Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash – One Piece At A Time

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About The Song

Johnny Cash, the man in black, has always had a unique way of connecting with his audience through his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. One of his most iconic songs, “One Piece At A Time”, is a prime example of his storytelling abilities. Released in 1975, this country ballad paints a vivid picture of a man slowly stealing a car, one part at a time.

What makes this song so compelling is its ability to make us empathize with a character who is, by all accounts, a criminal. Cash’s deep, resonant voice draws us into the story, making us feel the character’s desperation and loneliness. The lyrics, written by Wayne Walker and Bobby Gentry, are simple yet effective. They describe the man’s meticulous plan to steal a car without being caught, all while revealing his underlying motivations.

The song’s narrative is set against the backdrop of a factory where the man works. This setting adds a layer of irony, as the man is essentially stealing from the very system that he is a part of. The factory, with its repetitive tasks and impersonal atmosphere, can be seen as a symbol of the alienation and frustration that many working-class people felt during that time.

“One Piece At A Time” is more than just a story about a car theft; it’s a commentary on the American Dream, the gap between the rich and the poor, and the lengths people will go to in order to achieve a better life. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal themes. Cash’s performance is both sympathetic and judgmental, leaving the listener to ponder the complexities of the character and his actions.

Musically, the song is a classic country ballad, with a steady tempo and a simple chord progression. The instrumentation is sparse, allowing Cash’s vocals to take center stage. The pedal steel guitar adds a touch of melancholy, perfectly complementing the song’s overall mood.

“One Piece At A Time” is a masterful piece of songwriting that showcases Johnny Cash’s ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. The song’s timeless appeal lies in its relatable characters, its poignant lyrics, and its exploration of universal themes. It remains one of Cash’s most beloved songs, and a testament to his enduring legacy.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErKI0zWgjg

Lyric

Well, I left Kentucky back in ’49An’ went to Detroit workin’ on a ‘sembly lineThe first year they had me puttin’ wheels on CadillacsEvery day I’d watch them beauties roll byAnd sometimes I’d hang my head and cry‘Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black
One day I devised myself a planThat should be the envy of most any manI’d sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my handNow gettin’ caught meant gettin’ firedBut I figured I’d have it all by the time I retiredI’d have me a car worth at least a hundred grand
I’d get it one piece at a time and it wouldn’t cost me a dimeYou’ll know it’s me when I come through your townI’m gonna ride around in style, I’m gonna drive everybody wild‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is a round
So the very next day when I punched inWith my big lunchbox and with help from my friendsI left that day with a lunch box full of gearsI’ve never considered myself a thiefBut GM wouldn’t miss just one little pieceEspecially if I strung it out over several years
The first day I got me a fuel pumpAnd the next day I got me an engine and a trunkThen I got me a transmission and all of the chromeThe little things I could get in my big lunchboxLike nuts, an’ bolts, and all four shocksBut the big stuff we snuck out in my buddy’s mobile home
Now, up to now my plan went all right‘Til we tried to put it all together one nightAnd that’s when we noticed that something was definitely wrongThe transmission was a ’53 and the motor turned out to be a ’73And when we tried to put in the bolts all the holes were gone
So we drilled it out so that it would fitAnd with a little bit of help with an adapter kitWe had that engine runnin’ just like a songNow the headlight’ was another sightWe had two on the left and one on the rightBut when we pulled out the switch all three of ’em come on
The back end looked kinda funny tooBut we put it together and when we got throughWell, that’s when we noticed that we only had one tail-finAbout that time my wife walked outAnd I could see in her eyes that she had her doubtsBut she opened the door and said, “Honey, take me for a spin”
So we drove up town just to get the tagsAnd I headed her right on down main dragI could hear everybody laughin’ for blocks aroundBut up there at the court house they didn’t laugh‘Cause to type it up it took the whole staffAnd when they got through the title weighed sixty pounds
I got it one piece at a time and it didn’t cost me a dimeYou’ll know it’s me when I come through your townI’m gonna ride around in style, I’m gonna drive everybody wild‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is around
Uh yow, Red Ryder, this is the cotton mouthIn the Psycho-Billy Cadillac come on, huh, this is the cotton mouthAnd negatory on the cost of this mow-chine there Red RyderYou might say I went right up to the factoryAnd picked it up, it’s cheaper that wayUh, what model is it?
Well, it’s a ’49, ’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56’57, ’58’ 59′ automobileIt’s a ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67’68, ’69, ’70 automobile
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