“I Walk the Line” remains to be one of the best songs of Johnny Cash. It is also one of the best country songs ever created. The change in the chords, the meaning of the song, everything goes perfectly together.
Photo Credit: Johnny Cash/ Official Facebook Page
The Making of “I Walk the Line”
The song was written by Cash in 1956 in Gladewater, Texas. He wrote the song when he was married to his first wife, Vivian. Cash’s plan was to give the song a slower tempo. However, it was suggested to make the song more upbeat. Therefore, what we hear now is not the original plan of Cash.
Johnny Cash’s First No. 1
He finally earned his first number one on the US Billboard country chart. In addition, he also scored his first crossover song on the pop chart. This then began his wonderful career in country music.
Joaquin Pheonix as Johnny Cash
Since it became a popular song, a lot of artists attempted to make a version. Meanwhile, others adopted it into a movie. One great cover of “I Walk the Line” was by the actor Joaquin Phoenix. He performed the song for the biopic movie Walk the Line in 2005.
Here’s the version of Pheonix:
The Movie, Walk the Line
Walk the Line is a movie that starred Pheonix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. They portrayed the early life of Cash and his life with his one true love, June.
Photo Credit: (L-R) Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon/ Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI
In the movie, all of the singing and instruments playing were done by the artists themselves. That’s why we can say that Pheonix really did an incredible job singing “I Walk the Line.” It may not be as perfect as the original version but, for a first timer to perform a Cash song, it’s superb. The film was nominated for five Oscar Awards. It was only in the Best Actress category that they have won.
A little fun fact, Cash approved Pheonix to play him in the movie because he was a fan of Gladiator. He liked Pheonix’s acting.