Pure and natural talent shines in Rosanne Cash songs.
Johnny Cash‘s daughter has been going after a career in music her entire life – and it’s clear that she got her legendary father’s ability to tell a story through music.
But what makes Rosanne unique is that you can never merely put her into one genre. With her extraordinarily distinct sound and apparently effortless genuine talent, she drew influence from different kinds of music to create her own. This list of songs is here to prove that.
Related:15 Johnny Cash Songs That Have Stood The Test of Time
1. “Seven Year Ache”
In 1981, Rosanne Cash earned her first No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with “Seven Year Ache.” Written by Cash herself, it was released as the title track and debut single off her album of the same name.
The song was rumored to be written about her then-husband Rodney Crowell. However, Cash said that she got the inspiration for the song from Rickie Lee Jones’ debut album – wherein she realized how there has never been a country song about life on the streets, so she started writing one.
2. “Tennessee Flat Top Box”
Rosanne recorded “Tennessee Flat Top Box” at the suggestion of Crowell. But what makes things interesting is that she did not know that her father wrote it when she recorded the song. Rosanne just believed it belonged to the public domain.
It became another No. 1 country hit for Rosanne. Johnny, who had a strained relationship with his daughter, later expressed to Rosanne that her feat with the song was “one of his greatest fulfillment.”
3. “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me”
Rosanne wrote the song “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” after losing a Grammy to Juice Newton in 1983 – which she thought she was going to win. Interestingly, the song helped her earn her first Grammy Award.
The song also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country songs and remained atop for a single week – spending a total of 15 weeks in the top 40.
4. “Blue Moon With Heartache”
While most of Rosanne’s songs about heartache and sorrow combine poignant lyrics with upbeat music, “Blue Moon With Heartache” goes for melancholy all the way through. The song became Rosanne’s third No. 1 country hit – with the first two also coming from the Seven Year Ache album.
5. “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party”
Rosanne found herself waiting for her man to show up at a party only to realize he had stood her up, so she decided to leave rather than spoiling the party for everybody else.
Written by John Lennon, the song was originally released by the Beatles on their 1964 album Beatles for Sale. Lennon later explained that it was a personal song to him, which he wrote because of his frustration in dealing with fame.
For You
However, it was removed from the album released in America because of the song’s depressing tone. Nevertheless, Rosanne’s version of “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart – her last No. 1 hit to date.
6. “Crossing to Jerusalem”
The song earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best American Roots Song nomination during the 62nd Grammy Awards. It was included on Rosanne’s album, She Remembers Everything – her first album in nearly five years.
The album earned excellent reviews from critics, with Rolling Stone describing it as a “masterclass in channeling life into song.”
7. “Ain’t No Money”
Written and originally recorded by Crowell, “Ain’t No Money” was released as a single in Crowell’s 1980 album; however, it failed to chart. Two years later, Rosanne covered the song and released it as the first single off her fourth studio album.
The song peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.
8. “Never Be You”
Originally released by singer-songwriter Maria Mckee, Rosanne recorded “Never Be You” for the film Streets of Fire – however, her version was not used. Rosanne instead released it in her second album, and it became her fifth No. 1 hit single – spending a total of 16 weeks on the country chart.
9. “Not Many Miles to Go”
Rosanne delivered a poignant reflection on love, commitment, and the passing of time in the song “Not Many Miles to Go” – which is the most up-tempo among the bunch Rosanne released in five years. Still, it has the tinge of sadness that we know of Rosanne’s songs.
10. “Crawl Into the Promised Land”
Just like most of us, Rosanne has been stuck in her home for the most part of the year. But instead of feeling paralyzed by the moment, she was able to process what has been happening all through the year – with the deadly pandemic, the revolt for black lives, and so much more.
She recorded “Crawl Into the Promised Land” in her home studio – a thoughtfully hopeful song that addresses the hard work of dissent and patriotism.
Indeed, Rosanne Cash songs show how talented of an artist she is – after all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
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