Johnny Cash Christmas Songs & Music

Who'd have thought that the 'man in black' was such a fan of the white fluffy stuff. Beyond his rebellious streak there was certainly a homely sort that craved the glow of a family Christmas and his deep baritone voice proved to be perfect vehicle for the songs of the season. Cash recorded 4 Christmas album's over 4 decades and each had its own identity. He also hosted 2 TV Christmas specials in 1975 and 1976 which were filmed at his home in Tennessee and featured his wife June and assorted other family members.

Johnny Cash's Christmas Singles

1959: Little Drummer Boy (taken from 'The Christmas Spirit' LP)

Johnny Cash's Christmas Albums

1963: The Christmas Spirit

It may have been his first Christmas album but in 1963 Johnny Cash was a major star with 16 albums to his name already. 'The Christmas Spirit' contained a number of traditional tunes like 'Silent Night', Blue Christmas' and 'Little Drummer Boy' but Cash also wrote 4 original songs for the occasion ('The Christmas Spirit', 'The Gifts They Gave', 'We Are the Shepherds' and 'Who Kept the Sheep'). And with his wife June Carter chipping in with 2 others 'The Christmas Spirit' certainly felt like something fresh and new.

1972: The Johnny Cash Family Christmas

With his wife June Carter (and member of her family) and his brother Tommy Cash involved this 1972 festive piece certainly lived up to its billing. And the between song narration certainly gave the album a more personal feel. Again Cash and Carter were on hand to write several original songs with Tommy adding his own with 'That Christmassy Feeling'.

1980: Classic Christmas

This was the first Christmas album from Johnny Cash not to feature original tunes from the country star. Among the traditional standards that got the Cash treatment were 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', 'Away In A Manger' and the little known 'The Christmas Guest'.

1991: Johnny Cash Country Christmas

Johnny Cash was again joined on this Christmas album by his wife June and her family for a run through 13 standards. Although 'Johnny Cash Country Christmas'  did not include any originals like his earlier efforts it still shone a new light on the classics thanks to Cash's unique style.