Johnny Cash's Worst Song Saved His Career
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 12. 04. 2024
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INTERVIEWS:
www.npr.org/transcripts/12407...
âą How Rick Rubin helped ...
âą Johnny Cash's last int...
SOURCES:
folsomcasharttrail.com/the-tr...
tasteofcountry.com/columbia-r....
www.tennessean.com/story/ente...
www.history.com/this-day-in-h...
www.outsider.com/news/country...
www.johnnycash.com/releases/c...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_....
www.countrymusichalloffame.or...
www.latimes.com/entertainment....
books.google.com/books?id=Kqi...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Rec...
sunrecords.com/artists/johnny...
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Algorithm Jargon that should be ignored lol:
Johnny Cash is a country music star and legend. He was an artist at the same time as Elvis, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Prince, Madonna, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Carl Lewis, Ray Charles, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, John Denver, Dolly Parton, and Billy Joel. They are different from new artists today, like Taylor swift, Luke Bryan, Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, and Garth Brooks. Johnny Cash was also an actor, he was in movies, westerns, like John Wayne. To close, I will say, trending, tiktok, for you page, new trailers, video essay, like, subscribe, comment. That is all. Thank you to you the viewer who should not be reading this, and to the CZcams Algorithm. - ZĂĄbava
Ngl, I always liked this tune. Yeah, it's dumb, and clashes with the rest of his material, but that's what makes it fun.
Canât argue with that. I always loved his lighthearted approach and Chicken in Black is filled with it lol
I agree Sidney, it's surreal when you hear it for the first time, but, there were plenty of examples of Johnny Cash being creative or inventive. He was human. I seriously doubt he was the serious 'man in black' 24/7.
If David Allan Coe can be serious or emotinal, despite being funny with his lyrics and singing, and if Waylon Jennings can write Waylonmore Blues, a song he admitted made no sense, then, why can't Cash parody his own legacy?
Even John Lennon was known to have an eccentric sense of humour, while at the same time, making some heart breaking music.
Besides, a chicken selling out a country venue singing Cash songs is pretty bonkers and funny.
One piece of the time seems to be equally funny?
@@thatgirlray2765 that one's great oo
@@thatgirlray2765 I was gonna mention that one, along with Boy Named Sue and Starkville City Jail. Comedy and novelty songs are a pretty key part of his repertoire, just like they're an integral part of the genre.
The song felt like a Weird Al song before Weird Al existed.
I kinda liked it as a Johnny Cash fan.
I immediately thought that when I came across it earlier today.
Weird Al was doing his thing for almost a decade before this song was recorded
Weird Al had dropped two albums, one of which peaked at #17, before this song came out. And Weird Al had been doing music for many years as a cult classic before his first album came out.
If anything, given Cashâs later collaboration with newer artists, I would bet that Weird Al served as an inspiration.
Oh, so like a Tom Lehrer song
Wait wait, when do you think Weird Al came into existence? You really show your confident ignorance here.
"I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it"
-Marty Mcfly
I was born in â05 and this absolutely applies to me. I used to jam to this song with my ex it was a blast!!
"when god forgave me i figured i better too.", that got me like a bag of bricks
Amen
if you hear the voice of god, seek psychiatric help
Chicken in Black clucked so Hurt could cry.
Also, that clip at the end made me tear up.
"Looking back on all that you've done, do you have any regrets about what you've done?"
*"I used to, but I don't [anymore], I've forgave myself. When God forgave me, I figured I better do it too. So, uh, everything's alright now."*
Met him once. I was a photographer's assistant in Nashville in the 80s. Another photographer was renting our studio for a photo shoot. I was in the tiny dressing room and I felt a presence behind me. I turned around and Johnny was standing there holding a suit on a hanger. He asked, "Can I hang this here?" I said, "Oh of course." That was the extent of our interaction but I new I had been in the presence of greatness.
