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.
You Are My Sunshine
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you
So please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me for another
You are my sunshine my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you
So please don't take my sunshine away
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
I was peeping through the bars
You are my sunshine my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you
So please don't take my sunshine away
You are my sunshine my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you
So please don't take my sunshine away
So please don't take my sunshine away
Johnny Cash’s rendition of the classic song “You Are My Sunshine” is a love song portraying a deep, unconditional love. The song is addressed to a loved one who makes the singer happy, just like sunshine brightens up a grey day. The singer emphasizes his love by saying “You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you”. The plea in the refrain “please don’t take my sunshine away” connotes the intense fear of losing the loved one.
The second verse alludes to a condition of reciprocation in love. The singer pledges to always love his counterpart and make them happy but seeks the same assurance. Here, the singer hints at the possibility of being left for another, and the regret the lover will feel for making such a decision.
The last verse is a portrayal of a dream where the singer holds his lover in his arms, only to wake up and realize it wasn't real. The imagery of peeping through bars implies a sense of confinement and perhaps a separation from the lover. This reinforces the central theme of never wanting to lose the loved one, the sunshine in their life.
Overall, the song conveys the message of the importance of love, as it brings happiness and light into one’s life. The singer’s deep commitment to his lover and their undying love for each other is the lingering message.
Line by Line Meaning
You are my sunshine my only sunshine
You are the most important and cherished person in my life
You make me happy when skies are grey
Your love and presence brings joy to me even during difficult times
You'll never know dear how much I love you
I cannot express how deeply I feel for you, my love
So please don't take my sunshine away
Please do not leave or take away the happiness that you bring me
I'll always love you and make you happy
My actions will always show my love for you and make sure you are happy with me
If you will only say the same
I hope you feel the same way too and express it to me
But if you leave me for another
If you choose to leave me for someone else
You'll regret it all some day
You will realize your mistake and the love that was lost
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
In my dreams, you were with me
I dreamed I held you in my arms
I imagined holding you close to me
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
When I woke up, I realized it was just a dream and you were not there
I was peeping through the bars
I felt like I was trapped and separated from you, my love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN S HURT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OVERMID
@@derpfluidvariant0916 My reaction to this comment: Lebron James
Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron..
honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you
ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way
you drive into the paint and strike fear
into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth
touch around the rim, and that gorgeous
jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I
wish it were possible to freeze time so I
would never have to watch you retire.
You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my ownlife it were the only thing that could puta smile on your beautiful face.
You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell frommy right eye when I watched you win yourfirst ring in miami, because deep down,my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced.
2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in
2016 you made history happen. You came
back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it.
I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my
glorious king exclaim these words,
"CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only
have you changed the game of basketball
and the world forever, but you've eternally
changed my world. And now you're getting
older, but still the goat, my goat. I love
you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron
James.
@OVERMID
Lebron James
Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron..
honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you
ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way
you drive into the paint and strike fear
into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth
touch around the rim, and that gorgeous
jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I
wish it were possible to freeze time so I
would never have to watch you retire.
You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my ownlife it were the only thing that could puta smile on your beautiful face.
You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell frommy right eye when I watched you win yourfirst ring in miami, because deep down,my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced.
2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in
2016 you made history happen. You came
back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it.
I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my
glorious king exclaim these words,
"CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only
have you changed the game of basketball
and the world forever, but you've eternally
changed my world. And now you're getting
older, but still the goat, my goat. I love
you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron
James.
@sedaedis8841
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I bowed my head and I cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You′ll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I′ve always loved you and made you happy
And nothing else could come between
But now you've left me, to love another
You have shattered all of my dreams
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don′t take my sunshine away
I always hated it (it was a nice short version)
You wanna re-, pick it up? (Nah, it′s alright) it's good?
We got a short version (mind you, there′s another verse on that tape)
Well, Cleveland, let's uh...
Well, if I feel like my song is sung, it don′t care
I don't care if it′s short
And I feel like my song is sung
It's pleasant, two minutes, I've recorded songs, two minutes
(They were huge hits) have you got the time on that?
@Mastajosue
When my newborn baby was in ICU due to lung problems, my wife and I used to visit him for 10 minutes everyday. We used to take 60 minutes to get to the hospital. One day, he was trying to cry, he was very tired. My wife left because she didn't want to see our son suffer so I started singing this song with a quivering voice. 43 days my boy was there, he is 9 months now and is strong as an oak. Never give up.
@pedromacedo7554
A very blessed child with a very moving life story
@fredhuffman3510
God bless you and your family!!
@ResinbyCat
Oh gosh I started to cry I am glad I didn't read different words..wow LOVELY STORY!!HUGS TO YOU WIFE N BABY!!
@natalieoldham9036
I sing this to my 10 month old son, ever since he has been in ICU. He was on breathing support for 8 days and in ICU and special care for 5.5 weeks. He is now almost walking and the sunshine of my life xx
@aliwali9301
How is he now?? I need an update :( He’s one year now!! happy belated birthday to him
@vernmarschall
My wife died last Tuesday. As she was taking her last breathe, I sang her this song.
@tomstokes3688
Vern Marschall beautiful. Hope you’ve found peace since
@michellelopez8502
¡Wow! Hugs for you.
@kasualalways8034
Sir, this comment is 10 months old. Today is my birthday. And when I saw this comment I cried. You have experienced true loss and I have nothing in my heart but hope for you and grief for your wife. My mother died when I was 11, and being 17 now, I understand. I'm sorry if this seems random and odd but I just want you to know that the feeling of love, is beautiful, never ever take it for granted. I wish you only the best, because losing a love like that can kill a man. Keep fighting, and never ever give up. She wants you to keep going. She loves you.