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.
Cry
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think you only live to see the lights of town
I wasted my time when I would try, try, try
When the lights have lost their glow you're gonna cry, cry, cry
I lie awake at night to wait till you come in
You stay a little while and then you're gone again
Every question that I ask I get a lie, lie, lie
You're gonna cry, cry, cry and you'll cry alone
When everyone's forgotten and you're left on your own
You're gonna cry, cry, cry
Soon your sugar-daddies will all be gone
You wake up some cold day and find you're alone
You'll call for me but I'm gonna tell you bye, bye, bye
When I turn around and walk away you'll cry, cry, cry
When your fickle love gets old, no one will care for you
And you'll come back for me for a little love that's true
I'll tell you no and you're gonna ask me why, why, why
When I remind you of all of this and you'll cry, cry, cry
You're gonna cry, cry, cry and you'll want me then
It'll hurt when you think of all the fool you've been
You're gonna cry, cry, cry
"Cry" is one of Johnny Cash's early hits, written by himself and his longtime guitarist Luther Perkins. The song tells the story of a jilted lover warning a woman that her current behavior will ultimately lead to her tears. The woman in the song is depicted as a shallow, materialistic person who only cares about the nightlife and the company of wealthy men. The singer expresses his frustration with the woman and the lies she tells him when they are together. He hints at being a better choice for her than her current sugar daddies, but predicts that she will only come back to him when she's left with nothing.
The lyrics of the song convey a sense of bitterness and resignation, with the repeated refrain of "you're gonna cry, cry, cry" serving as a warning and a prophecy. Cash's deep voice and Perkins' guitar licks provide a somber mood that perfectly matches the lyrics. The song is not just a tale of unrequited love, but also a commentary on the fickleness of human nature and the perils of chasing pleasure over substance.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows where you go when the sun goes down
You have a reputation for seeking out the nightlife.
I think you only live to see the lights of town
You enjoy the bright lights and excitement of the city.
I wasted my time when I would try, try, try
I put in a lot of effort trying to make things work with you.
When the lights have lost their glow you're gonna cry, cry, cry
When the novelty wears off, you'll be filled with regret and sadness.
I lie awake at night to wait till you come in
I wait patiently for you to return home late at night.
You stay a little while and then you're gone again
You only visit briefly before leaving again.
Every question that I ask I get a lie, lie, lie
You're dishonest and never give me a straight answer.
For every lie you tell you're gonna cry, cry, cry
Eventually your lies will catch up to you and you'll be filled with regret and sadness.
You're gonna cry, cry, cry and you'll cry alone
You'll be left with no one to comfort you when you're filled with regret and sadness.
When everyone's forgotten and you're left on your own
Once your rich companions are gone, you'll be all alone.
Soon your sugar-daddies will all be gone
The wealthy men who support you won't be around forever.
You wake up some cold day and find you're alone
You'll eventually wake up and realize that you have no one left in your life.
You'll call for me but I'm gonna tell you bye, bye, bye
You'll come begging for my love, but I won't be interested anymore.
When I turn around and walk away you'll cry, cry, cry
The realization of losing me will hit you hard and you'll be filled with sadness.
When your fickle love gets old, no one will care for you
Once your beauty fades and your love becomes shallow, no one will want to be with you.
And you'll come back for me for a little love that's true
When you have no one left, you'll come back to me seeking genuine love.
I'll tell you no and you're gonna ask me why, why, why
I'll reject you and you'll be left wondering why I won't take you back.
When I remind you of all of this and you'll cry, cry, cry
The pain of your past mistakes will catch up to you and you'll be filled with regret and sadness.
You're gonna cry, cry, cry and you'll want me then
Once you realize the true value of my love, you'll come running back to me.
It'll hurt when you think of all the fool you've been
The realization of your foolishness will be painful and difficult to accept.
You're gonna cry, cry, cry
The consequences of your actions will result in deep sadness and regret.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Aj_Drago
This comment is a proof that I witnessed this incredible masterpiece today
@JesusMorales-er4cy
Used to think this song would come true for me
Then she got married with kids and I’m here reminiscing at 3am haha
Such is life 👌🏽
@logannnn
L
@SWIM-02354
@@logannnnkick a man while he's down would ya? 😂
@TheMegaPipi
This is a perfect song for a new Silent Hill movie trailer.
@nothingnobody6688
Johnny warns us over an over yet nobody see's
@muntazrmahdi9668
Such a golden song,i hope this song doesn't get used on tiktok
@manny6511
Hello I'm johnny cash
@braydonattoe2078
I wish
@rowdyrick1995
Don’t you mean, “Sue?“