American III: Solitary Man
Encyclopedia
American III: Solitary Man is the third album in the American series by Johnny Cash
released in 2000. The album was notable for being Cash's highest charting (#11 Country) solo studio LP since his 1976 One Piece at a Time (album)
, an album that reached No. 2 Country based on the title cut. To the present day, Cash's studio albums for American have continued to sell & chart extremely well, as evidenced by the platinum #22 POP, #2 C&W American IV: The Man Comes Around
(released one year before his death) and the gold, #1 on both charts, American V: A Hundred Highways
.
Between Unchained and Solitary Man, Cash's health declined due to various ailments, and he was even hospitalized for pneumonia
. His illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. The album American III: Solitary Man contained Cash's response to his illness, typified by a version of Tom Petty
's "I Won't Back Down
", as well as a version of U2
's "One
".
American III: Solitary Man, just like Cash's two previous albums produced by Rick Rubin
, was a Grammy winner, taking home the award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance
for Cash's version of the Neil Diamond
classic "Solitary Man". Cash continued to receive critical appreciation for his American series of albums—on aggregate review site Metacritic.com the third album in Cash's American series received a score of 80 (despite middling reviews from publications such as L.A. Weekly and Rolling Stone magazine).
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
released in 2000. The album was notable for being Cash's highest charting (#11 Country) solo studio LP since his 1976 One Piece at a Time (album)
One Piece at a Time (album)
One Piece at a Time is an album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1976 . "One Piece at a Time," which was a #1 hit, is a humorous tale of an auto worker on the Detroit assembly line who puts together a car out of parts he swipes from the plant...
, an album that reached No. 2 Country based on the title cut. To the present day, Cash's studio albums for American have continued to sell & chart extremely well, as evidenced by the platinum #22 POP, #2 C&W American IV: The Man Comes Around
American IV: The Man Comes Around
American IV: The Man Comes Around is the fourth album in the American series by Johnny Cash, released in 2002. The majority of songs are covers which Cash performs in his own spare style, with help from producer Rick Rubin...
(released one year before his death) and the gold, #1 on both charts, American V: A Hundred Highways
American V: A Hundred Highways
-Track listing:#"Help Me" – 2:51#:Previously recorded by Kris Kristofferson for Jesus Was a Capricorn #"God's Gonna Cut You Down" – 2:38...
.
Between Unchained and Solitary Man, Cash's health declined due to various ailments, and he was even hospitalized for pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. His illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. The album American III: Solitary Man contained Cash's response to his illness, typified by a version of Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
's "I Won't Back Down
I Won't Back Down
"I Won't Back Down" is the first single from Tom Petty's first solo album, Full Moon Fever released in 1989. The song was written by Petty and his writing partner for the album, Jeff Lynne...
", as well as a version of U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's "One
One (U2 song)
"One" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby, and it was released as the record's third single in March 1992. It was recorded at three recording studios, Hansa Ton Studios, Elsinore, and Windmill Lane Studios...
".
American III: Solitary Man, just like Cash's two previous albums produced by Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
, was a Grammy winner, taking home the award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
for Cash's version of the Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
classic "Solitary Man". Cash continued to receive critical appreciation for his American series of albums—on aggregate review site Metacritic.com the third album in Cash's American series received a score of 80 (despite middling reviews from publications such as L.A. Weekly and Rolling Stone magazine).
Track listing
- "I Won't Back DownI Won't Back Down"I Won't Back Down" is the first single from Tom Petty's first solo album, Full Moon Fever released in 1989. The song was written by Petty and his writing partner for the album, Jeff Lynne...
" (Tom PettyTom PettyThomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
/Jeff LynneJeff LynneJeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
) – 2:09- Originally recorded by Petty for Full Moon FeverFull Moon FeverFull Moon Fever is the first solo album by Tom Petty, though it features contributions from several members of his backing band, the Heartbreakers, along with fellow members of the Traveling Wilburys. The record shows Petty exploring his musical roots with nods to his influences...
