Johnny Cash’s seminal work before his passing was American IV: The Man Comes Around. The album, although littered with covers, it is a phenomenal closing statement for his life. There are covers of Depeche Mode, The Eagles, and even Nine Inch Nails. Arguably, what has become one of Cash’s most famous songs is his cover of Hurt. Reportedly, Trent Reznor was furious about the fact that Johnny Cash was recording a cover version, but when he listened to it, was astonished and taken aback. Cash made it his own. The gut-wrenching, painful cut of a song would bring tears to a grown man’s eyes. If that didn’t do the trick, then the video that was made shortly before June Carter-Cash, and The Man himself, will. Mr. Cash even goes as far as covering The Beatles, by having his own version of In My Life.
There is no doubt that this is one of his best albums, and the fact that it is mostly covers proves that he was a man of musical talent and genius. Now that he’s gone, may he rest in peace, and we will always remember him for his powerful, and provoking music.