I don’t think any performer is as popular and liked across generations and genres as Johnny Cash. I’ve met hard rock, country, and blues fans who love him. He was/is an American Icon.
Hank Snow made this song popular in 1962 by taking this song to #1 on the Country chart and #68 on the Billboard 100. Johnny covered this song in 1996 and it’s the version I remember. Cash had a way of making a song his own…
From songfacts.
Johnny Cash recorded a popular version of this song that was used in commercials for Comfort Inn and also in the 2004 remake of the movie Flight Of The Phoenix. Other artists to record the song include Rolf Harris, Lynn Anderson, Willie Nelson, and The Statler Brothers. This was written by the Australian songwriter and country singer Geoff Mack.
“I’ve Been Everywhere”
I was totin’ my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high and canvas-covered load.
“If you’re goin’ to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride.”
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, “Listen, I’ve traveled every road in this here land!”
I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve a-had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.
I’ve been to
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and Padilla, I’m a killer.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve a-had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.
I’ve been to
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee to Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devil’s Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete’s sake.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve a-had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.
I’ve been to
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve a-had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.
I’ve been to
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve a-had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.
I’ve been everywhere.
I agree! I can’t think of another American musician whose popularity seems to span as many generations and demographic groups as Cash; The Beatles (from UK obviously) are close but I think Cash might actually surpass them in the diversity of fans
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I agree…it’s universal for him. Also when he sang a song he hijacked it…not in a bad way…like “Hurt” it was his after he sang it.
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I believe Trent Reznor said he liked Cash’s version of that better than his own original! I love Cash’s “Solitary Man” from that era- probably the best version I’ve heard of that
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Yes Cash’s version of Hurt is great…the video is as amazing as the song. Solitary Man is great also…
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I had no idea that this song which lists dozens of obscure US places, was written by someone from Australia. That’s pretty cool. No argument with the status you’ve given JC. He’s another one who wrote an interesting memoir–Cash.
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I have never read a book about Cash…I really need to. The guy just appealed to almost everyone.
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He really did touch a diverse range of music lovers and musicians. He did it while being himself; sometimes quite unfiltered. I read his memoir after seeing ‘Walk the Line’. Seems like just a few years ago, but it was longer than that! It was a good, interesting read.
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I will have to check that out thank you.. He wasn’t afraid to reach out to other musicians… other country artists would never reach out to Bob Dylan or rock musicians…Cash just plain didn’t care and kept his integrity.
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Absolutely. I’m reminded of Pete Seeger singing ‘Bring ’em Home’ on the Johnny Cash show, when no one in the media would have anything to do with Pete. JC also sat down with Pete and talked face to face about the controversy Pete brought with him. JC showed his courage and his F-U attitude to the TV establishment.
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That is great! I want to watch that…I loved it when Cash railed on Nashville because of the politics of the country music business… for ignoring his generation and embracing Garth Brooks etc…
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About the music business, I think it was in his book where I read about an exchange in passing JC had with a record label exec. The guy said he was heading out to find the ‘next Randy Travis’. And JC replied, “What’s wrong with the one you’ve got?”
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That is what made him great…great comeback.
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