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| June Carter and Johnny Cash |
Johnny Cash wrote and sang from a deep visceral place. His songs were about sorrow, redemption, moral tribulations. Cash spoke from the heart when he sang songs reflecting struggles of alcohol and drugs. Felons identified with him when he sang in Folsom Prison.
A Man Named Sue? Oh yes. I Walk the Line. Man in Black. Delia. There is almost no end to the list of songs he performed and recorded.
But, I will always enjoy this:
Jackson
made famous by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.
We've been talkin' about Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson,
I'm gonna mess around,
I'm goin' to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town!
Listen to the YouTube:
But, one of his last songs bites deep. Hurt from Nine Inch Nails. After Johnny Cash sang it, they said that he made it his. No one could sing that song with such depth.
"Hurt" first made famous by Nine Inch Nails
Johnny Cash died from diabetes complications in 2003, only four months after the death of his beloved wife, June Carter Cash.
A true American classic.
ReplyDeleteHe won't disappear into the vaults.
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ReplyDeleteCash was a musical genius. I really must delve deeper into his work and go past just listening to his most famous songs.
I hope you do that. He sang from his depth and life.
DeleteI loved Johnny Cash but Jackson was not a favorite for some reason. I cannot think of any other songs I didn'r care for that he did. I really liked Ring of Fire which was written by June.
ReplyDeleteJackson made me laugh. The humor they injected as great.
DeleteAt one time i volunteered for jobs over the country. Once I was asked if we would come to Lapanto, Arkansas and replace a bathroom. the caller said there will be no place within 30 miles to park the RV. I laughed to Sherry I said, "Baloney we will find a place." The joke was on me. The closest place was 45 miles. BUT it was one of the most fun volunteer jobs. It was the little town where 'A painted House' was filmed and most fortunately, very close to where Johnny cash picked cotton and many people knew him personally. I talked to an old man who picked cotton with Johnny and said it was true, Johnny could pick a bale a day, a one of his songs said, "Jump down, turn around pick a bale of cotton........"
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post, good post, subject and layout! Love it.
Sherry & jack
That says a lot about him, that he knew what he was singing about.
DeleteHurt is painful and poignant and he nailed it. As only he could.
ReplyDeleteA Boy Named Sue? is a song this Sue heard too often.
Oh, yes. Same here.
DeleteJohnny and June - a cool, talented couple, deeply in love with each other. America's finest country singers!
ReplyDeleteTheir love story is well shown in Walk the Line with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Good movie.
DeleteI'd completely forgotten that Johnny Cash died. I'll have to listen to some of his songs tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do.
DeleteTrue genius is the way i describe him. We enjoy listening to him, and my Sweetie loves to play guitar along with the songs.
ReplyDeleteHow great is that!
DeleteSo very powerful and a lasting tribute to the man.
ReplyDeleteYoung people the current generation have no idea what Johnny Cash did and sang.
DeleteA great singer indeed. Especially liked the Man in Black and Where you there when they crucified my Lord?
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
that was a great song. Sunday Morning Comin' Down is a longing for Christ, and Where You There was where he really gave that depth.
DeleteHi Susan - he and June were one wonderful couple with magnificent songs and lyrics that we enjoy and appreciate to this day. Jackson I knew - not so sure about Hurt ... but I'm following through the hurt as I listen. I used 'Anything but Sue' ... when the latest Royal was born ... thankfully they named him Archie! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSue and Archie. that would have been a gread combo.
DeleteI never got into country music, and had never heard the song "Hurt" before. However, it was quite powerful and the imagery was unusual, to say the least. This was a poignant and well presented post, Susan. I was quite impressed.
ReplyDeleteThanks! The older I grew to be, the more I understood his songs.
DeleteJohnny was one of those singers you almost felt like was a 'family friend' around our house growing up. And yes, nobody could have made Hurt so powerful. Have you ever heard him and Daughter Rosanne on September When It Comes? That one makes me cry too.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't. Off to listen to it. thanks!
DeleteInteresting how some couple live so long and go about the same time.
ReplyDeleteWe see that a lot in our elderly population. It is as if they are Siamese twins, joining together at the heart.
DeleteCash had a talent all is own which none will ever repeat.
ReplyDeleteCash was the one and only.
DeleteOh yes, he definitely made "Hurt" his.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I saw it, I cried.
DeleteHurt is one of those emotionally evocative songs with deep, deep meaning and his loving wife? stands beside him as he sing it. I'd say a lot of folks understand.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Seeing June Carter Cash in the video, like on the stairs?, made it more special.
DeleteSusan:
ReplyDeleteWhen Johnny married June, it was a relationship made in heaven.
I grew up listening to them.
His singing was not only from the heart, but (more importantly) from the soul.
There will never be another like him, that's for sure, and you have to admit he DID leave us ALL a great legacy.
His music and singing really did come from the soul, you are so right.
DeleteHis American Recordings albums are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI listen to them on Google Play, as well as Willie Nelson.
DeleteHe was special, he really did seem to sing from his soul.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that he passed away just four months after his beloved June.
All the best Jan
Cash was a strong believer and this was reflected in his singing.
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