"Man in Black" (or "The Man in Black") is a protest song written and recorded by singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, originally released on his 1971 album of the same name. Cash himself was known as "The Man in Black" for his distinctive style of on-stage costuming. The lyrics are an after-the-fact explanation of this with the entire song a protest statement against the treatment of poor people by wealthy politicians, mass incarceration, and the Vietnam War.

"Man in Black"
Single by Johnny Cash
from the album Man in Black
B-side"Little Bit of Yesterday"
ReleasedMarch 1971
Recorded1971
GenreCountry folk, protest song[1]
Length2:52
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Johnny Cash
Producer(s)Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash singles chronology
"Flesh and Blood"
(1970)
"Man in Black"
(1971)
"Singin' in Vietnam Talkin' Blues"
(1971)
Cash singing into a microphone and strumming a guitar
Cash in black at his legendary 1969 performance at San Quentin

In the intro to his first performance of the song, Cash revealed he had talked to some of the audience members from Vanderbilt University that weekend, and was inspired to write "Man in Black," revising it a few times just before the concert on Wednesday. He performed the song using cards with the just-revised lyrics. At the end of the song he received a standing ovation. The song was the opening track of the posthumous Cash album, Johnny Cash and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2020.

In 1991, Christian punk band One Bad Pig recorded a version on their album I Scream Sunday, in which Johnny Cash made a guest appearance.[2] In 1993, Spanish rock band Loquillo y Trogloditas recorded a cover of the song in Spanish for their album Mientras respiremos. In 2020, Andy Allo released a cover of this song.[3]

Chart performance

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Chart (1971) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 58

References

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  1. ^ "10 Protest Songs of Johnny Cash". Protest Music Hall of Fame. January 9, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Man in Black (Cover) - One Bad Pig, retrieved 2020-12-05
  3. ^ Man in Black (Cover) - Andy Allo, retrieved 2020-06-16
  4. ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.