A 1955 Johnny Cash country single later re-recorded live at Folsom State Prison in 1968, capturing a famous concert response from inmates.
Composition
Folsom Prison Blues was written by Johnny Cash, drawing in part on the 1953 song “Crescent City Blues” by Gordon Jenkins. The lyric is narrated by a prisoner reflecting on the sound of an outside train.
1968 Live Recording
Cash recorded a live version at California’s Folsom State Prison in January 1968 in front of inmates. The album “At Folsom Prison” became one of the most successful and influential live recordings in country music.
Legacy
The live version reached number one on the U.S. country chart in 1968 and helped revive Cash’s career. He was later sued by Gordon Jenkins for the lyric borrowing, and the case was settled out of court.
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