Record #0094: Next In Line / Don’t Make Me Go – JOHNNY CASH

Sun 266 (original) USA, Apr. 15, 1957
Words & Music by:  Johnny Cash
Musicians: Johnny Cash (vocals and acoustic guitar), the Tennessee Two: Luther Perkins (guitar), Marshall Grant (upright bass) (possibly Jack Clement on third guitar)
Recording sessions:  Produced by Sam Phillips at Sun Studio, Memphis, TN, Apr. 4, 1957
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US #99, US Country #9; Side B – US -, US Country #9

Here’s the “Man In Black”. Cash had an outstanding career and he was able to walk the line and keep his own style no matter what. He had 109 Top 100 hits in US Country, 45 in US Pop and 12 in UK Charts – no too shabby. Though focused mainly in country music, he was open-minded to cross the borders and, e.g. do great cover versions of songs outside his genre. Good examples here are “Rowboat” (Beck), “Personal Jesus” (Depeche Mode) and “Rusty Cage” (Soundgarden).

Aw, and this record – well, it’s the fifth of the 20 singles Cash recorded for Sun, where his contract lasted from late 1954 till July 1958 (when he moved to CBS). Sun continued to release his old masters as singles through 1964.

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30