The Man Comes Around (song)
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This article may contain original research. (October 2012) |
| "The Man Comes Around" | |
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 "The Man Comes Around" cover |
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| Song by Johnny Cash from the album American IV: The Man Comes Around | |
| Released | 2002 |
| Recorded | 4:26 |
| Genre | Country, Americana, Folk |
| Label | American Recordings / Universal |
| Writer | Johnny Cash |
"The Man Comes Around" is the title track from Johnny Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around, released in 2002. It was actually written a few years earlier; however, Cash updated it for the album. It is one of the last songs Cash wrote before his death.[1] Both sung and spoken, the song makes numerous Biblical references, especially to the Book of Revelation.[2]
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Symbols and references in the lyrics[edit]
The phrase "There's a man going around taking names" recalls the song of that name popularized by folk singer Lead Belly.[citation needed]
In addition, there are numerous Biblical references in the lyrics.[2] A spoken portion from Revelation 6:1–2 in the King James Version[REV 6:1-6:2] introduces the song.[3] This portion of Scripture describes the coming of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, each heralded by one of the "four beasts" first mentioned in Revelation 4:6–9. The musical portion then begins with Cash reciting that a man will one day come to pass judgment. The chorus indicates that these events will be accompanied by trumpets, pipers, and "one hundred million angels singing". The voice of the Lord in Revelation is often likened to the sound of a loud trumpet (Revelation 1:10; 4:1; and 8:13). Revelation 5:11 states that John saw that there are millions of angels in Heaven.
The song also alludes to the Parable of the Ten Virgins from the Gospel of Matthew (25:1-13) with the lyrics “The virgins are all trimming their wicks,” a reference to the virgins’ preparation of the Second Coming of Christ.
Music[edit]
The arrangement of the song is sparse; two guitars, piano (played in the bass register), and an electric organ.
History[edit]
Of the album's fifteen tracks, only three were written by Cash, with "The Man Comes Around" the sole song specifically penned for it, and the only song Cash wrote in its entirety.
The song was inspired by a dream Cash had about Queen Elizabeth II.[4]
An alternate "early take" of the song appears on the Unearthed box set (2003) and The Legend of Johnny Cash (2005).
The song was listed as the 296th best song of the 2000s by Pitchfork Media.
Use in other media[edit]
This song was used during the opening credits of the film Dawn of the Dead as well as the opening and closing credits of the films The Hunted and Linewatch. It is also featured in the film My Best Friend's Girl.
The song has been used[when?] in Gordon Ramsay's television series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
In 2008, the song was featured prominently in the final scenes of the season one finale of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. It also featured in the closing scenes of the HBO miniseries Generation Kill.
In 2008, the song was used in the TV series Criminal Minds, in the episode Elephant's Memory.
In 2008, the song was briefly featured in romantic comedy film, "My Best Friend's Girl"[5]
In 2009, the song was used on the final episode of BBC's Being Human in the warm up to what is supposed to be a battle between Mitchell and Herrick.
In 2010, the song was featured in the episode "The Comeback Kid" on the series Chase.
In 2010 the song was featured in the teaser of the video game Operation Flashpoint: Red River
In 2012 The beginning spoken lyrics were sampled in Doctor P's, an English Dj/Producer, song "Flying Spaghetti Monster" as part of his "Animal Vegetable Mineral - Part 1" EP
In 2012 the last four spoken lyrics were used to close off the story "Death's Sweet Serenade"
A remix of the song, particularly the intro and outro, was also used in the trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
The song was used in the climactic penultimate episode of the first season of the new Dallas series in August 2012.
The song was used in the trailer and soundtrack for the 2012 film, Killing Them Softly.
References[edit]
- ^ "one of his last original compositions"
- ^ a b In the album's liner notes, Cash states that the song is "based, loosely, on the book of Revelation, with a couple of lines or a chorus, from other biblical sources".
- ^ http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/johnny-cash/american-iv-the-man-comes-around.htm
- ^ http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/02/johnny-cash-201002
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Best_Friend's_Girl_(2008_film)
