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.
Angels Love Bad Men
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He rides off in a cloud of dust
Lookin' for a border he can cross
She'll stand by and watch him go
Wonderin' if he'll ever know
The hurt she's feelin' now
And what they've lost
They give their whole hearts when they fall
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
Love holds their hearts against the wall
When his corporate day comes to and end
He rides away in his Mercedes Benz
Soon he's lost beneath the neon sky
Outside of town, in their suburban home
She spends another night alone
And wonders what went wrong wonders why
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
They give their whole hearts when they fall
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
Love holds their hearts against the wall
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song "Angels Love Bad Men" explore the notion of why women tend to be attracted to men who are unconventional or even destructive. The song speaks of two different men, the first one being a thief who lives a life of danger, causing emotional pain to those he leaves behind. The second one is a successful businessman whose life is governed by material wealth and external success. The overall theme of the song associates these two central characters whose lives are governed by two strong forces: the need for adventure and the need for control.
The song suggests that despite the costs, women continue to fall for these bad men as portrayed in the chorus, "Angels love bad men that's how it's always been." The lyrics imply that these women are willing to give their whole hearts when they fall for these bad men, only to later become heartbroken in the end. The line, "Love holds their hearts against the wall" highlights the emotional conflict felt by women who love bad men, desperate to protect themselves from further emotional pain, yet unable to turn away from the attraction.
The song does not provide any judgment on these relationships, but rather seeks to understand them. Through its powerful and insightful lyrics, "Angels Love Bad Men" manages to convey the captivating and complex nature of these relationships between of men perceived to be bad and the women who love them.
Line by Line Meaning
When his stolen gold has turned to rust
Once the spoils of his crime have lost their value and decayed
He rides off in a cloud of dust
He departs quickly and recklessly, leaving everything behind in haste
Lookin' for a border he can cross
Searching for a place to escape punishment or consequences
She'll stand by and watch him go
She remains stationary and watches him leave, powerless to stop him
Wonderin' if he'll ever know
Questioning whether he will ever comprehend or acknowledge the pain he has caused
The hurt she's feelin' now
The emotional pain and distress she experiences in the moment
And what they've lost
Reflecting on the consequences of his actions and the damage it has caused to their relationship and their lives
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
Good-hearted individuals often find themselves drawn to those who exhibit darker or flawed characteristics
They give their whole hearts when they fall
These individuals love deeply and unconditionally, even when their love is not reciprocated or deserved
Love holds their hearts against the wall
Despite the inevitable pain and anguish caused by loving someone who is not good for them, they are unable to let go of their love and continue to hold onto hope
When his corporate day comes to an end
After a long day of work and business dealings
He rides away in his Mercedes Benz
He departs in luxury and comfort, enjoying the spoils of his success
Soon he's lost beneath the neon sky
He becomes caught up in the artificial and superficial aspects of life, losing sight of what truly matters
Outside of town, in their suburban home
In a comfortable, middle-class existence with his partner
She spends another night alone
She is forced to endure another evening without the companionship and love of her partner
And wonders what went wrong wonders why
She questions what caused their relationship to deteriorate and laments the loss of what they once had
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MURRAH, WAYLON JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone
There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam
Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep
Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams
I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home