Now, There Was a Song! cover art

  Studio Album · No. 6

Now, There Was a Song! Songwriting Credits by Johnny Cash

1960 Columbia 12 tracks 26 min
Columbia CountryHonky-Tonk
42%
Authorship
Collaborator

Holds writing credit on 5 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 5 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Johnny Cash carries a lyricist or composer credit.

42%
5 trackswritten by Johnny Cash 7 tracksoutside writers
Johnny Cash's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist42%
Composer42%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
8
Lyricists
1
Producers
1960
Released
Data Insight

Now, There Was a Song! is an album of country covers, with Johnny Cash interpreting honky-tonk standards rather than writing his own material. None of the twelve tracks are Cash originals; he draws on songbooks from Hank Williams ('I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'), Marty Robbins ('I Couldn't Keep from Crying'), George Jones ('Just One More'), and Ernest Tubb. The single 'Seasons of My Heart' was a Jones and Edwards composition.

"Now, There Was a Song!" is a 1960 country and honky-tonk album by Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records and produced by Don Law and Frank Jones. The record collects Cash's interpretations of honky-tonk standards by writers such as Hank Williams, George Jones, and Marty Robbins, including "Seasons of My Heart," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," and "I Couldn't Keep from Crying." Cash was backed by the Tennessee Two, with Luther Perkins on lead guitar and Marshall Grant on bass, joined by session players including Floyd Cramer and Don Helms. The single "Seasons of My Heart" reached number 10 on the Billboard Country Singles chart in 1960. The album highlighted Cash's connection to the honky-tonk tradition early in his Columbia tenure.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Seasons of My Heart #10
Darrell EdwardsGeorge Jones Darrell EdwardsGeorge Jones Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
2
I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywhere's Else)
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
3
My Treasure
Merle Kilgore Merle Kilgore Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
4
Transfusion Blues
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
5
I'd Just Be Fool Enough (To Fall)
Bill Anderson Bill Anderson Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
6
Honky Tonk Girl
Lester Williams Lester Williams Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
7
I Couldn't Keep from Crying
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
8
Time Changes Everything
Tommy Duncan Tommy Duncan Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
9
My Old Faded Rose
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
10
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Hank Williams Hank Williams Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
11
I Will Miss You When You Go
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)
12
I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal
Bill Anderson Bill Anderson Don Law Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 9 contributors

JC
Johnny Cash
Writer · Vocals
On this album5 written
BA
Bill Anderson
Writer
On this album2 written
DE
Darrell Edwards
Writer
On this album1 written
GJ
George Jones
Writer
On this album1 written
HW
Hank Williams
Writer
On this album1 written
LW
Lester Williams
Writer
On this album1 written
MK
Merle Kilgore
Writer
On this album1 written
TD
Tommy Duncan
Writer
On this album1 written
DL
Don Law
Producer
On this album12 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Now, There Was a Song!

Did Johnny Cash write any songs on Now, There Was a Song!?
No. The album is entirely covers of country and honky-tonk standards, and Johnny Cash is not credited as a writer on any of the twelve tracks. It was conceived as a tribute to the country songs Cash admired rather than a showcase for his own compositions.
What was the single from Johnny Cash's Now, There Was a Song!?
'Seasons of My Heart' was released as a single in 1960 and reached number 10 on the Billboard country singles chart. The song was written by George Jones and Darrell Edwards.
Which Hank Williams song did Johnny Cash record on Now, There Was a Song!?
Cash covered 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,' Hank Williams' 1949 standard. It is one of several honky-tonk classics Cash reinterpreted on the album.
Who produced Now, There Was a Song! by Johnny Cash?
The album was produced by Don Law and Frank Jones for Columbia Records. The pair produced most of Cash's Columbia output during this period.
Who backed Johnny Cash on Now, There Was a Song!?
Cash was backed by the Tennessee Two, with Luther Perkins on lead guitar and Marshall Grant on bass. Nashville session players including Floyd Cramer on piano and Buddy Harman on drums also appeared.
What kind of album is Johnny Cash's Now, There Was a Song!?
It is a country and honky-tonk covers album released by Columbia in 1960. Cash uses it to pay homage to songs by Hank Williams, George Jones, Marty Robbins, and Ernest Tubb.

Sources

Wikipedia: Now, There Was a Song! MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Now, There Was a Song! by Johnny Cash