The Fabulous Johnny Cash Songs Ranked

The Fabulous Johnny Cash is the second studio album by American country singer Johnny Cash and his first to be released by Columbia Records, marking the beginning of 28 years with the label. The album was released on November 3, 1958, not long after Cash’s departure from Sun Records. The album features five tracks written by Cash and backing vocal performances by The Jordanaires (who at this time were also regulars on Elvis Presley’s recording sessions for RCA Records). Overall, even though the album is only 29 minutes in length, it is considered one of Cash’s most cohesive pieces. This is large because his sessions with Columbia were completed over a two-month period. That is greatly reduced when compared to the year-by-year sessions by Sun Records. Here are all of The Fabulous Johnny Cash songs ranked.

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12. That’s Enough

“Without a doubt, That’s Enough is the highlight of the record. It wasn’t the first gospel number Cash recorded at Columbia, but the euphoria and catharsis of Johnny proclaiming “I’ve got Jesus, and that’s enough” are so palpable you’d think he just saw the light right then and there. It never fails to give me goosebumps.”

11. Supper-Time

“Album ends with country gospel “Supper Time” that could have been corny but is sung with such feeling and honesty that it actually made me reflect on my own similar experience and this is what great music does.”

10. One More Ride

“Johnny Cash deliberately aimed at the country music customer of that time. Johnny’s reworking of the Frankie and Johnny saga song is clever; his version of the wanderlust train song “One More Ride” is one of the best performances of his entire career;”

9. Shepherd of My Heart

“Johnny’s acoustic guitar was, more often than not, a percussion instrument. Luther Perkin’s guitar and Marshall Grant’s bass tick-tock in the background, Luther stepping out only for the most sparse of guitar solos.”

8. Frankie’s Man, Johnny

“This is a brilliant collection, but don’t expect it to sound like his late sixties or seventies music. The only instruments credited are guitar, bass, drums, bass and piano – and I don’t hear much piano. In later years, other instruments would be added to vary the sound, but these recordings, like the Sun recordings which preceded them, are very simple and stark.”

7. That’s All Over

“That’s All Over” is about rebounding from romantic rejection, and I liked it even before I was old enough to be rejected, or to bounce back. If you never knew Johnny Cash this should be your first album. If you already know him make sure this album is in your collection.”

See more: Johnny Cash Albums Ranked

6. Pickin’ Time

“Johnny wrote “Pickin’ Time” in honor of the cotton growers of his native Arkansas. I live adjacent to the cotton growers of far West Texas, and the song is a nice tribute to them as well.”

5. The Troubadour

“The Troubadour” points to the “beyond the glory” moments in a star singer’s life. The bonus tracks, one assumes, are items which didn’t make the final list to be included on the album.”

See more: Johnny Cash Songs Ranked

4. I’d Rather Die Young

“Great album, very upbeat. Johnny Cash is supposed to have kept his best songs for his first recording with Columbia Records. By hearing all the great tunes here, it is easy to believe so.”

3. Don’t Take Your Guns to Town

“Don’t Take Your Guns to Town”, and as the astute liner notes point out, this one has subleties only a careful listener will realize. It deservedly was a big hit and has retained its popularity as a classic Cash piece.”

2. Run Softly, Blue River

“This is a brilliant collection, but don’t expect it to sound like his late sixties or seventies music. The only instruments credited are guitar, bass, drums, bass and piano – and I don’t hear much piano.”

1. I Still Miss Someone

“Time has shown the track to be far better than a B-side; it has been covered by plenty of other singers including Crystal Gayle, whose version I came across long before I found the original.”