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)
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,” “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 screen and stage), contributed to writing “I’m a Worried Man.”
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