The Essential Johnny Cash 1955–1983
Johnny Cash · 1992
212 min · 75 tracks · blues · rock & roll · traditional folk music
A sweeping collection of Cash's iconic storytelling, blending heartfelt ballads with spirited rockabilly rhythms.
Why this album works
This anthology highlights Johnny Cash's impact on American music, featuring tracks that span nearly three decades of his career. It reached commercial success, becoming a staple collection for both new listeners and long-time fans, and further cemented Cash's legacy as an influential figure in country and rock music. The album also showcases his cross-genre appeal and has been well-received by critics for its thoroughness and selection.
- Best for
- heartfelt storytelling with depth spirited rhythms for celebration wave-like pacing keeps engagement
- Context
- Released in 1992, 'The Essential Johnny Cash 1955–1983' serves as a comprehensive retrospective of Cash's career up to that point. By this time, Cash had transitioned from his early days at Sun Records to significant successes at Columbia Records, solidifying his status as a country music pioneer. This compilation came after the resurgence of interest in his music due to his work with producer Rick Rubin in the late '80s and early '90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Elvis Presley· Waylon Jennings· Willie Nelson
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Hey Porter 2:14
- 2 Cry! Cry! Cry! 2:24
- 3 Folsom Prison Blues Standout 2:50
- 4 Luther Played the Boogie 2:04
- 5 Get Rhythm 2:14
- 6 I Walk the Line Standout 2:45
- 7 Home of the Blues 2:40
- 8 Give My Love to Rose 2:46
- 9 Rock Island Line 2:10
- 10 Doin’ My Time 2:39
- 11 Big River 2:32
- 12 Ballad of a Teenage Queen 2:12
- 13 Guess Things Happen That Way 1:51
- 14 The Ways of a Woman in Love 2:16
- 15 Thanks a Lot 2:38
- 16 Oh, What a Dream 2:03
- 17 What Do I Care 2:07
- 18 All Over Again 2:13
- 19 I Still Miss Someone 2:37
- 20 I’d Just Be Fool Enough (to Fall) 2:06
- 21 Walking the Blues 2:13
- 22 Frankie’s Man, Johnny 2:18
- 23 Tennessee Flat‐Top Box 2:59
- 24 Sing It Pretty, Sue 1:59
- 25 Pickin’ Time 1:58
- 26 Five Feet High and Rising 1:47
- 27 The Old Account 2:24
- 28 (There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (for Me) 2:50
- 29 Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) 3:51
Disc 2
- 1 Don’t Take Your Guns to Town 3:04
- 2 The Ballad of Boot Hill 2:36
- 3 The Rebel – Johnny Yuma 1:52
- 4 The Big Battle 4:06
- 5 When the Roses Bloom Again 2:37
- 6 The Ballad of Ira Hayes 4:09
- 7 The Legend of John Henry’s Hammer 8:26
- 8 Dark as a Dungeon 2:29
- 9 The Long Black Veil 3:06
- 10 I Got Stripes 2:05
- 11 25 Minutes to Go 3:13
- 12 The Wall 2:11
- 13 Busted 2:18
- 14 Bad News 2:56
- 15 Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog 2:07
- 16 Orange Blossom Special 3:07
- 17 Ring of Fire Standout 2:38
- 18 Understand Your Man 2:44
- 19 Jackson 2:46
- 20 Blistered 2:22
- 21 See Ruby Fall 2:51
- 22 Cisco Clifton’s Fillin’ Station 2:43
- 23 Daddy Sang Bass 2:19
Disc 3
- 1 Folsom Prison Blues (live) 2:41
- 2 Cocaine Blues (live) 2:46
- 3 San Quentin (live) 2:33
- 4 A Boy Named Sue (live) 3:48
- 5 Wanted Man 2:51
- 6 Singin’ in Vietnam Talkin’ Blues 2:58
- 7 Man in Black 2:53
- 8 What Is Truth? 2:39
- 9 Flesh and Blood 2:37
- 10 Sunday Morning Coming Down 4:07
- 11 Oney 3:05
- 12 One Piece at a Time 4:02
- 13 Hit the Road and Go 2:42
- 14 Rockabilly Blues (Texas 1955) 3:21
- 15 I Will Rock and Roll With You 2:52
- 16 No Expectations 3:12
- 17 (Ghost) Riders in the Sky 3:47
- 18 Bull Rider 3:09
- 19 Highway Patrolman 5:22
- 20 After the Ball 3:01
- 21 Without Love 2:29
- 22 The Last Time 3:16
- 23 I’m Gonna Sit on the Porch and Pick on My Old Guitar 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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