Studio Album · No. 29
Silver Songwriting Credits by Johnny Cash
Holds writing credit on 5 of 9 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 5 / 9 documented
Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Johnny Cash carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Released as Johnny Cash's 25th anniversary album, Silver finds him recording mostly outside material, with only three originals: 'Lonesome to the Bone,' 'I'll Say It's True,' and 'I'm Gonna Sit on the Porch and Pick on My Old Guitar.' The standout was a new version of the cowboy standard '(Ghost) Riders in the Sky,' written by Stan Jones, which became the album's biggest hit. Other writers represented include Rodney Crowell ('Bull Rider'), Jean Ritchie ('The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore'), Jack Clement, and Billy Joe Shaver. Brian Ahern produced the record.
Silver is a 1979 country and outlaw country album by Johnny Cash, released August 13 on Columbia Records to mark his 25th anniversary with the label and produced by Brian Ahern. The record featured the hit "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky," which reached number 2 on the country singles chart, along with a re-recording of "Cocaine Blues" and "I'll Say It's True," a duet with George Jones. Additional tracks include "Bull Rider," "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore," and "Muddy Waters." The album peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and Rolling Stone praised it as having the strongest song selection of any Cash disc in roughly a decade. Silver was the final album to feature longtime bassist Marshall Grant of the Tennessee Two, who departed the following year.
Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore
|
Jean Ritchie | Jean Ritchie | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Lonesome to the Bone
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Bull Rider
#66
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
I'll Say It's True
#42
|
Eric ClaptonGary Brooker | Eric ClaptonGary Brooker | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Ghost Riders in the Sky
|
Stan Jones | Stan Jones | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Cocaine Blues
|
T.J. Arnall | T.J. Arnall | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Hurt So Bad
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Sugar Baby
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
I'm Gonna Sit on the Porch and Pick on My Old Guitar
|
Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | Brian Ahern | Johnny Cash (Lead Vocals) |