Get Rhythm
| "Get Rhythm" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Johnny Cash | ||||
| B-side | "Hey Porter"[1] | |||
| Released | September 1969 | |||
| Format | 7" single | |||
| Recorded | 1956 | |||
| Genre | Rockabilly, country | |||
| Length | 2:13 | |||
| Label | Sun 1103 | |||
| Writer(s) | Johnny Cash | |||
| Johnny Cash singles chronology | ||||
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"Get Rhythm" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. It was released in September 1969 as a single.
Contents |
[edit] Content
The song is about optimism, centering on a shoeshine boy who "gets rhythm" (spends part of his pay at a jukebox, to hear music) to cope with the tedious nature of his job.
[edit] Critical reception
Alice Randall in the book "My Country Roots: The Ultimate MP3 Guide to America's Original Outsider Music" asks the question, "racist, racialist, or race appreciating? You decide. Maybe the grinning "boy" hides something worth knowing in his mask as well as behind his mask."[2]
[edit] Chart performance
"Get Rhythm" was released in 1956 as the B-side to Cash's first Number One hit, "I Walk the Line." In 1969, the original recording of "Get Rhythm" was released as a single itself, with sound effects dubbed in to simulate the sound of a live recording.[1] This rerelease went to #23 on the country charts.
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 60 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 59 |
| Preceded by "To See My Angel Cry" by Conway Twitty |
RPM Country Tracks number-one single November 15-November 22, 1969 |
Succeeded by "Groovy Grubworm" by Harlow Wilcox |
[edit] Martin Delray version
| "Get Rhythm" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Martin Delray | ||||
| from the album Get Rhythm | ||||
| B-side | "The Very Thought of You" | |||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Format | CD single | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:52 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer | Blake Mevis, Nelson Larkin | |||
| Martin Delray singles chronology | ||||
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In 1991, Martin Delray recorded a cover of the song on his debut album, also entitled Get Rhythm. Released as his debut single, Delray's version featured guest vocals from Cash, as well as a guest appearance by him in the music video.[3] It peaked at #27 on the country charts.
[edit] Chart performance
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 27 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 18 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 84. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ^ Randall, Alice; Carter Little, Courtney Little (2006). My Country Roots: The Ultimate MP3 Guide to America's Original Outsider Music. Thomas Nelson, Inc.. pp. 92. ISBN 1595558608.
- ^ Vinopal, David. "Martin Delray Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p1585. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
