About the song
“Folsom Prison Blues” is a classic song by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, first penned in 1953 and initially recorded and released as a single in 1955. It was later featured on his debut album, *Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!* (1957). The song draws from the traditions of both the train song and the prison song, genres Cash frequently explored throughout his career. Its influence and popularity were solidified when it was included in the compilation album *All Aboard the Blue Train* (1962). In June 2014, *Rolling Stone* ranked it No. 51 on their list of the 100 greatest country songs of all time.
The song gained renewed prominence with a live performance recorded at Folsom State Prison on January 13, 1968. This iconic performance was released as the album *At Folsom Prison* and became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the country charts and No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The live version of “Folsom Prison Blues” is particularly notable for its energetic and engaging performance, which resonated deeply with both the inmates and the broader public. It earned Johnny Cash the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, at the 1969 Grammy Awards.
The inspiration for “Folsom Prison Blues” came from Johnny Cash’s viewing of the film *Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison* while stationed in West Germany with the U.S. Air Force. The line “But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die” was crafted by Cash as an extreme example of a senseless crime, reflecting his storytelling prowess.
The song’s melody and some lyrics were influenced by Gordon Jenkins’ 1953 track “Crescent City Blues.” Though Jenkins was not initially credited, Cash later settled with him for $75,000 in the early 1970s after the song’s success became evident.
Recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, “Folsom Prison Blues” was produced by Sam Phillips and featured Cash with Luther Perkins on guitar and Marshall Grant on bass. The song’s distinctive sound, which blends elements of country, rockabilly, and rock and roll, was achieved using a unique technique where Cash placed a piece of paper under the guitar strings to mimic the sound of a snare drum.
The live recording of “Folsom Prison Blues” has been celebrated for its raw energy and authenticity, earning a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001 and being ranked among the greatest songs of the 1960s by Pitchfork Media. Cash’s performance of this song at Folsom Prison remains a defining moment in his career and a powerful testament to his connection with his audience.
Video
Lyrics
Hello, I’m Johnny Cash
I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rolling ’round the bend
And I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when
I’m stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin’ on
But that train keeps a-rollin’ on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me, “Son
Always be a good boy, don’t ever play with guns”
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry
I bet there’s rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They’re probably drinkin’ coffee and smoking big cigars
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can’t be free
But those people keep a-movin’ and that’s what tortures me
Well if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
I bet I’d move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that’s where I want to stay
And I’d let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away