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.
Fair Weather Friends
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one true friend who really loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
We never know which way the wind will blow
Nor when or where the next turmoil will be
But he's a solid rock when troubles grow
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one true friend who really loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
He'll be your shelter in the night
He'll be an anchor in the storm
When you can't find your way he'll be your light
In the chilly winds of doubt he'll keep you warm
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one good friend who really loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one true friend who really loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
The Johnny Cash song "Fair Weather Friends" is a poignant reflection on the fickleness of relationships - particularly those that crumble when times get tough. The song is a warning against those individuals who only stick around when things are going well, but will abandon you at the first sign of trouble. Cash sings about the pain that comes when fair-weather friends disappear, leaving you stranded on life's shore.
But the song also offers an antidote to this kind of hurt. Cash sings about the importance of having at least one true friend who really loves you. This kind of friend is a solid rock who remains steadfast in times of trouble, holding out a saving hand to help you weather life's storms. This friend is a source of shelter, support, and light in dark times, and is worth enduring the pain of losing fair-weather friends to find.
Line by Line Meaning
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
People who are only around during good times or when it's convenient are shallow, unreliable friends.
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
These types of friends will abandon you when times get tough, leaving you feeling lost and alone.
But one true friend who really loves you
A genuine, caring friend is priceless, and their unwavering support can help carry you through difficult times.
Is worth the pain your heart endures
Even though having true friends may involve some hardships and challenges, their love and loyalty are well worth it in the end.
We never know which way the wind will blow
Life is unpredictable and full of unexpected twists and turns that we can't always anticipate.
Nor when or where the next turmoil will be
We can't predict when or where the next difficulty or challenge will appear in our lives.
But he's a solid rock when troubles grow
A true friend is a steady, reliable presence who remains supportive and dependable even when things get tough.
And he's holding out a saving hand for me
No matter what happens, a true friend is always there to help and offer support to those they care about.
He'll be your shelter in the night
A true friend provides comfort and shelter when we need it most, no matter the time of day or night.
He'll be an anchor in the storm
A true friend provides stability and support during challenging times and helps us weather the storm.
When you can't find your way he'll be your light
During times when we feel lost or uncertain, a true friend is there with guidance, wisdom, and insight to help us find our way.
In the chilly winds of doubt he'll keep you warm
Even during times of uncertainty or doubt, a true friend provides comfort and reassurance that helps us stay strong and persevere.
Writer(s): JOSEPH PAUL ALLEN, JOHN R CASH
Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
arctictis
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one true friend who truly loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
We never know which way the wind will blow
Nor when or where the next turmoil will be
But he's a solid rock when troubles grow
And he's holding out a saving hand for me
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one true friend who truly loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
He'll be a refuge in the storm
He'll be a beacon in the night
In the chilly winds of doubt he'll keep you warm
When you can't find your way he'll be your light
Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors
Will leave you stranded on life's shore
But one true friend who truly loves you
Is worth the pain your heart endures
Jake Rosales
Love this
Bob Dant
You forgot to mention my friend Joe Allen, Johnny's bass player since Marshall Grant left, co-wrote this with J.R. Cash.
Colette Bembenek
Johnny Cash is........ahem..... this version is the BEST. So many of the great solo musical artists sing of interpretating them how any individual does, IF it's obvious. If not, why of course, it's God.
Charles Rice
could someone be so kind and gracious as to go over ALL these playlists and put in the yeaer of release dates on them somewhere near the song title or the run time so it's easy to find ?? THANKS!!!!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2011 !!!!!!!!
4nte99
👍
Ena Stoyles
all new songs for me,ashba!! i like them. thanks for them..
Chris Prevett
never heared alot of these wow
Gakio Henry
Great man in black
SteveonLI
don williams does a nice version of this
SteveonLI
i sing don williams songs on youtube. i have 'another place another time' - and three versions of 'listen to the radio,' all in different settings. you are invited to listen.