The Best of Johnny Cash’s American Recordings
I know it’s been awhile between posts, but I just had to share this single-CD mix I culled from Johnny Cash’s five American Recordings albums, featuring original compositions, traditional songs, and covers of songs originally written and recorded by artists as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Tom Petty, Neil Diamond, Nine Inch Nails, U2, Depeche Mode, and more. This is pure gold, and it makes me sad to know there won’t be a sixth album in the series.
Here’s the track listing for my own personal “best of” album:
American Recordings
1. Delia’s Gone
2. Drive On
3. Down There by the Train
American II: Unchained
4. Country Boy
5. I’ve Been Everywhere
6. I’ve Never Picked Cotton
American III: Solitary Man
7. I Won’t Back Down
8. Solitary Man
9. One
10. Wayfaring Stranger
11. I’m Leaving Now
12. Country Trash
American IV: The Man Comes Around
13. The Man Comes Around
14. Hurt
15. Hung My Head
16. Personal Jesus
17. Tear Stained Letter
18. Give My Love to Rose
American V: A Hundred Highways
19. God’s Gonna Cut You Down
20. Like the 309
21. Further On Up the Road
What do you think? What’d I miss (and which tracks would you sacrifice to make room)?
Olivier, 
Brian Sawyer 
juanjoam1202 6:26 pm on April 29, 2010 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The version Cash did in the “Hurt” song is just simply awesome, one of the best time in the history of the music.
SADFASFA 8:43 am on July 21, 2010 Permalink | Log in to Reply
YOU FORGOT RİNG OF FİRE AND WALK THE LINE 🙂 BUT ITS A GOOD LİST THX 🙂
Brian Sawyer 8:49 am on July 21, 2010 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Also great songs, of which he had many, but neither “Ring of Fire” nor “Walk the Line” were part of his American Recordings.
Olivier 4:29 pm on November 30, 2010 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Just recently got all these albums, I love every single one of them!
My favorite songs are Spiritual (reminds me of the moment I had to say goodbye to a close friend for good) I hung my head (simply amazing story) and especially The Mercy Seat, chills all over my body whenever I hear this song. If I listen it in bed, it brings me in a certain peace and meditation I cant describe.
Anyway I always really like your taste aswell, I’ve never picked cotton is a great song about his youth.
Goodbye! 🙂
alsch890 10:29 am on August 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I know this is a late reply but I just wanted to say great post! I was looking for someone elses opinion on a compilation like this and I am glad to say mine almost matches yours.
I would add Rowboat and Sea of Heartbreak from Unchained and swap Down There By The Train for The Man Who Couldn’t Cry simpyl for the way Cash’s personality shines through on the live version.
Would love to hear what you would add from Ain’t No Grave, it’s almost as if someone read this post and dug out the 6th album!