Johnny Cash - Biography, Videos, Playlists, and More

“Folsom Prison Blues” is a song by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, originally released in 1955 as a single on Sun Records and later featured on several albums, including With His Hot and Blue Guitar (1957). The song became one of Cash’s signature pieces and is widely recognized as a classic of country and American roots music. Background Johnny Cash wrote “Folsom Prison Blues” in 1953 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Inspired by the 1951 film Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison and Gordon Jenkins’s 1953 song “Crescent City Blues” (which Cash credited as a partial influence), Cash created a vivid narrative told from the perspective of a prisoner reflecting on his crimes and punishment. The song’s popularity was reignited in 1968 when Cash performed it live at California’s Folsom State Prison, a performance that became the centerpiece of his landmark album At Folsom Prison. Musical style “Folsom Prison Blues” is a blend of country, blues, and rockabilly, featuring Cash’s signature “boom-chicka-boom” rhythm. The original recording is driven by twangy electric guitar, upright bass, and sparse percussion, supporting Cash’s deep, steady vocals. The song’s sound is raw and minimalistic, emphasizing its storytelling and evoking the starkness of prison life. Lyrical analysis The lyrics tell the story of a man imprisoned in Folsom Prison for murder. Iconic lines like “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die” highlight the narrator’s remorse and the grim reality of his crime. The song contrasts the freedom of the outside world—symbolized by a passing train—with the narrator’s confinement and regret. The song’s vivid storytelling and emotional depth resonate as a powerful meditation on guilt, justice, and longing for freedom. Chart performance The original 1955 single reached No. 4 on the Billboard Country & Western chart. The 1968 live version from At Folsom Prison was a major success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song helped rejuvenate Cash’s career and remains one of his most enduring hits. Live performances Cash’s live performance of “Folsom Prison Blues” at Folsom State Prison on January 13, 1968, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic moments in music history. The raucous response from the inmates, especially after Cash sang the famous Reno line, captured the raw energy of the event and was immortalized on the At Folsom Prison album. The song remained a staple of Cash’s concerts throughout his career. Personnel (original 1955 recording) Johnny Cash – vocals, acoustic guitar Luther Perkins – electric guitar Marshall Grant – upright bass Produced by Sam Phillips Reception “Folsom Prison Blues” has been hailed as one of Johnny Cash’s greatest songs and a defining track in country and American roots music. Its blend of gritty realism and evocative melody has earned praise from critics and enduring popularity with audiences worldwide. The song appears on many “greatest songs of all time” lists, and its influence can be heard across generations of country, rock, and Americana artists. Trivia Cash paid a settlement to Gordon Jenkins due to the similarities between “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Crescent City Blues.” The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Brooks & Dunn, Everlast, and Jerry Lee Lewis. In 2014, “Folsom Prison Blues” was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical significance. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.