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.
Doin My Time
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They call me by a number not a name Lord, Lord
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
With an aching heart, on that gal of mine
You can here my hammer, you can hear my saw
Gonna sing it like John Henry all day long Lord, Lord
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
With an aching heart, on that gal of mine
When that old judge looked down at me
Said I put you in that penitentiary Lord, Lord
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
With an aching heart, on that gal of mine
Well now it won't be long, just a few more days
They'll let me out of here I'm gonna stay Lord, Lord
With that gal of mine, with that gal of mine
She's a waited for me while I've done my time
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song "Doin' My Time" discuss the experience of serving time in prison. The setting is a "rock pile," with the singer wearing a ball and chain, referred to by number rather than name. The singer laments the need to "do my time" while longing for his lover, stating that he will work hard with his hammer and saw, referencing the famous American folk hero John Henry.
The song's lyrics explore the monotony and despair of prison life, as the singer must endure the punishment for his crimes, all while missing his beloved. Despite the bleak situation, the singer is determined to serve his time well and earn his eventual release, hoping to reunite with his partner.
Overall, the lyrics to "Doin' My Time" are a moving portrayal of hardship and injustice. Cash's voice lends the words a raw and emotional quality, further emphasizing the weight of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
On this rock pile, with my ball and chain
I'm imprisoned, working hard labor, and physically shackled.
They call me by a number not a name Lord, Lord
I'm dehumanized by being referred to as a number, not my actual name.
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
I have a sentence to serve and there's no way to escape it.
With an aching heart, on that gal of mine
I'm enduring this sentence with a heavy heart, thinking of my loved one.
You can hear my hammer, you can hear my saw
I'm doing hard physical labor that's loud enough to be heard.
Gonna sing it like John Henry all day long Lord, Lord
Despite the difficulty of my work, I'll sing like John Henry to make it through.
When that old judge looked down at me
The judge who sentenced me looked at me with disdain and disapproval.
Said I put you in that penitentiary Lord, Lord
The judge reminds me that I'm incarcerated and being punished for my actions.
Well now it won't be long, just a few more days
My sentence is nearly over and I'll be released very soon.
They'll let me out of here I'm gonna stay Lord, Lord
Upon release, I plan to remain with my beloved partner.
With that gal of mine, with that gal of mine
After serving my sentence, I'll reunite with my partner and stay by their side.
She's a waited for me while I've done my time
My partner has patiently waited for my release while I served my sentence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMIE SKINNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonygermano9363
OMG.. If country radio stations started playing music like this, I would be hooked. That's country baby. Thank you...
@SuzyQ1956
Yes yes yes!
@katrinagrieshaber958
Two genuine country music legends playing & singing like this is how it's done right. These supposed country boys today would not come close to these guys. 😊❤
@garypigman7131
You are right, country music of today isn't worth listening to. It down right sucks.😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😮😢
@OnLocationMontgomery
Two very talented musicians. Does not get any better than this. Had the pleasure of talking with Marty. He is very nice & made a huge fan out of me!
@firefightergoggie
I can only imagine how this kind of stuff must have hit people like a hurricane when they first heard it in 1956. Awesome.
@TheAzmountaineer
This is live - Wow, are you kidding me? Johnny, Marty, Bob and the whole band - they all knocked this one out of the park.
@ROGER2009878
Johnny had a HUGE impact on Marty Stuart as well as Bob Wooten, this is why they are carrying on Johnny's legacy!! Wait a minute....let me rephrase that...Johnny Cash has a VERY HUGE impact on us all espiscally me!!! R.I.P Johnny!!! Marty, Bob and now Jackson Cash is doing you proud!!
@ThePopesmusic
these two are the best when playing together. Johnny Cash is definetely a true legend. After listening to him I fell right into his style almost imediately with my music. I think it's also cool that my uncle met Marty Stuart a few times!!
@glennjohnson8170
Glenn Johnson SHEER COUNTRY MUSIC PLEASURE!!Wish i had a time machine.Just to be there with Marty and Johnny.Thankyou for this upload.