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.
Wanted Man
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I don't need to tell you who Bob Dylan is
The greatest writer of our time was at our house, and
He and I sat down and wrote a song together
Let me see if I can find that damn thing, I'll sing it for you
Yeah, here it is. It's called Wanted Man
Do you know the introduction Bob? OK
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City,
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi,
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
I might be in Colorado,
Or Georgia by the sea
Working for some man who may not know at all who I might be
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
Don't you breathe it to nobody 'cause you know I'm on the lamb
Wanted man by Lucy Watson,
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson,
Wanted man in this next town
I've had all that I wanted of a lot of things I've had
And a lot more than I needed of some things that turned out bad
I got sidetracked in El Paso,
Stopped to get myself a map
Went the wrong way in Pleura with Juanita on my lap
And I went to sleep in Shreveport,
Woke up in Abilene
Wonderin' why the hell I'm wanted at some town half way in between
Wanted man in Albuquerque,
Wanted man in Syracuse
Wanted man in Tallahassee,
Wanted man in Baton Rouge
There's somebody set to grab me
Anywhere that I might be
And wherever you might look tonight
You might get a glimpse of me
Wanted man in California,
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City,
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi,
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
The song "Wanted Man" by Johnny Cash is an intriguing story about a man who is on the run from the law, constantly moving from place to place to evade capture. The song opens with Cash recounting how he recently sat down with Bob Dylan, who was regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of that time. They collaborated on this song, which is about a man who is wanted in various cities and towns across the country.
The first verse sets the tone for the song by stating that the wanted man is sought after in various locations such as California, Buffalo, Kansas City, and Ohio. The chorus reinforces that the wanted man could be anywhere and that anyone might catch a glimpse of him at any moment. The second verse reveals that the man is in hiding, working for someone who is unaware of his true identity. The bridge tells of a brief romantic escapade in El Paso with Juanita, the wrong turn in Pleura and waking up in Abilene, unsure of why he's wanted.
Throughout the song, Cash paints a picture of a man who is always on the run and can never truly escape his past. The only solace he finds is in knowing that he is always moving and that no one can pin him down. The song's eerie tone draws listeners in with the intricate storytelling and makes them empathize with the character's situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Wanted man in California,
There is a criminal who is being sought after by the authorities in California.
Wanted man in Buffalo
The authorities in Buffalo are on the lookout for a criminal.
Wanted man in Kansas City,
There is a man who is wanted by law enforcement in Kansas City.
Wanted man in Ohio
The state of Ohio is searching for a certain criminal.
Wanted man in Mississippi,
A criminal is being searched for in Mississippi by law enforcement.
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
The authorities in Cheyenne are looking for a certain criminal.
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
The criminal is on the run, and could potentially be found anywhere.
I might be in Colorado,
The criminal could currently be residing in Colorado.
Or Georgia by the sea
The criminal may have traveled to Georgia, by the coast.
Working for some man who may not know at all who I might be
The criminal is disguising their identity and is working for someone who has no idea who they really are.
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
If someone recognizes the criminal, they should not report or inform anyone due to their being currently wanted by the law.
Don't you breathe it to nobody 'cause you know I'm on the lamb
If someone informs the authorities of the criminal's whereabouts or identity, it could compromise their ability to evade the law, and escape being caught.
Wanted man by Lucy Watson,
Lucy Watson is aware of the criminal's identity and that they are currently being sought after.
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Jeannie Brown is aware of the criminal's identity and that they are currently being sought after by law enforcement.
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson,
Law enforcement is aware of the criminal, Nellie Johnson.
Wanted man in this next town
The criminal is most likely in the close vicinity of this particular town, and they are being sought after by law enforcement.
I've had all that I wanted of a lot of things I've had
The criminal had their fill of certain life experiences.
And a lot more than I needed of some things that turned out bad
The criminal experienced more than they needed, and some of what they did experience didn't end well.
I got sidetracked in El Paso,
While trying to evade the law, the criminal made a pit stop in El Paso.
Stopped to get myself a map
The criminal needed to get their bearings and figure out their next move.
Went the wrong way in Pleura with Juanita on my lap
While attempting to flee, the criminal made a wrong turn, and had to make their escape with someone named Juanita on their lap.
And I went to sleep in Shreveport,
Eventually, the criminal decided to get some rest in Shreveport.
Woke up in Abilene
Upon waking up, the criminal found themselves in Abilene.
Wonderin' why the hell I'm wanted at some town half way in between
The criminal is curious as to why they are being sought after in a town that is halfway between two locations.
Wanted man in Albuquerque,
Law enforcement in Albuquerque is searching for the criminal.
Wanted man in Syracuse
The criminal is being sought after by law enforcement in Syracuse.
Wanted man in Tallahassee,
The authorities in Tallahassee are looking for a criminal.
Wanted man in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is currently on the lookout for a criminal.
There's somebody set to grab me
Law enforcement is actively trying to apprehend the criminal.
Anywhere that I might be
The authorities are searching everywhere, as the criminal could be hiding out anywhere.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL SHORE, RICK VINCENT, RICK WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IProvideLyrics1924
[Chorus]
Wanted man in California
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi
Wanted man in old Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
[Verse]
I might be in Colorado
Or Georgia by the sea
Working for some man who may not know at all who I might be
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
Don't you breathe it to nobody because you know I'm on the lamb
Wanted man by Lucy Watson
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson
Wanted man in this next town
I've had all that I wanted of a lot of things I've had
And a lot more than I needed of some things that turned out bad
I got sidetracked in El Paso
Stopped to get myself a map
Went the wrong way in Juarez with Juanita on my lap
Went to sleep in Shreveport
Woke up in Abilene
Wondering why I'm wanted at some town half way in between
Wanted man in California
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City
Wanted man in Ohio
There's somebody set to grab me
Anywhere that I might be
So wherever you might look tonight
You might get a glimpse of me
[Chorus]
@thebaconblaster2511
Thank you Johnny Cash for posting from heaven
@ironhorse5662
He died like ten years ago
@Michael-im3ye
@@ironhorse5662 closer to 20
@robshaver957
@@ironhorse5662 pppp]pppp]pppppppppppppppppppppppppp]p]p]ppppppppppp]ppppppppppppp]ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
@topsykrett2431
@@Michael-im3ye 20 this year
@sidd5938
Same day as Ritter died...
@dianacastillo7647
Never heard this till today.
I'm a 62yr old Woman who just fell in love with another song from ' The late Johnny Cash😉
@SARAH-qx8yi
I'm 36 I grew up on old stuff, only stuff I was exposed to was what Mom and Daddy played. I ain't never heard this one neither. Isn't it wonderful?! To find a new Johnny cash song??! 😁😊
@dwaynewladyka577
A great song written by Bob Dylan. May Johnny Cash rest in peace. Cheers!
@butcherboy2008
Johnny Cash wrote part of it. Basically, the two of them got together after dinner and wrote something in a single evening just by fooling around that most people couldn't do at all.