American V: A Hundred Highways cover

Released 20 years ago

American V: A Hundred Highways

Johnny Cash · 2006

42 min · 12 tracks · blues · rock & roll · traditional folk music

Hauntingly reflective, this album intertwines somber country ballads with a raw, gospel-inflected urgency.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • somber reflections on life's journey
  • steady pacing for quiet moments
  • gospel-inflected urgency throughout
  • haunting melodies for introspection

Maybe skip if you want

  • seekers of upbeat tempos
  • prefer standalone hit tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Final studio album showcasing Cash's enduring appeal and artistic depth.
Themes
mortality reflections· spiritual redemption· American landscapes of loss
Career context
Released on July 4, 2006, 'American V: A Hundred Highways' marked Johnny Cash's last studio album before his death later that year. It follows the critically acclaimed 'American IV: The Man Comes Around,' continuing his exploration of themes like mortality and redemption, deepening his legacy as a profound storyteller.
Stylistic neighbors
Willie Nelson· Merle Haggard· Waylon Jennings
If this clicks, go next to
American VI: Ain't No Grave — Continues the reflective themes with a raw emotional depth, perfect for following the current album.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Songbird by Willie Nelson — Shares a reflective atmosphere with themes of longing and redemption, blending country and gospel influences.
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams — Explores American landscapes and personal stories with a raw emotional depth similar to Cash's narrative style.
Ghosteen by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — Delivers haunting reflections on mortality and loss, with a spiritual undertone that resonates deeply.

Tracklist

New here? Start with "Help Me".

  • 1 Help Me Start here 2:51
  • 2 God’s Gonna Cut You Down 2:38
  • 3 Like the 309 4:35
  • 4 If You Could Read My Mind 4:30
  • 5 Further On up the Road 3:24
  • 6 On the Evening Train 4:17
  • 7 I Came to Believe 3:44
  • 8 Love’s Been Good to Me 3:18
  • 9 A Legend in My Time 2:37
  • 10 Rose of My Heart 3:18
  • 11 Four Strong Winds 4:34
  • 12 I’m Free From the Chain Gang Now 3:00

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata