Analysis of “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash Look at the song lyrics the way you would at a poem, and identify the elements below (as many as are present in the song). (2000, January 7). (49:15) Best Bets & Folsom Prison Blues pick. Source: Wikipedia The blues were invented by African-American musicians in the Deep South in the early 1900s. The population was 72,203 at the 2010 census. JOHNNY CASH: In 1953 I saw a movie entitled "Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison." "Folsom Prison Blues" was a #1 Country hit for four weeks and generated a great deal of interest in the rebellious Johnny Cash, who made prison reform his political cause of choice and started regularly performing in jails, doing about 12 shows a year - for free - mostly in Folsom and San Quentin. So I did a little research on the song and found a great article called “12 – Bar Blues Done Wrong?” which offers some suggestions as to the motivations behind this variation on the regular 12- bar chord progression. What stands out in Cash's lyrics to "Folsom Prison Blues" is the constant movement evoked by the words. The live version I’m analysing was recorded on Jan 13 1968, in a large dining space within the walls of Folsom Prison. "Folsom Prison Blues" is a song by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The verses didn’t seem to be matching up so I started counting the bars and discovered Cash’s version had 11 bar verses and solos, where as Cattleprod’s were 12 bars (apart from Verse 2). 7 benefits of working from home; Jan. 26, 2021. I was particularly interested in Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues, and having got right into research on this song, decided to use it for my first song analysis for my studio unit Learning Outcomes. Holland (drums). (2013, May 31). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/johnny-cash-9240610/videos/johnny-cash-folsom-prison-blues-3260483849, Deep Music Listening. Bio. However, the 1968 live version, recorded at Folsom Prison, California, is the version that revived Cash’s career and is the version I will be analysing here. These solos add interest to this type of song structure. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘repeated-verse’ or ‘one-part song form’ and would look like AAA if you were to label it. This sense of movement is a contrast to the prisoner being “stuck in Folsom prison”. I’m happy to report that has definitely changed. The song goes Verse 1, Verse 2, Solo, Verse 3, Solo, Verse 4 (with a very short intro). ( Log Out /  This type of song structure is more common in folk music. Change ), http://www.biography.com/people/johnny-cash-9240610/videos/johnny-cash-folsom-prison-blues-3260483849, https://deepmusiclistening.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/12-bar-blues-done-wrong/, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/4240177/Johnny-Cash-At-Folsom-Prison-making-of-a-masterpiece.html, http://www.loc.gov/programs/static/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/johnny%20cash.pdf, http://www.mixonline.com/news/profiles/classic-tracks-johnny-cashs-folsom-prison-blues/372682, http://songwriting.songstuff.com/article/song-form-guide-aaa/. Apparently there was no EQ’ing, straight to tape in the recording vans. It's rollin' 'round the bend, And I ain't seen the sunshine, Since, I don't know when, I'm stuck in Folsom Prison, And time keeps draggin' on, But that train keeps a-rollin', On down to San Antone. (1957), appearing as the album's eleventh track. You’ll learn the techniques and improvisation concepts behind the music, so once you complete this course, you’ll be able to improvise your own lines over provided backing tracks. I wrote the song the following year. It is commonly known for Folsom Prison, the song "Folsom Prison Blues" as well as for, Folsom Lake. In Folsom Prison Blues an unknown narrator, a prisoner jailed for murder, details the emotions stirred up upon hearing a train in the distance, outside the walls of the prison. This is possibly achieved by Cash strumming louder in these parts or as I’ve seen in other live videos of the song, cash physically holding his guitar up to the microphone in these parts. The word "legend" gets thrown around a lot, but there's no question that it applies to Johnny Cash.He hit the country scene running with 1957's Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar! Five strategies to maximize your sales kickoff Analysis of “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash Look at the song lyrics the way you would at a poem, and identify the elements below (as many as are present in the song). Information about this recording has primarily been gained by studying the pictures taken by photographer Jim Marshall on the day. Eisenhower High School Lawton • SCIENCE 102, Elizabeth Folk- Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues Language Arts 12 Part 1 20-21 (Acc. Analysis of “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash 1) Number of stanzas: ~ 2) Refrains or other forms of word repetition: 3) Rhyme scheme: 4) Meter: 5) Example of alliteration or assonance: 6) Example of metaphor, simile, or personification: 7) Example of imagery: 8) Example of allusion: 9) The speaker in the song: 10) The song’s central theme? “time keeps dragging on” “I hang my head and cry”, “I know I can’t be free” and “and that’s what tortures me”. Cash’s vocal is very present in the recording as is the bass (in the centre). In the case of the “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash the song has been used as a potent instrument to bring to effect significant changes and transformations in the society as well as the culture and political dynamics of the prevailing time when the album was launched in the late 60’s. I hear the train a comin' It's rollin' 'round the bend And I ain't seen the sunshine Since, I don't know when I'm stuck in Folsom Prison And time keeps draggin' on But that train keeps a-rollin' On down to San Antone When I was just a baby My Mama told me, "son Always be a good boy Don't ever play with guns" But I shot a man in Reno Just to watch him die When I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry … They can be considered ‘instrumental verses’ and you can hear the guitar solos are similar to the vocal melody. 