johnny cash
This incredible simple song was registered by Hi-Lo Music in 1956, and recorded at Sun Studio, Memphis, May the same year, as B-side for "Get Rythm", but it rapidly turned to be front. The "boom-chicka-boom" rhythm and Johnny's dark voice made it to the top of the charts, despite it's simplicity - or maybe because of it. The stunt was the way the song was built, the first verse repeated as the last, one octave lower than the first. Nobody had ever done that before.
The "Tennessee Two" or "Three": including W.S. Holland on drums in addition to Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant, tuned their instruments one note sharp, resulting in "F" instead of "E" on stage and in studio, to match Johnny's voice. The song is changing keys, starting E♮, up to A♮, up to D♮, down to A♮ again, and finally rounding up with E♮ down the basement. I won't list it all up here, only the first one. Simplicity rules :-)
The song was re-recorded in 1964 for the Columbia "I Walk the Line" album, and this version is bulls' eye.
This hit was never covered successfully by anyone, except for maybe Joaquin Phoenix HIMSELF singing the songs in the movie "Walk the Line", 2005. I play it sometimes on demand; if my hatch is drained with strong coffee, I may hit the lowest B note. Maybe not. Johnny himself did not at San Quentin, and producer Bob Johnston drowned the goof with artificial wild applause. From the seventees and further on, Johnny only repeated the 1st verse *as were* for the final. He'd simply lost the bottom of his vocal register.
Talking about the "boom-chicka-boom" style, I've put a note HERE.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
because you're mine I walk the line
I find it very very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
yes I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
because you're mine I walk the line
as sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
and happiness I've known proves that it's right
because you're mine I walk the line
you've got a way to keep me on your side
you give me cause for love that I can't hide
for you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
because you're mine I walk the line
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
because you're mine I walk the line
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
E B7 E I keep a close watch on this heart of mine B7 E I keep my eyes wide open all the time A E I keep the ends out for the tie that binds B7 E because you're mine I walk the line