I like this song, unironically, every song he wrote didn't have to be serious, he was a deeply Christian man, he had children, I believe he liked children, I think wanted to make some more songs that were very of their time, topical, funny, lighthearted fare that a father could play around his family without Johnny singing about cocaine and shooting people just to watch them die. Johnny's sense of humor may have been a touch off, however you must remember he took amphetamines, stimulants , sedatives, pain killers and drank for years. He relapsed many times and the song may have been the result of a manic state however, it was relatively harmless fun. I like this song.
Wanna kiss
I mean he also made songs like âOne Piece at a Timeâ, âFlushed from the Bathroom of your Heartâ. Heck even something like âCocaine Bluesâ is essentially a joke song. He loved joke songs and they were successful for him. The chicken one is a little goofy but not really even that much of a stand out from some of the comedy songs that have been in country radio except that itâs Johnny Cash singing it and not someone like Ray Stevens. People confuse the popular image of Cash as Rebel throwing a middle finger at the Nashville authorities and the Nixon White House, or the deeply Christian moralist singing about the darkness in life, and what Cash actually was, which is all those things and more because the man had a hugely successful career in popular music that lasted half a century
Cash was a great artist, but he was not a good guy. The same with Haggard and Paycheck.
The fuck does him believing that a dead dude came back 3 days later have to do with this goofy song
@@matcha6710 woah someoneâs discovered Reddit
That snapshot of him shaking the hand of an inmate with the same hair as him at 3:26 is iconic
Love your work
wiliam corncobb himself
That's Glenn Shirley. He wrote the last song on the At Folsom Prison album, "Greystone Chapel".
I don't know if I just have bad taste but I think chicken in black is a straight banger
No, it means you have the opposite means you have great taste
It is a great song
I like it. And I like people who don't take themselves too seriously.
I think itâs great, this is just a clickbait title for views. Dude obviously has no idea what heâs talking about because a lot of people think itâs a good song.
Cash despised this song.
I'm surprised you didn't mention his time with the highwaymen. That is some of his best work, during a time that most consider his worst time.
We will never have a super group like that again
Agreed. Highwaymen songs were great records! Thats like doing a story on orbsion, but not mentioning his time as a member of the traveling wilburys.
âđż
Self titled is a banger
You know he had a great career if chicken in black was his worst song
And how, um, interesting that this video completely bypasses even the briefest mention of Johnny's commercially unsuccessful 4-year association (from 1987-91) with Mercury records, whom he signed with directly after being dropped from Columbia. To be honest, that might've added just a little more depth to the context of the story. But with that glaring omission aside, the vid was otherwise 100% on point! And by the way, as someone who fondly remembers "Chicken In Black" from when I was a kid in the 80's, it's actually pretty hilarious IMO - even if it wasn't necessarily on par with the best of his work! Thanks for taking me back!
Add to that...people really do give Rick Rubin credit for getting Cash to start experimenting with pop covers but the Mercury records show Cash was already doing that.
I also think those Highwaymen albums and tours are an important part of the story too. He was playing with friends and reminding the world that he could still be relevant. I think there is a clear line from those albums, their "outlaw country" nature, the approach taken to make them, and American Recordings I.
I'm a sucker for stupid random songs that don't fit with anything else the artist has made. and this song is no exception. but learning about the symbolism in the song really helps me get a new appreciation for it. Also, its really nice to see people who aren't older into Johnny Cash. makes me feel not alone haha
Love to see it! Keep his music alive
He made silly songs, Boy Named Sue, One Piece at A Time...come to mind, he wasn't adverse to a joke song.
What are some other ones you know about? I canât really think of any. Some might say David Bowieâs The Laughing Gnome would be, but it really isnât all that different from the rest of the music he was putting out at the time
Great video. I came here to see that "Chicken in Black" song and the music video since it's going viral on TikTok rn.
Tik tok was created for one purpose, in China. To bring down the USA! To put viruses into computers, and steal information about the US. Every time some idiot clicks on tik tok that is what is happening!
Yeah wait when did this happen I went on TikTok for the first time in a bit and was very surprised to hear this song of all things thanks world of t shirts
@@georgesekavec1020 Yeah people were doing a trend where a person was doing one for their animals. Its fun!
