Johnny Cash would have turned 93 today (February 26). Unfortunately, the legendary singer/songwriter passed away more than 20 years ago at the age of 71. He joined his loving wife June Carter Cash in the Hereafter and left behind a legacy that is still shaping country, folk, and Americana music today.
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Cash’s work left an indelible mark on the world of country music. In honor of his birthday, we’re going to look back at some of his biggest hits.
[RELATED: 4 of Johnny Cash’s Most Underrated Songs]
“I Walk the Line”
Johnny Cash wrote “I Walk the Line” for his first wife while on tour with Elvis Presley in 1956. He was newly married and he wanted to pledge his devotion to his wife in the face of all of the temptation he faced on the road. He released the single later that year and it became his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was also a crossover hit, peaking at No. 17 on the Hot 100. More importantly, it became one of his signature songs.
“I Walk the Line” has appeared on many of Cash’s albums including his debut With His Hot and Blue Guitar.
“Ring of Fire”
June Carter wrote “Ring of Fire” with Merle Kilgore about her budding relationship with Johnny Cash. He released it in 1963 as a single from Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. However, he wasn’t the first to record the song. That distinction went to Anita Carter, June’s sister, who featured it on her 1962 album Folk Songs Old and New.
Cash had a massive hit with the song. It topped the Hot Country Songs chart and stayed there for seven weeks. It also peaked at No. 17 on the Hot 100.
“Don’t Take Your Guns to Town”
Johnny Cash wrote “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” and released it in 1958 as a single from his album The Fabulous Johnny Cash. The song tells the story of Billy Joe, a young cowboy who wants badly to be seen as a man. In pursuit of that goal, he goes to town armed with his guns and drinks at a saloon. When an older cowboy makes fun of him, Billy Joe reaches for his gun but the older cowboy is faster.
This was another huge hit for Cash. It topped the Hot Country Songs chart for six weeks and peaked at No. 32 on the Hot 100. More than that, it’s an example of Cash’s skill as a storyteller.
“One Piece at a Time”
Written by Wayne Kemp, Johnny Cash recorded “One Piece at a Time” as a single and the title track from his 1976 album. Surprisingly, this was the Man in Black’s final No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. It was also his final entry on the Hot 100 where the song peaked at No. 29.
“One Piece at a Time” is a novelty song about a man who works at General Motors in Detroit and steals a Cadillac, as the title implies, one piece at a time. It’s a fun story and much like “A Boy Named Sue” is an example of Cash’s talking blues delivery.
Featured Image by GAB Archive/Redferns
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