Artist Playlists
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You don't have to be a country fan to recognize Johnny Cash's weary, righteous baritone. On the mariachi-influenced "Ring of Fire," it describes a lover's descent into hell and dares the devil to turn up the flames. On "Folsom Prison Blues," after being introduced by a chain-gang guitar line, it gives you a taste of the miserable, nihilistic monotony of life behind bars. And though Cash was one of the most uncompromising artists of the 20th century, he saved one of his greatest performances for the 21st, when he let that voice wither away on the sparse, haunting "Hurt." - With a lifetime of country music history-making behind him, Johnny Cash reinvented himself in the '90s with help from überproducer Rick Rubin and his American Recordings imprint. His voice more cavernous and charismatic than ever, The Man in Black redefined everything from Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" to Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" as stark statements straight from the center of his soul.
- The Man in Black's boom-chicka-boom beat, crater-deep voice, and gargantuan gravitas influenced legions of disciples—country stars and rockers alike. A debt to Cash is hard to miss in Kris Kristofferson's soul-baring outlaw hymn “Why Me,” Jamey Johnson's wry, country-rocking social commentary “California Riots,” and the Mekons' melancholy cowpony stroll “Darkness and Doubt,” among many others.
- Cash's enormous catalogue overflows with so many worthy tunes it could take a lifetime to catch up with them all. But digging in to uncover cuts like the honky-tonking jailbird's lament “I Got Stripes,” the rockabilly-tinged, lonesome moan “Home of the Blues,” and the reflective, Bruce Springsteen-penned story song “Highway Patrolman” is an excellent start.
- Lean back and relax with some of their mellowest cuts.
- Johnny Cash soaked up sounds from across the American musical map. The heavenly gospel harmonies of The Swan Silvertones' “Four and Twenty Elders”; the unapologetic rockabilly of “Move It On Over,” Hank Williams' tale of a rounder who literally ends up in the doghouse; and the resigned blues of Woody Guthrie's drifter's anthem “I Ain't Got No Home In This World Anymore” all seeped into Cash's veins.
- The “Man in Black” tag doesn’t just reflect Johnny Cash’s moody sartorial bent; it captures the dark outsider mythos suffusing his songs. “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Big River”—these are universal anthems of rebellion forged of alienation, heartache, and poverty. So universal, in fact, that Cash has been covered by artists of every stripe: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bob Dylan, and Nick Cave have all channelled the icon’s outlaw poetry.
- Grab the mic and sing along with some of their biggest hits.