Studio Album · No. 23
John R. Cash Songwriting Credits by Johnny Cash
Holds writing credit on 7 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 7 / 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
John R. Cash is almost entirely a covers album, drawing on contemporary singer-songwriters rather than Cash's own pen. The track list pulls from Randy Newman, Tim Hardin ('The Lady Came from Baltimore' and 'Reason to Believe'), Robbie Robertson's 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,' Billy Joe Shaver, David Allan Coe, and Chip Taylor, with only 'Lonesome to the Bone' written by Cash himself. Producer Gary Klein built the record around pre-recorded instrumental tracks layered separately from Cash's vocals, an approach Cash openly criticized in his autobiography.
"John R. Cash" is a 1975 country album by Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records and produced by Gary Klein with arrangements by Nick DeCaro. The album leans on contemporary covers, including Randy Newman's "My Old Kentucky Home (Turpentine and Dandelion Wine)," Tim Hardin's "The Lady Came from Baltimore" and "Reason to Believe," and Robbie Robertson's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." For this record the Tennessee Three were set aside in favor of session players, including members of Elvis Presley's TCB Band such as guitarist James Burton and drummer Ron Tutt. "The Lady Came from Baltimore" reached number 14 on the country singles chart, while "My Old Kentucky Home" peaked at number 42. Cash later criticized the album in his 1997 autobiography, calling it the CBS executives' idea to restore his sales.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
My Old Kentucky Home (Turpentine and Dandelion Wine)
#42
|
Randy Newman | Randy Newman | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Hard Times Comin'
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
The Lady Came from Baltimore
#14
|
Tim Hardin | Tim Hardin | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Lonesome to the Bone
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Committed to Parkview
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Allegheny
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Crystal Chandeliers and Burgundy
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
The Talking Leaves
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Jesus Was a Carpenter
|
Christopher Wren | Christopher Wren | Charlie BraggLarry Butler | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |