When it comes to Johnny Cash’s songs, there is no shortage of lyrics involving murder and bloodshed, but one tune that the Man in Black released, but didn’t have a hand in writing, has earned the title of the ‘Creepiest Country Murder Ballad’ of all time.
And that is his rendition of “Hung My Head.”
The spine-tingling lyrics of the tune were penned by rock music legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sting, 74, but Rolling Stonenamed Cash’s version as the leader on the ‘Creepiest Country’ listing, due to genre. His release beat out killer songs like The Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl,” Marty Robbins’ “Big Iron,” Willie Nelson’s “Red Headed Stranger,” and others.
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Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, wrote the song for his 1996 album, Mercury Falling, releasing the track that same year on Feb. 26. Although the English musician is best known as the former frontman and bassist of the ‘70s and ‘80s rock band The Police, and as a chart-topping solo artist, “Hung My Head” showcases his ability to cross-genres as a storytelling songwriter. The subject matter of the song falls in the vein of some of the best and most chilling stories in country music.
The tune tells the story of a young man who borrows his brother's firearm and accidentally shoots dead a horseman riding off in the distance. Per a report from People, the inspiration behind the song came from Sting’s admiration for Hank Williams, whom he considered a “songwriting mentor,” as well as “TV Westerns like Bonanza, which he says he was"obsessed" with as a kid.”
"The storytelling in those songs really had a profound effect on me, so I would try and write songs in that genre," Sting told the outlet. "But with me, it's a question of authenticity. I'm from the North of England, I'm not from El Paso or somewhere romantic like that. But nonetheless, I like the storytelling aspect of country music. I like the sort of biblical sweep of the landscape. So when somebody like Johnny Cash covers one of my songs, I feel vindicated somewhat."
Enter Johnny Cash
In 2002, Cash took the song and made it his own for what would become his final album, American IV: The Man Comes Around, before his death at age 71 less than a year later. Cash’s rendition brings even more weight to the tune’s lyric with his stripped-back acoustic style. His weathered vocals add a haunting touch as he simply unveils the story line by line.
Cash isn’t the only artist to cover “I Hung My Head.” Bluegrass band Blue Highway also released a version of the track for their self-titled 1999 album, Blue Highway. In addition, Sting re-recorded the song with an orchestra behind him in 2010 for his album, Symphonicities.
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