Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. His genre-spanning music embraced country, rock, folk, blues, and gospel. He had a particularly deep, resonant baritone voice and a distinctive sound. He is widely considered one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century. Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the “boom-chicka-boom” sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, a rebelliousness, and free prison concerts. He was one of the first artists to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
| Name | Johnny Cash |
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1932 |
| Genres | Country, Rockabilly, Folk, Gospel |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
| Labels | Sun Records, Columbia Records, American Records |
| Years active | 1954-2003 |
| Notable works | “I Walk the Line”, “Ring of Fire”, “A Boy Named Sue” |
10 Best Johnny Cash Quotes
“My father was a big influence on me. I was very close to him. I think part of the reason I got into music was to please him.”
– Johnny Cash, from Grammy.com
“My ambition is to live my life so that when I get out of bed in the morning, the devil says, ‘aw shit, he’s up!’”
– Johnny Cash, from Grammy.com
“I think my first real professional experience was with the Air Force. I was stationed in Germany and I played the radio show there. That was the first time I was paid to sing.”
– Johnny Cash, from Grammy.com
“I think my music has gone through a lot of changes. When I first started, I was trying to be like Elvis and Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins. I was trying to be like them, and I guess I still am.”
– Johnny Cash, from Grammy.com
“I don’t think I’m a rebel, I just think I’m a man. I’m a man who stands up for what he believes in. I don’t think I’m a rebel. I’m just a man.”
– Johnny Cash, from Grammy.com
“I’d like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free. So I could express myself.”
– Johnny Cash, from NPR.org
“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is to be true to yourself. To be honest and real, and to always keep your word.”
– Johnny Cash, from Biography.com
“You’ve got to know your limitations. I don’t know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren’t too many limitations, if I did it my way.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“I think that music is one of the greatest gifts that God gave to man, and I think that it is really important for people to use it to the best of their ability.”
– Johnny Cash, from Biography.com
“I don’t think I’m a rebel, but I do think that I’m an individualist. I believe that I can think for myself and I don’t have to follow what everyone else is doing.”
– Johnny Cash, from NPR.org
7 Inspirational Johnny Cash Quotes
“I guess if you look at life one way, there’s always something to complain about. But if you look at it another way, there’s always something to be thankful for.”
– Johnny Cash, from Interview Magazine
“It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“I’m still learning. I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“I have been a wanderer all my life, and I guess I still am.”
– Johnny Cash, from NPR
“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”
– Johnny Cash, from Genius
“I’d like to be remembered as somebody who tried really hard to be honest with himself and other people.”
– Johnny Cash, from Brainy Quote
“I have always been driven to buck the system, to innovate, to take things beyond where they’ve been.”
– Johnny Cash, from Brainy Quote
6 Famous Johnny Cash Quotes
“I love people, and I love to be with them. I think that’s one of the greatest gifts God gave us, the ability to love people and enjoy their company.”
– Johnny Cash, from Christian Broadcasting Network
“We’re all in this together. We don’t have to be divided by race or economics or nationality. We can be one world, one people.”
– Johnny Cash, from CNN
“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”
– Johnny Cash, from The Guardian
“And I like to know that life is still worth living. I think it is, and I try to make mine that way, and I try to make other people’s that way.”
– Johnny Cash, from CNN
“One of the things that I’m most proud of is that I was able to make a living, to support my family and to do the things I wanted to do, not just in music but in life, without having to be a conformist.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“I’m going to try to put something good back in the world, something that maybe wasn’t there before.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
7 Johnny Cash Quotes About Love
“Love is the greatest thing that can happen to a human being. It’s the greatest gift”
– Johnny Cash, from Biography.com
“I guess that’s why they call it the blues. Love is a losing game.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“I don’t think you can have any real understanding of life without having some understanding of love.”
– Johnny Cash, from The Guardian
“Love is the only thing that’s real”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“Love is what it’s all about.”
– Johnny Cash, from The Independent
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– Johnny Cash, from The Guardian
“Love is a very powerful emotion, but it’s a very tricky emotion.”
– Johnny Cash, from HuffPost
8 Johnny Cash Quotes About Life
“Life’s a journey. It’s supposed to be a series of changes and growth and learning and understanding. I hope I’m learning and understanding.”
– Johnny Cash, from CNN
“Life is not a straight path. There will be hills and valleys. You have to learn how to play the game.”
– Johnny Cash, from CBS News
“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned in life is that you can’t really outguess it. You just have to go with the flow.”
– Johnny Cash, from Rolling Stone
“Life is too short to waste it with the wrong person.”
– Johnny Cash, from Biography
“Life’s too short to be anything but happy.”
– Johnny Cash, from Johnny Cash
“Life has always been a struggle for me. But I’m not alone in that. Most people I know have the same feelings.”
– Johnny Cash, from Brainy Quote
“I think that life is a song. I think you have to find your own melody to it.”
– Johnny Cash, from CNBC
“Life has a way of moving you past wants and hopes.”
– Johnny Cash, from AZ Quotes
6 Quotes About Johnny Cash
“Johnny Cash was a rare combination of an artist who was both timeless and ahead of his time.”
– Tom Petty, from johnnycash.com
“Johnny Cash was a person of deep faith and his music was his ministry.”
– Billy Ray Cyrus, from johnnycash.com
“There’s a lot of great singers, and there’s no-one like Johnny Cash.”
– Bob Dylan, from BrainyQuote.com
“Johnny Cash is the most incredible performer I have ever seen.”
– Elvis Costello, from BrainyQuote.com
“Johnny Cash was a giant. He was larger than life.”
