Man in Black

Johnny Cash

About Man in Black

"Man in Black" (or "The Man in Black") is a protest song written and recorded by singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, originally released on his 1971 album of the same name. Cash himself was known as "The Man in Black" for his distinctive style of on-stage costuming. The lyrics are an after-the-fact explanation of this with the entire song as a protest statement against the treatment of poor people by wealthy politicians, mass incarceration, and the war in Vietnam. In the intro to his first performance of the song, Johnny Cash revealed he had talked to some of the audience members from Vanderbilt University that weekend, and was inspired to write "Man in Black," revising it a few times just before the concert on Wednesday. He performed the song holding a piece of paper with the just-revised lyrics. At the end of the song he received a standing ovation. In 1993, Spanish rock band Loquillo y Trogloditas recorded a cover of the song in Spanish for their album Mientras respiremos. 


Year:
1992
2:52
128 

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Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black

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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: JOHNNY CASH

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Identity
"Man in Black" is a song written and performed by the American country musician Johnny Cash.
Album Identification
Released in 1971, it is the title track from his album "Man in Black".
Social Commentary
The song is one of Cash's defining tracks, where he explains his choice in always wearing black to his performances.
Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics attribute his dark clothing choice as a symbol of solidarity with the poor and the imprisoned, the elderly who have been neglected, and the victims of unfair wars.
Historical Context
The song makes direct references to the Vietnam War, portraying Cash's stance against it, marking "Man in Black" as one of the significant protest songs of the era.
Social Impact
Cash's performance of "Man in Black" for President Nixon at the White House was a bold move given the political climate, and initiated discussions around the issues Cash highlighted.
Unique Public Image
The song solidified Cash's image as an advocate for downtrodden and marginalized populations, lending them a voice in the mainstream through his music.
Chart Performance
"Man in Black" peaked at number 3 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart and number 58 on the Pop chart.
Lasting Legacy
Cash continued to wear black for the majority of his career (and life) becoming affectionally known as the "Man in Black", this song is often considered as his theme song.
Concert Tradition
Cash often performed "Man in Black" towards the beginning of his concerts, setting the tone for the messages he wished to impart through his music.
Trivia
Although Cash liked to project the image of always wearing black, in real life, he didn't always strictly adhere to it. His wardrobe contained colors other than black, but he chose to wear black specifically for public appearances and performances.
Popular Culture
The song and its message have entered popular culture to the point where references to Cash's "Man in Black" persona appear in various forms of media, ranging from music to television to literature.

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    Man in Black

    9M
    44,315     1,271

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

    Billboard #58


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