12-Bar Blues Done Wrong? The band we are recording for our studio project, Cattleprod is a country/blues/rockabilly outfit who are right at home up at Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall. Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues [Video clip]. The electric guitar (panned right) is also quite prominent, adding to that ‘train motion’ feeling. verse) is repeated over and over again (with different lyrics each time). and marketing efforts, and for analysis of your use of our products and services. Also, an astute viewer has uncovered a secret about Simms. 6) Example of metaphor, simile, or personification: Personification: “let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away” and “time keeps. Analysis of “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash Look at the song lyrics the way you would at a poem, and identify the elements below (as many as are present in the song). Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/programs/static/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/johnny%20cash.pdf, Shultz, B. According to Barbera Shultz (Mix Online), Shure SM56 microphones were mostly used (like a SM57 with a swivel mount). The drums really play a supporting role throughout the recording. #NBCSports #ChrisSimmsUnbuttoned #NFL As part of my research into the genre for the purposes of recording and mixing, I looked into the four songs our band was covering (the fifth song is an original by Pete Cullen, Cattleprod’s vocalist/acoustic guitarist). ( Log Out /  1968: Johnny Cash sued by Gordon Jenkins for Folsom Prison Blues. The thing I really like about the song is the sense of motion created by the music. After watching a film about Folsom Prison, Cash was inspired to write a song about it; which he called “Folsom Prison Blues”. As such, it has become folk/country classic, a standard with countless cover versions. Our new holiday album, Warmest Winter is out now! Listening to the recording you can hear the reverberation of the room (large space, highly reflective concrete walls). The dining hall location provided some interesting elements to the song. In preparation for our first major mixing session, I started to compare Cash’s version of the song to the version captured in our recording. The usual 12-bar blues pattern -three different chords (I, IV and V) played over 12 bars and repeated, seemed to be shortened to 11 for the majority of the song. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. In Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash writes a song in a very familiar form, a chord progression that has been used many thousands of times, in everything from Cream’s “Crossroads” to the theme from Batman. Interestingly though, one researcher who wrote a book on the recording, discovered the cheers in the ‘I shot a man in Reno’ part had to be overdubbed later as the prisoners were hesitant to cheer at this lyric for fear of retribution from guards. 2) Refrains or other forms of word repetition: “whistle blowing”, Alliteration: “see the sunshine sine” and “let that lonesome whistle blow my blues. They actually did two shows on the day to have ‘back up’ options for the album if either performance was not satisfactory. Cash and his musicians were no doubt closely miked. Why educators should appear on-screen for instructional videos; Feb. 3, 2021. The song was originally recorded as a single in 1955 and included on the 1957 album With His Hot and Blue Guitar. Railroad songs, blues, and country were all huge influences for "Folsom Prison Blues." Barbara also points out the use of a Shure SH55 and University vocal horn patched together for the PA. Analysis Of Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night By Dylan Thomas 836 Words | 4 Pages. That is the last line of the first three verses talks about the prisoner’s pain and anguish about his situation and the last verse (resolved with the full 12-bars) expresses some sort of hope – “I’d let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away”. I noticed something interesting. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Folsom Prison Blues Lyrics. The blues, along with jazz, are the only two musical genres native to the United States. Learn more about characters, symbols, and themes in all your favorite books with Course Hero's Until this project, I wasn’t what you could call a real fan of this style of music and had little knowledge of the genre. A Guide to Song Forms – AAA Song Form. Classic Tracks: Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”. A live version that was recorded in front of an audience of inmates at Folsom State Prison became a number one hit in 1968. Another interesting thing to notice is the song structure – there is no chorus. Ed) _ Module 3. The song could be described as ‘outlaw country’ and uses elements from various folk styles (prison song/train song). The fifth verse does have 12 bars and seems to provide resolution. Among the best: Flatt and Scruggs play up the song's rowdy bluegrass elements on the 1996-released 1964-1969, Plus box set. The pain of these lyrics is emphasised by cash’s vocal delivery, particularly the way he sings the final lines of each verse, drawn out and going very deep. Folsom_Prison_Blues_Analysis (1).pdf - Analysis of Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash Look at the song lyrics the way you would at a poem and identify, 19 out of 20 people found this document helpful, Look at the song lyrics the way you would at a poem, and identify the elements. (n.d). His guitar is very bright and provides a nice sparkle. "Folsom Prison Blues" I hear the train a comin' It's rolling round the bend And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone When I was just a baby my mama told me Despite the sad, lamenting theme of the lyrics, the song has an upbeat tempo. Retrieved from http://songwriting.songstuff.com/article/song-form-guide-aaa/, http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-day-johnny-cash-flipped-off-jim-marshall/, http://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Cash-At-Folsom-Prison/release/1287354, http://images.gibson.com/Lifestyle/English/aaFeaturesImages2008pt2/johnny_cash_live2.jpg. They