The man in song : a discographic biography of Johnny Cash / John M. Alexander.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Alexander, John M., 1956- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Country musicians--United States--Biography.

Country musicians.

Cash, Johnny.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Fayetteville : University of Arkansas Press, 2018.

Summary:

"There have been many books written about Johnny Cash, but The Man in Song is the first to examine Cash's incredible life through the lens of the songs he wrote and recorded. Music journalist and historian John Alexander has drawn on decades of studying Cash's music and life, from his difficult depression-era Arkansas childhood through his death in 2003, to tell a life story through songs familiar and obscure. In discovering why Cash wrote a given song or chose to record it, Alexander introduces readers anew to a man whose primary consideration of any song was the difference music makes in people's lives, and not whether the song would become a hit. The hits came, of course. Johnny Cash sold more than fifty million albums in forty years, and he holds the distinction of being the only performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Man in Song connects treasured songs to an incredible life. It explores the intertwined experience and creativity of childhood trauma. It rifles through the discography of a life: Cash's work with the Tennessee Two at Sam Phillips's Sun Studios, the unique concept albums Cash recorded for Columbia Records, the spiritual songs, the albums recorded live at prisons, songs about the love of his life, June Carter Cash, songs about murder and death and addiction, songs about ramblers, and even silly songs. Appropriate for both serious country and folk music enthusiasts and those just learning about this musical legend, The Man in Song will appeal to a fan base spanning generations. Here is a biography for those who first heard 'I Walk the Line' in 1956, a younger generation who discovered Cash through songs like his cover of Trent Reznor's 'Hurt, ' and everyone in between."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Acknowledgments

A Foreword from Larry Gatlin

Introduction

1. Five Feet High and Rising: Autobiographical, Geographical, and Societal Songs

2. I Walk the Line: The Sun Years

3. What Is Truth: Songs of Personal Conviction

4. The Ballad of Ira Hayes: The Concept Albums

5. Far Side Banks of Jordan: The Gospel According to Cash

6. I Got Stripes: The Legendary Prison Recordings

7. Ring of Fire: Songs for June

8. Sunday Morning Coming Down: Kris Kristofferson and the Great Singer-Songwriters

9. Heroes: Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, and Other Musical Influences

10. Highwayman: Jack Clement, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Other Collaborations

11. Delia's Gone: The Murder Ballads

12. Committed to Parkview: Drug Use and Abuse

13. One Piece at a Time: The Great Story-Songs

14. You Wild Colorado: Deep Cuts and Buried Treasures

15. I've Been Everywhere: Travelin' Cash

16. The Man Comes Around: The American Recordings

17. Ain't No Grave: The Songs Live On

18. September When It Comes: Final Reflections

Notes

Bibliography

Index of Names and Songs.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (EBook Central, viewed July 16, 2025).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781610756280

1610756282

OCLC:

1017738309