Music for Monday: Johnny Cash, ‘One Piece At a Time’

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The moment Johnny Cash and Wayne Kemp invented ‘Psychobilly’
‘One Piece At a Time,’ spring, 1976

“I got it one piece at a time – and it didn’t cost me a dime.
You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town.”

Johnny Cash’s “One Piece At a Time” was written by Wayne Kemp and recorded and released by Cash in early 1976. This humorous, rockabilly-flavored tune hit #1 on the Billboard “Country Singles” chart and #29 on the Billboard “Hot 100.”

The song tells the tale of a General Motors auto plant worker who steals the parts to build his own Cadillac “One Piece At a Time.” The single comes from an L.P. of the same name.

I love how at the start of this clip (apparently shown on Top of the Pops, July, 1976 – but performed elsewhere) Cash can barely be bothered to fake playing his guitar. Nevertheless, he appears to be having a great time singing. Enjoy.

Johnny Cash: ‘One Piece At A Time,’ 1976

Previously, on Music for Monday: Average White Band, ‘School Boy Crush’

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