10 Johnny Cash Albums That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

When it comes to outlaw country, there is no greater name than Johnny Cash. The “Man in Black,” as he was well known, recorded nearly 70 studio albums between the mid-1950s and his death in the early 21st century, as well as 16 live albums and other collaborative projects that solidified his hold on the entertainment industry. While there are way too many Cash albums out there for us to list them all here — and that’s not even including some of his greatest hits records or the Unearthed recordings — we put together a batch of 10 powerful albums that will have you listening to them on repeat.

From his early years with Sun Records to his final albums alongside American producer Rick Rubin, Cash never missed a beat. From classical country and gospel to hymns, concept albums, rock n’ roll, and other genres, the Man in Black was more versatile than given credit for, and his discography speaks for itself. So, after revisiting Cash’s strange filmography, jump back in to some of his most important recorded works.

10

‘Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!’ (1957)

Image via Sun Records

Cash’s debut album, titled Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar, the budding star launched his musical career with some of his greatest hits. From career-defining tracks like “Folsom Prison Blues” to country classics like “Cry! Cry! Cry!” and “So Doggone Lonesome,” Cash hit the ground running with that signature blue guitar. With The Tennessee Two by his side, the future Man in Black hit the ground running with his first No. 1 Billboard hit: “I Walk the Line.”

There’s no denying that early Johnny Cash and later Johnny Cash have quite a different sound and feel, but the roots of his eventual heaviness can be found in these upbeat tunes. As Cash himself once said, “There are three things you can’t get away from. Loneliness, that certain kind of woman, and God.” It’s those themes that are on full display in his very first record.

9

‘Highwayman’ (1985)

Image via Columbia Records

Admittedly, Highwayman is not solely a Johnny Cash album, but how can we talk about the Man in Black without noting his groundbreaking country supergroup collaboration with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson? Released by Cash’s long-time label Columbia, Highwayman was a chance for all four artists to highlight their individual strengths while emphasizing how their differences complement one another. The result is one of the most important country albums of all time.

While the foursome would reunite the following year for a made-for-TV remake of Stagecoach, Highwayman remains their greatest collaboration. Aside from the forever memorable title “Highwayman” track, the supergroup’s rendition of Cash’s “Big River” is a standout, as is their take on “Desperados Waiting for a Train.” Since Cash appears on every track, you can’t go wrong with Highwayman.

8

‘American Recordings’ (1994)

Image via American Records

After his record sales struggled throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Johnny Cash triumphantly returned to the mainstream with his first American Recordings album. Produced by American label founder and former Columbia co-president Rick Rubin, the raw solo album was recorded largely within a five-day window from the comfort of Rubin’s living room and Cash’s Tennessee cabin, reinventing the Man in Black’s trademark sound.

The Cash resurgence brought on by American Recordings is undeniable, with haunting tracks like “The Beast in Me,” “Why Me Lord,” “Down There By the Train,” and “Like a Soldier” instantly rocking the listener to the core. “Redemption” is a fine piece of gospel work that delivers with every line, and “Delia’s Gone” opens the record with a somber tone that one can’t pull away from. “Profound” is the best word to describe it.

7

‘Ragged Old Flag’ (1974)

Image via Columbia Records

Penned by Cash himself, Ragged Old Flag is a complicated, and yet thoroughly patriotic, look at the U.S. in a time when Watergate was on the minds of Americans everywhere. The spoken-word title track doubles as a sentimental short story that makes the Man in Black’s thoughts quite clear. Through the album, Cash aimed to spark a new hope in the nation, reminding us that no matter the complicated circumstances of our country, the flag and its people remain.

Aside from “Ragged Old Flag” itself, “All I Do is Drive,” “Southern Comfort,” “Don’t Go Near the Water,” and “What on Earth Will You Do (for Heaven’s Sake)” stand tallest. However, gems can be found throughout the entire ’74 Columbia record. Although the Man in Black wrote every track himself, his wife, June Carter Cash (who he almost always appeared with on the screen and stage), contributed to the writing of “I’m a Worried Man.”

6

‘Orange Blossom Special’ (1965)

Image via Columbia Records

Cash’s 13th studio album, Orange Blossom Special, hit No. 3 on Billboard‘s Country Albums chart in its heyday and produced some of the star’s most recurring hits. “Orange Blossom Special,” of course, is the first that comes to mind, but “The Long Black Veil” and “It Ain’t Me, Babe” also originated here (“Amen” is another underrated track). Well, sort of, that last one was one of three tracks penned by Bob Dylan that appears on the album.

It’s no wonder that Cash considered Dylan to be the greatest songwriter of his generation, and that’s high praise coming from a musician who wrote so many of his own hits (he likewise considered Elvis Presley the greatest performer of all time). But while Dylan’s songwriting talents certainly shine on “Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” it’s Cash’s hallmark vocals that make the words shimmer. As Billboard once wrote: “Cash displays a sense of drama and wit.”

