Leona Lewis Defends 'Hurt' Cover - Video

Leona has defended her decision to cover Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt' on her new album.

The singer, who won the X Factor back in 2006, has recorded a cover of the band's track as part of a three-track EP, which also features The Goo Goo Dolls' 'Iris' and Counting Crows' 'Colorblind'.

Speaking to Newsbeat, Leona said: People write music and the music is out there for people to interpret it how they want to. As long as it's coming from a genuine place. I actually am a big fan of that song and a big fan of the Johnny Cash cover.

"But that song in particular really speaks to me. Lyrically it's a song that is very intense and has painful lyrics."

Lewis, who split from her long-term boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa last year, explained: "It's reflective of a place where I was at. When I recorded it it was healing to get it out."

'Hurt' was famously re-recoded by Johnny Cash before his death in 2003.

Leona Lewis – 'Hurt':

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