(1989)
- Originally recorded by Petty for Full Moon Fever
- "Solitary Man" (Neil DiamondNeil DiamondNeil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
) – 2:25- Originally recorded by Diamond as a single (1966)
- "That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)That Lucky Old Sun"That Lucky Old Sun" is a 1949 popular song with music by Beasley Smith and words by Haven Gillespie. Like "Ol' Man River", its lyrics contrast the toil and intense hardship of the singer's life with the obliviousness of the natural world.-1949 recordings:...
" (Haven GillespieHaven GillespieJames Lamont "Haven" Gillespie was an American Tin Pan Alley composer and lyricist. He was the writer of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" as well as "You Go to My Head", "Honey", "By the Sycamore Tree", "That Lucky Old Sun", "Breezin' Along With The Breeze", "Right or Wrong," "Beautiful Love",...
/Beasely Smith) – 2:35- Originally a hit for Frankie LaineFrankie LaineFrankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio , was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005...
(1949)
- Originally a hit for Frankie Laine
- "OneOne (U2 song)"One" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby, and it was released as the record's third single in March 1992. It was recorded at three recording studios, Hansa Ton Studios, Elsinore, and Windmill Lane Studios...
" (BonoBonoPaul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
, Adam ClaytonAdam ClaytonAdam Charles Clayton is a musician, best known as the bassist of the Irish rock band U2. Clayton has resided in County Dublin since the time his family moved to Malahide when he was five years old in 1965...
, The EdgeThe EdgeDavid Howell Evans , more widely known by his stage name The Edge , is a musician best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 12 studio albums with the band and has released one solo record...
, Larry MullenLarry Mullen Jr.Lawrence Joseph "Larry" Mullen, Jr. is an Irish musician best known as the drummer for the Irish rock band U2. He is the founder of U2, which he later described as "'The Larry Mullen Band' for about ten minutes, then Bono walked in and blew any chance I had of being in charge." He has worked on...
) – 3:53- Originally recorded by U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
for Achtung BabyAchtung BabyAchtung Baby is the seventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 19 November 1991 on Island Records. Stung by the criticism of their 1988 release Rattle and Hum, U2 shifted their musical direction to incorporate alternative...
(1991)
- Originally recorded by U2
- "NobodyNobody (1905 song)"Nobody" is a popular song with music by Bert Williams and lyrics by Alex Rogers, published in 1905.The song premiered in February 1906, in the Broadway production "Abyssinia." The show, which included live camels, premiered at the Majestic Theater and continued the string of hits for the...
" (Egbert WilliamsBert WilliamsEgbert Austin "Bert" Williams was one of the preeminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He was by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920...
) – 3:14- Originally recorded by Williams in 1906
- "I See a Darkness" (Will OldhamWill OldhamWill Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
) – 3:42- Originally recorded by Oldham for I See a DarknessI See a DarknessI See a Darkness is an album by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. It is Will Oldham's sixth album, and the first on which he used his Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker. The album was released in 1999 on Palace Records. The album also features Bob Arellano, Colin Gagon, Paul Oldham, and Peter Townsend.Johnny Cash...
(1999)
- Originally recorded by Oldham for I See a Darkness
- "The Mercy Seat" (Nick CaveNick CaveNicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
/Mick HarveyMick HarveyMichael John Harvey , is an Australian rock musician, composer, arranger and record producer. He is best known for his long-time collaboration with the singer and songwriter Nick Cave...
) – 4:35- Originally recorded by Cave for Tender PreyTender PreyTender Prey is the fifth album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released in 1988 on Mute Records.Tender Prey contains Cave's 'signature' tune "The Mercy Seat", which he has subsequently played at almost all of his live performances since 1988, and was covered by Johnny Cash...
(1988)
- Originally recorded by Cave for Tender Prey
- "Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone) (song)"Would You Lay with Me " is the title track from Tanya Tucker's third album and was written by David Allan Coe. It was released in December 1973 as a single, it topped the U.S. country chart on March 30, 1974, for one week to become Tucker's third number-one song on the chart. On the Billboard Hot...
