Wanderer

Johnny Cash, U2

About Wanderer

"The Wanderer" is a song by Irish rock band U2, and the tenth and final track from their 1993 studio album, Zooropa. It is one of the few U2 songs without Bono on lead vocals, instead featuring country singer Johnny Cash. Based on the Old Testament's Book of Ecclesiastes and its narrator "The Preacher", the song lyrically describes the narrator wandering through a post-apocalyptic world "in search of experience", sampling all facets of human culture and hoping to find meaning in life. Cash's haggard voice is juxtaposed against a synthesised bassline and mostly electronic instrumentation. 


62 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

I went out walking
Through streets paved with gold
Lifted some stones
Saw the skin and bones
Of a city without a soul
I went out walking
Under an atomic sky
Where the ground won't turn
And the rain it burns
Like the tears when I said goodbye

Yeah I went with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering

I went drifting
Through the capitals of tin
Where men can't walk
Or freely talk
And sons turn their fathers in
I stopped outside a church house
Where the citizens like to sit
They say they want the kingdom
But they don't want God in it

I went out riding
Down that old eight lane
I passed by a thousand signs
Looking for my own name

I went with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you

I went out there
In search of experience
To taste and to touch
And to feel as much
As a man can
Before he repents

I went out searching
Looking for one good man
A spirit who would not bend or break
Who would sit at his father's right hand
I went out walking
With a bible and a gun
The word of God lay heavy on my heart
I was sure I was the one
Now Jesus, don't you wait up
Jesus, I'll be home soon
Yeah I went out for the papers
Told her I'd be back by noon

Yeah I left with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you

Yeah I left with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering

Oh ho

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Johnny Cash

John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003), was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Although he is primarily remembered as a country music icon, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll—especially early in his career—as well as blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal led to Cash being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. more »

19 fans

Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL HEWSON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Wanderer" by Johnny Cash is classified under the genres 'Country' and 'Rock'.
Album Details
The song "Wanderer" is from Johnny Cash's album 'American II: Unchained', which was released in 1996.
Notable Collaborations
Johnny Cash recorded "Wanderer" in collaboration with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who played as Cash's backup band on the album 'American II: Unchained'.
Producer
The historic producer Rick Rubin, who also founded the record label 'American Recordings', produced this song as well.
Cover Version
The song "Wanderer" is a cover of U2's song "The Wanderer" from their 1993 album 'Zooropa'. Johnny Cash was invited by U2 to perform the lead vocals.
Chart Performance
While the individual song didn't chart, the album 'American II: Unchained' peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
Johnny Cash's Voice
The song is notable for Johnny Cash's deep, gravelly voice which adds a sense of somberness to the lyrics.
Music Video
The music video for "The Wanderer" features scenes from the movie 'The Postman' starring Kevin Costner.
Song Theme
Similar to much of Cash's work, "Wanderer" deals with themes of loneliness, introspection, and the search for spiritual fulfillment.
Live Performances
Johnny Cash didn't perform the song live frequently. However, it remains a favorite among fans and is still played on radio stations worldwide.
Impact
The song helped to revitalize Johnny Cash's career in the 1990s, contributing to his late-career resurgence.

Discuss the Wanderer Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Wanderer Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/22787975/Johnny+Cash/Wanderer>.

    Missing lyrics by Johnny Cash?

    Know any other songs by Johnny Cash? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Wanderer

    210.2K
    3,862     720

    more tracks from the album

    Legend

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which song that has the lyrics "Not sure I told you, but I really like your teeth"?
    A Sharks
    B I Like to Move It
    C Give That Wolf A Banana
    D That's Rich

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Johnny Cash's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Johnny Cash tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Wanderer

    »