only really feature more prominently in the drum fills that occur as they head into the solos. It was written in 1953 and first recorded in 1955 for his debut studio album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar! You can also hear other prison sounds on the recording such as a prison bell at 2:19. Analysis of “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash Look at the song lyrics the way you would at a poem, and identify the elements below (as many as are present in the song). “At Folsom Prison” – Johnny Cash (1968). https://linktr.ee/HomeFree Keep In Touch, Dang It! One of Johnny Cash’s signature songs, Folsom Prison Blues, appeared on his debut album. The article suggests the unresolved tension caused by the chord progressions not meeting our ‘musical expectations’ matches the sentiment conveyed in each verse. The interplay of motion (the train) with stasis (the prison) becomes the central tension in the song and perfectly embodies the paradoxical sensory experiences of a despondent prisoner at the end of his rope. Cash was backed by his Tennessee Three – Luther Perkins (guitar), Marshall Grant (bass) and W.S. The song was originally recorded as a single in 1955 and included on the 1957 album With His Hot and Blue Guitar. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The bass line, in particular, gives a real feeling of a moving train. It was adapted from The Conductor (Johnny Cash and Gordon Jenkins). The lyrics describe the emotional pain of incarceration e.g. The song Folsom Prison Blues was written by Johnny Cash and Gordon Jenkins and was first released by Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two in 1955. By using the site our agree to our use of cookies. 1) Number of stanzas: one nine line stanza and two five line stanzas or quintains. The first act tells of the song's original creation, the second of Cash's descent into drugs and depression, and the third of the song's re-release as a live recording and … 1) Number of stanzas: one nine line stanza and two five line stanzas or quintains. This preview shows page 1 - 2 out of 2 pages. ( Log Out /  The story of "Folsom Prison Blues" is really a play in three acts, neatly tracking the course of Johnny Cash's life. "Folsom Prison Blues" rightly takes its place among the folk/country lexicon of prison songs. which included little-known tunes called "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line." as a matter of fact, the “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash provides the perfect platform for the future artists of … The narrator talks about his despair with his situation and his longing for freedom. Folsom Prison Blues SALE Folsom Prison Blues ... We use cookies on this website to assist with navigation and promo. I found an article on Mix Online which talks about the recording process involved on the day. Blog. Retrieved from https://deepmusiclistening.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/12-bar-blues-done-wrong/, Green, T. (2009, January 14). Folsom Prison Blues; A Boy Named Sue; Jackson; This course is suitable for beginners interested in learning how to play country. 2) Refrains or other forms of word repetition: “whistle blowing” 3) Rhyme scheme: Rhymed couplets 4) Meter: no specific meter. I hear the train a comin'. This would have provided plenty of ambience for the recording. Deep Thought Shortly after Cash penned this song (while serving in the Air Force in Germany), he released it on Sun Records, where it gained moderate success. I’ve gained a real respect for and enjoyment of this style of music! I looked into this and found this is called strophic song form, where the first musical form or segment of the song (e.g. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/4240177/Johnny-Cash-At-Folsom-Prison-making-of-a-masterpiece.html, O’Dell, C. (2003). Cash’s acoustic guitar is panned to the left and is higher in amplitude in specific parts of the song. A website detailing the history of the blues explains it like this: About “Folsom Prison Blues” Perhaps more than any other song, “Folsom Prison Blues” cemented Johnny Cash’s status as the outlaw country archetype. (n.d.). A lesson on strum techniques (and just for fun, the intro lick) for Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. A maximum-security prison in Central California that serves as the setting for this song, Folsom Prison sparked Johnny Cash's real-world interest in doing a prison tour. below (as many as are present in the song). On March 31, 1971, Cash closed out the finale of his television series The Johnny Cash Show with this song. About Folsom. Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: Making of a Masterpiece. ( Log Out /  Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. However, the 1968 live version, recorded at Folsom Prison, California, is the … They give their Championship Sunday picks, but not before Florio gets to gloat about a nice performance last week. Feb. 10, 2021. The median home price in Folsom, CA is $624,000 with the average household income at $102,692. Retrieved from http://www.mixonline.com/news/profiles/classic-tracks-johnny-cashs-folsom-prison-blues/372682, Songstuff. The solos in Folsom Prison Blues are also part of this verse, verse, verse pattern. It was covered by The Westerners, 8 Bit Arcade, Chiptune Punks, Guitar Tribute Players and other artists. I tend to agree with the author’s ideas. Chris and Mike cannot wait for Brady vs Rodgers & Allen vs Mahomes. Cash, however, did manage to give “Folsom Prison Blues” a unique tone and feeling. The author of this article speculates that one possible reason can be found in the lyrics. Folsom is a town in Sacramento County, California, United States. I was particularly interested in Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues, and having got right into research on this song, decided to use it for my first song analysis for my studio unit Learning Outcomes. Apparently the sounds of the prisoner’s cheers and callouts are authentic – there was an energy in the room that was well captured on tape. FREE study guides and infographics!