“When I was 18 years old, I went on the road with my dad after I graduated from high school. And we were riding on the tour bus one day, kind of rolling through the south, and he mentioned a song. We started talking about songs, and he mentioned one, and I said, I don’t know that one. And he mentioned another. I said, I don’t know that one either, Dad. And he became very alarmed that I didn’t know what he considered my own musical genealogy. And I was very steeped in pop and rock music, and I grew up in Southern California. So he spent the rest of the afternoon making a list for me. And at the end of the day, he said, this is your education. And across the top of the page, he wrote 100 essential country songs. The list might have been better titled “100 Essential American Songs” because it was very comprehensive. He covered every critical point in Southern and American music, early folk songs, protest songs, Delta blues, Southern gospel, early country music, Appalachian. Everything that fed into modern country music was on that list. So his overview was really of a musicologist but formed by his instincts, you know, and just the rhythm in his own blood. So I realized when he gave me the list at the age of 18 that this was an important document, and I set about learning these songs. But it took me, I think, until now to realize that he was really giving me himself, a part of his heart and soul.”
So far as I know, that entire list has never been revealed. But, in 2009, Rosanne Cash decided to record 12 of the songs on Johnny Cash’s list. And Rosanne has help: Bruce Springsteen on “Sea of Heartbreak,” Elvis Costello on “Heartaches by the Number,” Jeff Tweedy on “Long Black Veil,” and Rufus Wainwright on “Silver Wings.” How many of these classic songs do you know? I’m very curious about the other songs on The List. GRADE: B+
Track listing:
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Miss the Mississippi and You” | William Heagney | 3:12 |
| 2. | “Motherless Children“ | Public Domain, arr. by Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal | 3:06 |
| 3. | “Sea of Heartbreak” (featuring Bruce Springsteen) | Hal David, Paul Hampton | 3:06 |
| 4. | “Take These Chains from My Heart“ | Hy Heath, Fred Rose | 3:32 |
| 5. | “I’m Movin’ On“ | Hank Snow | 3:45 |
| 6. | “Heartaches by the Number” (featuring Elvis Costello) | Harlan Howard | 3:21 |
| 7. | “500 Miles“ | Hedy West | 3:04 |
| 8. | “Long Black Veil” (featuring Jeff Tweedy) | Danny Dill, Marijohn Wilkin | 3:10 |
| 9. | “She’s Got You“ | Hank Cochran | 3:07 |
| 10. | “Girl from the North Country“ | Bob Dylan | 3:32 |
| 11. | “Silver Wings” (featuring Rufus Wainwright) | Merle Haggard | 3:45 |
| 12. | “Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow” | A. P. Carter | 3:33 |
I know 9 of them. Long Black Veil was also recorded by the Band on Music From Big Pink. I don’t know numbers 1, 11, 12.. Johnny Cash’s version of I’m Movin On is being used on a current commercial.
Steve, Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” was featured in a USPS commercial recently, too.
I don’t know many of them—other than 500 Miles and the Dylan song. Perhaps I should, but I suspect the time for me to acquire a foundational knowledge of modern country music has passed.
Same here!
Though I’ve probably heard most of these songs a long time ago when we still had AFN in Germany:
American Forces Network – my favourite radio station in the 50s and 60s.
Fond memories!
Wolf, classic song seldom fade from our memories.
Deb, I’m still curious about the other 88 songs on The List.
Only a couple. This sort of music was just not in my wheelhouse then nor now.
Patti, I’m sure many of the songs on The List were songs Johnny Cash grew up singing.
I have listened to this over and over for many years, ever since my niece gave a tape of the album. Hard to pick out a favorite, but I was hooked from the very first track. Johnny Cash had great instincts, and Rosanne Cash does service to every one of the songs.
“Long Black Veil” was the basis of Sharon McCrumb ‘s novel SHE WALKS THESE HILLS.
Jerry, Rosanne Cash is better known as a song-writer, but her voice is beautiful on THE LIST.
I know all but the first two & last two — how about that?
When I’m President, I’ll have them play”Girl from the North Country” instead of “Hail to the Chief.”
That’s my platform, I hope I can count on your vote.
Dan, if GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, the touring company version, shows up in your neighborhood don’t miss it. We loved the Broadway version!
I know all but 1-2 and 12. We were just listening to Patsy Cline doing “She’s Got You” after Loretta Lynn died (because I don’t have a Loretta Lyn albumb but do have Patsy). My favorite line about Patsy is from Jimmy Buffett’s “Miss You So Badly::
“I got a head full of feeling higher
And a head full of Patsy Cline.
There is no one who can touch her
Hell I hang on every line.”
Sorry for the aside.
We saw GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY on Broadway too.
Jeff, I totally agree with Jimmy Buffett’s take on Patsy Cline. Patrick is not a big fan of Broadway musicals, but he loved GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. And Katie, not a big Dylan fan, has the soundtrack to GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY on her iPhone. She listens to it constantly as she drives around Boston and works out at the gym.
An EAR full of Patsy Cline
I’ve got this CD as well, George, so I’m now familiar with them all even though I’m not a country music fan. I can’t remember what possessed me to buy it but I’ve enjoyed it.
My favorite is 500 Miles.
Beth, I heard about the list recently on NPR. The interview of Rosanne Cash by Terry Gross is enlightening: https://www.npr.org/2022/08/26/1119601815/rosanne-cash
I think that’s how I originally heard about it – a Terry Gross interview back in the day.
Jackie has always been a big “500 Miles” fan. We have it on a folk music Cd (that George also has).
I don’t recognize any of them by name, but probably would if I heard them. The only Roseanne Cash song I remember and enjoyed was 7 year itch
Maggie, here’s what’s considered the “Best” of Roseanne Cash:
All tracks composed by Rosanne Cash; except where indicated:
“The Wheel” – 4:20 – from The Wheel (1993)
“The Way We Make a Broken Heart” (John Hiatt) 3:54 – from King’s Record Shop (1987)
“Seven Year Ache” – 3:16 – from Seven Year Ache (1981)
“Hold On” – 3:38 – from Rhythm & Romance (1985)
“On the Surface” (Rosanne Cash, Jimmy Tittle) – 2:57 – from Interiors (1990)
“No Memories Hangin’ Round” (Rodney Crowell) – 3:26 – from Right or Wrong (1980)
“My Baby Thinks He’s a Train” (Preston) – 3:14
“I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” (Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell) – 3:19
“Blue Moon with Heartache” – 4:28
“Western Wall” – 3:02 – from 10 Song Demo (1996)
“Tennessee Flat Top Box” (Johnny Cash) – 3:16
“September When It Comes” (Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal) – 3:41 – from Rules of Travel (2003)
“Sleeping in Paris” – 4:07
“Never Be You” (Tom Petty, Benmont Tench) – 3:38
“What We Really Want” – 3:31
“Seventh Avenue” (Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal) – 5:11
thanks and it was 7 year ache I remember
Who’s reckoning those are her best, George? Not disagreeing yet….
I listened to the album as it came out, and mostly NPR coverage…I should pick it up, and perhaps she’s working on more recordings or a book or both…
Todd, the list of “Best” songs appears on Roseanne Cash’s greatest hits album. I assume she selected them with the help of sales figures.
My kind of music. Know them all. Will have to get this cd.
Steve, you will love THE LIST!
The only one I don’t know is #11. Willie’s Roadhouse on Siruis seems to play She’s Got You by Patsy Cline every day. I also would like to see the rest of the list.
Kent, Roseanne Cash claims she will share the entire list…someday. Like you, I’m curious about the other songs on The List.