Top Johnny Cash Guitar Songs You Can Learn on Acoustic
If you’re a fan of classic country music, few artists are more iconic than Johnny Cash.
With his unmistakable baritone voice and signature boom-chicka-boom guitar rhythm, Cash’s songs have become a staple for generations of guitar players. This page features 12 of his most legendary tracks—each one taught with easy-to-follow acoustic guitar tutorials.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your classic country repertoire, you'll find these Johnny Cash hits both fun and rewarding to play.
From storytelling ballads like A Boy Named Sue to rowdy numbers like Cocaine Blues, these songs showcase the heart and grit that defined Cash's career. Each lesson includes helpful strumming patterns, chords, and video demos so you can play along at your own pace.
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Top Johnny Cash Guitar Songs List
1. 16 Tons2. A Boy Named Sue
3. Ain't No Grave
4. Ballad Of A Teenage Queen
5. Big River
6. Cocaine Blues
7. Cry Cry Cry
8. Delia's Gone
9. Flesh And Blood
10. Folsom Prison Blues
11. Get Rhythm
12. Ghost Riders In The Sky
1. 16 Tons - Learn To Play On Guitar
16 Tons comes from the 1987 album from Johnny Cash called Johnny Cash Is Coming To Town.
The song was written by Merle Travis and first recorded by him in 1946.
Johnny Cash never released the song as a single.
Tennessee
Ernie Ford also did a version in 1955 and the song has been covered by
numerous artists including Eddy Arnold, Bo Diddly and Red Sovine to name
a few.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning with a few picking riffs scattered throughout. The rhythm pattern you'll need is a root down root up down up using the chords Am, Am/G, Am/Gb, E7 and a Dm.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. A Boy Named Sue - Learn To Play On Guitar
A Boy Named Sue was written by Shel Silverstein, who wrote many songs for Dr. Hook. This track appeared on the 1969 album Johnny Cash At San Quentin, a state prison in California.
The track did reach the top of the country charts and made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 list and was his only song to make it there.
Chords And Strumming
This one can be played with a capo on the 3rd fret with a root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern but there is no lead work here. The chords you'll need are G, C7 and a D7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. Ain't No Grave - Learn To Play On Guitar
Ain't No Grave is a poignant and spiritually charged song with a unique history. Originally penned by 12-year-old Claude Ely, who was battling tuberculosis in 1934, the song took on new life when Johnny Cash recorded his version in 2003, shortly before his passing.
The track, featured on Cash's album "American IV," carries a profound sense of mortality and transcendence, reflecting Cash's deep connection to spiritual themes in his later works. Remarkably, the release of Cash's rendition occurred posthumously, adding an additional layer of significance to the song.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with Drop D Tuning using the Dm, Gm and Am chords. There is some picking in this song while playing the rhythm pattern root down root up down up and repeat.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Ballad Of A Teenage Queen - Learn To Play On Guitar
Ballad Of A Teenage Queen is a catchy and heartwarming song by Johnny Cash, released as a single in 1958 from the album "Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous." The song, just a little over 2 minutes long, swiftly climbed to the top spot on the US country charts, showcasing Johnny Cash's widespread appeal.
The lyrics tell the charming tale of a small-town girl who becomes a teenage queen, capturing the dreams and aspirations of youth in a nostalgic and melodic way.
"Ballad of a Teenage Queen" reflects Cash's ability to tell compelling stories through his music and remains a classic in the country music genre.
Chords And Strumming
I play this song with a capo on the 3rd fret with a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. There is some acoustic lead in here with the chords G, C and D.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Big River - Learn To Play On Guitar
Big River was also released as a single from the 1958 album Johnny Cash Sings The Songs That Made Him Famous.
This track peaked at #4 on the country charts. There was a verse omitted from the original recording but there are some versions out there with the missing verse included.
Artists who have covered this song over the years include, Ian Tyson, Hank Williams Jr and The Grateful Dead to name a few.
Chords And Strumming
You can play this song in Drop D Tuning with the rhythm pattern root down up down up down up and repeat. There is a picking sequence in this one to learn while playing the chords E, Gb, A and B7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Chords & LyricsCocaine Blues is a compelling song by Johnny Cash, first released as the B-side to the 1979 single "I'll Say It's True." While the single reached a respectable position at #42 on the charts, it's the vivid storytelling and energetic performance of "Cocaine Blues" that captures listeners' attention.
The song can also be found on Cash's album "Silver," showcasing his versatility in blending country, folk, and rock influences. "Cocaine Blues" tells the tale of a man who finds himself in a difficult situation after a night of indulgence, providing a gritty narrative that reflects Cash's ability to tackle darker themes in his music.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning using the chords C, G7 and F with a root down bass down and repeat rhythm pattern. There is a bit of picking in this one as well.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. Cry Cry Cry - Learn To Play On Guitar
Cry Cry Cry was a single from the Johnny Cash debut album from 1955. The song peaked at #14 on the US Country charts.
