Rosanne Cash, a remarkable and talented 16-time Grammy nominee, has been immersed in the world of music and musicians throughout her entire life. Growing up in a family steeped in musical heritage, she was inspired by the artistry around her, particularly her legendary father, Johnny Cash. As the eldest daughter, Rosanne began her own journey in music during her teenage years, exploring songwriting and occasionally providing backing vocals for her father. She made her professional debut with her self-titled album in 1978, marking the start of a prolific career that continues to flourish today.

Having a renowned parent like Johnny Cash comes with its unique advantages and challenges, especially considering his iconic status in the music industry. “I tried to avoid it in the early years,” Rosanne reflected in a 2010 interview with Billboard, “because I couldn’t figure out who I was in the glare of that; it was just too enormous. I don’t think it’s that different for any young person, particularly one that enters the same field as their parent. You have to separate to find out who you are. It so happened that my dad cast a very large shadow. I probably pushed away longer than was necessary or gracious. But fortunately, he completely understood that.”

Despite the challenges of living in her father’s shadow, Rosanne Cash has undeniably carved out her own identity in the music scene. With four prestigious Grammy Awards, 14 successful albums, and numerous chart-topping hits, she has established herself as a formidable artist in her own right. Not only is she a talented songwriter and performer, but she also possesses a deep appreciation for the music of other artists, often adding her unique interpretations to classic songs. Below, we explore 10 Classic Rock Covers that showcase Rosanne Cash’s exceptional talent and versatility.

1. “Girl From the North Country” by Bob Dylan

Back in 1969, when Rosanne Cash was around 14 years old, her father recorded the iconic duet “Girl From the North Country” with Bob Dylan for Dylan’s album Nashville Skyline. Fast forward to 2009, Cash recorded her own rendition for her album The List, which featured contributions from legends like Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Jeff Tweedy. Initially, she hesitated to tackle the song, feeling it was almost sacrilegious to reinterpret such a celebrated piece. “I told John [Leventhal, producer of The List and Rosanne’s husband] that I can’t do this,” she shared with Magnet in 2009. “It’s almost sacrilegious. Not only did I have Dad and Bob’s version of it in my head, there’s even TV footage of them doing it, so I had pictures of them doing it, too. So, John said, ‘No, let’s listen to Bob’s original version and approach it that way.’ And Bob’s original version is a classic folk song in the Elizabethan tradition. Also, I loved doing it in the folk tradition of the woman singing about another woman. It’s great because it expands the repertoire. I could be singing about my daughter, my sister, or my mother. It adds mystery to it, too.”

2. “Hometown Blues” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

In 1996, Johnny Cash released Unchained, the second album in his acclaimed American Recordings series produced by Rick Rubin. This album featured backing from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. However, years earlier, Rosanne Cash had already put her own spin on a Heartbreakers track titled “Hometown Blues,” which made its debut on their eponymous 1976 album. Cash’s version was included in her 1981 release, Seven Year Ache, which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard country album chart, showcasing her ability to blend country and rock influences. Additionally, Cash recorded another Heartbreakers song, “Never Be You,” which appeared on her 1985 album Rhythm & Romance. The Heartbreakers’ original version was later released in the 2024 deluxe edition of their album Long After Dark.

3. “I’m Only Sleeping” by the Beatles

In 1995, Rosanne Cash released a compilation album titled Retrospective, which featured selections from her extensive 16-year catalog with Columbia Records. This collection included a cover of the Beatles’ “I’m Only Sleeping.” Like many songwriters of her generation, the Beatles had a profound influence on Cash’s artistic development. “I deconstructed how those songs were written,” she explained to The Bitter Southerner in 2024, “in both rhyme schemes and the way the choruses and the lyrics were set up, and that was the first imprint.”

4. “Magician” by Lou Reed

When given the opportunity to contribute to 2024’s The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed, Rosanne Cash selected “Magician,” a standout track from her favorite Reed album, Magic and Loss, released in 1992. “I thought that record was the most beautiful musical meditation on death I’d heard. I went to see him at Radio City when it came out, and he performed the album in sequence. I wept. It was spectacular,” Cash recalled in a 2014 interview for Talkhouse. “He was always so sweet to me. He couldn’t have been more of a gentleman. I saw the other, difficult side of him in glimpses, but he just seemed like a really sensitive guy who hated pretension and found it intolerable to compromise on anything that was important to him, whether it was the sound of his monitors or the meal he had ordered. I’ll always respect him.”

5. “The Weight” by the Band

In the spring of 2011, a diverse group of acclaimed musicians convened at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, New York, to record a charity single titled “Toast to Freedom.” Rosanne Cash participated in this project alongside notable artists like Donald Fagen, Carly Simon, Kris Kristofferson, and Helm himself. However, this collaboration was not their only joint effort; Cash and Helm also performed the Band’s classic song “The Weight,” accompanied by Larry Campbell, Helm’s daughter Amy, Benmont Tench of the Heartbreakers, and several others.

6. “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” by Elton John

In 2016, Rosanne Cash shared a photo on social media featuring herself, her husband, and regular collaborator John Leventhal alongside Elton John. She mentioned that the duo had written two songs that day, although the fate of those songs remains unknown. Cash has long admired John’s work, performing at several of his AIDS Foundation galas and covering his song “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” as a duet with Emmylou Harris. This collaboration showcases her ability to bridge genres and connect with fellow musical legends.

7. “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” by Bob Dylan and the Band

Both Johnny Cash and Rosanne Cash had the honor of performing at Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert in New York City in 1992. While Johnny captivated the audience with “It Ain’t Me Babe,” Rosanne delivered a heartfelt rendition of Dylan and the Band’s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” accompanied by Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin. This performance illustrated her deep roots in the folk and rock traditions that have influenced her career.

8. “Time” by Tom Waits

In 2019, Rosanne Cash contributed her talents to the album Come on up to the House: Women Sing Waits, a tribute LP that celebrated the artistry of Tom Waits. Alongside other renowned artists like Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin, and Phoebe Bridgers, Cash expressed her admiration for Waits’ songwriting. “What an honor to sing a song like ‘Time,'” she remarked. “Many years ago, I recorded it just for myself, for the pleasure of singing those words. Maybe I seeded the notion in the deepest part of the creative ether, the place from where these songs travel through Tom. For whatever reason and from whatever source, I’m just thrilled to be a part of this album. There is no other songwriter in the world, past or future, like Tom Waits.”

9. “Things We Said Today” by the Beatles

In a beautiful collaboration, Rosanne Cash and Joan Osborne delivered a stunning version of the Beatles’ “Things We Said Today.” Reflecting on her appreciation for the band, Cash stated, “I’m still well aware and in touch with the feeling that the Beatles had on me at 10 years old. That’s, you know, that doesn’t go away.” This enduring connection to the Beatles underscores the lasting impact of their music on generations of artists.

10. “Hello in There” by John Prine

John Prine was not just a celebrated songwriter; he was also a cherished friend to both Rosanne and her father. “My dad instantly recognized what a tremendous songwriter John was, but I never saw John get starstruck,” Cash shared in an interview with Vulture in 2020. “I saw admiration, and I don’t think he lived in that world where he thought about fame or hierarchy. It wasn’t about that — it was about artistry. With my own songwriting, I sometimes think, ‘Would John think this is a good line?’ If it feels self-conscious or pretentious, then my inner Prine meter goes off.”