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.
borderline
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just wouldn't stop and listen so you got your heart run over by a mystery train
I tried to warn you from the start you must be careful of my kind
Not quite crazy not quite sane right on the borderline
How many times I told you it's got nothin' to do with you why can't you see
But there's a difference in our music you've got yours but mine's got me
I stay up day and night for nothin' puttin' words on paper I can't find
It's a musical whodunit you know how people love a mystery
There ain't no knot untangable the only thing unchangeable is me
So if you're gonna stay get ready to go through this from time to time
I'm not quite crazy I'm not quite sane right on the borderline
The lyrics to Johnny Cash's song "Borderline" speak about a relationship that is being tested by the singer's idiosyncrasies. The singer is warning their partner about their unconventional and unpredictable personality, but the partner is not listening. The singer is struggling with their music, staying up day and night putting words on paper, while their partner doesn’t understand the importance of music in their life. The lyrics reflect the experiences of an artist who is trying to find their way in the world while being misunderstood by those closest to them.
The chorus, "Not quite crazy, not quite sane, right on the borderline" serves as a metaphor for the singer's situation. It highlights that the singer is navigating between creativity and craziness, and how their partner's inability to understand and accept them is causing further confusion and struggle. The song speaks about the importance of accepting one's unique nature and warning others to be careful around them if they do not understand or appreciate their art.
Line by Line Meaning
As usual you just wouldn't listen waitin' for your turn to talk while I explain
You never listened to me, always waiting to talk while I spoke.
You just wouldn't stop and listen so you got your heart run over by a mystery train
Your inability to listen caused you to get hurt in a way that was unpredictable and mysterious.
I tried to warn you from the start you must be careful of my kind
I warned you about the kind of person I am and the potential danger that comes with it.
Not quite crazy not quite sane right on the borderline
I am not completely sane or crazy, but somewhere in between that line.
How many times I told you it's got nothin' to do with you why can't you see
I repeatedly told you that this situation had nothing to do with you, but you were unable to see it.
But there's a difference in our music you've got yours but mine's got me
Our music may be different, but my music is a part of me.
I stay up day and night for nothin' puttin' words on paper I can't find
I spend countless hours writing words only to be unable to find the ones I need.
Not quite crazy not quite sane right on the borderline
I exist in a state of being neither completely crazy nor completely sane.
It's a musical whodunit you know how people love a mystery
My music is a mystery and people love trying to figure it out.
There ain't no knot untangable the only thing unchangeable is me
Every problem can be solved, except for me - I am unchangeable.
So if you're gonna stay get ready to go through this from time to time
If you are going to stay with me, you need to be prepared to go through this kind of experience from time to time.
I'm not quite crazy I'm not quite sane right on the borderline
I am not completely crazy or completely sane, but right on the borderline in between.
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anonymous
on Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone
There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam
Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep
Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams
I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home