GLOBALRPH MUSICATLASJohnny Cash: Artist Essentials
Move from the lean Sun sound through a duet, live storytelling and the close, weathered voice of the later recordings.
Showing 10 of 10 selected recordings.This depth selects the first 10 recordings in the recommended sequence. Changing the order rearranges those same selections.
When only a year is established, chronological order within that year is approximate.
01list
orderJohnny Cash and Tennessee Two
First released: 1956 (year verified)
Original single: I Walk the Line
Original 1956 Sun studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Begin with the steady pulse and the way each change of vocal register renews the melody.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1956 (year verified)
Original Sun single released in 1956; the later Columbia and live recordings are separate performances.
Recording: Original 1956 Sun studio recording
Credit: Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two
Role in this collection: Lead vocalist with the credited Tennessee Two
Original single: I Walk the Line
I Walk the Line - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original 1956 Sun single and original Sun 241 label, which credits Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
02list
orderJohnny Cash and Tennessee Two
First released: 1955 (year verified)
Original single: Folsom Prison Blues
Original 1955 Sun studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The spare instrumental space makes the clipped vocal and train-like pulse especially vivid.
Annual version match under reviewThe selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1955 (year verified)
Original 1955 Sun single. The artist catalog separately documents the later 1968 live recording.
Recording: Original 1955 Sun studio recording
Credit: Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two
Role in this collection: Lead vocalist with the credited Tennessee Two
Original single: Folsom Prison Blues
Folsom Prison Blues - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original Sun single dated 1955 and Sun 232 label crediting Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Folsom Prison studio and live recordings - Johnny Cash official site
Distinguishes the 1955 studio recording from the 1968 live hit. This does not itself identify the unverified retained annual row. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
03list
orderJohnny Cash
First released: 1963 (year verified)
Original single: Ring of Fire
Original 1963 Columbia single version
MusicAtlas editorial note: Hear how the bright brass phrases answer the dark, steady lead vocal.
Annual appearances: 1963
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1963 (year verified)
Cash's original Columbia single was released in 1963; this date concerns his recording.
Recording: Original 1963 Columbia single version
Credit: Johnny Cash
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original 1963 Columbia single recording, expressly labeled Single Version. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
04list
orderJohnny Cash and June Carter
First released: 1967 (year verified)
Original single: Jackson
Original 1967 Columbia studio duet
MusicAtlas editorial note: A lively vocal exchange: the timing of the replies matters as much as the tune.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1967 (year verified)
Original 1967 Cash and Carter single, before the Carryin' On album and later live performances.
Recording: Original 1967 Columbia studio duet
Credit: Johnny Cash and June Carter
Role in this collection: Co-lead duet vocalist with June Carter
Original single: Jackson
Jackson - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original 1967 single with Johnny Cash and June Carter; linked to Carryin' On With Johnny Cash & June Carter. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
05list
orderJohnny Cash
First released: 1969 (year verified)
Original single: A Boy Named Sue
Original 1969 San Quentin live performance, single version
MusicAtlas editorial note: Let the spoken rhythm and audience response guide the unfolding story.
Annual appearances: 1969
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1969 (year verified)
The selected single uses the original San Quentin performance released in 1969. The February concert date is not used as a release date.
Recording: Original 1969 San Quentin live performance, single version
Credit: Johnny Cash
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue - official Johnny Cash catalog
The original 1969 single is identified as the live San Quentin performance, with its single artwork and chart history. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
At San Quentin - official Johnny Cash album catalog
1969 live album includes A Boy Named Sue; the February concert date is separately identified as the recording session. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
06list
orderJohnny Cash
First released: 1970 (year verified)
Original single: Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
Original 1970 The Johnny Cash Show live recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Slow the pace and listen for the small pauses that give the solitary scene its weight.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1970 (year verified)
Original 1970 live recording, issued as a single and on The Johnny Cash Show. The album's October date is not assigned to the earlier single.
Recording: Original 1970 The Johnny Cash Show live recording
Credit: Johnny Cash
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original 1970 live recording associated with The Johnny Cash Show and its single, distinguished from later versions. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
The Johnny Cash Show - official Johnny Cash album catalog
Original 1970 Columbia album and live tracklist including Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
07list
orderJohnny Cash
First released: 1971 (year verified)
Original single: Man in Black
Original 1971 Columbia studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The even delivery lets the argument accumulate one line at a time.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1971 (year verified)
The original single was released in 1971 before the album of the same name.
Recording: Original 1971 Columbia studio recording
Credit: Johnny Cash
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: Man in Black
Man in Black - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original Columbia single release in 1971, before the parent album. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
08list
orderJohnny Cash and the Tennessee Two
First released: 1958 (year verified)
Original single: Big River
Original 1958 Sun studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Return to the early sound for quick phrasing and a guitar part that keeps pushing forward.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1958 (year verified)
Original Sun single released in 1958, before subsequent album appearances and rerecordings.
Recording: Original 1958 Sun studio recording
Credit: Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two
Role in this collection: Lead vocalist with the credited Tennessee Two
Original single: Big River
Big River - official Johnny Cash catalog
Original 1958 Sun single; Sun 283 label credits Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
09list
orderJohnny Cash featuring the Tennessee Two
First released: 1955 (year verified)
Original single: Cry! Cry! Cry! / Hey, Porter
Original 1955 Sun studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: A concise early performance whose light rhythmic bounce offsets the warning in the vocal.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1955 (year verified)
Original Sun single pairing released in 1955. Year precision is retained because retrospective sources differ over its exact release month.
Recording: Original 1955 Sun studio recording
Credit: Johnny Cash featuring the Tennessee Two
Role in this collection: Lead vocalist with the credited Tennessee Two
Original single: Cry! Cry! Cry! / Hey, Porter
Johnny Cash - Sun Records artist history
Identifies the Tennessee Two and documents the original Hey Porter / Cry Cry Cry release in 1955. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Johnny Cash commemorative stamp history - official artist site
Documents the first Sun sessions and 1955 single release of Cry, Cry, Cry, with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Hey, Porter! / Cry! Cry! Cry! - label-supplied single catalog
Names the Tennessee Two on the original Sun single pairing. Year evidence is separately supplied by Sun and the official Cash history. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
10list
orderJohnny Cash
First released: 2002 (year verified)
Original album: American IV: The Man Comes Around
Original 2002 American IV studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Close with the exposed vocal and the slow accumulation of sound around it.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 2002 (year verified)
Cash's recording was released in 2002, before the 2003 video and single campaign; the earlier composition is a different recording.
Recording: Original 2002 American IV studio recording
Credit: Johnny Cash
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: American IV: The Man Comes Around
American IV: The Man Comes Around - official Johnny Cash album catalog
Original 2002 album includes Hurt; the same page separately dates its video to 2003. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
ALL 66 ANNUAL COLLECTIONS1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.
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