Big River (Johnny Cash song)

"Big River" is a song written and originally recorded by Johnny Cash. Released as a single by Sun Records in 1958, it went as high as #4 on the Billboard country music charts and stayed on the charts for 14 weeks.[2] The song tells a story of the chase of a lost love along the course of Mississippi River from Saint Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana.

"Big River"
Single by Johnny Cash
from the album Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous
ReleasedMarch 1958
GenreRockabilly[1]
Length2:35
LabelSun
Songwriter(s)Johnny Cash
Producer(s)Sam Phillips, Jack Clement
Johnny Cash singles chronology
"Ballad of a Teenage Queen"
(1958)
"Big River"
(1958)
"Guess Things Happen That Way"
(1958)

Background

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A verse omitted from the original recording was later performed during Johnny Cash's live performances.[3] A demo recording from the Sun sessions featuring the omitted verse also exists and has been released on numerous Sun compilations.

Chart performance

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Chart (1958) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 14

Cover versions

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References

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  1. ^ Stewart, Brett (December 8, 2023). "Top 10 Johnny Cash Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved May 21, 2024. In 1958, Cash released a single called 'Big River,' a rockabilly song that further concreted his stardom as it shot to the top of the charts for quite some time.
  2. ^ "Wiki Music Guide". Archived from the original on 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
  3. ^ "Big River". Stevenmenke.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  4. ^ "The SetList Program - Grateful Dead Setlists, Listener Experiences, and Statistics". Setlists.net. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Secret Sisters cover". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-01-28.