I Got Stripes

Johnny Cash

About I Got Stripes

"I Got Stripes" is a song co-written and originally recorded by Johnny Cash. The song was recorded by Cash on March 12, 1959 and released as a single in July, with "Five Feet High and Rising" (another song from the same recording session) on the opposite side.


Year:
2016
2:06

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On a Monday,
I was arrested (uh huh)
On a Tuesday,
They locked me in the jail (oh boy)
On a Wednesday,
My trial was attested
On a Thursday,
They said guilty and
The Judge's gavel fell

I got stripes,
Stripes around my shoulders
I got chains, 
Chains around my feet
I got stripes, 
Stripes around my shoulders
And them chains, them chains,
They're about to drag me down

On a Monday,
My momma come to see me
On a Tuesday,
They caught me with a file
On a Wednesday,
I'm down in solitary
On a Thursday,
I start on bread and water for a while

I got stripes,
Stripes around my shoulders
I got chains, 
Chains around my feet
I got stripes, 
Stripes around my shoulders
And them chains, them chains,
They're about to drag me down

I got stripes,
Stripes around my shoulders
I got chains, 
Chains around my feet
I got stripes, 
Stripes around my shoulders
And them chains, them chains,
They're about to drag me down

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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: CHARLIE WILLIAMS, JOHNNY CASH

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Inspiration
"I Got Stripes" is reportedly inspired by Johnny Cash's own experiences with incarceration, particularly several nights spent in jail for minor offenses and substance abuse problems.
Release Date
The song was released in July 1959, and it remains one of Cash's best-known works.
Album Information
"I Got Stripes" is featured in the album "At Folsom Prison," which Cash recorded live in front of an audience of inmates at Folsom State Prison in California.
Song Theme
The song tells the tale of a prisoner who has been sentenced for killing a man in self-defense, reflecting the harsh realities of prison life.
Chart Performance
Despite its grim theme, the song achieved commercial success, reaching number four on the Billboard country charts in 1959.
Style and Genre
Displaying Cash's iconic "boom-chicka-boom" rhythm, the song is a perfect example of country blues mixed with rock and roll influences.
Music Partnership
"I Got Stripes" is another collaboration work with Charlie Williams who was Cash's frequent songwriting partner during that period.
Lyrics Interpretation
The title "I Got Stripes" is a reference to the black and white striped uniforms that prisoners were required to wear.
Legacy
The song continues to influence many musicians till today, including Bob Dylan who cited Cash as a major influence in his career.
Live Recordings
The live recording of "I Got Stripes" at Folsom State Prison is noted for its raw emotion stemming from Cash's personal experiences and the captive audience's reaction. The audience's response added a unique ambience that sets the live version apart from the studio recording.
Awards Information
"At Folsom Prison," the album where "I Got Stripes" was featured, was certified Triple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2003. Although the album received limited airplay, it still achieved great commercial success through album sales.

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    I Got Stripes

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1959

    Billboard #43


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