The American Recordings: Delia's Gone

 "Delia's Gone" is a song about a narrator murdering his girlfriend. He never gives a specific reason why, other than Delia being "low down and triflin,'....cold and mean, kind of evil..." I'm pretty sure there are better reasons for shooting someone, but hey, it is what it is.

The narrator is in jail, relaying his story to the jailer. He is haunted by the memory of Delia, can even hear her footsteps by his bed. His words seem to show no remorse, but his dreams tell a different story.

Johnny Cash is known for his gritty crime songs. He pulls no punches, just tell a story the way a journalist would. There's no moralizing, no explaining. Cash just tells you what happened and how it feels to experience it.

Cash originally recorded "Delia's Gone" in 1962. It has more of the traditional Cash sound--the twangy, old country sound that made him famous. The American recording is more stripped down, just Cash and his guitar. I prefer the 2004 version by a wide margin.

"Delia's Gone" is the type of sad, lonesome song that I always identify with Johnny Cash. It's the perfect start to the American Recordings.

Intro: The American Recordings