This song came from the album Johnny Cash And His Red Hot Blue Guitar and was one of the first albums ever issued on Sam Phillips' Sun Records label.
Chords And Strumming
I like to use a Drop D Tuning for this song and a capo on the 3rd fret. The rhythm pattern you'll need is a root down up down up down up and repeat while playing the chords D, E, A, and a G. There is a bit of picking in this lesson.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. Delia's Gone - Learn To Play On Guitar
Delia's Gone is a haunting and somber song covered by Johnny Cash in 1994 for his album "American Recordings." The song tells a tragic story, as it was inspired by the real-life murder of a 14-year-old girl named Delia Green.
Cash's rendition of the song brings a raw and emotional depth to the narrative, capturing the darkness and intensity of the tale. While "Delia's Gone" didn't achieve chart success, its power lies in Cash's ability to convey the emotional weight of the story through his evocative vocals and minimalistic instrumentation.
The song is part of
Cash's "American Recordings" series, which marked a period of creative
resurgence for the artist.
Chords And Strumming
I play this song in standard tuning using a root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. There is no picking in this song, just rhythm while using the chords A, D, A7, B7 and E.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. Flesh And Blood - Learn To Play On Guitar
Flesh And Blood is a standout single from Johnny Cash's 1970 album "I Walk the Line." This evocative song reached an impressive #1 on the charts in both Canada and the United States, attesting to its widespread popularity.
The track showcases Cash's signature deep voice and heartfelt delivery, adding a personal touch to the lyrics. "Flesh and Blood" delves into themes of love and connection, exploring the depth of human relationships.
"Flesh and Blood" remains a testament to Johnny Cash's enduring influence and his ability to create music that speaks to the human experience.
Chords And Strumming
This number can be played in standard tuning with a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. You'll have a bit of picking in this song and you'll need the C, F, C7, D7 and G chords.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
10. Folsom Prison Blues - Learn To Play On Guitar
Folsom Prison Blues is included on Johnny Cash's debut studio album, titled "With His Hot and Blue Guitar!" The album was released in 1957 by Sun Records.
"Folsom Prison Blues" was written by Johnny Cash himself. He wrote the song while serving in the United States Air Force in Germany in the early 1950s. It was inspired by the 1951 film "Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison."
Chords And Strumming
This classic is usually played in the Key of E, but originally it was recorded higher in B, but still using the E,A and B7 chord shapes, sop they used a capo on the 2nd fret. Over the years, Johnny dropped the key down 1 fret. In this video lesson, I'm not going to use a capo at all, but feel free to capo up if you feel the need to do so.
There
are two ways you can play rhythm on this song. The first is a root down
up down up down up and repeat. Or you can play a bass note by playing
root down up bass up down up. I'll discuss both in the video lesson
The picking break in this is played higher on the fret board then I'm going to play it but in the lesson I'll show both positions. It's just the first part in E which can be played low or high, so with one guitar it sounds better low. And as the chord sheet and lyrics on this page indicate, you can play the same break twice or just skip the second break.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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11. Get Rhythm - Learn To Play On Guitar
Get Rhythm was originally released as the B-side to the single to I Walk The Line back in 1956 and was not a track on the original album Johnny Cash And His Red Hot Blue Guitar album but was added later as a bonus track when the album was re-released.
Chords And Strumming
I use a Drop D tuning in this one with a capo on the 2nd fret. For rhythm you'll want to play a root down up down up down up with some walking bass. There is a bit of lead picking in this song with the chords D, G and A.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
12. Ghost Riders In The Sky - Learn To Play On Guitar
Ghost Riders In The Sky is a cowboy song written back in 1948 by a man named Stan Jones. Johnny Cash recorded the song for his 1979 album Silver.
The song peaked at #2 on the country charts for Johnny Cash.
Others who recorded the song were The Blue Brothers, Bing Crosby and Burl Ives to name a few.
Chords And Strumming
You can play this song in standard tuning with a capo 2nd fret with the chords Am, F and C. There are a few riffs to pick out while using the rhythm pattern root down up down up down up and repeat.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
These first 12 Johnny Cash songs are just the beginning. Be sure to check out the other pages in our Johnny Cash guitar series for even more legendary tracks and heartfelt country storytelling.
Whether you’re strumming solo or picking around a campfire, these songs are perfect for any setting—and a great way to connect with the spirit of one of America’s greatest musical icons. Keep playing, and enjoy the ride with the Man in Black.
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