Unchained | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 5, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1995–1996 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 41:11 | |||
Label | American | |||
Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
Johnny Cash chronology | ||||
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American series chronology | ||||
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Singles from Unchained | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | link |
Robert Christgau | link |
Unchained,also known as American II:Unchained is the second album in Johnny Cash's American Recordings series (and his 82nd overall). It was released on November 5,1996,by American Recordings. Like all of Cash's albums for American Recordings,Unchained was produced by Rick Rubin. The album received a Grammy for Best Country Album and Cash was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his version of "Rusty Cage."
In contrast to the first album –on which Cash played alone –he is backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. There are guest appearances by country music veteran Marty Stuart (additional guitar on more than half the songs);Flea (bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers),on "Spiritual";and by Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood,both of Fleetwood Mac,on "Sea of Heartbreak". [1]
Unchained focuses on covers. In addition to three of Cash's own compositions,Unchained contained songs by Jude Johnstone ("Unchained"),Tom Petty ("Southern Accents"),Spain ("Spiritual"),Soundgarden ("Rusty Cage"),and Beck ("Rowboat"). The album also included a cover of the classic 1962 Hank Snow song,"I've Been Everywhere",written by Geoff Mack. From 2003 to 2009,Cash's version of "I’ve Been Everywhere" from this album Unchained has been used in several Choice Hotels commercials and has been the theme for these commercials. It was also used in a USPS commercial from 2021 to 2022. Cash's version of "I’ve Been Everywhere" has also been used as a soundtrack in Season 2 of the animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy &Mandy . According to biographer Robert Hilburn,Cash also recorded a cover version of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" during the recording sessions for Unchained,but it was not released. [2]
The album was recorded over a six-month period with engineer Sylvia Massy at Sound City Studios.
Two songs on the album had previously been recorded by Cash.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Rowboat" (Beck cover) | Beck | 3:44 |
2. | "Sea of Heartbreak" (Don Gibson cover) | Paul Hampton, Hal David | 2:42 |
3. | "Rusty Cage" (Soundgarden cover) | Chris Cornell | 2:49 |
4. | "The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)" (Jimmie Rodgers cover) | Del Lyon, Lani McIntire | 2:26 |
5. | "Country Boy" | Johnny Cash | 2:31 |
6. | "Memories Are Made of This" (Dean Martin cover) | Richard Dehr, Terry Gilkyson, Frank Miller | 2:19 |
7. | "Spiritual" (Spain cover) | Josh Haden | 5:06 |
8. | "The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea" (The Carter Sisters cover) | Maybelle Carter, Anita Carter, Helen Carter, June Carter Cash | 2:32 |
9. | "Southern Accents" (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) | Tom Petty | 4:41 |
10. | "Mean Eyed Cat" | Cash | 2:33 |
11. | "Meet Me in Heaven" | Cash | 3:21 |
12. | "I Never Picked Cotton" (Roy Clark cover) | Bobby George, Charles Williams | 2:39 |
13. | "Unchained" (Jude Johnstone cover) | Jude Johnstone | 2:51 |
14. | "I've Been Everywhere" (Lucky Starr cover) | Geoff Mack | 3:16 |
Adapted from the album liner notes.
Album - Billboard (United States)
Chart (1996) | Peak position |
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Billboard 200 | 170 |
Top Country Albums | 26 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States | — | 221,000 [3] |
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