American IV: The Man Comes Around Songs Ranked
American IV: The Man Comes Around is a studio album by Johnny Cash. It was released on November 5, 2002, by American Recordings and Universal Records. It is the fourth in Cash’s “American” series of albums, and the last album released during his lifetime. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The majority of songs are covers that Cash performs in his own sparse style, with help from producer Rick Rubin. For instance, for the song “Personal Jesus”, Rubin asked Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante to re-work an acoustic version of Martin Gore’s song, which featured a simple acoustic riff that stripped down the song to a blues style. He receives backing vocal assistance from various artists, including Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley. Here are all of American IV: The Man Comes Around songs ranked.
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10. The Man Comes Around
“In “The Man Comes Around,” the theme is established early. Clear references to the “end time” parallel the point in his life upon this recording. Serving as a warning to some and as a prelude to the remainder of the album, this song concludes with a bit of spoken scripture: “And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider’s name was Death, and Hell followed him.” To me, this chilling close was an admission of his own mortality and approaching death.”
9. Give My Love to Rose
“The third song, “Give My Love to Rose,” continues the album’s feeling of sadness by adding his bereavement of Rose Carter Cash to the emotion of the album. As the title suggests, his heart aches from the loneliness and loss of his soul mate.”
8. I Hung My Head
“I Hung My Head,” seemed to revisit his well-publicized addictions and self-destructive behaviors that nearly destroyed his career. In the tale of a boy who accidentally kills a rider, the boy hangs his head at every stage of his life until he is ultimately hung for the crime. At the end, the one whom he killed arrives on a horse to take him to the Promised Land.”
See more: Johnny Cash Albums Ranked
7. Personal Jesus
“A few songs later, “Personal Jesus,” a cover of the 1980’s Depesche Mode dance song, begins. Using an acoustic guitar, his grizzled voice, and a few backup singers, he turned this song from a song about casual sex and bravado into a song of faith and spirituality. All the while, maintaining the lonely and depressing tone of the compilation.”
6. Sam Hall
“Adds the badass aspect to this album which Cash has possessed all his life. He has recorded this song before but it sounds even better with age. A real gem.”
5. Desperado
“This album is one that no true fan of great music or The Man in Black can not appreciate. The tracks on this album are as timeless as the legend and musical legacy of Johnny Cash himself.”
See more: Johnny Cash Songs Ranked
4. Tear Stained Letter
“An upbeat song of a man scarred by his love leaving him and he thraetens her with telling everyone their secrets. Once again, Johnny Cash has put out yet another simply incredible cd.”
3. We’ll Meet Again
“In the end, his finale (for the album and his life) was “We’ll Meet Again”. In an apparent attempt to leave his fans on an “up note,” this cover departed from the rest of the alum and seemed to say goodbye in a way that I believe many would like to replicate. In a speaking tone, he almost seems to say “I’m dying and I know it.”
2. Hurt
“I get goosebumps every time i hear this and i honestly do have to fight back tears. it is tragically moving and the video is a ruthless, harsh heartbreakingly beautiful video. The best video of all time.”
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
“His “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is expressive of a uncompromisingly sincere level of wizened, heart felt compassion. A fantastic cover of the simon and Garfunkel classic. Cash adds a unique element that Art Garfunkel struggles to. He makes the song his own and each line is sung with a stark realistic delivery.”
