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The 1991 grunge anthem Johnny Cash was nervous to record: “Not my kind of song”
Johnny Cash was reportedly nervous about recording Soundgarden’s 1991 grunge anthem ‘Rusty Cage’, initially saying it was not the sort of song he usually performed. His eventual version demonstrated the interpretive range of his later work with producer Rick Rubin, recasting a hard-rock song in Cash’s stark, distinctive style.
Written by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, ‘Rusty Cage’ appeared on the band’s 1991 album Badmotorfinger. Cash recorded it for his 1996 album Unchained, with the cover becoming one of the most striking examples of his American Recordings-era reinvention.
In short
- Cash initially doubted Soundgarden’s ‘Rusty Cage’.
- Rick Rubin helped bring the cover to life.
- The recording showcased Cash’s late-career reinvention.
Explained simply
Johnny Cash recorded a cover version of "Rusty Cage", a hard-rock song originally created by the Seattle grunge band Soundgarden. The 1991 original appeared on Soundgarden's album Badmotorfinger and was written by the band's frontman Chris Cornell.
Cash was initially hesitant about recording the track, reportedly saying it was not the type of song he usually performed. He eventually recorded it five years later for his 1996 album Unchained, transforming the heavy rock original into something that showcased his characteristic stark style.
The cover exemplified Cash's artistic reinvention during his later years. Working with producer Rick Rubin on the American Recordings series, Cash demonstrated his ability to interpret contemporary material and make it distinctly his own.
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