Saturday Coffee and Tunes - 25/10/25
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
Sometimes you just need to put an album on that you can immerse yourself in the swirling sound and lyrics. Today it's Cash's last studio album with a range of guest, leaving a legacy of 66 albums prior. Sheesh.
We've been watching Take 5 with Zan Rowe. I might have mentioned this before here, but it's much better than I anticipated. The conversations remind me of the power of music and how some of the best friendships I've made over my life were through a mutual love and connection with music.
Last night we watched the episode with the beloved Bill Bailey. He picked Cash's cover of Hurt. Something about his reflections of life and aging struck a chord. I've moved into the phase of helping my folks who are now older, and looking at my mum going into care. It's a weird existential experience filled with mixed emotions. The episode was really moving - perhaps it was the timing.
I remember being stopped in my tracks watching the clip for Hurt on Rage. It was around 2003. I didn't grow up being a NIN fan. It's one of the best covers imho. It wasn't until some years later I bought this album on vinyl.
I use to associate Cash with the stories my folks would tell me about their early days. My Dad was a Cash fan. We'd sing to Johnny Cash in the car on trips to town for appointments when mum wasn't with us - she was not a fan.
I wept listening to this album until disc 2 side 4 when my husband decided to point how they don't think the cover version of Big Iron is very good. Haha.
TIL Cash's only original on the album "When the Man Come's Around" was inspired by a weird dream he had about the Queen. Also that the album was produced by Rick Rubin.
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