I should check out that Johnny Chicken Show tbh
The only thing cooler than announcing a robbery is doing it in song
I loved this track immediately
Really shows his sense of humour and without the video wouldn't of been seen as so silly and it's catchy as hell and tbh I'd love to see a whole sitcom series of the "Manhattan flash" 'cmon stick em up im robbing this bank"
Thanks for this video! I didn't know about "Chicken In Black" . But I have been a Cash fan since I saw him as the singer and murderer Tommy Brown who was hunted down by Inspector Columbo in the episode Swan Song. But then I lost track of him for a few decades. When his great work with Rick Rubin came out, I thought it was better than everything Cash had done before! Rick Rubin and Cash had stripped away all the ridiculous trappings of country music. There was just a man with a still powerful voice and his guitar. This work totally changed our perception of Johnny Cash. Itâs great that it happened before he died.
Thanks so much! Iâm glad you enjoyed
@@tam11225 , thanks for answering đ
Left out a large 10 year or so, chunk in the middle! The highwaymen were a great boost in his life
What always amused me the most is the idea that the brain transplant would leave him still even slightly "him".
In reality, his body would be inhabited solely by the robber.
And his consciousness, not just singing, would be in the chicken.
This is even more insane than the idea of trying to fit his brain in a chicken's head.
Great video so far! I'm not the biggest country fan, and I'm casual when it comes to Johnny Cash, I think he's great. This makes me appreciate him more, thank you!
I'm only 1/3 the way through your documentary and I love it. Please keep up the good work!
Very well done! The tone of narration, the montages, all really great work.
Wow, I can't believe you've only got 2.5k subs, I thought from the production quality you must've had millions. Keep up the good work
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Chicken in black is a great alternate video to Hurt, just play the video at 0.75 speed. Totally works.
I know a reasonable amount of Johnny's songs but I never heard of this. The thing to say about this is you can't say he didn't have a sense of humor. Lol
The song was crazy but funny,Thanks for the music Johnny!
To all up and coming musicians, and creatives in general, keep your publishing!!! Dont sell your music for pennies to a label when you can keep your publishing rights and work the music yourself!
Chicken in black is a great song its whacky and silly in the best way possible
I've just started on his music and it's one of my favourite songs, ngl.
This is great, just subbed!
Glad you enjoyed :)
He was good friends with my grandfather. Has dinner with him at my grandad's house several times as a kid. Friendly man but absolutely terrifying to me as a child. Wished I had spoke with him more
Love that tiktok has taken the song and ran with it
I stumbled across Chicken in Black thanks to CZcams Music autoplay and honestly it was a delightfully funny contrast with his other material and showed him being able to make some fun of himself
Nobody is cooler than Johnny Cash.
Metallica wasn't signed to Columbia. They were on Elektra. A Warner Bros headed company. WEA, Warner,Elektra,Asylum. So Johnny's fears of being pushed aside on Columbia had nothing to do with Metallica.
I love that I know what this is about just by having read the comments on that music video
Thank you for sharing.
Nice vid mate!
What happened with Johnny's work with Mercury? It seems like you just skipped over that point in his recording history
This was awesome!
Thanks so much!
When an artist can make a deliberately bad song... and still have it slap, that is a definitive Hall of Fame artist right there.
Love all of Cash's works and this song holds a special place in my heart, right next to "One Piece At A Time".
he's a silly dood what a legend
I remember hearing this song on CZcams for the first time a few months ago and thinking "what the heck is this, this is so silly" but it's a good silly
I have to go find this now. I need to listen to it.
It's basically " a boy named sue" and if not for the goofy video wouldn't be considered such a silly song
great job!
5:08 Metallica was never on Columbia in the mid-80's, they were on Elektra, the label that had the Doors, Queen (US distribution), & 2 Detroit proto-punk bands like the Stooges (with Iggy Pop) & MC5, Television (also influential for punk), TMBG, the Detroit punk bands were influential in the development of punk in which 80's UK bands like GBH & Discharge (which they play a faster form of punk) influenced Metallica.
