Studio Album · No. 20
A Thing Called Love Songwriting Credits by Johnny Cash
Holds writing credit on 8 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 8 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Johnny Cash carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The title track 'A Thing Called Love' was written by Jerry Reed, credited under his legal name Jerry R. Hubbard, not by Cash. The album's opener 'Kate' was a Marty Robbins composition, another outside writer. Cash himself wrote or co-wrote four tracks: 'I Promise You,' 'Tear Stained Letter,' 'Mississippi Sand' (with June Carter Cash), and 'The Miracle Man' (with Larry Lee). The Evangel Temple Choir provides gospel backing vocals across the record.
"A Thing Called Love" is a 1972 country album by Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records and produced by Larry Butler. The album is led by its Jerry Reed-penned title track and "Kate," written by Marty Robbins, both of which reached number 2 on the country charts, alongside "Papa Was a Good Man" and "Tear Stained Letter." Cash was backed by the Tennessee Three, with Marshall Grant on bass and W.S. Holland on drums, plus guitarists Bob Wootton, Carl Perkins, Ray Edenton, and Jerry Reed, and the Carter Family on vocals. The album reached number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart and number 112 on the Billboard 200. The title song was later covered by Elvis Presley on his 1972 album "He Touched Me."
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Thing Called Love
#2
|
Jerry Hubbard | Jerry Hubbard | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
I Promise You
|
Dallas Frazier | Dallas Frazier | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Papa Was a Good Man
#16
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Tear Stained Letter
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Kate
#2
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Melva's Wine
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Heavy Metal (Don't Mean Rock and Roll to Me)
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Mississippi Sand
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Daddy
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
One
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Larry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |