The more I write about Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and listen to his music, the more impressed I am by his talent, output, and willingness to try something new. Even in the twilight of his career and hardship-laden life (health issues, substance abuse), Cash's work was worthwhile. He went through all kinds of difficulties,yet never let them totally derail him. Cash also never became an anachronism. Here, we take a look at some Johnny Cash songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
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'Cat's in the Cradle' (1990)
Harry Chapin had a chart-topper with this signature song about the emotionally-fraught relationship between a dad and his son. Cash recorded it for his album Boom Chicka Boom. His flair for compelling storytelling emerges clearly on the track. Unlike Chapin's more stately, kind of laid-back version, the Man in Black does the song with a fast-paced, country-inflected tempo. With his husky voice and ease with drama, it works nicely for Cash.
'Delia's Gone' (1994)
Per faroutmagazine.co.uk, "The song is based on the unsolved brutal murder of the 14-year-old African-American girl, Delia Green in 1900." Cash recorded it in 1962, then did it again in 1994 for the album American Recordings, which was produced by Rick Rubin. The outlet chose this track as Cash's best of the 1990s. He actually sang many songs about homicide. Treblezine.com credits his abundant skills as "a master storyteller" for their success.
'Hurt' (2002)
This anguish-soaked track gets to me every time. I can imagine all the turmoil and loss that Cash endured when I hear him sing this. "Hurt" was written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails when he was at particularly low ebb. Per Loudwire, "Johnny's version ended up more bare-bones. Acoustic guitar, with tasteful touches of organ and piano, which allowed Johnny's aged and weathered voice to cut through, but it's clear that age didn't take anything away from Johnny's greatness. His weakened voice allowed him to convey emotion in a deeper way, and you believe the wisdom he's espousing." Cash's pain and suffering are so evident on this song that is almost too intimate and personal to turn away from.
'Like The 309' (2006)
"Like The 309" "was the final song ever written and recorded by Cash," according to American Songwriter. The tune appears on the 2006 album American V: A Hundred Highways. It explores his longtime affection for trains - and ominously hints at impending death. There is a strong theme involving trains in Cash's oeuvre, including his first song in 1955, "Hey Porter," plus two "locomotive-themed albums," Ride This Train (1960) and All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash (1962).
