “Hurt” and incorporate its haunting melody into their repertoire.