Unearthed
Johnny Cash · 2003
242 min · 79 tracks · blues
A raw collection of haunting ballads and heartfelt reflections, showcasing Cash's deep vocal resonance and storytelling prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hurt — Cash's cover transforms this Nine Inch Nails song into a poignant meditation on regret and mortality, showcasing his unparalleled emotional depth.
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The Long Black Veil Start here — This haunting tale of love and loss captures Cash's mastery of narrative songwriting, blending traditional folk elements with a dark, atmospheric arrangement.
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He Stopped Loving Her Today — Often regarded as one of the finest country songs ever written, Cash’s rendition amplifies its themes of heartbreak and longing through his deeply resonant voice.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Unearthed presents a diverse selection of Johnny Cash's work, emphasizing his vocal strength and narrative style.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include sparse instrumentation, allowing Cash's deep voice to dominate the mix and convey emotional weight.
- The collection includes alternate takes and lesser-known songs alongside more familiar material, creating a sense of exploration within his catalog.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- poignant storytelling across tracks
- reflective moments of solitude
- heartfelt ballads for introspection
- wave-like pacing for deep listening
- sprawling collection of emotions
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Released before Cash's death, it showcases his enduring artistry and emotional depth.
- Themes
- American folk tradition· mortality reflections· heartbreak narratives
- Moods
- Introspective· Nostalgic
- Career context
- Released in 2003, Unearthed was a posthumous compilation that highlighted Johnny Cash's extensive catalog, particularly after his acclaimed American series. At this time, Cash was celebrated for his artistic resurgence following collaborations with producer Rick Rubin, which had introduced him to a new generation of listeners. This album further solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in both country and rock music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Willie Nelson· Merle Haggard· Waylon Jennings
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Long Black Veil Start here 3:15
- 2 Flesh and Blood 2:29
- 3 Just the Other Side of Nowhere 3:18
- 4 If I Give My Soul 3:01
- 5 Understand Your Man 2:06
- 6 Banks of the Ohio 4:07
- 7 Two Timin’ Woman 2:06
- 8 The Caretaker 1:55
- 9 Old Chunk of Coal 1:54
- 10 I’m Going to Memphis 2:40
- 11 Breaking Bread 2:48
- 12 Waiting for a Train 1:46
- 13 Casey’s Last Ride 3:21
- 14 No Earthly Good 2:43
- 15 The Fourth Man in the Fire 2:48
- 16 Dark as a Dungeon 3:00
- 17 Book Review 2:07
- 18 Down There by the Train (alternate take) 5:49
Disc 2
- 1 Pocahontas 3:44
- 2 I’m a Drifter (version 1) 3:50
- 3 Trouble in Mind 3:32
- 4 Down the Line 2:38
- 5 I’m Movin’ On 2:55
- 6 As Long as the Grass Shall Grow 4:22
- 7 Heart of Gold 3:02
- 8 The Running Kind 3:12
- 9 Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby 2:12
- 10 Brown-Eyed Handsome Man 2:21
- 11 “T” for Texas 3:39
- 12 Devil’s Right Hand 2:33
- 13 I’m a Drifter (version 2) 3:45
- 14 Like a Soldier 2:55
- 15 Drive On (alternate lyrics) 2:24
- 16 Bird on a Wire (live with orchestra) 5:11
Disc 3
- 1 A Singer of Songs 2:49
- 2 The L & N Don’t Stop Here Anymore 3:13
- 3 Redemption Song 3:28
- 4 Father and Son 2:50
- 5 Chattanooga Sugar Babe 3:17
- 6 He Stopped Loving Her Today 2:37
- 7 Hard Times 4:02
- 8 Wichita Lineman 3:03
- 9 Cindy 2:53
- 10 Big Iron 3:52
- 11 Salty Dog 2:26
- 12 Gentle on My Mind 3:25
- 13 You Are My Sunshine 3:18
- 14 You’ll Never Walk Alone 2:59
- 15 The Man Comes Around (early take) 3:50
Disc 4
- 1 Where We’ll Never Grow Old 3:31
- 2 I Shall Not Be Moved 2:41
- 3 I Am a Pilgrim 2:27
- 4 Do Lord 2:12
- 5 When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder 1:36
- 6 If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven 2:31
- 7 I’ll Fly Away 1:54
- 8 Where the Soul of Man Never Dies 2:15
- 9 Let the Lower Lights Be Burning 3:14
- 10 When He Reached Down 2:14
- 11 In the Sweet By and By 2:25
- 12 I’m Bound for the Promised Land 2:15
- 13 In the Garden 3:18
- 14 Softly and Tenderly 3:17
- 15 Just as I Am 2:37
Disc 5
- 1 Delia’s Gone 2:19
- 2 Bird on a Wire 4:04
- 3 Thirteen 3:23
- 4 Rowboat 3:45
- 5 The One Rose (That’s Left in My Heart) 2:28
- 6 Rusty Cage 2:50
- 7 Southern Accents 4:42
- 8 The Mercy Seat 4:35
- 9 Solitary Man 2:25
- 10 Wayfaring Stranger 3:22
- 11 One 3:52
- 12 I Hung My Head 3:52
- 13 The Man Comes Around 4:29
- 14 We’ll Meet Again 2:57
- 15 Hurt 3:38
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Explores themes of mortality and faith with sparse instrumentation and deep, reflective vocals.
Time Out of Mind
Bob Dylan
Shares a similar introspective narrative style focused on love, loss, and existential reflections.
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Features storytelling through a country lens, touching on heartache and the American experience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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