7th Jukebox: A Tribute To Johnny Cash
Posted by Anzie Corgan on May 12, 2005

To be honest, if you were to ask me seven months ago who Johnny Cash was I would have just shrugged my shoulders. I had no idea who this man was, or even that he was one of America's greatest musicians. Considering my rather eclectic music taste, I'm now amazed that a musician of the caliber of Johnny Cash was able to pass unnoticed under my radar.

It wasn't until about two months ago, when I started regularly listening to a country music hour on a local college radio station, that I even got into Johnny Cash; and the country crossover movement. But after I heard his deep voice for the first time I knew that I was down for life. To me, Johnny Cash is almost a super hero. Although he appeared rugged and solemn, deep inside his music you notice an amazing childlike innocence. So please open your ears and you're mind for the amazing Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash - Man in Black

Just so we are on the same page, Johnny Cash came to be known as "the man in black" for his obvious clothing choice. If I remember correctly the whole black clothing started when he first started performing in prison. This song is one of the main reasons that Johnny Cash is who he is.

Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues [Live]

"I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" is by far one of the most powerful lines ever written. Just a great powerful song.

Johnny Cash - Daddy Sang Bass

Back when Johnny Cash was a child his parents would often sing to him and his brother. It was from these experiences that Johnny Cash gained hope. In this song, he reflects on those times and looks forward to a time when he will again meet his mother, father, and brother in heaven. A very emotional song.

Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue [Live]

If you're a Johnny Cash fan you knew I was going to incorporate this song in here somewhere. Just an enjoyable song. "My name is Sue, how do you do, now you're gonna die!"

Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire

A pure classic Johnny Cash song. I don't really have any emotional attachment to this song but it still serves as a wonderful example of what Johnny Cash is capable of.

Johnny Cash/ June Carter Cash - Jackson

Johnny Cash has sung countless songs with artists as varied as Elvis to even, sadly, Nine Inch Nails, but of all the famous artists that he's performed with, one of his favorites was his wife June Carter Cash. Jackson is one of the many great songs that they made together.

Johnny Cash - The One On the Right Is On The Left

One of his great comical folk pieces.

Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time

Believe it or not in 1968 a worker really did smuggle a car out of a GM plant one piece at a time, and it only took a year!

Johnny Cash/Bob Dylan - Girl From the North Country

I originally intended for this Jukebox to only have eight songs. I actually was only intending to include two songs in which Johnny Cash was featured with other artists, but after a bit of consideration this song won me over. What can I say Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash are amazing together.

Johnny Cash/U2 - The Wanderer

One of the most admirable things about Johnny Cash is his strong faith in God. The Wanderer is one of the most touching songs I have ever listened to in my life. An ultimate closure to a life as renowned as Johnny Cash. Just listening to this song brings a tear to my eye.

Although this is only a brief representation of some of the best songs of Mr. Cash, I think you all get the idea. Thank you for taking to time to listen to something that's not Mars Volta.

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