Johnny Cash – “One”

The first time I heard this version I was riveted. All the optimism of the U2 version gone, replaced by tragic longing. It is amazing the level of emotion that this man can summon.

Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson… to name a few of them. They had staying power, and unlike the expectations of the music industry, continued to actually get better with age, like a fine wine. Johnny Cash doesn’t just “cover” a song, he internalizes it into his soul and makes it a part of him, and then shares what he learned with the rest of humanity.