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.
It Takes One to Know Me
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And harder to love than most men
But the blood that ran in these tired old hands
Was hotter and wilder back then
And I don't feel as tall as I used to
Maybe it's just that I've grown
You're the one that held my hand when I fell
We've lived down all the stories
I sang all the old songs
It takes one to know me
I guess, you're the one
Your daughters a ladies, she's a fortune
My your son is an heir to the throne
And this crown that I hold is tarnished and cold
But it's a symbol of all that we own
Sometimes I wish I was younger
And could pick up the pieces and run
But then I look back on the matter of fact
And it's a race that we've already won
We've lived out all the stories
Sang all the old songs
It takes one to know me
I guess, you're the one
We've lived out all the stories
Sang all the old songs
It takes one to know me
And you knew the one
In Johnny Cash's song "It Takes One to Know Me," the singer reflects on his past, acknowledging that he used to be crazy and harder to love, but also recognizing that his past experiences have made him who he is today. He speaks of the hot, wild blood that used to run through his tired old hands, indicating a life of passion and intensity. The song also touches on the idea of growing older and feeling less tall, perhaps a nod to dwindling physical abilities, but also an acknowledgement of personal growth and self-awareness over time. Through it all, Cash credits his companion as the one who held his hand and helped him through his struggles. The song implies a sense of gratitude for the shared experiences and the journey they have gone through together.
Line by Line Meaning
It's true that I used to be crazy
Admitting that I had a troubled past and wasn't always easy to deal with.
And harder to love than most men
Acknowledging that I wasn't always an easy person to love.
But the blood that ran in these tired old hands
Despite the challenges, there was something wild and passionate about me in my younger years.
Was hotter and wilder back then
Confirming that I was a different person in my younger years than I am now.
And I don't feel as tall as I used to
Feeling a sense of decline or loss in my later years.
Maybe it's just that I've grown
Realizing that growth and perspective can change the way we see ourselves.
You're the one that held my hand when I fell
Grateful for someone who has offered support and helped me through tough times.
When I just couldn't make it alone
Recognizing that we all need help and support at times.
We've lived down all the stories
Having experienced and overcome many challenges and obstacles in life.
I sang all the old songs
Having shared my story and experiences through my music.
It takes one to know me
Recognizing that only those who have gone through similar struggles can truly understand me.
I guess, you're the one
Acknowledging that the person I am speaking to understands me better than most.
Your daughters a ladies, she's a fortune
Proud of the accomplishments and success of someone else's daughter.
My your son is an heir to the throne
Proud of the accomplishments and success of someone else's son.
And this crown that I hold is tarnished and cold
Despite my achievements and success, I am aware that it is not perfect or flawless.
But it's a symbol of all that we own
Recognizing that my success and achievements are a reflection of everything I have been through and worked for.
Sometimes I wish I was younger
Reflecting on the past and feeling nostalgic for a younger years.
And could pick up the pieces and run
Wishing for the energy and vigor of my younger years when I could bounce back quickly from setbacks.
But then I look back on the matter of fact
Recognizing that the past is the past and cannot be changed.
And it's a race that we've already won
Realizing that I have accomplished a great deal in my life already and should be proud of what I have achieved.
We've lived out all the stories
Having lived a full and eventful life.
Sang all the old songs
Having shared my experiences and struggles through music and storytelling.
It takes one to know me
Only those who have gone through similar struggles can truly understand me.
And you knew the one
The person I am speaking to understands me better than most.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARLENE CARTER
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