Johnny & June cover

Johnny & June

Johnny Cash · 1978

25 min · 12 tracks · blues

A tender blend of heartfelt ballads and traditional country storytelling wrapped in Johnny Cash's resonant baritone.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Baby Is Mine Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    That’s What It’s Like to Be Lonesome — This track encapsulates the emotional weight of loneliness through its poignant lyrics and Cash's aching vocal delivery, showcasing his mastery of storytelling.
  • →
    How Did You Get Away From Me — A haunting exploration of lost love, this song features a subtle yet powerful arrangement that highlights both Cash's vocal strength and heartfelt emotion.
  • →
    Cotton Pickin’ Hands — This track stands out for its vivid imagery depicting the struggles of hard work and life on the farm, reflecting Cash's roots and authenticity in songwriting.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • short bursts of storytelling
  • nostalgic reflections on love
  • easy listening for gatherings
  • playful narratives with charm

Maybe skip if you

  • deeply introspective themes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A solid entry in Cash's catalog that may not be widely recognized but has its appeal.
Themes
American love story· Nashville heartbreak· country music legacy
Career context
Released in 1978, Johnny & June marked a return to a more personal sound for Johnny Cash following the commercial success of his previous works in the 1970s. During this period, Cash was navigating both personal challenges and a changing music landscape, while continuing to solidify his legacy as an outlaw country icon alongside June Carter Cash.
Stylistic neighbors
Willie Nelson· Merle Haggard· Waylon Jennings
New to Johnny Cash? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 The Baby Is Mine Start here 2:30
  • 2 Cotton Pickin’ Hands 2:21
  • 3 Close the Door Lightly 2:11
  • 4 That’s What It’s Like to Be Lonesome 2:50
  • 5 Thunderball 2:37
  • 6 One Too Many Mornings
  • 7 How Did You Get Away From Me 2:00
  • 8 Adios Aloha 2:13
  • 9 Wer kennt den Weg (I Walk the Line) 2:01
  • 10 Ain’t You Ashamed 2:20
  • 11 Smiling Bill McCall 2:05
  • 12 In Virgina 2:03

What to play next

Greatest Hits, Vol. 3
Listen next

Greatest Hits, Vol. 3

1978

Continues the emotional storytelling and sound from Johnny & June.
Johnny Cash Sings Precious Memories
Go back to

Johnny Cash Sings Precious Memories

1975

Sets a reflective tone that leads into the themes explored in Johnny & June.
Full Johnny Cash discography Where to start with Johnny Cash Artists like Johnny Cash
blues traditional folk music

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Red Headed Stranger

Red Headed Stranger

Willie Nelson

Both feature storytelling with a stripped-down sound and blend of country and gospel influences.

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

Shares deep emotional narratives and a raw, rootsy production style that resonates with Cash's themes.

Kristofferson

Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson

Explores similar personal themes and lyrical introspection with a mix of country and rock sensibilities.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata