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.
Saturday Night in Hickman County
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Between Centerville and Dickson on the gravel roads and byways
They'll be runnin' off the shine that will be bringin' in the bounty
Saturday night in Hickman County
At the beer joint on the black top country music's playin' steady
And the workin' men are drinkin' and they're rough and they are ready
And the girl behind the counter who has all the boys a buzzin'
Down upon the Piney River parked beside the pretty water
In the backseat of a Chevy is your next door neighbor's daughter
They have split up into pairs the four that went off datin' double
Gettin' that po' girl into trouble Saturday night in Hickman County
All the farmers in the valley will be sittin' by the fire
Watch the late news on the TV then they'll quietly retire
Thankful just to be a livin' thankful that tomorrow's Sunday
Sorry that the next day's Monday Saturday night in Hickman County
Saturday night in Hickman County
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's “Saturday Night in Hickman County” describe the scene in a small town in Tennessee on a typical Saturday night. The song paints a picture of young people hanging out by the river, drinking and getting into trouble in their cars, while their parents are at home, watching TV and just happy to be alive. The song has a somber, almost melancholic tone, as if reminding the listener that there is a sense of resignation that comes with living in a place where life doesn't change all that much.
The song is essentially about the passage of time and the way life repeats itself in small towns like Hickman County. The idea is that while people may feel trapped by their circumstances, they nonetheless find meaning in the routine and the cycle of the seasons. There is a certain nostalgia for the way things used to be, when cars were big and loud and boys would try to impress girls by showing off their driving skills. Yet the song also suggests that what really matters is the bonds between people and their sense of community, even if it is a small and insular one like Hickman County.
Line by Line Meaning
When the sun goes down in Nashville go out that Memphis highway
As the sun sets in Nashville, it's time to leave and take the Memphis highway
Between Centerville and Dickson on the gravel roads and byways
The journey between Centerville and Dickson is full of winding roads with a rocky terrain
They'll be runnin' off the shine that will be bringin' in the bounty
People are busy working and utilizing the moonshine to earn a living
Saturday night in Hickman County
It's a typical Saturday night in Hickman County with everyone bustling around
At the beer joint on the black top country music's playin' steady
The local pub is bumping with steady country music
And the workin' men are drinkin' and they're rough and they are ready
The hard-working men of the town are drinking and getting ready for the evening's events
And the girl behind the counter who has all the boys a buzzin'
The waitress has caught the attention of all the men at the bar
Will be leavin' with her husband Saturday night in Hickman County
She'll be leaving with her husband at the end of the night
Down upon the Piney River parked beside the pretty water
Some individuals are parked down by the beautiful Piney River
In the backseat of a Chevy is your next door neighbor's daughter
Someone's next-door neighbor's daughter is in the backseat of a Chevy
They have split up into pairs the four that went off datin' double
Four people who went on a double date have separated into pairs
Gettin' that po' girl into trouble Saturday night in Hickman County
One of the girls may end up getting into some sort of trouble that night
All the farmers in the valley will be sittin' by the fire
The farmers in the valley will be relaxing by a fire
Watch the late news on the TV then they'll quietly retire
They will watch the late news on TV and then head to bed for the night
Thankful just to be a livin' thankful that tomorrow's Sunday
The farmers are grateful to be alive and are looking forward to Sunday
Sorry that the next day's Monday Saturday night in Hickman County
Everyone is having such a great time that they are dreading tomorrow, which is Monday
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JD Keith
Upchurch said he rocks this song on his last Instagram live he did just hearin it now🤘
TONSofFUNTV
Straight just watched it and came here haha 🤘🏼
Patrick Gooch
Just made it lmao
Brandon Franks
I just watched that to I'd have never heard the name but once I heard it I knew the song
Brandon Franks
One of my favorites by cash is. A boy named Sue
Justin West
Same here lol I had never heard this one before
Scar :)
I hate that barely anyone my age (14) recognises this man's talent :(
Big Mike
@miss egg ill be 14 on the 28th yea ik what u mean i cant find no friends who love real country and country in genral lol
kiwi bushblock
same im with you! same age !only song my friends no they think is country is old town road =( no auto tune will change is going to change my mind on this. may the king of country's legend live forever
Kyle Burney
Thumbs up if you're proud to be from Hickman!