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.
Best Friend
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are the master of your destiny
A diamond is a diamond and a stone is a stone
But a man's not all good nor all bad
When the chips're all down and your back's at the wall
You're the best friend that you've ever had
You're the best friend that you've ever had
Live while it's time to live cause you'll die when it's time to die hmm
Then he closed his eyes and he left me alone
This old man's wisdom brought his meaning home
A diamond is a diamond
Well now that I'm older I found this is true
The thing that remains is the good that you do
A diamond is a diamond and a stone is a stone
But a man's not all good nor all bad
When the chips are all down and your back's at the wall
God is the best friend that you've ever had
God is the best friend that you've ever had
So you laugh when it's time
to laugh and you cry when it's time to cry
Live while it's time to live cause you'll die when it's time to die hmm
"Best Friend" by Johnny Cash is a song with a profound message about the importance of being true to oneself and living life to the fullest. The song starts with the lyrics, "An old man on his deathbed once said to me, you are the master of your destiny." The old man, in his final moments, imparts his wisdom to the listener, reminding them that they are in charge of their own life and must take responsibility for their own actions. He goes on to say that a man is a combination of both good and bad, and that in times of crisis, you must rely on yourself to get through it.
The chorus of the song, "You're the best friend that you've ever had," is a powerful reminder that you must be your own best friend, and that you should be kind to yourself, even in difficult times. The song then transitions to the idea that God is also a best friend, reminding us that we are not alone in this world, and that we must have faith in something outside of ourselves. The song finishes with the lyrics, "So you laugh when it's time to laugh and you cry when it's time to cry, live while it's time to live cause you'll die when it's time to die," emphasizing that we must live our lives to the fullest and not waste a single moment.
Overall, "Best Friend" is a beautiful and insightful song that reminds us of the importance of self-love, faith, and living life to the fullest. It's a song that encourages us to be true to ourselves and to never give up, even in the hardest moments of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Hmm an old man on his deathbed once said to me
I received a valuable message from an elder who was on his deathbed.
You are the master of your destiny
You hold the power to shape your own life.
A diamond is a diamond and a stone is a stone
Things are what they are and cannot be changed.
But a man's not all good nor all bad
People are complex and cannot be defined as simply good or bad.
When the chips're all down and your back's at the wall
When you're facing adversity and backed into a corner.
You're the best friend that you've ever had
Your own strength and resilience is your greatest asset.
So you laugh when it's time to laugh and you cry when it's time to cry
Live authentically and allow your emotions to flow freely.
Live while it's time to live cause you'll die when it's time to die hmm
Make the most of your time because death is inevitable.
Then he closed his eyes and he left me alone
The elder passed away after sharing his wisdom with me.
This old man's wisdom brought his meaning home
The elder's message resonated deeply with me.
Well now that I'm older I found this is true
As I've grown older, I've discovered the truth in what the elder said.
The thing that remains is the good that you do
Your deeds are what will leave a lasting impact.
God is the best friend that you've ever had
Your faith in a higher power can provide strength and comfort.
Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, R-Key Darkus
Written by: Bill Dees, Roy Orbison
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