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.
Against the Wind
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems like yesterday, but it was a long time ago
She was lovely, she was the queen of my nights
There in the darkness with the radio, playin' low
The secrets that we shared, the mountains that we moved
Caught like a wildfire out of control
There was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
JOHNNY:
How she swore that it would never end
I remember how she held me oh, so tight
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then
CHORUS (ALL):
Against the wind
We were running against the wind
We were young and strong
But just running against the wind
WILLIE:
And the years rolled slowly past, I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home
I guess I lost my way, there were oh, so many roads
I was livin' to run and runnin' to live
Never worrying about paying or how much I owed
Movin' eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breakin' all of the rules I could bend
I began to find myself searchin'
Searchin' for shelter again and again
CHORUS (ALL):
Against the wind
We were running against the wind
I found myself seekin'
Shelter against the wind
WILLIE:
All those drifter's days are passed me now
I've got so much more to think about
JOHNNY:
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out
CHORUS (ALL):
Against the wind
We were running against the wind
Well I'm older now and still
Running against the wind
Against the wind
Against the wind
Against the wind
The song "Against the Wind" by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings tells the story of two men who were once young and in love but then found themselves lost and alone years later. It speaks to the challenges of life, the choices we make, and the importance of finding a sense of home and shelter against the winds of change.
The first verse describes a time when one of the men was with his lover, feeling invincible and in control of their fate. But as they burned through their passions and desires, there was nothing left but the memories of their shared secrets and unspoken promises. Johnny Cash sings about how he wished he didn't know what he knows now, hinting at the bitterness and regret that comes with hindsight.
The second verse speaks to the consequences of the carefree lifestyle that the men led. Though they were once strong and invincible, time has worn them down, leaving them stranded in a world of strangers. Willie Nelson laments how he lost his way, searching for meaning and looking for shelter but finding none. Ultimately, the chorus of the song ties it all together, as the men reflect on their past and recognize that they were always running against the wind, fighting against the changes and chances of life.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like yesterday, but it was a long time ago
Reminiscing about a former love that was once present but now seems to be distant
She was lovely, she was the queen of my nights
Describing the past lover as beautiful and the highlight of his nights
There in the darkness with the radio, playin' low
Recalling an affectionate moment, shared in intimacy with soft music playing in the dark
The secrets that we shared, the mountains that we moved
Making reference to the deep intimacy shared and the obstacles they overcame together
Caught like a wildfire out of control
Expressing the intensity and unpredictability of their love
There was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
Acknowledging that the romance had run its course and there was nothing more he could do
And I remember what she said to me
Recalling a phrase a prior love said in the past
How she swore that it would never end
Remembering the consoling words of the past love, saying the romance would never cease
I remember how she held me oh, so tight
Recollecting a moment when his former lover held him close lovingly
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then
Expressing the heartbreak that stems from learning things that would have been better left unknown in the past
And the years rolled slowly past, I found myself alone
Reflecting on a time when he felt isolated and without companionship
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
Feeling the disappointment of discovering that the people surrounding him were not true friends
I found myself further and further from my home
Feeling like he was losing himself, the love and connection to his roots was fading
I guess I lost my way, there were oh, so many roads
Feeling lost, disoriented in the world with many options, not knowing which road to take.
I was livin' to run and runnin' to live
Living life too fast, without reflection or careful analysis, constantly moving forward without consideration.
Never worrying about paying or how much I owed
Living carelessly with no concern for the future or consequences
Movin' eight miles a minute for months at a time
Living life in a fast-forward, moving so quickly he couldn't keep up with his own life.
Breakin' all of the rules I could bend
Living life on the edge and not obeying established structure.
I began to find myself searchin'
Starting to question the decisions he had made and now seeking direction and purpose.
Searchin' for shelter again and again
Desiring safety, stability and peace in his life and searching for it repeatedly.
All those drifter's days are passed me now
Not feeling like a drifter anymore, the last era of his life is over
I've got so much more to think about
Feeling like he's now responsible for more, needing to start to make important decisions
Deadlines and commitments
Acknowledging that he has many things to fulfill and a multitude of deadlines
What to leave in, what to leave out
Having to make tough choices with regards to what to include and exclude from his life.
Well I'm older now and still
Admitting that he has aged but is still searching for answers.
Running against the wind
Describing his life as always moving quickly and uncomfortably, in unpleasant ways.
Against the wind
Continuing to move forward when facing adversity.
Against the wind
Feeling stuck in a situation and not being able to escape it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Seger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luis Fernando Bersi
Oooooo modaoooo
Anthony L
At least keep Janie in the song by name ....
Even for the Man in Black, a cover can come up short...
Gary Lee Moore
Anthony L Sounds like Waylon Jennings to me.