Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line - LYRICS

"I Walk the Line" is a song written by Johnny Cash and recorded in 1956. It was performed with the help of Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, two mechanics that he met while in the Air Force stationed in Germany. Cash became the front man for the group and precipitated the introduction of the group to Sam Perkins of Sun Records. In 1955 they began recording under the Sun label. After three attempts with moderate chart ratings, "I Walk the Line" became the first number one Billboard hit for the group. The single remained on the record charts for over 43 weeks, and sold over 2 million copies.
Background of Song

The unique chord progression for the song was inspired by an accidental backwards playback of guitar runs on Cash's tape recorder while he was in the Air Force stationed in Germany. Later in a telephone interview, Cash stated, "I wrote the song backstage one night in 1956 in Gladewater, Texas. I was newly married at the time, and I suppose I was laying out my pledge of devotion."[2] After the writing of the song Cash had a discussion with fellow performer Carl Perkins who encouraged him to adopt "I Walk the Line" as the song title. Cash originally intended the song as a slow ballad, but producer Sam Phillips preferred a faster arrangement,[3] which Cash grew to like as the uptempo recording met with success.

Once while performing the song on his TV show, Cash told the audience, with a smile, "People ask me why I always hum whenever I sing this song. It's to get my pitch." The humming was necessary since the song required Cash to change keys several times while singing it.

The song was originally recorded at Sun Studio on April 2, 1956, and was released on May 1. It spent six weeks at the top spot on the U.S. country Juke Box charts that summer, one week on the C&W Jockey charts and number two on the C&W Best Seller charts [4]. "I Walk the Line" crossed over and reached number nineteen on the pop music charts [5].

The song was re-recorded four times during Cash's career. In 1964 for the I Walk the Line album, again in 1969 for the At San Quentin album, in 1970 for the I Walk the Line soundtrack, and finally in 1988 for the Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series album.

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #30 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hd
• walk
• the
• line
• june
• carter
• johnny
• cash
• man
• in
• black

[TheGamerJoseph]

@manfistoffury That was just a more advanced way to whore yourself out as a young person who likes old music. lol

[XxstonednubxX]

The two dislikes are probly Johnny's first Wife

[OHnoUDidntSoIDid]

no the two dislikes are paralyzed from the waist down

[tucker010402]

i love johnny cash i also love that song and i am 10

[lakeshajohnson2]

is is so boring sing it yourself and it will sound so much better

[Slide2671]

STOP FUCKING ARGUING AND LISTEN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL, ANGELIC MUSIC THAT JOHNNY WROTE FOR US.

[RunnerStop]

As sure as night is dark and day is light..

Im from norway, nights in the summer are light, and days in the winter are dark xD

[Mritde]

@manfistoffury you're right. No one at my school respects the classics except me.

[ObeyMyMonkey]

@manfistoffury right on

[TheForest900]

this makes me think of fallout3 and fallout new vegas

[imrepohl]

@manfistoffury It's funny, because every single hipster thinks exactly the same thing that you just thought.