Top 10 Best Johnny Cash Songs

The Top Ten
1 Hurt

This song has actually saved my life. It really has. I went through an awful stage in my life and started doing something to cope with my problems that, in fact, made the situation worse. It's okay though, I've arranged to talk to a professional. This song helped me on some of my worst days. It's the best cover in the world.

He took a song and made it his own, but it worked because he had the emotions right. Johnny's life was ending. He was watching the love of his life die in front of him. In many ways, this was like his last words. I love the original too, but this is the best cover in the whole world. You wouldn't even know it was a cover.

2 Ring of Fire

How is it even slightly possible that this isn't number one? This needs so many more votes. It at least needs to get to the top 5 because this is just a sad spot for his best song. If you are reading this, then vote for this song!

Johnny Cash is one of the best country artists in the world, and this is, without a doubt, one of his greatest hits. This is a song that you can sing to, and many people can really relate to.

I'm a Dutch guy born in the '90s, and I love Johnny Cash, as do my friends. The Ring of Fire is the song we love the most. At every party, we are asking for this song!

3 I Walk the Line

I know most people prefer the newer Johnny Cash songs, like Hurt or God's Gonna Cut You Down, but we should not forget his origins and influence in country music altogether. This has to be my favorite, with Folsom Prison Blues and Ring of Fire close behind. The passion he had for this song really made him the artist he was.

I've loved Johnny Cash's music since the first time he ever opened his mouth to sing. No one will ever replace him in my heart.

Come on, this one is a poem, one that no one should love that much, because it means that you are crazy as well...

4 Folsom Prison Blues

Greatest song ever made by Johnny Cash, really gives a groovy feeling but also gives you a country/folk feeling. It brings the realization of how bad Folsom Prison really is/was. R.I.P. Johnny Cash. He'll always be remembered for his great music, and even now Folsom Prison Blues is still a legendary song.

This song was the epitome of Johnny Cash. He cared about the common man, whether they were in prison or not, and never sold out to rich corporate greed. We need more music artists like him.

Wow, this song is what makes Cash great to listen to. I listen to this song at least once a day. The man in black is a legend. R.I.P., but he still lives forever through song.

5 A Boy Named Sue

Flat out the best story ever told in a song. This is the greatest Johnny Cash song, hands down! Every time I listen to it, I promise I'm going to name my first son Sue.

Definitely Johnny Cash's best song out there. It tells the best story with unforgettable and timeless lyrics. Absolutely hilarious as well.

Every time I listen to this, it makes me want to name my son Sue. This is my favorite song of all time. I just love this song. It should be number one.

6 The Man Comes Around

This song is my favorite Johnny Cash song! His Revelation songs like this and Redemption Day really speak to the truth of what we need to look to in these days of immorality. Johnny's life speaks, and he saw this as important. "And at His feet, they'll cast a golden crown..."

This one seriously needs to appear in the top 3. Such deep lyrics and enchanting strings. Totally engrossing. Best Johnny Cash work!

What the hell, this is one of his best, up there with Hurt and Folsom Prison Blues. It is lyrically genius. One of my favourite songs ever.

7 God's Gonna Cut You Down

I love him. When I listen to his songs, I go to another level of thinking about life, but this one is a killer. It makes you think about death.

I have just discovered Cash's later, Rubin era, music, and it's like discovering Bowie all over again. Stark, stripped, simple words and music, a legend.

Come on, this is a classic and makes your spine shiver from the voice of Johnny. This song is one of my favorites and always will be.

8 Man in Black

This song shows that Johnny not only speaks for himself but others. He realizes that this world is not a peaceful one and that it never will be. Johnny Cash wore black because he wanted to show this.

Johnny Cash is an excellent role model and shows it in this song in a manner that emphasizes the need for morality in today's society. He bears the cross of the people so that everyone else's day may be brighter.

9 (Ghost) Riders in the Sky

Best remake song, period. Should be in the top 5, maybe even just the top 10. This song deserves a much higher place.

This song is legendary. It's just that legendary. It's great. Damn…

Great acoustic song, awesome rhythm. Really one of the best songs of Johnny Cash.

10 Ain't No Grave

I am a Hindu by religion and have been suffering from depression for more than 6 years now. All this time, I have tried really hard to instill almighty back within my soul because faith is the only option left for me to be happy again. Nobody and nothing helps. But every time I try invoking God, I feel nothing from His side, and I'm weakening day by day.

But today, after listening to this song, I was left weeping. I felt something after a long time. I have tried committing suicide once, and maybe I'd do it again if life doesn't get better, but I am happy that until then, I will have Johnny Cash and this song by my side. I am a big fan of Cash, and it's a real shame this song is so low on the list.

The Contenders
11 One Piece at a Time

Most people wouldn't agree, but I think this one is the best.

12 Highwayman

The version performed with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson is one of the most brilliant songs in the history of music. Every time I listen to this I nearly start to cry. Absolutely legendary. Love those great men.

This should be number one! Need I mention this song does not only have Johnny Cash in it, but also Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson!

This song has great lyrics, and the singers are amazing!

13 Sunday Morning Coming Down

Kristofferson was actually working as a janitor at Columbia Records when he pitched his song to Cash, who wasn't that eager to hear it at first, as Kristofferson was unknown at the time. Kristofferson was a pilot in the military and delivered the song to Cash by way of helicopter before he finally listened to it. After hearing Sunday Morning Coming Down, Cash realized that this was a pretty good songwriter, and the rest is history.

Kris Kristofferson may have written this song, but I believe that even he would agree that it was Johnny's song. Johnny even basically said as much on his 1970s television show. Not many songs called "epic" truly are epic, but this one deserves that label. This is a top five song in a laundry list of amazing Johnny Cash sung songs. And Kris did his own song proud when he sang it at the Johnny Cash Memorial Concert (see YouTube).

14 Cocaine Blues

It's a little dark…but strong indeed!

A great song from one of the greatest albums of all time by one of the greatest artists of all time.

15 I've Been Everywhere

Have to agree, when a friend of mine who dislikes country music totally admitted he enjoyed listening to it when I posted it to him!

I used to think I disliked country music. That changed when I listened to this song.

16 Rusty Cage

This song is good. I first heard it in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 zombies.

Awesome cover, pretty heavy song for Johnny Cash, although it's a Soundgarden cover.

17 I Won't Back Down

Amazing and mesmerizing. This song is a true masterpiece.

18 Personal Jesus

I think that's one of the best songs. It's really romantic…

For those who don't know, it's a cover of a Depeche Mode song.

19 Jackson

Such a good song - really puts you in a good mood, and I also love June Carter's voice as well!

This is the best John/June song. Belongs in the Top 5, even with stiff competition.

20 Get Rhythm

If you only know the "popular" J.C. songs, in addition to "Get Rhythm," try listening to "Big River" (genius), "Luther Played the Boogie," "Straight A's in Love," "Delia's Gone," and of course, "Hey Porter."

It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind!

21 Cry! Cry! Cry!

Cry, Cry, Cry and Hey Porter are Johnny Cash's original hits and showcase his talent early on. They still stand today as some of his best, and both should be top 10, in my opinion.

22 I Still Miss Someone
23 You Are My Sunshine
24 Don't Take Your Guns to Town

It is not a good place for this beautiful song.

Great song! At least it has to stand 10th.

25 The General Lee
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