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.
Leave That Junk Alone
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better pick up your feet, you're gonna fall on the floor
I keep on telling you, I'll tell you some more
You better leave that junk alone and drink water
Lord, that liquor is hot, drink water
You don't wanna be a sot
You better lay down the bottle
Well, your eyes are baggy and a bloodshot red
It's been a week or two since you've been in bed
You better pay attention now to what I said
You better leave that junk alone and drink water
Lord, that liquor is hot, drink water
You don't wanna be a sot
You better lay down the bottle
And put on the top and drink cool H2O
Well, now I'll forgive you for your running around
If you just promise that you come unwound
I'll buy you anything you want in town
If you'll leave that junk alone and drink water
Lord, that liquor is hot, drink water
You don't wanna be a sot
You better lay down the bottle
And put on the top and drink cool H2O
The song "Leave That Junk Alone" by Johnny Cash is an aspirational and cautionary tale about the dangers of alcoholism. Cash warns the listener that drinking alcohol, or as he calls it "junk," will only lead to negative consequences like feeling disoriented and physically ill. He urges the listener to avoid this harmful substance and instead opt for water to quench their thirst, to be more responsible and less of a "sot," which is a derogatory term for an alcoholic.
Cash's lyrics are insightful because he uses common sense, straightforward logic to persuade the listener to give up drinking. He is not preachy or judgmental. Rather, he speaks to the listener in a compassionate and empathetic tone that can inspire anyone who might be struggling with addiction. The song seems like it was written to be a conversation with a friend, rather than a lecture from an authority figure.
The chorus of the song is simple and repetitive, which makes it easy to remember and sing along to. This repetition is a clever way to reinforce the message of the song, which is to "drink water" and avoid "that junk." The song "Leave That Junk Alone" is a testament to Johnny Cash's skill as a songwriter, musician, and social commentator.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you come home feeling for the knob on the door
When you stumble home and have trouble finding the door handle, it's a sign that you've had too much to drink.
You better pick up your feet, you're gonna fall on the floor
If you don't lift your feet and walk properly, you'll end up tripping and falling because you're too drunk.
I keep on telling you, I'll tell you some more
I've warned you before, and I'll keep reminding you because I care about you and don't want you to harm yourself.
You better leave that junk alone and drink water
It's time to quit drinking alcohol and switch to drinking water to rehydrate and sober up.
Well, your eyes are baggy and a bloodshot red
Your tired eyes are swollen and red from staying up late, drinking, and not getting enough sleep.
It's been a week or two since you've been in bed
You've been staying up late and not taking care of yourself, neglecting to get enough rest and sleep.
You better pay attention now to what I said
It's time to listen to my advice and take it seriously, for the sake of your health and well-being.
Lord, that liquor is hot, drink water
Alcohol raises your body temperature, and you need to cool down with water to prevent dehydration.
You don't wanna be a sot
You don't want to become a habitual drunk who can't control their drinking and suffers from serious health problems.
You better lay down the bottle
You need to stop drinking alcohol and put the bottle away for good.
And put on the top and drink cool H2O
Close the lid on the bottle, and switch to drinking clean, refreshing water to cleanse your system and restore your health.
Well, now I'll forgive you for your running around
I won't hold it against you for cheating on me, but I want you to change your ways and stop drinking alcohol.
If you just promise that you come unwound
If you can commit to sobering up and getting your life back on track, we can work things out together.
I'll buy you anything you want in town
If you can stay sober and live a healthy lifestyle, I'll reward you with anything you desire.
If you'll leave that junk alone and drink water
The condition for my forgiveness and reward is that you give up alcohol and switch to drinking water instead.
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eduardo Lopez
i never heard johnny cash sing like this. its good
lapyalapya
Thank you very much for sharing it mate. I heard that song's alabama3 remix, both stunning...
The_Berlin_Bopper
That is a song where he tried a bit to sing like other rockabilly stars like Carl Perkins and other known at the time - im glad he just did that on this song ( i think) because i like him more when he sings like usual
Matheus Alves
Bala pra caraio! =D
Fl4wl3ssl0g1c
How could anyone mistake Paul Gilbert for Johnny Cash? Haaha!!
Eroticmisery
Thanks, do you know if it's on Vinyl, that's the only form of music I do. Thanks Again.
Silas
2021 non essentials shops closed
but the liquor shops are open
Andrew Luccas
Matanza Cover did a grat job with this one too o/
Eroticmisery
What album is this one????
Μαριλένα Μουζακίτη
All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash. It's a bonus track !!!!