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.
I Wanted So
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the corn was 10 feet tall, that he had planted in the sping
And the books he'd ordered came in in the mail just yesterday
But he never said a word and life slowly slipped away
I Wanted So to tell him just how much he meant to me
I Wanted So to thank him for what he taught me that I could be
I wanted him to know, that his grandchildren all were there
I wanted to apologize for always being on the go
For never having enough time to talk about the things that he needed so
I Wanted So to tell him "Pop, your loved ones all are here"
But he just lay there with his eyes closed, and I think he she'd a knowing tear
Yes, I Wanted So to tell that old man, Oh so many things
Like the corn was 10 feet tall, that he had planted in the sping
And the books he'd ordered came in, in the mail just yesterday
But he never said a word and life just slowly slipped away
Johnny Cash's "I Wanted So" speaks of a grandson wishing he had more time to spend with his dying grandfather in order to express his love and gratitude to him. The song poetically highlights his regrets for never having fully appreciated his grandfather's love and life, never having taken enough time to chat with him about the things that really mattered to him. The song's message is universally relatable with its poignant reminder to seize every opportunity in life to express our love and admiration for those who truly matter.
The singer of this song wanted so badly to have one last conversation with his grandfather and tell him all of the things he'd been thinking of. He wanted to tell him how much he loved him and gratitude for everything he taught him, his thoughts on the corn he had planted, the books that arrived in the mail, and how important he was to him and his own growing family. However, it was too late as his grandfather died without him ever being able to say goodbye. The song is a beautiful tribute to the human capacity for hope and longing in the face of loss.
Overall, "I Wanted So" is a song that speaks to many of us who have lost loved ones without ever having the chance to say goodbye or tell them how much they meant to us. It's a reminder to cherish every day with those we love and never take a single moment for granted. Johnny Cash's mournful yet emotive delivery of the lyrics creates a powerful, poignant statement on family and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I Wanted So to tell that old man, Oh so many things
The singer wished to share various things with the old man, but never had the chance.
Like the corn was 10 feet tall, that he had planted in the spring
The singer had wanted to let the old man know about the impressive height of his corn crops.
And the books he'd ordered came in in the mail just yesterday
The singer had intended to update the old man about his recent book orders that had arrived.
But he never said a word and life slowly slipped away
Despite the artist's desires, the old man remained silent, passing away without hearing what the artist wanted to share with him.
I Wanted So to tell him just how much he meant to me
The artist wished to express their deep appreciation and value for the old man.
I Wanted So to thank him for what he taught me that I could be
The singer had intended to express gratitude to the old man for the support and guidance provided that helped shape the singer's character.
I wanted him to know, that his grandchildren all were there
The singer had planned to reassure the old man that his grandkids were present and supportive during his final moments.
And that his four year old grandson said 'Papa, I said a prayer'
One of the grandkids had even said a prayer for the old man, indicating their care and thoughtfulness.
I wanted to apologize for always being on the go
The artist had wanted to express remorse for not being present or available enough for the old man.
For never having enough time to talk about the things that he needed so
The artist had regrets for not having meaningful conversations with the old man about what really mattered to him.
But he just lay there with his eyes closed, and I think he she'd a knowing tear
Although the old man remained silent, the singer believed that he shed tears that showed his awareness of the singer's unspoken intentions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ingrid Maier
This should be an obligation to listen to in shool for all kids, because when they realize it, it´s too late. Even if I´m so old, I have tears in my eyes. JC sings this with such emotions.