Lynne's first recording for Epic was a duet with George Jones, "If I Could Bottle This Up", which became a top-50 hit in 1988. In 2000 she won a Grammy award for "Best New Artist", despite the fact that she had been recording and releasing records for more than ten years
With Tears, Lies, and Alibis the follow-up to 2008's Just A Little Lovin' and the first release on her own label, Everso Records, Shelby Lynne affirms her position as a visionary, iconoclastic artist who deftly weaves country, soul, rock, blues, pop and folk influences to forge her own unique style. Like Identity Crisis (2003) and Suit Yourself (2005), this sparse, unguarded collection was produced by Lynne, who evokes a live-in-the-studio vibe from a stellar group of musicians. Born in Quantico, VA, she grew up in Jackson, AL and headed to Nashville at an early age. At 18, Lynne s demos landed her an appearance on TNN s Nashville Now series, which led to a Top 50 duet ( "If I Could Bottle This Up" ) with George Jones and a record deal. Following the release of the critically acclaimed I Am Shelby Lynne in 2000, she won the GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. She made her acting debut in 2005, playing Johnny Cash's mother in the Fox Searchlight motion picture Walk the Line.
Johnny Met June
Shelby Lynne Lyrics
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He spoke the words softly and as somber as he can
The world stood still and the sky opened up
Made my way to fill up my coffee cup.
Then it occurred to me as the daylight sky shone blue
Today's the day that
Johnny met June.
He waited a while he knew that he would
He was gonna hang around here for as long a he could
The days went by and hours idle passed
He was never sure just how long he would last
But there's not much love in a lonely room
Today's the day that
Johnny met June
Hey my darlin' hey my sweet
I've waited on the day that I knew we would meet.
Hey my sun, hey my moon
Today's the day that
Johnny met June.
Now were starting over it's the place that we are
You look more than pretty underneath all the stars
Love, love is a burning thing
Oh how I still love to hear you sing
And everything we ever heard about heaven is true
Today's the day that Johnny met June
Today's the day that Johnny met June.
The song “Johnny Met June” by Shelby Lynne is a love story inspired by one of country music’s most iconic couples, Johnny and June Carter Cash. The lyrics are delivered from the perspective of Johnny Cash, portraying his life before and after he met June. The opening stanza begins with a somber tone, as the news of June’s passing is delivered over the radio. The world stands still and the sky opens up, creating a stark contrast between the enormity of losing June and the insignificance of daily routines such as filling up a coffee cup. The significance of this event is amplified by the realization that Johnny Cash is now reunited with the love of his life in heaven.
The second stanza reflects on Johnny Cash’s life before he met June. He knew that eventually, he would meet the love of his life and waited patiently for her to arrive. Days and hours passed in solitude and emptiness, yet he resolutely held on to the hope of finding true love. The final lines reveal that “there's not much love in a lonely room” and that Johnny Cash’s life was transformed when he finally met June. The chorus is a joyful celebration of their first meeting, with Johnny telling June how long he has been waiting to meet her.
The final stanza of the song portrays the image of Johnny and June as a couple living in love and harmony, starting afresh in a place where they can be themselves. The lyrics “Love is a burning thing, oh how I still love to hear you sing” reaffirm their infinite love and admiration for each other. In the last line, the song confirms the idea that all the love story clichés about “heaven” are true, and the fact that Johnny and June met reinforces the idea of a divine and eternal love.
Line by Line Meaning
Got some news today from the radio man
I received some news from the radio host today
He spoke the words softly and as somber as he can
The radio host delivered the news with a sad and gentle tone
The world stood still and the sky opened up
I felt a sudden stillness and witnessed the sky opening up after hearing the news
Made my way to fill up my coffee cup.
I went to get coffee after hearing the news
Then it occurred to me as the daylight sky shone blue
I realized today was the day that Johnny met June as the sky was blue
Today's the day that Johnny met June.
Today is the day that Johnny and June Cash met
He waited a while he knew that he would
Johnny Cash waited a long time knowing he would meet June one day
He was gonna hang around here for as long a he could
Johnny was determined to stay and fight for June's love
The days went by and hours idle passed
Days and hours passed by with nothing happening in Johnny's love life
He was never sure just how long he would last
Johnny didn't know how much longer he could bear with the loneliness
But there's not much love in a lonely room
Being lonely doesn't promote love
Hey my darlin' hey my sweet
Johnny showing his love and admiration for June
I've waited on the day that I knew we would meet.
Johnny has been waiting for the day he would meet June
Hey my sun, hey my moon
Johnny addressing June as his sun and moon, meaning she was his everything
Now were starting over it's the place that we are
Johnny and June starting fresh with their love in the present moment
You look more than pretty underneath all the stars
Johnny sees more than beauty in June, he sees the stars in her eyes
Love, love is a burning thing
Love can be an intense feeling
Oh how I still love to hear you sing
Johnny's love for June extends to her singing
And everything we ever heard about heaven is true
Johnny believes in the truth of everything he has ever heard about heaven
Today's the day that Johnny met June.
Reiteration of the day Johnny and June met, emphasizing the significance of their love story
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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