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5

‘Johnny Cash At San Quinten’ (1969)

Image via Columbia Records

Though not Cash’s first time recording a prison-made live album, At San Quinten is a momentous piece of work that highlights his complicated image and prowess as an entertainer. Recorded at San Quentin State Prison on February 24, 1969, this is the performance where he flipped the bird after being told where to stand and perform “I Walk the Line.” But however you feel about the Man in Black’s brief lapse in judgment, his work speaks for itself.

Kickstarting the show with a rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Wanted Man,” Cash hits the ground running with powerful enthusiasm. Of course, he famously recorded not one but two renditions of “San Quentin” back-to-back at the request of the prisoners before the album concludes with “A Boy Named Sue,” (There Will Be) Peace in the Valley,” and, naturally, “Folsom Prison Blues.” Later re-issues add up to nine more tracks to the album — including a medley that peppers in “Ring of Fire” — in an effort to preserve the full performance.

4

‘American II: Unchained’ (1996)

Image via American Recordings

In truth, we could probably add all six of Cash’s American albums to this list and nobody would bat an eye, but if we have to highlight only a select few, then Unchained (also titled American II: Unchained) ought to be well remembered. While a small handful of the tracks here are Cash’s own compositions, the Man in Black spends most of the album covering (and arguably improving on) various artists. From Jude Johnstone‘s “Unchained” to Soundgarden‘s “Rusty Cage,” Cash makes each new tune his own.

While the first American album was Cash stripped-down and solo, the late Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers provided the rest of the ambiance for Unchained — no wonder he also covers “Southern Accents.” A mixture of upbeat tunes like Don Gibson‘s “Sea of Heartbreak” and soulful soliloquies like Spain‘s “Spiritual,” Unchained is Cash at some of his most vulnerable. Talk about a treat.

3

‘Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian’ (1964)

Image via Columbia Records

Just before Orange Blossom Special, Johnny Cash took a sharp turn into the realm of concept albums with Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian. His love of the Western notwithstanding, Cash cared deeply about Native American causes and wanted to use this album to highlight issues that few nationwide understood. It was quite controversial in its day, with the famed “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” even being banned from the radio.

In addition to that signature tune, Bitter Tears is full of fervent classics like “Apache Tears,” “The Vanishing Race,” “Custer,” and “As Long as the Grass Shall Grow.” While controversial at the time, the concept album has since become a cult favorite and found a stronger following, with the Western Writers of America adding “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” to its list of “Top 100 Western Songs of All Time.” In 2014, several country artists got together to re-record the album as Look Again to the Wind: Johnny Cash’s Bitter Tears Revisited.

2

‘American IV: The Man Comes Around’ (2002)

Image via American Recordings

The last album released (though not recorded) during Johnny Cash’s life, American IV: The Man Comes Around is possibly the best studio album put out by the Man in Black. A collaboration between American Recordings and Universal Records, Cash once again emphasizes covers with only three powerful exceptions: “The Man Comes Around,” “Give My Love to Rose,” and “Tear Stained Letter.” Of course, the most sincere performance on the track is his cover of Trent Reznor’s “Hurt,” which he made completely his own (and later appeared in the trailer for Logan).

The Man Comes Around is truly a milestone for the Man in Black. In addition to the aforementioned tracks, every recording on this album is a truly remarkable snapshot of Cash’s musical genius. Here he also reworks Marty Robbin‘s “Big Iron,” Depeche Mode‘s “Personal Jesus,” Sting‘s “I Hung My Head,” and Simon & Garfunkle‘s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” with a somber ease that baptizes the listener. A mixture of Cash’s Christian faith, long life experience, and musical interest, it truly is the culmination of his nearly 50-year career.

1

‘Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison’ (1968)

Image via Columbia Records

Not only was At Folsom Prison Johnny Cash’s first live album, it was his first prison performance as well. Recorded at Folsom State Prison on January 13, 1968, the Man in Black made music history by giving those behind bars a good show that he then went out and shared with the world. Of course, his 1955 hit “Folsom Prison Blues” was the headlining track, but with June Carter, The Tennessee Three, and Carl Perkins by his side, plenty of other hits ensued.

Aside from popular tracks like “Jackson,” “Cocaine Blues,” “25 Minutes to Go,” and “I Got Stripes” (among others), the biggest surprise of the whole thing is the finale, “Greystone Chapel,” which was penned by Folsom inmate Glen Sherley and handed to Cash prior to the show. The Man in Black learned the song and performed it mightily. To this day, At Folsom Prison remains among Cash’s most acclaimed records.