Johnny Cash: The Life in Lyrics

The life of the Man in Black revealed by his lyrics and by rare photographs and ephemera, in a lavishly illustrated edition authorized by the Cash estate

Johnny Cash is one of the most beloved and influential country-music stars of all time, having composed more than six hundred songs and sold more than ninety million records. He received twenty-nine gold, platinum, and multiplatinum awards for his recordings and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This is the first time Cash's fifty years of songwriting have been collected anywhere; this book includes the lyrics to 125 songs and the stories behind them. Perhaps more than any other American artist, he spoke to the soul of the nation as well as to the triumphs and challenges of his own life. These pages explore Cash's range as a poet and storyteller, taking readers from his early life and first successes through periods of personal challenge, activism, and faith. The result is a profound understanding of Johnny Cash as a man and an artist, as well as the American story he helped shape.

An essential collectible that sheds new light on Cash's life and work, this book includes rare visual material in addition to remembrances from Cash's son, John Carter Cash, "family historian" Mark Stielper. Released for the twentieth anniversary of the legendary musician's passing, it will be a landmark in music publishing


Author: Johnny Cash
Publisher: Voracious
Published: 11/14/2023
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780316503105


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2023

About the Author
Johnny Cash (1932-2003) was one of the most successful and recognized country music artists in the world. He is best known for blending country, rock, blues, and gospel in his music, ushering in the countrypolitan and Outlaw country movements. Johnny was also a successful actor, writer, and activist, accepting and nurturing fringe country music artists like Bob Dylan fold. His lifelong support for SOS Children's Villages, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and advocating for children in need, led to the creation of the Johnny Cash Memorial Fund after his death to carry on that legacy.