Liner Notes

Until this album, Johnny Cash has been represented on records chiefly in his own compositions, such as I Walk the Line, Don't Take Your Guns to Town and What Do I Care. Here he turns to songs made famous by other singers, saluting the artists who introduced them. At the same time he gives the songs his own distinctive interpretations. It's the kind of singing that makes a listener declare, "Now, there was a song!" His rich voice, the stirring warmth and the straightforward approach have made Johnny Cash one of the world's most popular artists. These are great songs, and Johnny Cash is a great singer.

Seasons of My Heart was introduced by George Jones, as was another selection, Just One More. Ferlin Husky popularized I Feel Better All Over, and Marty Robbins scored one of his biggest successes with I Couldn't Keep From Crying. Time Changes Everything was presented by Bob Wills, with a vocal by Tommy Duncan. The same Mr. Wills also had a big hit with My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You, recently given new life by Ray Price. I'd Just Be Fool Enough was introduced by Melvin Endsley, and Roy Hogshead offered Transfusion Blues. One of Hank Snow's biggest hits was Why Do You Punish Me; Ernest Tubbs had equal success with l Will Miss You When You Go. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry was given best-seller status by Hank Williams, and Hank Thompson performed the same feat with Honky-Tonk Girl.

Johnny first began to sing while working with his family on a farm near Kingsland, Arkansas. He achieved local fame for his singing in high school, and continued his performances in impromptu shows during a tour of duty with the Air Force in Germany. A civilian once again, he enrolled in a radio and television school, hoping to become an announcer, but lack of finances changed his plans.

While he was working as a salesman, Johnny arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis Presley was just beginning to record for a small local record company. Johnny brought his talents to the attention of the same company, and was advised to write some songs.

With instinctive simplicity, Johnny wrote his songs, recorded them and soon found himself famous. Signed by Columbia Records, his fame spread around the world with such albums as The Fabulous Johnny Cash (CL 1253/CS 8122), Songs of Our Soil (CL 1339/CS 8148) and Hymns by Johnny Cash (CL 1284/CS 8125). This new collection offers still another example of Johnny's warm artistry, memories from the past that he has assembled for the pleasure of his admirers.

Info

Personnel

• Johnny Cash - Main Performer, Vocals
• Luther Perkins - Lead Guitar
• Johnny Western - Rhythm Guitar
• Don Helms - Steel
• Marshall Grant - Bass
• Buddy Harman - Drums
• Gordon Terry - Fiddle
• Floyd Cramer - Piano

 

 

Recorded:
Febr 17/1960, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville

Charts

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Info

This is an outstanding album of covers of old country songs, from the familiar (Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams, George Jones) to lesser-known gems.

Re-Issue Info

Johnny Cash is known as one of the finest songwriters in the history of country music, and when his name is mentioned, dozens of his memorable tunes immediately come to mind. Despite his compositional abilities, Cash remains a humble man, able to recognize the greatness of others. It is that ability which is the foundation of THERE WAS A SONG. Here, Cash leaves his songbook and his already minuscule ego at home, recording a batch of tunes made famous by his favorite country singers.

The list of men whose songs Cash tackles here reads like the Country Hall of Fame roster. There's Ernest Tubb's "I Will Miss You When You Go," Hank Williams' classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," George Jones' "Seasons of My Heart" and more. Cash is too individual a talent to copy these singers' styles even if he wanted to, so every selection is a masterpiece of inspiration and reinvention.

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Lyrics

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