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.
Unchained
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have been unwise
Restless from the cradle
But now I realize
It's so hard to see the rainbow
Through glasses dark as these
Maybe I'll be able
From down on my knees
Oh, I am weak
Oh, I know I am vain
Take this weight from me
Let my spirit be unchained
Old man swearin' at the sidewalk
I'm overcome
Seems that we've both forgotten
Forgotten to go home
Oh, have I seen an angel
Or have I seen a ghost
Where's that rock of ages
When I need it most
Oh, I am weak
Oh, I know I am vain
Take this weight from me
Let my spirit be unchained
The song "Unchained" by Johnny Cash reflects on the struggles of life and the desire for freedom from the burdens that weigh down on one's spirit. The opening lines reveal a sense of regret and self-awareness for past mistakes and missed opportunities. The imagery of "glasses dark as these" suggests that the singer's perspective has been clouded, making it difficult to see the good things in life, such as a rainbow. The line "maybe I'll be able from down on my knees" alludes to the idea of humbling oneself before a higher power or seeking guidance and support from a source beyond ourselves.
As the song continues, we are introduced to another character - an old man swearing at the sidewalk. The singer becomes overwhelmed with this encounter and feels a sense of connection with the stranger, recognizing that they are both lost in some way. The reference to "forgotten to go home" is symbolic of the longing for something greater, for a sense of belonging and purpose that has been lost or forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
I have been ungrateful
I have not shown gratitude for the good things in life.
I have been unwise
I have not made the best decisions in life.
Restless from the cradle
I have always been full of energy and have never been able to sit still for long.
But now I realize
But now I understand the value of taking things slow and thinking carefully.
It's so hard to see the rainbow
It's difficult to appreciate the good things in life when you are looking at everything through a negative lens.
Through glasses dark as these
Through a negative and pessimistic outlook on life.
Maybe I'll be able
Maybe I will be able to see the good in life again.
From down on my knees
From a position of humility and introspection.
Oh, I am weak
I recognize that I am not strong enough to do this alone.
Oh, I know I am vain
I recognize that I have been too focused on myself and my own needs rather than the needs of others.
Take this weight from me
I am asking for help to carry the burden.
Let my spirit be unchained
Let me be free from the negative thoughts and feelings that have been holding me down.
Old man swearin' at the sidewalk
I see an old man who is upset and angry at the world.
I'm overcome
I feel overwhelmed by the troubles of the world.
Seems that we've both forgotten
It seems like we have both lost our way in life.
Forgotten to go home
We have forgotten where we belong and what truly matters in life.
Oh, have I seen an angel
I am questioning whether I have seen something good and pure in the world.
Or have I seen a ghost
Or if what I have seen is merely an illusion or a figment of my imagination.
Where's that rock of ages
Where is the foundation or stability that I can rely on?
When I need it most
During times of trouble and difficulty, when I need it the most.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JUDE JOHNSTONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Georgiana LittleBird
My daughter she was just 8 months old when she died two years ago...but she listen to the Johnny Cash songs and she was always quiet and peaceful in those moments...
Thank you for your songs.
I am a singer also and I will learn this song so one day I will sing to her...
james edwards
My condolences sir. You will see her again...
Costa Costides
You sure will my brother
Katerina Petrova
His voice touch the soul, the lyrics go stright to the heart cord. I love Johnny. He understood pain.
Joseph Montanye
Johny cash
Is a real great man and storey teller and the Lord helped him to Walk that mile he wanted
KELLY TOBOLSKI
Johnny Cash just moves me with his voice. He helped me get though the death of my mother, which was very hard. There will never be another Man In Black!!!! I just wish that I had got a chance to see him perform live. Rest In Peace Johnny Cash.
JRL
Johnny Cash & Tom Petty ...Doesn't get any better. Two Music Legends.
Jason Desjardins
This song is just so...Cash. Amazing, beautiful, sad, uplifting, soulful, heartfelt and haunting.
gustavo neves.s
Brasilllll🇧🇷
Esse cara canta muito
Sikkbeetz
I can't imagine why anyone would thumbs down this song. It's so beautiful.