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Get Rhythm
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Wikipedia article
"'Get Rhythm'" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter and musician Johnny Cash. It was originally released as the B-side to the single release "I Walk the Line" in 1956 on Sun 241. It was re-released with overdubbed "live" effects in September 1969 as an A-side single and reached number 60 on the Billboard Pop chart.
Content
The song is about optimism, centering on a shoeshine boy who "gets rhythm" to cope with the tedious nature of his job.
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. Well maybe he was white trash. "
Chart performance
"Get Rhythm" was released in 1956 as the B-side to Cash's first #1 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. This rerelease went to #23 on the country charts.
Martin Delray version
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. It peaked at #27 on the country charts.
Chart performance
Other cover versions
NRBQ first recorded a rock'n'roll arrangement of "Get Rhythm" on At Yankee Stadium, and again on 1982's 'Grooves in Orbit'. In 1986 British pub rock band Dr. Feelgood released a cover on their album 'Brilleaux'. Ry Cooder first recorded a cover version of 'Get Rhythm' for his eleventh studio album entitled 'Get Rhythm', released in November 1987. It was also included on 'The Ry Cooder Anthology: The UFO Has Landed (October 2008)'
References
Category:1969 singles
Category:1991 singles
Category:Johnny Cash songs
Category:Martin Delray songs
Category:Rock-and-roll songs
Category:Rockabilly songs
Category:Songs written by Johnny Cash
Category:Song recordings produced by Sam Phillips
Category:Sun Records singles
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:1969 songs
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