Studio Album · No. 41
American III: Solitary Man Songwriting Credits by Johnny Cash
Holds writing credit on 5 of 13 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 5 / 13 documented
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Johnny Cash carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Awards & Recognition 1
Like the rest of Rick Rubin's American series, Solitary Man leans heavily on covers reinterpreted in Johnny Cash's late, weathered voice. Cash takes on Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down,' Neil Diamond's title track 'Solitary Man,' U2's 'One,' Nick Cave's 'The Mercy Seat,' and Will Oldham's 'I See a Darkness,' alongside the traditional 'Wayfaring Stranger.' Cash wrote four of the originals himself: 'Field of Diamonds,' 'Before My Time,' 'Country Trash,' and 'I'm Leavin' Now.' His reading of 'Solitary Man' won the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
American III: Solitary Man is a 2000 country album by Johnny Cash, released October 17 on American Recordings and produced by Rick Rubin, with John Carter Cash as associate producer. The third entry in Cash's acclaimed American series, it pairs stark acoustic arrangements with covers including Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" with Petty himself, Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man," U2's "One," and Nick Cave's "The Mercy Seat," along with "I See a Darkness" featuring Will Oldham. The album reached number 88 on the Billboard 200 and number 11 on the Top Country Albums chart, and was certified Gold in the UK. "Solitary Man" won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Recorded during a period of declining health, it was Cash's penultimate studio album released during his lifetime.
Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
I Won't Back Down
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Solitary Man
|
Neil Diamond | Neil Diamond | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)
|
Haven Gillespie | Beasley Smith | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
One
|
Paul Hewson | U2 | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Nobody
|
Johnny CashWillie Nelson | Johnny CashWillie Nelson | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Field of Diamonds
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Before My Time
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Country Trash
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Mary of the Wild Moor
|
Traditional | Traditional | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
I See a Darkness
|
Will Oldham | Will Oldham | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
The Mercy Seat
|
Nick CaveMick Harvey | Nick CaveMick Harvey | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Would You Lay with Me (in a Field of Stone)
|
David Allan Coe | David Allan Coe | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Singer of Songs
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Rick Rubin | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |