Busted

Johnny Cash

About Busted

"Busted" is a song written by Harlan Howard in 1962. It was recorded and first released by Johnny Cash (with the Carter Family) for Cash's 1963 album Blood, Sweat and Tears. The first recording was by Burl Ives in 1962. It has subsequently been recorded by several notable artists, including Ray Charles (also in 1963) and Patty Loveless (2009).


Year:
1978
37 
#2

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My bills are all due and the babies need shoes but I'm busted
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound and I'm busted
I've got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay
A big stack of bills that get bigger each day EE
The County will haul my belongings away I'm busted!

I went to my brother to ask for a loan I was busted
I hate to beg like a dog for a bone but I'm busted
My brother said there ain't a thing I can do
My wife and my kids are all down with the flu
And I was just thinking of calling on you I'm busted!

Lord I'm no thief but a man can go wrong when he's busted
The food that we canned last summer is gone and I'm busted
The fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow
Me and my family's gotta pack up and go
Where I'll make a livin' the Lord only knows but I'm busted!

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Johnny Cash

John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003), was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Although he is primarily remembered as a country music icon, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll—especially early in his career—as well as blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal led to Cash being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. more »

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Written by: ROB THOMAS

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Origin
• "Busted" was originally written by American songwriter Harlan Howard in 1962.
Original Singer
• The original recording of "Busted" was performed by Johnny Cash in 1962.
Popularity
• Johnny Cash's version of "Busted" became a #13 hit on the country chart.
Pattly Loveless's Version
• In 1996, country artist Patty Loveless recorded her own version of "Busted" for her album, "The Trouble with the Truth".
Ray Charles's Interpretation
• Not long after its original release, the legendary Ray Charles reinterpreted "Busted", lending the song a soulful touch that would help it reach an even wider audience.
Chart Success
• Ray Charles's version of "Busted" was highly successful, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Recognition
• Charles's rendition of "Busted" also earned him a Grammy award in 1963.
Genre Variety
• Over the years, "Busted" has been interpreted in a variety of styles, from country and soul to blues and pop, showcasing the song's broad appeal and timeless quality.
Soundtrack Appearance
• Johnny Cash's rendition of "Busted" appeared in the soundtrack of the 2004 biographical film, "Walk The Line".
Difference in Interpretation
• While all the singers preserved Howard's original lyrics, they each brought their own unique interpretation to the song. Cash's version was deep-voiced and melancholic; Charles's was heartfelt and soulful; Loveless's rendition introduced a female perspective to the song.
Modern Covers
• In more recent years, artists like John Mellencamp, Nazareth, and Chris LeDoux have put their own spins on "Busted", showing the song's continued relevance more than five decades after it was first written.

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    "Busted Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/543561/Johnny+Cash/Busted>.

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