Who did it better?

Johnny's is definitely more emotional, heart-wrenching, touching.

@UnsureForNow: it also helps if you know his personal details during that time frame.

@hatred: Of course. It's an all-time classic, an amazing performance, and the fact that he died just months later makes it that much more incredible.
Musically and artistically though.....

I'm not kidding.
Johnny's is certainly emotional, and can't be watched without shedding a single tear. But musically, I prefer the original.

And I know...even Trent Reznor says that it isn't his song anymore, and that song belongs to Johnny. Just opening it up for discussion.

As far as the song goes, I prefer the NiN version.

I've heard it played live and its just as good 20 years later