Fifty-nine years ago today (April 2, 1956) was a career-changing day for Johnny Cash. It was on this day he recorded “I Walk the Line,” for his freshman With His Hot Hat and Blue Guitar album.
The song, which became the third single from the record, shot straight to No.1 when it was released on May 1, 1956. Written by Cash and recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn., “I Walk the Line”‘s title was suggested by fellow country artist Carl Perkins. Cash wrote the lines, including “As sure as night is dark and day is light / I keep you on my mind both day and night / And happiness I’ve known proves that it’s right / Because you’re mine, I walk the line,” with his then-wife, Vivian Liberto, in mind.
“I wrote the song backstage one night in 1956 in Gladewater, Texas,” Cash said. “I was newly married at the time, and I suppose I was laying out my pledge of devotion.”
Cash said that he wrote in 20 minutes.
