Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-sound guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark, all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black." He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," followed by his signature song "Folsom Prison Blues".
Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. His other signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue"; a duet with his future wife, June Carter, called "Jackson" (followed by many further duets after their wedding); and railroad songs including "Hey, Porter", "Orange Blossom Special", and "Rock Island Line". During the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden.
Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers). He was the fourth of seven children, who were in birth order: Roy, Margaret Louise, Jack, J. R., Reba, Joanne, and Tommy (who also became a successful country artist). He was primarily of English and Scottish descent. As an adult he traced his surname to 11th-century Fife, after meeting with the then-laird of Falkland, Major Michael Crichton-Stuart. Cash Loch and other locations in Fife bear the name of his family.
At birth, Cash was named J. R. Cash. When Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was not permitted to use initials as a first name, so he changed his name to John R. Cash. In 1955, when signing with Sun Records, he started going by Johnny Cash.
In March 1935, when Cash was three years old, the family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, a New Deal colony established to give poor families a chance to work land that they had a chance to own as a result. Cash started working in cotton fields at the age of five, singing along with his family while working. The Cash farm experienced a flood during the family's time in Dyess, which led Cash later to write the song "Five Feet High and Rising". His family's economic and personal struggles during the Great Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties. Consequently, Cash had sympathy for the poor and working class throughout his life.
Cash was very close to his older brother, Jack. On Saturday May 12, 1944, Jack was pulled into an unguarded table saw at his high school while cutting oak into fence posts as his job and was almost cut in two. He lingered until the following Saturday, when he died. Cash often spoke of the horrible guilt he felt over this incident; according to Cash: The Autobiography, his father was away that morning, but Johnny, his mother, and even Jack himself, all had premonitions or a sense of foreboding about that day. His mother urged Jack to skip work and go fishing with his brother, but Jack insisted on working since the family needed the money at the time. On his deathbed, Jack said he had visions of Heaven and angels. Decades later, Cash spoke of looking forward to meeting his brother in Heaven.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught guitar by his mother and a childhood friend, Cash began playing and writing songs at the age of 12. When young, Cash had a high-tenor voice, before becoming a bass-baritone after his voice changed.
In high school, he sang on a local radio station. Decades later, he released an album of traditional gospel songs, called My Mother's Hymn Book. He was also significantly influenced by traditional Irish music, which he heard performed weekly by Dennis Day on the Jack Benny radio program.
In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Shy–Drager syndrome, a form of multiple system atrophy. According to biographer Robert Hilburn, the disease was originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, and Cash even announced to his audience that he had Parkinson's after nearly collapsing on stage in Flint, Michigan, on October 25, 1997. Soon afterwards, his diagnosis was changed to Shy–Drager, and Cash was told he had about 18 months to live. The diagnosis was later again altered to autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. The illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. He was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia, which damaged his lungs.
During the last stage of his career, Cash released the albums American III: Solitary Man (2000) and American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002). American IV included cover songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails commented that he was initially skeptical about Cash's plan to cover "Hurt", but was later impressed and moved by the rendition. The video for "Hurt" received critical and popular acclaim, including a Grammy Award.
June Carter Cash died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73. June had told Cash to keep working, so he continued to record, completing 60 more songs in the last four months of his life, and even performed a few surprise shows at the Carter Family Fold outside Bristol, Virginia. At the July 5, 2003, concert (his last public performance), before singing "Ring of Fire", Cash read a statement about his late wife that he had written shortly before taking the stage:
"The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her. We connect somewhere between here and Heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from Heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has. She's never been one for me except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart. "
Cash continued to record until shortly before his death. His final recordings were made on August 21, 2003, and consisted of "Like the 309", which appeared on American V: A Hundred Highways in 2006, and the final song he completed, "Engine 143", which was recorded for his son John Carter Cash for a planned Carter Family tribute album.
16
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I keep my eyes wide open all the time,
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
I find it very, very easy to be true,
I find myself alone when each day's through,
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you,
As sure as night is dark and day is light,
I keep you on my mind both day and night,
And happiness I've known proves that it's right,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
You've got a way to keep me on your side,
You give me cause for love that I can't hide,
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine,
I keep my eyes wide open all the time,
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
The song "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash portrays a man's commitment to his lover. The lyrics symbolize his pledge to remain loyal and faithful to her. The first verse "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine" signifies the man's self-control and discipline in his love life. By having his "eyes wide open all the time," he remains aware of his commitment to his partner.
In the second verse, the man admits that he finds it "easy to be true" because of how deeply he feels for his partner. He acknowledges that he is a "fool for you," unable to resist her charm and hold she has over him. The line repeats in the chorus, further emphasizing the man's loyalty and devotion.
In the final verse, the man reaffirms his promise and his strong emotional connection to his partner, stating that he keeps her on his mind both day and night. The line "happiness I've known proves that it's right" is a reflection on the man's contentment and joy in his relationship.
Overall, the song captures the theme of loyalty, love, and commitment in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine,
I am careful to guard my heart and not let it stray
I keep my eyes wide open all the time,
I am aware of everything around me, always watching
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds,
I am looking for ways to hold on to what is important to me
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
I am committed to you and will always stay loyal
I find it very, very easy to be true,
I have no trouble staying faithful to you
I find myself alone when each day's through,
At the end of the day, it is just me and my thoughts of you
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you,
I am willing to do anything for you, no matter how foolish it may seem
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
My devotion to you guides everything I do
As sure as night is dark and day is light,
My love for you is as constant and unchanging as the passing of time
I keep you on my mind both day and night,
I think of you constantly, no matter what I am doing
And happiness I've known proves that it's right,
Being with you has brought me great joy and confirms that our love is worth fighting for
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
My unwavering commitment to you is the foundation of our relationship
You've got a way to keep me on your side,
You have a charm or charisma that keeps me devoted to you
You give me cause for love that I can't hide,
Your love for me inspires and motivates me to love you in return
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide,
I am willing to go to great lengths and overcome obstacles to keep our relationship strong
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
My loyalty and dedication to you is unshakable
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Johnny Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheVkdavid
Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you then the left one will
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
@augustsmith6318
Theres a terrible irony in getting ads from huge corporations before this.
@bibility7562
Wack
@revelle8605
For effing real
@alexshadrake9615
Right?? Macdonalds ad before this haha
@isammolina4842
Los artistas son trabajadores.Y ni Los Beatles se salvaron de esta...la culpa es del sistema capitalista.😱
@Roger__Wilco
learn to adblock
@zkirbster
This video is notable for immortalizing Cash’s mercifully short-lived moustache.
@eEdselEdsel
It looks like he borrowed it from Burt Reynolds.
@rooster5man
@@eEdselEdsel I saw the thumbnail thinking "Who the hell replaced Cash with Burt Reynolds?"
@JarthenGreenmeadow
I thought he was Harvey Keitel.