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.
Baby Ride Easy
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I were a waitress
And I ordered coffee
And I poured you some
Then you'd stop by on your way sometimes later
And if we arm-wrestled
I'd see that you won
Iee my baby, ride easy, ride high in the saddle all day
If your loving is good
And your cooking ain't greasy
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
If I were a winsome pale senorita
And I a bull-fighter, way down in the sand
While the band kept on playing that Old Paso Doable
Would you throw me a flower
Would you take my hand?
Iee my baby, ride easy, ride high in the saddle all day
If your loving is good
And your cooking ain't greasy
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
If I ran the country
I'd be your first lady and fix up the White House while you were away
Waiting while you're passing time with world leaders
Left alone together
Alone we might lay
Iee my baby, ride easy, ride high in the saddle all day
If your loving is good
And your cooking ain't greasy
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
If your loving is good
And your cooking ain't greasy
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
"Baby Ride Easy" is a playful song about a couple who imagines different scenarios they could be in and how they would support and enjoy each other's company in those situations. The first verse depicts the two as a truck driver and a waitress, respectively. It highlights the possibility of their meeting at a diner during one of his trips and how he would admire her winning arm-wrestling skills. The second verse describes them as a bullfighter and senorita, with the potential for a romantic moment amidst the sounds of the Old Paso Doable music. Finally, the last verse takes on a political twist where they imagine themselves as a president and first lady with a playful suggestion of intimacy while left alone together with world leaders.
This song showcases the enduring love between partners who should be able to support and accept each other in any situation, no matter how unusual or challenging. The song's playful tone and catchy melody add to its appeal and demonstrate Johnny Cash's versatility as a singer and songwriter.
Line by Line Meaning
If I drove a truck
If I were a truck driver
And I were a waitress
And I worked as a waitress
And I ordered coffee
And asked for a cup of coffee
And I poured you some
And poured some for you
Then you'd stop by on your way sometimes later
Then you might stop by when passing by
And if we arm-wrestled
And if we competed in arm wrestling
I'd see that you won
I'd let you win
Iee my baby, ride easy, ride high in the saddle all day
Take it easy my darlin', enjoy life to the fullest
If your loving is good
If your love is true
And your cooking ain't greasy
And your food isn't too oily
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
We'll leave all our troubles behind and start anew
If I were a winsome pale senorita
If I were a captivating pale Hispanic woman
And I a bull-fighter, way down in the sand
And you were a bullfighter, in the midst of the arena
While the band kept on playing that Old Paso Doable
While the band played flamenco music
Would you throw me a flower
Would you offer me a flower
Would you take my hand?
Would you hold my hand?
If I ran the country
If I were the leader of the country
I'd be your first lady and fix up the White House while you were away
I would be your wife and look after the White House while you're away
Waiting while you're passing time with world leaders
Waiting while you're socializing with political elites
Left alone together
And if we're alone together
Alone we might lay
We might spend some intimate time together
If your loving is good
If your love is true
And your cooking ain't greasy
And your food isn't too oily
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
We'll leave all our troubles behind and start anew
We'll chuck the chuck wagon and we'll ride away
We'll leave all our troubles behind and start anew
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard J. Dobson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ryancharles4668
In my opinion Johnny Cash was just as much the King of Rock n' Roll as Elvis. Not taking anything away from Presley's music, but Cash was/is the King.
@Lab-Mouse
The master of music, miss you Johnny Cash, nobody will ever come close!
@tuckerduncan4271
What about GLEN CAMPBELL????
@johnleonamnoiz9931
+Tucker Duncan Nobody can come close to Glenn Campbell also !!
@Jake_Redacted
8 years later and I still cannot agree more
@Wickalow
Hay Johnny i know you can't see this but if you can i just want you to know you are one of the people that inspires me you're music and my grandpa i hope to one day to be a singer im learning banjo. Now i wish i could have seen you live
@lonzotomerlin5982
I sure miss Johnny Cash. His memory will live forever. Thanks, JR.
@corym.
John and June were and are amazing country singers/ writers!!
@lauradenton598
Love Jonhny cash and june
@MichaelMyers702
amazing music