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Johnny Cash is probably the most common influence of young country artists. But cash himself was also happy to be inspired. Throughout his life he was a student of music. Always looking for songs that touched him. No matter whether country or not. He even recorded his own versions of these pieces. From the country rock of the Stones’ “No Expectations” to the haunting coda from Nine Inch nails “Hurt”. Here are the 11 coolest cover versions of MAN in Black.
“One” (U2)
Cash awarded U2S Megaballad on the 2000 album “American III: Solitary Man” its unmistakable gravitas. In a sparse, acoustic version, Sing Cash speaks the lines and fills them with bitterness that Bono could never reach. The line “Did I Disappoint You, Or Leave a Bad Taste in your Mouth?” Sounds outraged.
“Johnny 99” (Bruce Springsteen)
Cash not only recorded this “Nebraska” plumbing sound from Bruce Springsteen-he even named an entire album afterwards, just a year after Springsteen’s original publication. Cash becomes a rockabilly saloon song, but the tragic story of a man behind bars remains.
“No Expectations” (The Rolling Stones)
Ironically, the Stones ballad with a country strike was a little designed by Cash: it accelerated the pace and added elements from Bluegrass and Spanish music. Ten years after the publication on “Beggars Banquet”, Cash made the song the heart of his 1978 album “Gone Girl”.
“Redemption Song” (Bob Marley)
Bob Marley summoned in this acoustic prayer, but Cash called Joe – Joe Strummer by The Clash. The two icons of their genres combined their voices in one of the most unexpected-and until the publication of the 2003 Unearthed box set-Duette from Cash’s career.
“I Won’t Back Down” (Tom Petty)
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers acted as Cash’s band on his 1996 album “Unchained”, but this version of Petty’s “Full Moon Fever” track only appeared on the 2000 album “American III: Solitary Man”. Petty is still there and harmonizes with cash, which after illness experiences gives the song a new portion despite.
“Rusty Cage” (Soundgarden)
Of all covers in Cash’s catalog, this is probably the most puzzling – but not a failure. Rather, his version of this sound garden piece is a brilliant excursion in the Southern Gothic. The atmosphere is tangible – like a sultry night in the delta.
“I’m on fire” (Bruce Springsteen)
Cash recorded this single from “Born in the USA” for a Springsteen tribute album in 2000. He hums and growls through the ballad like a restless troubadour, which longs for a night camp. Springsteens music seemed to touch cash deep – his album “Johnny 99” begins with “Highway Patrolman”.
“Have you ever Seen the Rain” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Full of eighties production-call-and-response singing, metallic-sounding keyboards-this CCR cover and the album “Rainbow from 1985” stand for cashs artistically poor phase. Nevertheless, hearing is worthwhile – if only because of the wonderfully defined echo effect in Cash’s voice.
“Redemption Day” (Sheryl Crow)
Cash and Sheryl Crow have a close friendship in his recent years. Crow often remembers a call from the seriously ill musician, in which he informed her that he wanted to record this song. Published on the posthumous album “American VI: Ain’t No Grave”, “Redemption Day” is the sound of a man who deals with his approaching farewell.
“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (The Band)
In 1975 Cash published the album “John R. Cash”, on which one of the most impressive compositions by Robbie Robertson and The Band was located. Cash’s version is significantly faster, almost happy, with hints to Dixieland jazz. A strange experience – but an example of what Cash could get out of a song.
“Hurt” (nine inch nails)
Cash’s most famous cover, known for his shattering music video on MTV, became the symbol of his last phase of life. Frail, with the same eyes and trembling in the video, reflect the same shocks in his voice. It is the sound of resignation.