I think his video was filmed in the same bank where Ernest Goes to Jail was. I went in it 15-20 years ago, but itâs gone now.
This is such a fun song I loved it
I wish you brought up John Fogerty getting sued by the label for CCR because he sounded like himself, could be another video idea though
It's crazy how important labels were back then and how it was to promote yourself without them or even make a video
Really good video
I didn't know the song existed until today. It's funny and creative.
i got here from tcnick3
Dude I personally fell in love with the song, because it got a good beat and funny lyrics man lol
This is quality!
Thank you ! đ
The band Klaatu, most famous for the whole Beatles theory in 1976, released an album to insult their record label which wanted them to make more "popular" music, so they made an intentionally bad album which featured songs that directly mocked their label, especially a song called "sell out", and it was their second last album ever released.
He had humility. That was his greatness.
What's the song in the background at the very beginning? I can't quite put a name to it
It really isn't a song. It sounds like a higher pitched and looped segment of folsom prison.
This is one of the greatest songs ever written
12:40 Probably one of the most famous chairs
His story is great I beileve there have been a lot of movies about it. It's sad he wasn't more famous for his time. When nowdays most consider him a legend
You could say something besides washed up he was never washed up..he could play his old stuff and make thousands he has never been washed up he could fill theaters and stadium's in a heartbeat on his own love uncle john
This was always my favorite Cash song.
Honestly this songâs great. Funny story and catchy.
This is a great song.
Im so grateful for Johnny and his music, and for what Rick Rubin did for him.
Johnny Cash decided to write and perform something he thought would be unreleasable and it still came out fun, catchy and as a sly dig at the suits. He was too talented for his own good, apparently.
Rick Rubin is the reason more so than anyone for Cashâs late career success. Period.
Chicken In Black could have been done by Ray Stevens.
This is such a good ass funny ass song
I randomly sing this song sometimes
I think itâs a great song
I fell asleep to this song last night
God bless Johny Cash
Get 'em telt Tam!
5:01 I'm a little confused by the artists you've portrayed as receiving more attention from Columbia Records. Michael Jackson was signed to Epic, which is technically a _sister_ label to Columbia. Metallica signed with Elektra Records. Only Billy Joel was Johnny's labelmate at Columbia.
These type of channels ain't shit
I loved "Chicken in Black."
"Washed up country artist"
Are you fucking high?
I had to click to find out what Johnny's worst song was. And now I've got to find the video for The Chicken in Black!
I always loved this song. I always felt that it being so insane was part of the appeal lmao
"Intentionally atrocious" Chicken In Black is so "Bad" that it's good.
I do understand what you are saying though đđđ
I actually love chicken in black I think it goes kinda hard and it's so unique and funny
Johnny cash could make any song sound good. No matter how goofy
I liked that song đą
I told people to listen to this song because it was underrated. Then tiktok came around and that changed.
As tik tok does đ
I think itâs great that TikTok has brought some attention and appreciation to a lesser know song
Its funny that his "rock bottom" is still better than 99% of people's peak
I like it đđșđž
this song is fucking awesome
tbh i love Chicken in black
One of my favourites
Of course. All musical stories lead to Rick Ruben.
I still have a bunch of original Sun Records 45s. They were originally bought new by my dad when he was a kid. EDIT: In fact, I still have "Cry! Cry! Cry!" I had no idea these were important recordings.
I always liked the Chicken song. It was a fun bookend song to Man In Black.
Its funny how I loved chicken in black
Never heard this song. I always thought the one about stealing a car âone piece at a timeâ was his worst.
Skipped over the highway men
June Carter and the Almighty God saved Johnny from the world
Unfortunately Cash died before I was ever born and while I'll never get to meet him or hear him live, he lives on in his songs and that definitely includes The Chicken in Black lol
â⊠I asked the jailer why I was there if heâd be so kind, he said for stopping the traffic while I was hugging and kissing the Chattanooga City Limit Sign.â