Is anybody else as stoked about the new Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line as I am? Cash has always been a personal fave, thanks to the influence of one James Alton Bybee, my late father. Cash was my Dad’s hero. The characters in his songs, the black attire, the attitude, the walking tale of redemption — all resonated with my father and thereby, resonate with me as well. I can’t exactly put my finger on what it is that I love about Cash. Maybe it’s his outlaw swagger. Maybe it’s the great music. Maybe I just love loving something my Dad loved.
I promise you, I was the only kid on my block in the mid-80’s who knew all the words to A Boy Named Sue.
When I was in 3rd grade, my Sunday School teacher asked me to name my favorite song (I’m pretty sure she meant “church song”). My response: Big River from the Highwaymen album.
I still have a handwritten note from Cash to my father, thanking him for a note of appreciation my Dad sent him.
So, in memory of J R Cash (the man had no given first name, only initials), I present to you my top 10 Johnny Cash songs of all-time.
10. Ghost Riders in the Sky – I still own my Dad’s vinyl copy of this album. I remember my Dad would always cough really loud when we’d get to the line “…if you wanna save your soul from hell…” Guess he thought I’d think it was a cuss word.
9. Don’t Take Your Guns to Town – The tale of young Billy Joe.
8. If I Were a Carpenter – Great duet with June.
7. Girl From the North Country – A Bob Dylan / Johnny Cash duet. Classic.
6. Ring of Fire – When those horns fire up, I’m all ears, baby.
5. Man in Black – Tells you all you need to know.
4. I Walk the Line – My Dad would nail this song in karaoke.
3. A Boy Named Sue – Cash never wanted to be remembered for this novelty song. Safe to say the rest of his body of work is sufficient even without this Shel Silverstein tune. When I was younger, I used to try and figure out what he said that got bleeped out.
2. Folsom Prison Blues
1. Tennessee Flat Top Box – For Dad.
There’s sufficient Oscar buzz regarding the film, so you should check it out. I know I will.
already & not yet 
Jason–How about that anti-gnostic favorite, No Earthly Good?
I, too, was raised on cash. Songs like Orange Blossom Special and Folsom Prison Blues were huge parts of my formative years.For recent stuff it is hard to beat his rendition of hurt or mercy seat.And then his duet with Joe Strummer of Bob Marley’s classic Redemption Song.Can’t argue with any of the one’s you’ve listed.Come on, no comments on my soundtrack list? How about “How Can I Live” from Con-Air?
Jason–I heard this on NPR during the morning commute. I think you’ll enjoy it.
I too listened to many Cash songs growing up & I relate to all of your “Sue” comments. Richard Jr’s band, Legacy, will be doing a Cash song Sunday night at their concert (can’t remeber which one at the moment). “Ring of Fire” & Herb Albert (another one of my late father’s favs) was the inspiration of some of my early life horn blowing. As far as a review, I heard this morning (WayFM) that the movie neglects the “real” inspiration behind the man in blacks walk of the line, but I’m stoked anyway, as well.
I went, I saw, it was good, go2it…It brought back a lot of good memories of a time long ago.
Sorry I’ve been away from the page for a couple days. Been at a conference in Nash-Vegas.Richard, you and I need to get together and swap stories about “Sue”. Another favorite distraction of my Dad’s was to strategically ask me “What time is it?” at the exact moment a questionable lyric would play. I’m sure I’ll be doing the same with my kids someday soon.I’m hoping to catch the flick sometime this week. I’ll post a review then.