I dunno, I think Cash is just as rawly emotional, it’s just a different expression of a slightly different emotion. Reznor is expressing bleak despair in the midst of a Downward Spiral of self abuse, Cash is expressing bleak regret bearing the weight of decades of decisions.

Maybe it’s just because I have a soft spot for old, tough men expressing vulnerability, but

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

hits way more raw coming from an old guy.