" (David Allan CoeDavid Allan CoeDavid Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
) – 2:41- Originally recorded by Tanya TuckerTanya TuckerTanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
for the album of the same nameWould You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)Would You Lay with Me is the third album by Tanya Tucker. It was also the third of four albums with producer Billy Sherrill and Columbia Records. The title song, "Would You Lay with Me ," was a #1 on the Billboard Country Singles charts and a #46 Pop hit...
(1974)
- Originally recorded by Tanya Tucker
- "Field of Diamonds" (Cash, Jack Routh) – 3:15
- Originally recorded by Cash and Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
for HeroesHeroes (Cash and Jennings album)Heroes is an album by country singers Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, released on Columbia Records in 1986 . Although the two musicians had collaborated several times before - most notably in 1985 as part of The Highwaymen, along with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson - this was the duo's first...
(1986)
- Originally recorded by Cash and Waylon Jennings
- "Before My Time" (Cash) – 2:55
- "Country Trash" (Cash) – 1:47
- Originally recorded by Cash for Any Old Wind That BlowsAny Old Wind That BlowsAny Old Wind That Blows is an album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1973 . The album spawned three hits, most notably "Oney," which hit #2 on the country singles chart. The title track and Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" also charted...
(1973)
- Originally recorded by Cash for Any Old Wind That Blows
- "Mary of the Wild Moor" (Dennis Turner) – 2:32
- Originally recorded by The Louvin Brothers for Tragic Songs of Life (1956)
- "I'm Leavin' Now" (Cash) – 3:07
- Originally recorded by Cash for RainbowRainbow (Johnny Cash album)Rainbow is an album by American country singer Johnny Cash, his last for Columbia Records, released in 1985 . "I'm Leaving Now", which appeared fifteen years later as a track on Cash's American III: Solitary Man, was released as a single rather unsuccessfully, but the album's signature song is a...
(1985)
- Originally recorded by Cash for Rainbow
- "Wayfaring StrangerThe Wayfaring Stranger (song)"The Wayfaring Stranger" , Roud 3339, is a well-known American spiritual/folk song likely originating in the early 19th century about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. It became one of Burl Ives's signature songs, included on his 1944 album The Wayfaring Stranger...
" (Traditional) – 3:19- Old folk song previously recorded by countless artists
Personnel
- Johnny Cash – Vocals, Guitar
- Martyn Atkins – Photography
- Norman BlakeNorman Blake (American musician)Norman Blake is an instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter. In a career spanning more than 50 years Blake has played in a number of folk and Country groups...
– Guitar - Billy Bowers – Digital Editing
- Mike Campbell – Guitar
- John Carter CashJohn Carter CashJohn Carter Cash is an American Country music-singer, author, songwriter and producer. He is the only son of Johnny and June Carter Cash.-Biography:...
– Associate Producer - June Carter CashJune Carter CashValerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
– Vocals (9) - Laura Cash – Fiddle
- Lindsay Chase – Production Coordinator
- Danny Clinch – Photography
- David Coleman – Art Direction
- Sheryl CrowSheryl CrowSheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
– Vocals (9), Accordion (12,14) - Richard Dodd – Additional Engineering
- David Ferguson – Engineer, Mixing
- Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
– Guitar, Vocals & Guitar (13) - Will OldhamWill OldhamWill Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
– Vocals (6) - Larry PerkinsLarry PerkinsLarry Clifton Perkins is a former racing driver and V8 Supercar team owner from Australia.-Career:...
– Guitar - Tom PettyTom PettyThomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
– Vocals & Organ (1), Vocals (2) - Lou Robin – Management
- Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
– Producer - D. Sardy – Additional Engineering
- David Schiffman – Additional Engineering, Mixing (9)
- Eddie Schreyer – Mastering
- Randy ScruggsRandy ScruggsRandy Scruggs is a music producer, songwriter and guitarist. He had his first recording at the age of 13...
– Guitar - Marty Stuart – Guitar
- Benmont TenchBenmont TenchBenjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
– Piano, Organ, Harmonium - Chuck Turner – Digital Editing
Chart performance
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 11 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 88 |