Behind the Song Johnny Cash Used to “Dismantle His Own Legacy”

Musicians can have complex relationships with fame. Despite making their dream a reality, success in practice isn’t always what it is in theory. This becomes particularly apparent when record labels have distinctive expectations for their artists–especially those that are time-worn. Johnny Cash once found himself drudging through his record contract. It was so taxing–and proving to be unprofitable–that Cash released a song aimed at dismantling his legacy. Learn more about Cash’s “The Chicken in Black”, below.

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The Song Johnny Cash Used to “Dismantle His Own Legacy”: “The Chicken in Black”

Cash’s career took a commercial hit in the ’80s. He wasn’t being accepted by audiences as well as he was in the decades prior. There were many reasons for this, but Cash pointed a finger at his record label. Cash decided to wiggle his way out of his contract early by releasing a tongue-in-cheek song about the state of the music industry, “The Chicken in Black”.

Though there are many ways to interpret “The Chicken in Black”, most fans see this song as a berate to the powers that be. Cash had become larger than life by the time this song came out. He was just as much a product as he was a man. As Rosanne Cash once said, “‘The Chicken in Black’ was an effort to “[Mock] and [dismantle] his own legacy”.

Cash’s “The Chicken in Black” worked two fold. It helped to break some of the mystique surrounding Cash and it moved his record label to end his contract. While it also, potentially, put a dent in his reputation of being a serious and consequential songwriter, it did the job it was intended for.

Behind the Meaning

For two long years my head hurt bad
So the doctor checked me an he shook his head
He said, “I’m sorry to tell you
But your body’s outlived your brain”
He said, “I know this doctor in New York, son
And he’ll fix you right up with a brand new one”
So the head doctor met me when I stepped down off of the train

He said, “We had this bank robber killed last night
His body’s shot but his brain’s alright
I’ll give you a transplant, boy, and you’ll be okay”
I got my new brain in and I was feelin’ great
I went right back to Nashville with no headache
But something strange happened when I walked in the bank one day

What is Cash’s “The Chicken in Black” about? The lyrics tell a (fabricated) autobiographical tale about Cash receiving a brain transplant from a bank robber. As a result, he compulsively takes to holding up banks and concertgoers. On the flip side, his brain has been given to a chicken…of all things…

The Deeper Meaning

Though Cash’s “The Chicken in Black” is ultimately meant to be taken as a joke, there is a deeper meaning in the subtext. Cash sings about losing his autonomy, which could be a reflection of his career at the time. The chicken in question also, essentially, steals his career, which could be a knock to his record label and their ideas for his music. However, you want to dissect this song, there is no denying it’s a fun listen. Revisit “The Chicken in Black”, below.

I said, “Stick ’em up everybody, I’m robbin’ this place
Drop all of your money in my guitar case
Don’t nobody move and don’t nobody reach for that door”
A lady said, “Why, you’re Johnny Cash”
I said, “No ma’am, I’m the Manhattan Flash
And I am the best bank robber in New York”

Now the other night, Roy Acuff called me
He said, “John, I’d like for you to do the Opry
So I went out on the stage, but I couldn’t sing”
I got into a half a verse of “I Walk The Line”
And something snapped in this head of mine
I yelled, “Stick ’em up
Give me your money, your watches and rings”

(Photo by Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)