Daddy Sang Bass
Encyclopedia
"Daddy Sang Bass" is a 1968 single written by Carl Perkins
, with some lines from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
" and recorded by Johnny Cash
. "Daddy Sang Bass" was Johnny Cash's sixty-first release on the country chart. The song went to number one on the country charts for six weeks and spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart. "Daddy Sang Bass" was also released on the Columbia Records Hall of Fame Series as a 45, #13-33153, b/w "Folsom Prison Blues" (live version).
"Daddy Sang Bass" was Cash's thirty-sixth entry on the pop charts and the last before his "A Boy Named Sue
" became his first and only top ten hit there. No other act has had a longer such drought on the pop charts that was finally broken.
According to Johnny Cash's book, The Man in Black, Carl Perkins had been an alcoholic. Cash helped Perkins, who spent a lot of time on the road with Cash. Cash had issues with drug usage, and overcame those addictions through spirituality. Cash eventually found God, and helped Carl Perkins. Feeling inspired, Perkins wrote the song, "Daddy Sang Bass" in 1967. Johnny says the line, "Me and little brother will join right in there" was written about Johnny's brother Jack, who died when they were both boys.
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
, with some lines from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
"Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" is a popular Christian hymn written by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song is often recorded unattributed.-Lyrics:...
" and recorded by Johnny Cash
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...
. "Daddy Sang Bass" was Johnny Cash's sixty-first release on the country chart. The song went to number one on the country charts for six weeks and spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart. "Daddy Sang Bass" was also released on the Columbia Records Hall of Fame Series as a 45, #13-33153, b/w "Folsom Prison Blues" (live version).
"Daddy Sang Bass" was Cash's thirty-sixth entry on the pop charts and the last before his "A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue
"A Boy Named Sue" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and performed by Johnny Cash. Cash was at the height of his popularity when he recorded the song live at California's San Quentin State Prison at a concert on 24 February 1969. The concert was filmed by Granada Television for later...
" became his first and only top ten hit there. No other act has had a longer such drought on the pop charts that was finally broken.
According to Johnny Cash's book, The Man in Black, Carl Perkins had been an alcoholic. Cash helped Perkins, who spent a lot of time on the road with Cash. Cash had issues with drug usage, and overcame those addictions through spirituality. Cash eventually found God, and helped Carl Perkins. Feeling inspired, Perkins wrote the song, "Daddy Sang Bass" in 1967. Johnny says the line, "Me and little brother will join right in there" was written about Johnny's brother Jack, who died when they were both boys.
Chart performance
| Chart (1968–1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 42 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 49 |
Cover Versions
- Glen Campbell
- The Statler Brothers
- Leon Russell
- The Oak Ridge Boys
- Jean Shepard
- Skeeter Davis
- Nat Stuckey
- Connie Smith
- Mel Tillis
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Carl Story
- Jackie Thompson
- Sego Brothers and Naomi
- Maury Finney
- Gospel Echoes Quartet
- Bryan Chalker's New Frontier
- The Rhythm Masters