– Kris Kristofferson, from BrainyQuote.com
“It’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had, to be called a contemporary of Johnny Cash.”
– Willie Nelson, from BrainyQuote.com
Interview with Johnny Cash
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnny Cash
1. What is Johnny Cash’s most famous quote?
Johnny Cash was an iconic musician and songwriter whose music had a profound impact on country, folk and rock music. He was also known for his thought-provoking and inspiring quotes. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Johnny Cash:
- “I walk the line.”
- “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”
- “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”
- “When I’m good I’m very, very good… but when I’m bad, I’m better.”
- “I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken—and I’d rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken pieces as long as I lived.”
- “My advice is, if they’re going to break your heart, do it before you get out of bed in the morning.”
- “I’m a singer of songs, I’m not a very good one, but I’ve written some that have been pretty good. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m on this planet, I think.”
Johnny Cash’s most famous quote is “I walk the line”. This phrase has become synonymous with the man himself and has been referenced in countless songs and films. It is a reminder of his commitment to staying true to himself, his music, and his fans.
2. How has Johnny Cash’s music and lyrics influenced popular culture?
Johnny Cash’s music and lyrics have had a lasting and profound influence on popular culture. His songs have often been viewed as anthems of protest and social justice, and his lyrics have been interpreted by many as taking on a deeper, more profound meaning. Cash’s songs often address themes of love, loss, redemption, and justice, and have been covered by many artists from different genres.
Some of the ways in which Johnny Cash’s music has influenced popular culture include:
- His music has been featured in a variety of films and television shows, including “The Sopranos,” “Thelma and Louise,” and “O Brother Where Art Thou.”
- Many of his songs have been covered by some of music’s biggest stars, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and U2.
- His songs have been used in campaigns by organizations such as Amnesty International and Oxfam.
- His music has been used to highlight social issues such as poverty, racism, and the death penalty.
- The song “Folsom Prison Blues” has been referenced in numerous films, television shows, and books.
Johnny Cash’s music and lyrics have had a lasting impact on popular culture, and his legacy is sure to live on for many years to come.
3. What are some of the themes found in Johnny Cash’s songs?
Johnny Cash is renowned for his iconic music that has captivated audiences since the 1950s. His songs are often seen as a reflection of his own life experiences and struggles, offering insights into his personal journey. Cash’s songs have tackled a variety of themes over the years, from love and heartbreak to poverty and injustice. Here are some of the themes found in Johnny Cash’s songs:
- Love and Heartbreak
- Mortality
- The Human Condition
- Poverty and Injustice
- Death and Loss
- God and Religion
- Social Change
- The American Dream
Cash’s songs often explore these themes in a somber, reflective way, but also with a sense of hope and optimism. His music is a timeless reminder that no matter how difficult life can be, it is possible to persevere and find strength in adversity.
4. How did Johnny Cash become one of the most influential musicians of all time?
Johnny Cash rose to fame in the 1950s and 60s, and quickly gained recognition as one of the most influential musicians of all time. He was known for his unique style that blended the sounds of country, rockabilly, and gospel music. He was also a prolific songwriter, writing over 1,000 songs over the course of his career.
Here are some of the key factors that helped Johnny Cash become one of the most influential musicians of all time:
- His unique style: Cash blended a variety of sounds and genres to create a sound that was uniquely his own. His signature sound combined elements of country, rockabilly, and gospel music, creating a sound that resonated with fans all over the world.
- His songwriting: Johnny Cash was an incredibly prolific songwriter, writing over 1,000 songs in his lifetime. His songwriting tackled themes of love, loss, faith, and redemption, which helped him to connect with his fans on an emotional level.
- His live performances: Cash was known for his captivating live performances. He had a knack for connecting with the audience, and his performances often had a spiritual quality that resonated with fans.
- His activism: Cash was a passionate and outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights, and his activism and support of causes such as civil rights and Native American rights further endeared him to fans.
With his unique style, powerful songwriting, captivating live performances, and passionate activism, Johnny Cash became one of the most influential musicians of all time.
5. What is the legacy that Johnny Cash has left behind?
Johnny Cash is remembered as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. His unique blend of country, folk, gospel, and rock and roll music has earned him the title of a legend. He was a true trailblazer in the music industry and is still celebrated by fans around the world.
Cash was an outspoken advocate for the rights of minorities and the poor. His songs often addressed social issues such as war, prison reform, and poverty. He was given the nickname “The Man in Black” in reference to his all-black attire, which he wore in protest of the Vietnam War and in support of the disenfranchised.
Cash was also known for his compassion and generosity. He was a staunch supporter of the American Red Cross, donating his time and money to the organization. He also created the Cash family foundation, which provides financial assistance to those in need.
Cash’s music has been covered by countless artists and has inspired countless more. His songs have been featured in films and television, and his influence can be heard in the music of modern artists. His music is timeless and will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
The legacy that Johnny Cash has left behind is one of resilience, compassion, and hope. He was an advocate for the voiceless, a champion of the oppressed, and an inspiration to all. He will continue to be remembered as a musical icon and a true American hero.
- Unique blend of country, folk, gospel, and rock and roll music
- Spoke out against social injustices
- Compassion and generosity
- Music covered by countless artists
- Legacy of resilience, compassion, and hope
Conclusion
Johnny Cash was an iconic artist whose music touched millions of hearts and inspired generations. His quotes on life, love, and music provide valuable insight into the life and mind of a legendary artist. They remind us to live life to the fullest, to accept our mistakes and move on, and to never give up on our dreams. His words encourage us to find our own path and live life with passion and purpose. Although it has been over a decade since his passing, the legacy of Johnny Cash will continue to inspire people for many years to come.
