Johnny Cash: The Man in Black’s Long and Unlikely Journey
Johnny Cash signed with Elvis Presley’s first label, Sun Records, in 1955. His first audition didn’t go well—after performing Gospel songs, he was told, “Go home and sin, then come back with a song I can sell.”
He was also told that when he sang, people felt nothing. That kind of criticism might have crushed most artists, but for Cash, it only fuelled a remarkable career that spanned decades, from his 1957 debut to his final 2002 masterpiece with Rick Rubin.
It all began with Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar! (1957), which included two of his most iconic tunes: I Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues.
Like Elvis, Cash left Sun Records after his debut, though instead of RCA, he signed with Columbia and released The Fabulous Johnny Cash in 1958. Despite charting—unlike his debut—it featured no major hits. His next album focused entirely on Gospel material, including Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
A steady stream of albums followed, including a Christmas release and a Greatest Hits compilation, which featured another of his signature songs, Ring of Fire—a tune written and previously recorded by his future wife, June Carter.
Perhaps enjoying the success of Ring of Fire, Cash released I Walk the Line (1964), essentially reissuing his earlier hits. This time, the album hit #1.
In 1965, he released Orange Blossom Special, a concept album that included three Bob Dylan tunes: It Ain’t Me Babe, Mama You’ve Been on My Mind, and Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right. Ironically, this followed another themed album in which he claimed to be a Native American—only to become a cowboy the following year.
That cowboy record was followed in 1966 by Everybody Loves a Nut, a novelty album and a hint of what was to come.
Before delivering his biggest novelty hit, Cash scored massive success with a live version of Folsom Prison Blues—recorded at Folsom Prison in 1968. A year later came A Boy Named Sue, recorded live at San Quentin. Though he didn’t write it, the humorous tune became one of his most enduring hits.
Later in 1969, Cash released Get Rhythm, another major tune that cemented his place as one of country music’s true legends.
Johnny Cash: The Final Chapters of a Legendary Career
As the 1970s began, Johnny Cash continued to release albums and singles. While a few charted respectably, the decade didn’t deliver any new classics—Man in Black (1971) being the notable exception.
The ’80s and ’90s fared similarly. Despite relentless output, including over 60 singles and 41 albums released between 1970 and 2000, none matched the timeless quality of his early work. It wasn’t for lack of effort—Cash explored new collaborations and styles throughout this period.
His most notable project during these years was as part of the country supergroup The Highwaymen, alongside Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. Their biggest hits included Help Me Make It Through the Night and Me and Bobby McGee.
He also reunited with former Sun Records peers Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis in the Class of ’55. This tribute to Elvis featured mostly covers, with the only original track written by John Fogerty.
In the twilight of his career, Johnny Cash found an unexpected creative resurgence through his collaboration with producer Rick Rubin. Their partnership began in 1994 with the album American Recordings, which featured Bird on the Wire by Leonard Cohen.
This laid the foundation for what many consider his greatest work: American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002). Released as his 67th and final studio album, it stands as a powerful farewell. Highlights include The Man Comes Around (Cash), Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode), Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel), First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack), Hurt (Nine Inch Nails), In My Life (The Beatles), I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Hank Williams), One (U2), and Desperado (Eagles).
As far as final albums go, it’s difficult to imagine a more profound farewell. From a man once told that his voice made people feel nothing, American IV proved—after 67 studio albums—that Johnny Cash had become one of the most emotionally resonant voices in music history.
He passed away in 2003, just four months after the death of his beloved wife, June Carter Cash. He was 71.
Johnny Cash Tunes | Related Pages
Bird on the Wire | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Bird on the Wire by Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A | E |
Like a bird on the wire…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Bird on the Wire (Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C C/G G G7 | Am7 Am/G |
Well, it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Bob Dylan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Folsom Prison Blues | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F | F |
I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rolling ’round the bend…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The Gambler | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play The Gambler by Kenny Rogers using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Eb | Ab Eb |
On a warm summer’s evening, on a train bound for nowhere…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: The Gambler (Kenny Rogers) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain | Chords + TAB
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Hurt | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Hurt by Johnny Cash using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C Dsus2 | Am |
I hurt myself today…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Hurt (Johnny Cash) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Love Me Tender | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Love Me Tender by Elvis using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| D D/A | E7 E7/B | A7 | D D/A |
Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Love Me Tender (Elvis) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Me and Bobby McGee | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| G | G |
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin’ for a train…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
One | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play One by U2 using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 | Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Is it getting better? Or do you feel the same…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: One (U2) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Ring of Fire | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G |3/4 G G/D C |4/4 G |
Love is a burning thing…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Ring Of Fire (Johnny Cash) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Johnny Cash on the web
