Understand Your Man
Johnny Cash
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Don't call my name out your window, I'm leavin' I won't even turn my head. Don't sent your kinfolk to give me no talkin' I'll be gone, like I said. You'd just say the same old thing That you be sayin' all along, Just lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shut, Till I'm gone. Don't give me that old familiar cry and fuss and moan Understand your man, I'm tired of your bad-mouthin' Understand your man. You can give my other suit to the Salvation Army, And everything else I leave behind I ain't takin' nothin' that'll slow down my travelin' While I'm untanglin' my mind. I ain't gonna repeat What I said any more While I'm breathin' air that ain't been breathed before, I'll be just as gone as the wild goose in winter Then you'll understand your man, meditate on it Understand your man, you hear me talking Understand your man. Remember what I told you Understand your man Understand your man
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Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
20 facts about this song
Release DateThe release date of "Understand Your Man" by Johnny Cash was on January 13, 1964. It was the lead single from his album "I Walk the Line."
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Chart SuccessThe song was a huge success, reaching number one on both the Billboard Country and Cashbox Country charts.
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InfluencesJohnny Cash was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, and the tune of "Understand Your Man" is notably similar to Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right."
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Grammy AwardAmong Cash's many accolades, "Understand Your Man" earned him a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
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ControversyDespite its popularity, the song was controversial because of its lyrics, which seemed dismissive of women. Cash later explained that the song was meant to be humorous and self-deprecating.
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Connection with U2Decades later, Cash would record a song called "The Wanderer," with Irish rock band U2, whose final words echo lyrics from "Understand Your Man."
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Last Live PerformanceInterestingly, "Understand Your Man" was the last song Cash ever performed live in public, at the Carter Family Fold, in Hiltons, Virginia, July 5, 2003.
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Song WritingUnlike many other songs of its time, Johnny Cash himself composed the song and is the sole credit for its writing.
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Its place in the American Recording"Understand Your Man" also appeared on the 1994 album "American Recordings", which reinvigorated Cash's career.
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Cover VersionsNumerous artists have covered "Understand Your Man", including The Byrds on their album "Sweetheart of the Rodeo", and singer-songwriters Marshall Chapman and Tim O'Brien.
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Album Information"Understand Your Man" is a song from Johnny Cash's 1964 album "I Walk the Line."
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Chart PerformanceThe song achieved substantial commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Country Singles chart where it stayed for six weeks.
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Song's Inspiration"Understand Your Man" was reportedly created as a response to his wife at the time, Vivian Liberto, as their marriage was beginning to fail.
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Song's GenreThe song falls under the Country and Rockabilly music genres that Johnny Cash is well-known for.
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Bob Dylan ConnectionInterestingly, the song shares its melody with Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." Cash informed Dylan before releasing the song, acknowledging the influence.
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Lyrics Theme"Understand Your Man" has lyrics that reflect a breakup, with the singer wanting to put an end to the relationship, and asking his partner to understand his decision.
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Song's DurationThe length of this song is relatively short, clocking in at only 2 minutes and 42 seconds.
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Last PerformanceIt is reported that Johnny Cash performed "Understand Your Man" for the last time on his television show, "Johnny Cash and Friends" in 1976.
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Live PerformanceUnlike many other hits by Johnny Cash, "Understand Your Man" was not frequently included in his live performances.
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Grammy Hall of FameIn 2020, this song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame due to its significance in recording history.
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Citation
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"Understand Your Man Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2583189/Johnny+Cash/Understand+Your+Man>.
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