Just because NIN says the word "shit," that does not automatically make it a better version of the song. I'll give them credit for originating the song, and they did a really good job of it, but that song was tailor made for Johnny Cash.
Yes it's definitely the word "shit" that causes people to praise the song and not the industrial atmosphere that makes the song as dark as it is. You cracked the code
Trent liked the lyric change specifically for Cash. ---