Water from the Wells of Home cover

Water from the Wells of Home

Johnny Cash · 1988

31 min · 10 tracks · blues · rock & roll · traditional folk music

A reflective blend of country storytelling and folk melodies that evokes nostalgia and warmth.

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Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • reflective storytelling with warmth
  • steady pacing for easy listening
  • nostalgic melodies for quiet moments
  • for afternoon relaxation

Maybe skip if you want

  • seekers of high-energy tracks
  • prefer complex, experimental sounds

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Shows Cash's return to traditional country, maintaining relevance in his later career.
Themes
nostalgic reflections· small-town roots
Career context
Released in 1988, 'Water from the Wells of Home' was Johnny Cash's first album after his contract with Columbia Records ended. This album marked a return to a more traditional country sound, collaborating once again with producer Brian Ahern, and showcased Cash's enduring appeal as he navigated through changing musical landscapes.
Stylistic neighbors
Willie Nelson· Merle Haggard· Waylon Jennings
If this clicks, go next to
Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series — This album continues the reflective tone with well-known tracks that resonate with nostalgia.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson — Shares a storytelling approach and themes of nostalgia rooted in traditional country sounds.
Luxury Liner by Emmylou Harris — Combines folk and country with reflective lyrics, evoking similar warmth and emotional depth.
Jesus Was a Capricorn by Kris Kristofferson — Explores small-town roots and personal narratives, resonating with Cash's reflective style and themes.
New to Johnny Cash? Find your way in →

Tracklist

New here? Start with "Ballad of a Teenage Queen".

  • 1 Ballad of a Teenage Queen Start here 2:48
  • 2 As Long as I Live 3:00
  • 3 Where Did We Go Right 2:57
  • 4 The Last of the Drifters 3:19
  • 5 Call Me the Breeze 3:26
  • 6 That Old Wheel 2:51
  • 7 Sweeter Than the Flowers 2:57
  • 8 A Croft in Clachan (The Ballad of Rob MacDunn) 4:05
  • 9 New Moon Over Jamaica 3:14
  • 10 Water From the Wells of Home 2:57

What to play next

This album is considered a Late Career Highlight in Johnny Cash's catalog. Shows Cash's return to traditional country, maintaining relevance in his later career.

Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series
Listen next

Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series

1988

This album continues the reflective tone with well-known tracks that resonate with nostalgia.
Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town
Go back to

Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town

1987

It sets a similar warm and engaging mood, making it a smooth transition into the current album.
Full Johnny Cash discography Where to start with Johnny Cash Artists like Johnny Cash
blues traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata